📷 Photo by Miltiadis Fragkidis on UnsplashThessaloniki to Thrace: Roman sites, Philippi, Kavala and Dadia
From the Roman monuments and Byzantine upper town of Thessaloniki east to ancient Philippi, the old town of Kavala and the raptors of Dadia forest.
- Distance
- 364 km (226 mi)
- Driving
- 5 h 01 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Greece
- Updated
- May 14, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 364 km (226 mi) with 6 stops, from Rotunda and Arch of Galerius to Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest. About 5 h 01 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Greece · More road trips from Thessaloniki
Route description
Begin in Thessaloniki at the Rotunda and Arch of Galerius, two early fourth-century monuments on Egnatia Street. The Arch is about two-thirds preserved, while the 24.5-metre-wide Rotunda was later a church and a mosque; both are UNESCO-listed. Everything here is close together, so the city centre is best explored on foot rather than by motorhome.
Climb to Ano Poli, the upper town, the only district to survive the 1917 fire, with winding lanes, Byzantine walls and the Heptapyrgion fortress. Come towards sunset for views over the city and the sea. Afterwards stroll down to the waterfront and the White Tower, the city’s best-known landmark, for an evening walk along the bay.
Leave Thessaloniki eastwards for Ancient Philippi, a drive of about 150 km. Founded by Thasian colonists and renamed by Philip II of Macedon, it later became a Roman colony and an early Christian centre. UNESCO listed it in 2016, and excavations have revealed a forum, a theatre and several basilicas. Bring a hat and water in summer.
Kavala is only a short drive from Philippi, roughly 15 km. Its old town of Panagia occupies a rocky peninsula with cobbled lanes, the Imaret, a fortress of Byzantine origin and a lighthouse, while the roughly 270-metre Kamares aqueduct marks the edge of the old town. Sunset at the lighthouse is recommended; the old streets are narrow, so park outside.
The last leg is a long drive east towards the Evros region to the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest, a protected area in the Rhodope foothills. It is important for birds of prey, with 21 raptor species recorded according to the Greek tourism board. A closed observatory overlooks a vulture feeding station, about 2 km from the Ecotourism Centre; check local rules for camping in the area.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Rotunda and Arch of Galerius
HistoryThessaloniki, GreeceTwo monuments from the early fourth century: the Arch of Galerius, about two-thirds preserved, and the Rotunda, a 24.5-metre-wide round building later used as a church and a mosque. Both are UNESCO-listed and stand close together on Egnatia Street.
- 21 km
Ano Poli (Upper Town) of Thessaloniki
HistoryThessaloniki, GreeceThe hillside upper town, the only district of Thessaloniki to survive the 1917 fire, with narrow winding streets, Byzantine walls and the Heptapyrgion fortress. Come towards sunset for views over the city and the sea, and explore on foot.
- 32 km
White Tower of Thessaloniki
HistoryThessaloniki, GreeceA cylindrical tower on the waterfront promenade that serves as a landmark of Thessaloniki, with a museum inside and a terrace on top. Park farther out and walk the seafront in the evening.
- 4151 km
Ancient Philippi
HistoryPhilippi, GreeceAn ancient city founded by Thasian colonists and renamed by Philip II of Macedon, later a Roman colony and an early Christian centre. UNESCO listed it in 2016, and excavations have uncovered a forum, a theatre and several basilicas.
- 518 km
Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct
HistoryKavala, GreeceThe old town of Panagia sits on a rocky peninsula with cobbled lanes, the Imaret, a Byzantine-origin fortress and a lighthouse. The Kamares aqueduct, about 270 metres long, marks the edge of the old town; sunset at the lighthouse is recommended.
- 6192 km
Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest
NatureDadia, GreeceA protected forest in the Rhodope foothills, important for birds of prey, with 21 raptor species recorded according to the Greek tourism board. A closed observatory overlooks a vulture feeding station about 2 kilometres from the Ecotourism Centre.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Rotunda and Arch of Galerius → White Tower of Thessaloniki · 4 km · 0 h 03 minOn the way: Ano Poli (Upper Town) of Thessaloniki.Overnight nearby, for example: A&A Camper Parking (15 km); A&A Camper Parking Thessaloniki (14 km).
- Day 2: White Tower of Thessaloniki → Ancient Philippi · 151 km · 2 h 05 minOvernight nearby, for example: Batis (13 km); Paradiso (16 km).
- Day 3: Ancient Philippi → Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct · 18 km · 0 h 15 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Alexandros (9 km); Batis (3 km).
- Day 4: Kavala Old Town (Panagia) and Kamares Aqueduct → Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest · 192 km · 2 h 39 minOvernight nearby, for example: 2 jour (20 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and November. Hot in July. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Thessaloniki to Thrace: Roman sites, Philippi, Kavala and Dadia?
4-day road trip of about 364 km (226 mi) with 6 stops, from Rotunda and Arch of Galerius to Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest. About 5 h 01 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Thessaloniki to Thrace: Roman sites, Philippi, Kavala and Dadia?
We suggest 4 days: about 5 h 01 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Thessaloniki to Thrace: Roman sites, Philippi, Kavala and Dadia start and end?
It starts in Rotunda and Arch of Galerius and ends in Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest.
Which countries does Thessaloniki to Thrace: Roman sites, Philippi, Kavala and Dadia pass through?
Greece.
Where can you camp along Thessaloniki to Thrace: Roman sites, Philippi, Kavala and Dadia?
OpenStreetMap lists 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Alexandros, A&A Camper Parking and Batis.
When is the best time for Thessaloniki to Thrace: Roman sites, Philippi, Kavala and Dadia?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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