Hello, in today’s article I would like to share my five-day trip to Greece that I took before the Ramadan holiday in April 2023.
I made this journey by car. Therefore, I need to mention what you should do before you travel abroad with your own vehicle or a company car.
If you are going abroad with your vehicle, you must obtain what is known as “green insurance,” which is the European Union traffic insurance. This insurance can be obtained from any insurance company for one week at a cost of 47 Euros or for a month at 60 Euros. My advice is to not stop there and also obtain a monthly comprehensive insurance that covers abroad. If you will be traveling with a company car, your company must provide you with a notarized power of attorney.
The busiest border crossing between Turkey and Greece is the Ipsala Border Gate. I can tell you that the earlier you arrive here, the easier your crossing will be. I must also mention that especially on Saturdays, the crossings from Turkey to Greece and on Sundays from Greece to Turkey can be very busy.
If you can cross on time, you should first go to Dedeağaç. This place is known as Alexandroupoli. There isn’t much to see in the center, but I can tell you that it has a beautiful beach with cafes and restaurants. You might also want to take a picture of the lighthouse.
After Dedeağaç, I recommend you to go to Gümülcine. Gümülcine is the place with the highest concentration of Turkish population in Western Thrace. You can explore the market, enjoy a meal, and shop.
The most famous square in the city is the one featuring the sword monument. The market that starts from this square has many small and large shops. If you are going to speak to someone here, I recommend speaking in Turkish.
After that, you should head towards Kavala. In my opinion, Kavala is one of the prettiest places in Western Thrace. There is a hill that overlooks the city from which you can see the whole town comfortably. Historical sites like the house of Muhammad Ali of Kavala, Kavala Castle, and the Kavala Lighthouse are worth visiting.
Your next stop could be İskeçe. This area also has a Turkish population.
The promenade by the beach in Kavala will lead you all the way to the amusement park. You can enjoy the city as you walk here.
After Kavala, your next destination should be Thessaloniki. One of the most noteworthy places to visit in Thessaloniki is undoubtedly the Atatürk House. The entrance to the house, which faces the Turkish consulate, is free, and it reflects Atatürk’s memories and life from his birth to childhood.
Another must-see in Thessaloniki is the promenade. This promenade starts near the Iskele Mosque and ends at the White Tower. You can enjoy both the sea and the surrounding cafes on this long walking path. You might also consider going up to the White Tower at the end of the promenade. The restaurants around the White Tower were places where Mustafa Kemal spent time with his friends.
Among the other sights worth visiting in Thessaloniki are Yedikule, which was used as a dungeon during the Ottoman period, the gates beneath the city’s walls, abandoned mosques, and the Rotunda of Galerius.
After Thessaloniki, we headed towards Larissa. Since the main aim was to see Athens, I chose to stop here for accommodation. Although Larissa is not as famous as Thessaloniki or Athens, it is worth seeing as the place where Hippocrates lived.
We then set off towards Athens from Larissa. On the way, you must pass through Thermopylae, the site important in the story of the 300 Spartans movie. Here, you can understand how 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians fought against nearly 2 million Persian soldiers, according to one account.
Then continue to Athens. I recommend first going to Piraeus to see the coast, and then proceeding to Athens. Piraeus is a major port city, home to nice marinas as well as the commercial port and Olympiacos.
When you arrive in Athens, the first thing you should do is visit the Acropolis. The Acropolis is a complex that houses the Theatre of Dionysus, the Temple of Athena, and the Parthenon.
From there, descend to Monastiraki Square. Be sure to sit in a café and try Frappe or Freddo. After that, take a walk down Ermou street and head to Syntagma Square.
After Athens, you can continue your journey to Corinth. Corinth is known for its man-made canal, the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea and is large enough for a ship to pass through.
After seeing the Corinth Canal, you can head directly to the city center of Corinth. The city of Corinth is built on a beautiful beach.
After Corinth, you can continue on the road to Inebahtı. For Inebahtı, also known as Nafpaktos, you need to exit the highway and drive about 10 km inland. This coastal town has an ancient harbor, a beach, and a castle worth seeing.
After Inebahtı, you can head north to Preveze. Preveze is where we won the naval battle in 1538. This city, which curves inland, is also situated on a beach.
My entire journey by car over the highways cost me over 50 tolls, totaling 86.67 Euros. The highest fee I paid was 13.70 Euros for a bridge while heading to Inebahtı.
In summary, I have outlined my five-day trip. This route covers nearly 2,500 km and allows you to travel quickly while enjoying the places you visit. I hope it has caught your interest.
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