IMATHIA

A paradise on earth...

The route starts from the city of Veria, a circular 105 km itinerary that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes by car (non-stop). It applies to guests with cultural interests, gastrotourists, wine tourists and winter sports enthusiasts. It is worth visiting in all four seasons.

Don’t miss to visit the capital city of the prefecture, the city of Veria. There, it is worth visitng the old city areas of Barbuta and Kyriotissa, St. Paul’s altar. Also, make a stop in the city of Naousa where you can visit the ‘Sacrifice Area’ (Arapitsa rock) dating back to the Greek Revolution, the wineries and the distilleries during the distillation period. During the carnival period (40 days before Easter), many festivals and celebrations take place in the streets of the city. The most interesting performance is that of ‘Genitsari and Boules’, which has its roots back to days when Greece was under the Ottoman rule.

«Visit the monastery of ‘Panagia Soumela’ (in the village of Kastania), a worldwide pilgrimage place for people with origins from the Pontus area, where the icon of ‘Panagia’ (Virgin Mary) made by Luke the Evangelist is conserved.

At the Ski Resorts of ‘Seli’ and ‘Tria Pente Pigadia’ you can either enjoy the snow during the winter period or the wonderful landscape of mountain Vermio during the other seasons.

In the village Yiannakochori you can find the largest vineyard area and the beautiful gorge of Krasta, a wonderful hiking trail amidst forests and streams with several rest stations built by the locals. A tour guide might be necessary for the following sights: the ‘School of Aristotle’, the Macedonian Royal Tombs at Vergina and the surrounding area of Lefkadia and Kopanos. In the village Trilofo visit the Church of St. Tryphon, patron saint of winegrowers and browse wineries and equestrian center. At the village of Trilofo don’t forget to visit the Church of St. Triphon, the patron saint of winemakers and take a tour at the wineries and the horse riding club.

Taste boar, fried ‘batzos’ cheese, wine, ‘tsipouro’ and ‘ravani’ in the guesthouses of your choice in Veria, Koumaria, Seli, Naousa and Strantza.

You can also buy local products in Veria, Naousa and Trilofo.

During the journey you can have a go at alternative activities such as agrotourism, skiing, wine-tasting courses and also, enjoy yourselves during the distillation period of ‘kazanemata’ and the carnival period. Recommended lodgings can be found in Veria, Seli, Naousa and Arkochori.

In the land of the King

The 83 km distance route starts from the city of Alexandria accessed by the Egnatia Motorway, and follows a cyclic course. By car, you will need 1 hour and 50 minutes (non-stop).

This round-the-year route applies to visitors with cultural interests, gastrotourists and ecotourists, who can go hiking, biking and bird-watching.

 During spring, if you find yourself on the way from Alexandria to Veria you will be amazed by the scenery of the blossoming peach trees.

 Taste fried pork slices, fresh meat coming from hunting, ‘sarma’, local wine, ‘tsipouro’ and ‘batzos’ cheese.

 Visit the site ‘St. Paul’s Altar’, the picturesque districts of the city of Veria and the Museum of Education in the village ‘St. Barbara’ next to Veria. Also, you can have a stop at the dam of the river Aliakmon for coffee and leisure activities.

 Don’t forget to stop by the village ‘Metochi Prodromou’ and the surrounding vineyards which are open to the public and offer a marvelous view towards the dam. Afterwards, you can visit the area of Vergina- the ancient city of ‘Aiges’ (you will definitely need a tour guide for the archaeological sites) featuring the well-preserved tomb of King Philip the Second.

 If you find yourselves in the village Meliki on the 21st of May, you will have the chance to attend the well-known festival of the custom of ‘Anastenaridon’. In the village of ‘Kipseli’ don’t forget to visit the monastery of St. Athanasios ‘Sfinitsis’. You can end your journey in the town of Alexandria. If you happen to be there during September-October, you can join the festival ‘Giorti tis Pitas’ (festival of pies).

Taste local dishes such as ‘zigouri’ lamb, ‘batzos’ cheese, boar, fried slices of various types of meat or else ‘tigania’, ‘fasoulotavas’, ‘sarma’, ‘hasapiko’ and other grill dishes, in Veria, Asomata, Ammos, Vergina, Neokastro, Neos Prodromos and Alexandria. In the meanwhile, you can stay in hotels, agrotourism facilities or traditional guesthouses in Veria, Asomata, Metochi Prodromou, Vergina and Alexandria.

 It is a good chance to go bird-watching in the area RAMSAR (St. Nicolas park).

Dream-like places

The 70 km route starts from the city of Veria and lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes (non-stop, clear weather). It is the ideal journey for ecotourists, gastrotourists and climbers offering opportunities for cycling, hiking, fishing and climbing any time of the year.

 Don’t forget to visit ‘St. Paul’s Altar’, the ‘Barbouta’ district, old city area Kyriotissa, the Jewish quarter, the cobbled paths of the city, the Museums of the city of Veria and the Museum of Education in the village of Agia Barbara.

 Also, make a stop at the dam of Aliakmon river and then visit the monasteries of ‘Timios Prodromos’ and ‘Moutsiali’ at the edge of the Pierian Mountains and enjoy the lovely view towards the river. Of exceptional interest are the chapels (St. Georgios and St. Dimitrios) in the village of Sfikia.

 In the village of Rizomata, you can see Paleokastro, designated as a Natural Heritage Monument.

 You can find hotels, traditional guesthouses and agrotourism facilities in Veria, Asomata, the dam of Aliakmon river, Ammos, Sfikia and Rizomata. Also, you can taste local dishes such as ‘batzos’ cheese, ‘tsipouro’, various meat dishes, ‘hasapiko’, meatballs of Rizomata, pies and grills.

 On the way to the village of Daskio, don’t forget to visit the lake of Logka, the stone-built harbor, where you can have a picnic by the river and enjoy the lovely view towards the river.

 In the broader region of the villages in the Pierian Mountains, you can get first-hand experience of festivals accompanied by the music of bagpipes, the ‘burning of the cedar tree’ at Christmas and other events during the carnival.