Thessaloniki to Athens Via Meteora, 7 Days, 2 Greek Cities and One Unforgettable Landscape

Planning to travel from Thessaloniki to Athens and spend time in both cities? This 7-day itinerary shows you the best way to go, including an essential stop in Meteora, one of Europe’s most spectacular (and still underrated) landscapes. You’ll find clear transport options and a simple route you can follow using budget friendly public transport.

I’ve travelled widely across both mainland Greece and the islands, and this route remains my personal highlight. It’s a trip I recommend to anyone visiting Greece for the first time, or returning to see a different side of the country. I hope you enjoy it too.

7-Day Itinerary by Bus from Thessaloniki to Athens Via Meteora

If you’re jotting down ideas, start here, with my suggested plan for each day. I also have more detailed guides for Thessaloniki, Meteora and Athens and ideas to extend your stay with further trips in mainland Greece , travel to the Islands or to travel northwards further into the Balkans.

• Day 1: Thessaloniki
• Day 2: Optional day trip from Thessaloniki
• Day 3: Thessaloniki → Meteora
• Day 4: Meteora → Athens
• Day 5: Athens – The Classics
• Day 6: Athens – Neighbourhoods & Views
• Day 7: Athens – Markets & Ancient History

You don’t need to follow my outline exactly, but if it helps you shape your own plan, then it’s done its job. Let’s dive in!

Transport Overview

The train to Kalabaka is not currently operating (as at Dec 2025), so this bus route is currently the most reliable option. Tickets usually become available on the Ktel website about 30 days in advance. Timetables can shift (especially while the Kalabaka train line is closed), so it’s worth checking again closer to travel.

Ktel Bus Route	Time / Price	Notes
Thessaloniki → Trikala	~2h50 / ~€20,60	Frequent departures
Trikala → Kalabaka	~40 mins / ~€2,90	Easy connection
Kalabaka → Trikala	~40 mins / ~€2,90	Easy connection
Trikala → Athens	~4h50 / ~€31,00	Reliable & comfortable

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Day 1: Thessaloniki

Welcome to Thessaloniki

If you’re arriving from Thessaloniki airport, as we did, it’s straightforward to pick up the OASTH bus service, 1X (day) and 1N (night) which runs every 30 minutes and takes around 40-50 minutes to the city centre, depending on the traffic. It costs around €3.60. The bus was packed and not the best airport bus experience, but it got us into the centre as promised. Alternatively you could use a taxi or airport pickup.

Getting around Thessaloniki

We found we could walk everywhere, but there’s an extensive bus system if you need it. You can buy tickets from kiosks and validate them on the bus. There’s a brand new tram system, but that doesn’t yet go to the airport, or cover the main tourist sites. Also check out Bus 50, Cultural route, including downloadable leaflet. This leaves from the White Tower and takes you around the city, including up into the Old Town, Ano Poli, which will save your legs if you don’t want to walk up the hill.

You can also use Uber, but it operates more as a local taxi aggregator than the sort of service you might be used to. We were recommended Freenow app as a better alternative and popular with the Greeks.

Where To Stay in Thessaloniki

We stayed in the Mandrino Hotel which we chose for its central location, just off Aristotelous Square, and exceptional value. There’s plenty to choose from and you can find central, modern, comfortable places with all the essentials covered from around €50 per night per room.

Sightseeing in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is often overlooked compared to Athens, and it’s certainly a very different proposition. While Athens is big, busy and can be a little chaotic in places, Thessaloniki’s more compact size and relaxed vibe is its strength.

For a little context, Thessaloniki sat on major trade routes, which helped it grow into one of the ancient world’s most important port cities. Its population mixed Greeks, Jews and Romans, created a genuine crossroads of cultures and ideas. That legacy is still visible today in its architecture, food, neighbourhoods and easy blend of cultures.

Thessaloniki’s 15 Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments form a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the Rotunda and Hagia Sophia in the city centre to St Demetrius and the old city walls which you’ll see as you walk up to Ano Poli. I’ve highlighted these on the map so you can easily find them.

Although you can cover the main sights in a day, Thessaloniki really shines as a one or two-night stay. It’s the calmest point on the itinerary, giving you time to find your feet before the hiking paths of Meteora and the full-on energy of Athens.

Highlights of Thessaloniki:

• Start in Aristotelous Square, a large stylish square surrounded by cafes and luxury shops
• Climb the White Tower for views across the waterfront
• Walk the Promenade from the iconic Umbrellas to the Harbour
• Take a Boat Trip Along the Bay
• Enjoy the Cafés, Restaurants and Nightlife of the Ladadika District
• Visit Thessaloniki’s Museums and other historic landmarks
• Explore Thessaloniki’s markets
• Walk Up to the Old Town (Ano Poli) for sunset views over the city

→ Read my full guide to Thessaloniki

Map of Things to Do in Thessaloniki

Here’s a full map of the best things to do in Thessaloniki, with more detail in my dedicated guide of Thessaloniki.

Day 2: Optional Day Trip from Thessaloniki

You may need more time to explore Thessaloniki, but if you’d like to go further afield, here are some day trip options.as there’s limited public transport options. These should be booked in advance.

•  From Thessaloniki: Halkidiki Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch
• Thessaloniki: Kavala, Philippi, and Beach Full Day Trip
• From Thessaloniki: Day Trip to Dion and Mount Olympus Park
• From Thessaloniki: Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa Day Trip
• Thessaloniki: Vergina and Pella Day Trip
• Mount Athos Glassbottom Cruise with Ammouliani Island visit

If you want beaches and blue water, the Halkidiki lagoon cruises are ideal, especially in the warmer months. Culture lovers will enjoy the Vergina and Pella tour for its royal tombs and ancient Macedonian history or the Kavala and Philippi day trip. If you prefer scenery and mythology, the Dion and Mount Olympus excursion offers mountain views without needing hiking boots. And for a more unusual option, the Mount Athos glass-bottom cruise is an easy way to explore the coastline and the monastic peninsula from the water.

Day 3: Thessaloniki to Meteora

Morning: Journey to Kalabaka

Your KTEL bus tickets are best booked online in advance. I’d suggest starting your journey to Meteora, early in the morning. There’s currently a bus which leaves the KTEL Macedonia bus station at 9.30 which will get you to Kalabaka for Meteora at 13.00. You’ll need to change at Trikala.

The KTEL Macedonia bus station is about a 50-minute walk out of the city centre. There’s the 36A or 36B bus from the White Tower or Aristotelous Square, but that’s about a 40 minute ride. So you might want to get a taxi to the bus station. Try the Freenow App.

Where To Stay For Meteora

Most visitors stay in Kalabaka, where the bus arrives. It’s a small town in a stunning setting framed by the Meteora cliff tops and there’s a number of really gorgeous hotels like this one. Neighbouring Kastraki also has rooms, but it’s much smaller and there’s less going on, so you might not find so many dining options, especially out of season. It’s a little closer to the monasteries though.

Sightseeing in Meteora

So while the view from the hotel and hotel pool, if you splurged as I suggested, may be sensational, you’ve come to see the monasteries right? Booking a tour in advance is a good idea. If you haven’t got a car your other option is to hike and that’s likely to be an all day affair and pretty intense. Possibly not the best choice unless you’re a seasoned hiker. If you do want to hike, it’s shorter and easier going from Kastraki than Kalabaka.

If you’re staying overnight, then I’d take the wonderful opportunity to get the best photos at sunset and enjoy everything at a quieter time when the day trippers have gone home. You’ll be in very excellent hands, with this local operator we used.

→ Meteora: Guided Sunset Tour with Monasteries and Caves Visit

While you’ll almost certainly get to see the outside of all six monasteries, you may only be able to go inside a few of them. Exactly which may vary as their opening hours can be a little idiosyncratic. But go inside them, you must. The insides are as as astonishing and beautiful as their exteriors. I’d ask your guide about the best way to see anything you missed in the morning,

Here’s my complete guide to visiting Meteora, where I’ve included more details on what you’ll see, to supplement this itinerary. I’ve also included a map of the main sights in Meteora.

→ Visit Meteora: An Unforgettable Trip to Greece’s Cliff-Top Monasteries

Map of Things to Do in Meteora

Here’s a map of the monasteries of Meteora

Evening: Dining In Kalabaka

Kalabaka has plenty of tavernas and family-run restaurants, most serving traditional Greek dishes. Meteora Restaurant is one of the oldest tavernas in town with a classic Greek menu while Elias Gardens is more cosmopolitan and also an excellent choice. But there’s plenty of options.

Most restaurants in Kalabaka are walkable, and the town itself sits right under Meteora’s rock pillars, it’s a spectacular setting.

Day 4: Meteora To Athens

Morning: In Meteora

Thia morning it’s time to take your last look at Meteora, from all possible viewpoints. You could take a morning tour or you could organise a taxi or your own transport, or hike to any monasteries you would like to revisit or you missed the day before.

Afternoon: Journey from Kalabaka to Athens

In the afternoon, travel to Athens via Trikala on the bus. In Athens, KTEL buses usually arrive at Liosion Bus Station, a little way outside the centre, with easy connections by bus, metro (via Agios Nikolaos or Attiki), or taxi depending on where you’re staying.

Getting Around Athens

Athens is pretty straightforward to get about:

• Walking: Ideal for central Athens and many major sights
• Metro: Three lines; fast, reliable, and the best option for the airport and key attractions
• Buses & trams: Useful for reaching beaches and outer suburbs
• Taxis / Uber: Convenient for door-to-door travel, with fixed fares for airport journeys
• Tickets & payment: Integrated public transport tickets, with contactless payment widely available

Where to Stay in Athens

Athens is a huge city, so pick a central location. Plaka, Koukaki, and Syntagma neighbourhoods are good options. We stayed at the Magenta Luxury Suites in the Koukaki district, close to the Acropolis. It was a beautiful aparthotel and excellent value too. Athough I would say the hotel itself was considerably smarter than the street it was in!

Evening: In Athens

Heading to Plaka for an evening meal, or finding a roof top bar would be a perfect way to start your visit to Athens. Here’s my guide to the classic things to do in Athens, where you will find more detail, to help you plan your trip.

→ Classic Athens: Top Sights and Ancient Landmarks for your First Trip to The Greek Capital

→ Alternative Athens: Leaving the Big Tourist Spots behind

Day 5: Athens – The Classics

Sightseeing in Athens

I fell in love with Athens for its ancient ruins and lived-in neighbourhoods. Add in green hills and parks, elegant pedestrian streets, good food, music, cats, and, above all, the people, and it quickly gets under your skin. Athenians tend to be low-key, but they’re quietly confident about how special their city is. And with around 6,000 islands within easy reach, yes, Athens is absolutely worth putting on your list.

So let’s start with the biggest draw, the Acropolis and you want to dedicate a few hours to this, if you are go explore both the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum.

Morning: The Acropolis & Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis has timed tickets and places are capped, so book this in advance. I’d recommend going early in the day, the first slots are at 8am to beat the heat and the crowds. Or take the last slots before closing. These are two good options:

• Combo: Acropolis & Acropolis Museum with Optional Tours
• Athens: Acropolis & up to 5 Archaeological Sites Combo Pass

After exploring the site, walk down to the Acropolis Museum, which is beautifully designed and gives you the context that pulls the whole ancient city together.

Afternoon: Plaka & Anafiotika

From the museum, wander through the Plaka, Athens’ prettiest (and most touristy) neighbourhood, with pastel houses, small squares, and plenty of cafés where you can refuel. Continue up into Anafiotika, the tiny Cycladic-style cluster tucked under the cliffs of the Acropolis where you’ll find whitewashed houses, flower pots, painted shutters, and quiet lanes that feel miles away from the city.

Evening: Philopappos Hill

Walk up Philopappos Hill for panoramic views over Athens and the Acropolis as it lights up. It’s a gentle, well-used path; go for sunset for the best photos.

Map of Things to Do in Athens

Here are the main thing to do. Both the classic choices, and some of the neighbourhoods we visited beyond the popular tourist sights.

Day 6: Neighbourhoods & a Modern Athens

Morning: The Panathenaic Stadium & Mets

Walk or hop on a bus to the Panathenaic Stadium, the world’s only stadium built entirely of marble and host of the first modern Olympic Games. It’s very exposed, so like the Acropolis, I’d get there early. You can see much of it without paying the entrance fee, we didn’t go in. But if you’re a history buff the audio guide and chance to wander the whole area and visit the museum, should definitely be on your ‘to do’ list.

After a look around, wander into neighbouring Mets, a quieter, leafy neighbourhood perfect for a meal and a wander.

Afternoon: Exarchia, Kolonaki & Syntagma Square

Start in Exarchia, Athens’ edgy, creative district known for street art, bookshops, and independent cafés. From there, head towards Kolonaki, the more polished side of central Athens with designer boutiques, galleries, and great coffee.

End the morning at Syntagma Square, if timings work, stop by to watch the changing of the guard outside Parliament.

Evening: Lycabettus Hill

Take the funicular or walk up Lycabettus Hill for another of Athens’ iconic viewpoints. It’s particularly striking at dusk when the city lights stretch all the way to the sea. Consider taking a single ticket to ride up and then walk down, so you can take your time to enjoy it and take your photos from different viewpoints.

Day 7: Markets, Ancient History & a Relaxed Finish

Morning: Central Market

Start your final day at the Athens Central Market (Varvakios Agora). Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a lively slice of everyday Athens. You’ll see local produce and plenty of small tavernas.

Afternoon: Monastiraki Square & the Agora

Walk through Monastiraki Square, with its flea market stalls, (the main event is on Sundays), rooftop cafés and views back to the Acropolis. Continue on to the Ancient Roman Agora, one of the best places to get a sense of Athens as a functioning ancient city. Don’t miss the Stoa of Attalos and the remarkably preserved Hephaisteion.

Evening: Sunset drinks & Psyrri

Finish in Psyrri, a neighbourhood full of bars, meze spots, and small restaurants. A rooftop drink at sunset is the perfect way to wrap up three days in Athens before heading onward.

Budget Overview

Here are some approximate budget costs. I’ve excluded activity costs as these will very much depend on your individual choices.

Category	Details / Example Costs (per person)
🚌 Transport (Bus Fares)	• Thessaloniki → Kalabaka – bus ticket €23,50 • Kalabaka → Athens – bus ticket €33,90 Total: ~€57,40 for the full route Plus bus/taxi/metro from accommodation in Thessaloniki to Bus Station and from the Athens Bus Station to Athens Accommodation
🏨 Accommodation (Budget – Mid-range)	• Thessaloniki: €65 – €100/night per room • Kalabaka: €65 – €100/night per room • Athens: €65 – €100/night per room 6 nights total: ~€390 – €600 Very dependent on comfort level, time of year and time of booking
🍽 Meals	• 3-course meal with wine or beer – €15 – €25 per person • Local cafés and bakeries – €5 – €10 for lunch or snack • Coffee – €2-€6 (takeaway v sit down)
🎟 Activities	Priced separately
✈️ Getting There / Flights	Airfares excluded. Both Thessaloniki and Athens are connected to London and major European cities by low-cost carriers (Wizz Air, Ryanair, etc.). Prices from ~£20 each way if flying personal-item only.

How to Extend This Trip

Here are some popular day trips from Athens. If you only have time for one, Delphi offers the strongest cultural experience; the island cruise is the easiest and most relaxing option.

• Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio Tour from Athens
•  From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch
• Athens: Mythology of Delphi, Museum and Arachova Guided Tour

You can easily continue south to the Peloponnese, hop to the islands, or travel north into the Balkans. I’ve done all three and will share guides soon.

I hope you’ve found this itinerary useful. If you’re curious about other itinerary guides in the wider Balkan area, I have a bus trip from Tirana to Skopje via Kosovo and more coming soon.

I’d love to hear about your experiences in Athens or help if you have any questions about planning a trip. And if you enjoy practical, real-world travel tips, feel free to join my monthly newsletter.

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