NORTHERN GREECE

Veria – Vergina

Veria

The land of Alexander the Great!
Veria is distinguished for its authentic Mediterranean city life, mixed together with significant historical and religious legacies. Veria’s attractive old town and numerous churches from the Byzantine period, make it worthwhile travel destination for visitors interested in history and archaeology. Veria is located in northern Greece, extremely close to the city of Thessaloniki, at the edge of the central Macedonian lowland. The foothills of the Vermio Mountain lie to the west, while in the south, a dam in Aliakmon River forms a small lake. Tripotamos river, an Aliakmon river tributary, flows through the city.

The region around Veria is also called the Orchard of Greece, thanks to the fertile soil. A large quantity of Greece’s fruit and vegetable production comes from this area. Hardly surprising then, that there are numerous fresh fruit shops in the city of Veria!

Veria’s best known attraction is the famous archaeological site of Vergina. Other highlights include the winemaking town of Naoussa and a number of picturesque mountain villages and monasteries in the nearby area. Numerous traditional taverns, picturesque bars and sweet cafeterias make up the scenery of this charming and historically important destination!

And when it comes to the historical importance, Vergina has it all to offer! No words can describe the magnificence and the cultural significance of this site. The excavation by Professor Manolis Andronikos and his associates under the Great Tumulus of Vergina village in Imathia, Central Macedonia, in 1977 brought to light the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century in Greece. Today’s Vergina (Ancient Aigai), in the foothills of Mountain Pieria, was the first capital of ancient kingdom of Macedonia, called Aigai. The main excavation is the site of the Royal Tombs, which is also home to an exhibition of the major finds from the burials. The Archaeological Site of Aigai(Vergina) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and represents a unique discovery with an enormous universal impact.

The Vergina archaeological site was continuously inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC, and is also home to the ruins of an acropolis, palace, theater, shrines and private buildings, as well as hundreds of common graves of an extensive necropolis of the ancient city of Aigai until Roman times.

The Vergina area is a superb area for driving tour holidays. The Veroia-Meliki road that runs across the whole length of the archaeological site provides a direct connection to the Pieria coast, while the country road crossing the western Pieria Mountains and the Makedonida Municipality connects Aigai to Velvendos and Elassona, as well as Katafigi, Petra and and Mount Olympus via a route of exceptional natural beauty. The route that leads to Dion through Sikia and Riakia crossing the forested slopes of the eastern Pieria Mountains is also truly spectacular!

Veria & Vergina Travel Destination Information

Getting to Veria & Vergina
  • Thessaloniki International Airport “Macedonia”
Veria & Vergina Transportation
  • Local Bus / Taxi
Veria & Vergina Highlights
  • Vergina Village (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Byzantine Museum
  • Orta Mosque
  • Haliakmon River
  • The Great Tumulus of Aigai
  • Tomb of Thessalonike of Macedon
  • The Monumental Palace
  • Tomb of Philip II
  • Tomb of the Prince III
  • Tomb of Persephone