Ammon Express (via Get your guide) has created a day trip from Thessaloniki that goes beyond the usual tourist fare. Departing early in the morning from Aristotelous Square, this tour is a direct line to the pulse of ancient Macedonia, where the shadows of Alexander the Great and Philip II still loom large.
Pella, just 45 minutes away, is the birthplace of Alexander and it is here that the past begins to unfold before the eyes of participants. The city was once a bustling center of the ancient world, and its stories are told through the mosaics and elaborate artifacts on display in the local museum. It is a glimpse into a time where myth and history merge, revealing the daily lives of those who walked its streets millennia ago.
Then you will visit Vergina, to discover the mystical beauty of the royal tombs. After visiting Aigai, you will be left speechless by the grandeur of the Macedonian Dynastywith its royal tombs, the tumulus cemetery, the palace, the theater, the sanctuary of Eucleia, the acropolis and the city walls. It is here that lies the golden Larnax of Philip II, marked by the sun of Vergina, a symbol that has endured through the ages. The objects and the tombs themselves are an eternal echo of the grandeur and tragedy of the royal line of Macedonia.
Here lived and died King Philip II of Macedonia from 382 to 336 BC, and it was here that his son, Alexander the Great, was crowned king just before he began building his legendary empire. Along with Mycenae, Troy, and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, it is one of the largest burial sites in the world where intact and untouched tombs have been discovered.
After visiting Vergina, participants will stop for a traditional lunch at a local Greek restaurant, followed by a visit to the new Polycentric Museum of Aigai to complete the experience. Built in 2022, the museum houses a collection that brings the world of Alexander the Great and his ancestors to life. From his iconic portrait to everyday objects and the royal insignia of Macedonian nobility, the museum offers a comprehensive overview of a civilization that continues to fascinate.
Today, visitors can enjoy a wonderful experience, as the museum is the centerpiece of Vergina’s attractions in an area that has become an archaeological park that encompasses the entire historical expanse of Aigai, integrating it with the surrounding local region. The museum serves as an introductory portal to this complex historical area, allowing visitors to explore cultural pathways that reflect the urban plan of the ancient capital. With four key exhibitions – three permanent and one temporary – spread across 7,000 square meters of exhibition space in a combination of partially covered courtyards and indoor rooms, the museum effectively presents the essential elements of Aigai’s heritage. This includes its royal, religious, civic, residential, defensive and funerary sites, such as the meticulously excavated palace, the nearby theater, the Great Tumulus with its display of royal tombs and the necropolis, which houses the ancient Temenid tombs.
Presented in a simple, no-frills manner, the tour, which ends around mid-afternoon, offers a comprehensive and enriching insight into the treasures and ancient life of Macedonia.
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Alexia Amvrazi She knows Greece like few others. She is the editor-in-chief of the international edition of Travel.gr, co-author of the guide “111 Must-See Places in Athens”, former presenter of a daily radio show about Greek life on AIR FM for 10 years and, for the past 15 years, the creator of the ever-updated Fodor’s Athens guide. She has a gift for recognizing beauty and potential and is a true citizen of the world.
