Discover Central Macedonia

Central Macedonia offers different focal points for planning a trip: Aigai represents the history of the ancient Macedonian kingdom, the Lake Kerkini wetland is home to a diverse birdlife, and the airport and railway provide international and regional connections. If you are looking for a hotel, start by asking which of these themes will shape your trip most. The places and connections offer different points of reference; check current flight and rail connections when planning your journey.

Aigai: royal metropolis and archaeological site

Aigai was the royal metropolis of the Macedonians and the center of their ancient kingdom. The Polycentric Museum of Aigai brings together the central museum building and the archaeological site of Aigai as a whole. The site includes the palace, the ancient theater, the Aigai cemetery with the royal burial enclosure of the Temenids, the royal tombs with a display of their treasures, and the post-Byzantine Church of Saint Demetrios in Palatitsia. Aigai therefore encompasses both a historical role and an archaeological site comprising several named parts. Those interested in archaeological sites and the history of the Macedonians will find a specific regional focus here.

The Archaeological Park of the Necropolis of Aigai and the royal burial enclosure of the tumulus tombs extends over 540 acres and includes 530 visible burial mounds. The extensive park provides the setting for the 530 visible burial mounds.

Lake Kerkini: wetland and birdlife

The focus at the Lake Kerkini wetland, by contrast, is on nature and bird species. At least 300 bird species have been observed there, including 50 species on the Red List of Birds of Greece. The first figure describes the number of species observed; the second refers to the subset listed on the national Red List. The species counts may be updated by the authorities. This makes for a clear thematic contrast with Aigai: here, birdlife and the wetland take center stage, while there the focus is on archaeological history.

Travel by plane and train

Thessaloniki-Macedonia International Airport and Thessaloniki New Railway Station are important reference points for travel to the region. The airport connects Central Macedonia with numerous countries and several domestic destinations. The railway station connects the region with Greek cities, international destinations, and the regional units of Kilkis, Serres, Pieria, Imathia, and Pella. The connections described therefore differ by the types of destinations listed; check current flight and rail connections when planning your specific trip.

Another archaeological point of reference: Pella

Pella is another archaeological point of reference: the Archaeological Museum of Pella is next to the archaeological site. By comparison, Aigai is characterized by the combination of a central museum building and an entire archaeological site.

Discover more destinations: Chalkidiki, Serres, Pieria, Thessaloniki, Imathia, Kilkis, Pella and Thessaly.

Return to the main travel overview: Greece.