6-Day Motorcycle Tour in Northern Greece with Xanthi and Kavala

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Palaios Panteleimonas on foot and admire its 14th-century architectural character
• 02 Ride through the magnificent Elatia Forest and enjoy its breathtaking scenery
• 03 Taste eclectic wines at Chateau Nico Lazaridi Winery and visit its art gallery
• 04 Discover Xanthi's Old Town, with its gorgeous mansions, churches, and local flea market
• 05 Choose to go kayaking through the magnificent straits of the Nestos River
• 06 Examine Imaret in Kavala, an impressive complex erected by Mehmet Ali
• 07 Relax on Thessaloniki's promenade overlooking Thermaikos Gulf
• 08 Marvel at the architecture and history of Platamon Castle

Gear up for a 6-day motorcycle journey from Athens through northern Greece, riding to Palaios Panteleimonas, Litochoro, Drama, Xanthi, Kavala, and Thessaloniki before returning to Athens. Along the way, explore traditional villages, ride through the magnificent Elatia Forest, discover the architectural character of Xanthi and Kavala, and visit landmarks such as Imaret and Platamon Castle. The tour also includes a stop at Chateau Nico Lazaridi Winery and the option to go kayaking in the magnificent straits of the Nestos River.

Stop at the Nestos River in Stavroupoli and choose the option of going kayaking through the magnificent straits of the Nestos, definitely the best part of this wonderful place.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Athens, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Xanthi, Drama, Mount Olympus National Park, Litochoro

Languages English, German, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Athens to Palaios Panteleimonas, Litochoro, and Drama

• Get acquainted with your BMW rental motorcycle at the tour company's office. After a short briefing on the tour and itinerary, set off on your BMW. All destinations and points of interest will be uploaded to the GPS provided with the motorcycle.
• Visit Palaios Panteleimonas, in the Pieria Region of Central Macedonia, known for its impressive local architectural style and history dating back to the 14th century. Discover folk art shops, traditional guesthouses, picturesque cafes, and tavernas. Park the motorcycle and enter the town on foot, walking through the narrow alleys down to the central square, where the church of Agios Panteleimonas stands surrounded by century-old plane trees. This is the perfect spot to enjoy the breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Olympus. (Duration: 1 hour)
• Continue to Litochoro, built on one of the highest peaks of Mt. Olympus (Mytikas elevation 2,918 m.) and just a few kilometres from the shores of Pieria. This significant picturesque town is a great starting point for hiking excursions on the "Mountain of the gods". Explore the old traditional village with its narrow streets and houses built according to Macedonian architecture. Pass by the lush green Katounia Park and stop at the Maritime Museum. (Duration: 1 hour)

2

Day 02

Drama City, Elatia Forest, and Wine Tasting

• Ride to Drama, in the Drama Region of East Macedonia and Thrace, built at the foot of the imposing Falakro Mt. in a verdant area with abundant water sources. Drama is beautiful and hospitable, featuring picturesque neighbourhoods, spacious squares, green areas, and well-preserved neoclassical mansions. (Duration: 1 hour)
• Explore Elatia Forest in Drama, a magnificent and inviting forest. The route is majestic and the scenery breathtaking. Enjoy every second of the ride in the midst of the forest. (Duration: 3 hours)
• Proceed through the region of Drama, one of the finest Greek regions for wine production. Chateau Nico Lazaridi Winery is one of the finest examples, where you can see the vinification process, taste the eclectic wines, and also visit the art gallery situated inside the winery. All the labels of their wines are actual paintings that can be viewed in the gallery. (Duration: 2 hours)

3

Day 03

Xanthi Old Town and Nestos River Adventure

• Cross the Kosynthos River, which divides the Old Town of Xanthi into the western part, where the old and modern town are located, and the eastern part, the "Samakov district", which boasts a rich natural environment. Both parts still preserve their traditional flair, mesmerizing visitors with their nobility and magnificence. (Duration: 2 hours)
• Ride through the cobbled narrow streets of the Old Town, decorated with gorgeous mansions whose architectural style is a marvellous blend of local and Ottoman architecture, as well as Greek Neoclassicism.
• See the Byzantine churches and picturesque squares that make the city's Old Town feel like an open museum, the glory of which remains untouched through the years.
• Examine the modern part of the city, which boasts a beautiful square with a clock and renovated tobacco warehouses, including the famous "Π", on Kapnergaton Street, which took its name from the shape of the 1890s edifices.
• Try not to miss the flea market, with its distinctive local flavour, set up every Saturday at Zoagoras Square.
• Stop at the Nestos River in Stavroupoli and choose the option of going kayaking through the magnificent straits of the Nestos, definitely the best part of this wonderful place. It is a botanical garden of 23.800.000 sq., deservedly designated as an "aesthetic forest". As the natural border between the districts of Kavala and Xanthi, the Nestos runs through a landscape of sheer gorgeousness consisting of rich forests, rare wetlands, and imposing geological formations. A breath of life and home to a very delicate habitat, it is one of the top 5 biotopes in Europe. (Duration: 5 hours)

4

Day 04

Ride from Xanthi to Kavala City

• Ride to Kavala, in the Kavala Region of East Macedonia and Thrace. The capital and main port of the Kavala prefecture is amphitheatrically built on the slopes of Mt. Symvolo, forming one of the most picturesque cities in Greece. The city's breeze sweeps through its historic buildings, which perfectly reflect its modern character. (Duration: 3 hours)
• Examine Imaret in Kavala, an impressive building erected by Mehmet Ali (1769 to 1849) as a donation to his native town. It is situated on the western side of the Old City, in Panayia, and was beautifully renovated by the Misirians, a family of tobacco traders. The building complex was a "kulliye" - a religious school - and perhaps the last of the Ottoman Empire to offer social and educational services. (Duration: 2 hours)

5

Day 05

Kavala to Thessaloniki

• Stop in Thessaloniki, in the Thessaloniki Region of Central Macedonia. It is the second biggest and one of the most charming cities in Greece. Its waterfront, museums, monuments, and excellent food make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy. Take a stroll along its promenade and allow yourself to unwind fully by Thermaikos Gulf. (Duration: 6 hours)

6

Day 06

Thessaloniki to Athens via Platamon Castle

• Visit Platamon Castle in Platamon, at the location of the ancient city of Heraclea at the exit of the Tempi valley. It controls the route from Macedonia to Thessaly and Southern Greece. The name "Platamon" appears for the first time in an imperial order of 1198, but most probably there was already a Byzantine castle there since the 10th century. After the fall of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade in 1204, Platamon came under the jurisdiction of Boniface of Montferrat, king of Thessaloniki, who gave it to the Lombard knight Rolando Piska. He was the one who rebuilt the castle on top of the old ruined construction. (Duration: 2 hours)

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• BMW motorcycle rental

• Use of helmet for the duration of the tour

• GPS with POIs

• Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in a respected, centrally located hotel

• Planning and organization of the tour

• All fees and taxes

What's Not Included

• Admission to points of interest

• Tolls, if applicable

• Refuelling

• Lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages

• Tour guide

What to bring

• A valid motorcycle license is required for the specific category of the motorcycle rental.
• An international motorcycle license is required.

Know before you go

• Participation ages are between 22-70 years old.
• All tours start and end at the tour provider's premises.
• Imaret: Inside its premises, see the two Madrasahs (religious educational foundations), two mestzit (prayer spaces), an imaret (a kitchen for soup), a mekteb (elementary school), offices, and dormitories. The foundation's initial educational and charity purpose eventually changed, and after 1858 it was even considered harmful to the city. It continued, however, to operate as a religious school until 1902 and as a charity foundation until 1923. After the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey at the beginning of the '70s, refugees inhabited Imaret. After 1967, Imaret entered an era of decadence. Its renovation lasted 22 months, and today it operates as a luxury hotel.
• 1450 EUR - Pax 1 person in a single room.
• 1700 EUR - Pax 2 people sharing a couple's room.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Athens, Greece

Tour start

Athens, Greece

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.