The immense armour of King Philip II, displayed in evocatively dimmed light
EXPERIENCE

Feel the majesty of Vergina’s Royal Tombs

Take a journey to the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia and explore the burial chamber of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, in this UNESCO-protected archaeological wonder just an hour from Thessaloniki
Thrace region-id="pin-13"; Macedonia Macedonia Epirus Thessaly Sporades Ionian Islands Western Greece Central Greece Attica Peloponnese Crete Cyclades North Aegean Islands Dodecanese Dodecanese Karpathos Astypalea Tilos Sitia Faistos - Matala Patmos Kastelorizo Kasos Kos Leros Halki Rhodes Symi Sfakia - Loutro Rethymno Elounda - Agios Nikolaos Agia Galini Plakias Hersonissos - Malia Ierapetra Heraklion Chania Nisyros Ikaria Lipsi Tzia - Kea Thasos Samos Lesvos Samothrace Limnos Chios Kalymnos Paros Naxos Zante - Zakynthos Lefkada Corfu Santorini Milos Kythnos Kimolos Serifos Syros Sifnos Koufonisia Ios Kefalonia Mykonos Paxi Ithaca Arta Ioannina Tinos Parga - Sivota Metsovo Anafi Sikinos Folegandros Donousa - Iraklia - Schinoussa Antiparos Zagori Mountainous Arkadia Porto Heli - Ermioni Preveza Amorgos Andros Delos Messolongi Ancient Olympia Aegina Kythira Archea Epidavros Patra Nafplio Kardamyli Kalamata Ilia Corinth Western Messinia Kalavryta Elafonissos Nafpaktos Spetses Poros Hydra Alexandroupolis Pylos Mycenae Monemvasia Loutraki Piraeus Athens Arahova Xanthi Galaxidi Mystra - Sparta Mani Edipsos Karpenisi Delphi Chalkida Karystos Evia Skyros Vergina Alonissos Volos Karditsa Skopelos Skiathos Kastoria Thessaloniki Prespes Agios Athanasios Edessa Serres Veria Larissa - Tempi Elati - Pertouli Trikala Pelion Meteora Drama Ammouliani Mount Athos - Ouranopolis Nymfeo Mount Olympos Katerini Halkidiki Grevena Lake Kerkini Naoussa Kozani Kilkis Kavala Pella Lake Plastira
Duration
3 hrs
Season
All year round

OVERVIEW

Visiting the Royal Tombs at Vergina (ancient Aigai) is to travel to the epicentre of the famous Kingdom of Macedonia, which ruled supreme in Greece and far beyond in the 4th century BC.

This is where King Philip II of Macedon lived and died from 382-336BC and where his son, Alexander the Great, was crowned before setting out on his legendary empire-building quest.

Today, Vergina allows us to enjoy an extraordinary insight into the ancient capital of Macedonia. It’s not just an archaeological wonder, but one of the world’s great burial sites – alongside Mycenae, Troy and the Egyptian Valley of the Kings – because, like them, the most significant tombs (including that of Philip II) were discovered unlooted and virtually intact.

Only excavated in the 1970s and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the royal tombs are presented within a grass-covered mound, mimicking the original burial tumulus of the Macedonians. Along with the palatial tomb of Philip II within it are those of Alexander’s teenage son (Alexander IV) and other family members, along with some of the most iconic treasures of Greek antiquity.

Read More Read Less

DON'T MISS

Tomb of King Philip II of Macedon

Philip II’s funeral ceremony in 336 BC was one of the most lavish of ancient times and his death chamber matched it in terms of glory. Something between a palace and a temple, it has standing columns and an antechamber. The portraits of himself and Alexander are depicted in a hunting scene on the tomb’s façade, as well as on the gold and ivory deathbed found in the chamber. Philip’s Thracian wife, Meda, was buried in the tomb’s antechamber.

The Theatre of Aigai

Like every place of importance in antiquity, Aigai had a theatre. But what makes this theatre special is that it appears to be the exact spot where Philip II was killed by a bodyguard while celebrating his daughter’s marriage, allowing Alexander to assume the throne and set in motion the rule that led to the accumulation of Greece’s famous empire, all the way to the Indus valley and into north Africa.

The Tombs of the Queens

Among the 300 smaller burial sites scattered around the site is one of the best-preserved female tombs of ancient Macedonia, known as the ‘Cluster of the Queens’. It contains one of the wives of Alexander I (498-454 BC), who was buried along with more than 20 small terracotta statues and what are believed to be the remains of Philip II’s mother (Eurydice) and daughter (Queen Thessaloniki).

The Palace

The glory of Aigai can be measured from the remains of the enormous palace which was constructed during the reign of Philip II. Built on a hill, it was three times the size of the Parthenon, with ground-floor banqueting rooms, and was visible for miles as a symbol of power and beauty. It set the standard for royal palaces for centuries to come.

The aura of the Museum

Perhaps your most vivid memory will be of the special aura of the site – collectively known as the Museum of Aigai. Nothing reflects this more than the exhibits within the tumulus – the gold larnax containing Philip II’s bones, the intricate golden wreath he wore on his funeral pyre, his immense armour and the treasure trove of jewellery and other artefacts from a golden age – all displayed in evocatively dimmed light.

Read More Read Less

From Thessaloniki to Vergina:

  • By car: 70km (1hr)
  • By bus (KTEL): from Makedonia Station via Veria (change bus). Regular daily service.

From Thessaloniki to Veria:

  • By car: 73km (1hr5min)
  • By bus: More info
  • Regular daily service (1-1hr30min)
  • By train: Via Platy. More info

From Athens to Veria:

  • By car: 507km (5hr)
  • By bus (KTEL): Kifissos Station (Athens) two services daily.
  • By train: From Larissis Station (Athens) via Platy. More info

From Vergina to Veria

  • By car or taxi: 13km (20min)
  • By bus

The best day trips from Thessaloniki

  • The archaeological site is open all year round (except national holidays).
  • Seasonal opening hours apply
  • Autumn
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • You will need around three hours to fully explore the museum and the site. 
  • Tickets: €15 (€8 reduced)

Tickets Info

  • The highlight of the museum in the underground burial mound, which has the benefit of being protected from both sun and rain. But the site is expansive, so wear comfortable shoes and season-appropriate clothes.
  • As with any open-air archaeological site, it’s worth checking the weather conditions before you visit. 
  • A museum shop sells souvenirs, including original copies of Greek antiquities and publications.
  • A café is open during museum operating hours.
  • As far as amenities are concerned, nearby Veria offers very good accommodation, as well as modern and traditional cuisine.
  • Suitable for visitors with disabilities.

Book your trip

All your holiday planning needs in one place, letting you book direct and benefit from official online rates

full-day-tour-to-pella-vergina-from-thessaloniki-logo
Group

Full Day Tour to Pella & Vergina from Thessaloniki

9 hours
  • star-1
  • star-2
  • star-3
  • star-4
  • star-5
12 Reviews
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Set out on a magical journey through time visiting Pella,the glorious kingdom of ancient Macedonia and Vergina, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of...
from-thessaloniki-day-trip-to-kerkini-lake-logo
Group

From Thessaloniki: Day Trip to Kerkini Lake

8 hours
  • star-1
  • star-2
  • star-3
  • star-4
  • star-5
46 Reviews
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund
Ideal destination for nature lovers close to rare species of birds and animals!

TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

Please help us preserve the magic of our heritage for future generations by following all the basic rules of visiting cultural sites.

Refrain from touching any remains or monuments. The fingers’ natural oils can be extremely damaging to artefacts.
Stay on the marked paths and respect your fellow visitors.
Use the bins provided or, if need be, take your rubbish with you.
If there’s a “No flash photography” sign, please respect it. It’s to protect the monuments.
Use a refillable water bottle to try to minimise your use of plastic.
Smoking is prohibited.
No pets (other than guide dogs) are allowed in cultural sites.
Read More Read Less
YOU NEED TO KNOW ·
The Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki

A tour of the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki

Agora Modiano Food Market in Thessaloniki

A tour of Agora Modiano, the central food market of Thessaloniki

Touring the vineyards and cellars will give you an appreciation of the first rate facilities

Exploring the wine routes of Thessaloniki

If there’s a city that’s become synonymous with nightlife and entertainment, this is Thessaloniki

The best of Thessaloniki’s legendary nightlife scene

Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum

A tour of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

We start at the emblematic White Tower, the 15th century prison that is now a museum

A walking tour of historic Thessaloniki

The Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki

A tour of the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki

Millos Plaka Village

A tour of the colourful villages of Milos

A tour of the Archaeological Museum of Chania