Day trips from Thessaloniki in 2026: guided tours to Meteora, Dion, Vergina and Olympus with real prices, travel tips and honest advice on going solo vs booking a tour

Dion is an ancient Greek city situated at the foot of Mount Olympus, famous for its remarkable historical monuments. It is no wonder that hundreds of tourists visit this place every year. And there is truly plenty to see in Dion during an excursion:

• The Temple of Zeus in Dion — the remains of the temple were uncovered during archaeological excavations. Among the preserved finds are the temple’s foundations, massive columns, a sacrificial altar, a statue of Zeus on his throne and 14 marble guardian eagles surrounding it (now kept in the Dion Museum), as well as ancient figurines and jewellery. In ancient times, the Olympic Games were held here and important state ceremonies took place.
• The Sanctuary of Demeter — the oldest architectural monument in Dion and at the same time the best-preserved among the temple complexes. The temple was built in honour of the ancient Greek goddess of fertility and patroness of agriculture. Most impressive are the perfectly preserved mosaic floors, which resemble carpets with floral and geometric patterns. The underground rooms are also worth seeing — in ancient times they hosted special events known as mysteries, which combined theatrical performance with religious ritual. Even women and slaves were permitted to take part. The surviving remains of the drainage system are another point of interest.
• The Roman baths — the ancient Roman equivalent of a modern spa complex. A testament to the engineering ingenuity of the time. The baths consisted of several rooms: a cool room (changing room), a warm transitional room, a hot room with temperatures up to 60°C (with a steam room) and a room with a bathing pool. The baths were not only a place to wash and steam, but also a space for socialising and discussing local news. The sophisticated underfloor heating system and water supply system have survived to this day.
• The Roman theatre — a historical monument of Dion that deserves visitors’ attention. A vivid example of the development of theatrical art in the ancient world. In the Middle Ages, the theatre was not only a venue for performances, but also a place for assemblies and important ceremonies. Its structure is identical to that of modern theatres — comprising a stage, an orchestra pit and seating for the audience. Particularly impressive is the masterfully crafted acoustic system, which allowed an actor’s voice to reach the furthest corners of the auditorium without a microphone. Some relief decorative elements of the stage have been well preserved to this day.
• The House of Dionysus — named after a mosaic depiction of the god Dionysus, patron of dance and merriment, found here. It is an elite villa from the classical period. The building impresses with its exquisite frescoes adorning the grand halls, masterfully crafted mosaic floors interlacing geometric motifs with depictions of animals and scenes from mythological legends. Noteworthy is the water supply system, which consisted of rainwater collection tanks and a network of pipes to supply water to the house.
• The Dion Archaeological Museum — offers visitors a chance to view the most valuable items discovered during excavations: exquisite marble statues, everyday objects, rare coins, luxurious jewellery, household items and ancient tools. A separate room houses a display of ritual objects from antiquity. Those with a good command of English will have no trouble reading the detailed descriptions accompanying each artefact.
• The Roman agora — the main square of ancient Dion, a place of trade and public and political gatherings. Today it is a complex covering approximately one hectare, where fragments of paved streets, the remains of ruined market stalls, and administrative and public buildings can still be found. An interesting detail is the extensive water supply system and inscriptions on stone that shed light on various events from the city’s past.
• The Sanctuary of Isis — a place where religious rites were performed and where, it was believed, the goddess herself resided — a deity held in particularly high regard in Greece. The structure consists of a main temple, a ceremonial pool and ancillary rooms. On display for visitors are cult figurines, ritual vessels and fragments of frescoes.
• The Early Christian basilicas — an entire complex of ecclesiastical buildings decorated with frescoes, expertly executed geometric ornaments and mosaic floors. Three structures have survived to this day, each representing a fine example of early Christian architecture and places of Christian burial. The grounds preserve liturgical objects, marble ritual altars and other ecclesiastical furnishings discovered during excavations.
• The city fortifications — defensive walls 8 metres high and 3 metres thick that served to protect the city. Today, visitors can view the remains of watchtowers, garrison barracks and storage buildings. Particularly worthy of attention is the powerful and sturdy gate with its complex and well-conceived defensive system.