A Faraway Journey

The route covers 103 kilometers and takes about 2 hours by car or motorcycle, without stops. It is easily accessible all year round and is ideal for visitors interested in sightseeing, local culture, the environment, and outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and birdwatching.

This 2-hour itinerary begins with striking images around the waters of the Axios, passing through Koufalia and Chalkidona. It is a relaxed and beautiful journey, suitable for every season, revealing the fertile, watery, and captivating side of Thessaloniki’s countryside.

The Axios Delta, one of Europe’s most important wetlands, offers scenes of rare natural beauty and harmony: herons and flamingos, salt flats, reed beds, endless horizons, and sunsets unmatched elsewhere in Greece. The best way to experience it is on foot or by bicycle.

In Kymina, the arch of a Roman bridge reminds us how time flows here—calm and unbroken, like the river. In Chalkidona, the Bogomil cemetery reveals the identity of medieval communities, while in Koufalia and Valtochori, ancient remains and Ottoman mansions stand silent, as if listening to the sounds of the flooded plain.

Local gastronomy is inseparable from the river, the lagoon, and the people, with rice as the area’s great treasure. Beans with rice and pickled cabbage, served alone or paired with mackerel and mussels, bring the sea into the heart of the plain. Stuffed mackerel rolls and fried cuttlefish are rare and flavorful delicacies, ideal with ouzo, tsipouro, or wine from Anchialos and Nea Mesimvria. In Nea Malgara, rice is produced in abundance, while salt, mussels, shrimp, and fish from the Thermaic Gulf complete a basket of seafood that may appear humble, yet hides exceptional quality and taste.

Here, everything is in its rightful place—shaped by the honesty and hard work of the people, and their efforts to “tame” the water and make the flooded plain fertile. Numerous tavernas, restaurants, guesthouses, and accommodations ensure that every visitor enjoys a memorable stay.

Route Products

PDO Products: Batzos cheese, Feta, Kasseri, Manouri (Central Macedonia)

PGI Products: Wines of Thessaloniki, Wines of Macedonia

Specialties: Rice of Nea Malgara, Mussels, Mackerel, Cuttlefish, Shrimp, Fish & Seafood, Wine, Tsipouro

Route Delicacies

Pilaf with Nea Malgara rice and Chalastra mussels: A dish full of maritime aroma and flavor. The mussels are steamed, and their broth infuses the rice with richness. Sautéed onion, olive oil, dill, and lemon complete the dish, adding freshness and balance. The result is a pilaf brimming with the scents of the sea and Mediterranean cuisine—perfect for a Lenten table or paired with ouzo, tsipouro, or white wine.

Pilaf with Nea Malgara rice and anchovies (hapsia): A rustic coastal recipe using fresh anchovies, added when the rice is half-cooked so the fish retains its sea flavor. Aromatized with onion, parsley, and freshly ground pepper, this dish is served hot and pairs wonderfully with tsipouro or white wine.

Cuttlefish with potatoes and olives: A unique traditional recipe with a strong maritime character, cooked in a clay pot. The cuttlefish simmer slowly with potatoes, green olives, and herbs, sealed under a dough crust that locks in all the aromas and flavors. Red pepper and cloves add spicy notes, while olive oil and vinegar balance the flavors, creating a dish of exceptional depth.