Excursions

EDESSA

For detailed information visit the official site: http://www.edessacity.gr

 

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AGIOS ATHANASIOS

Agios Athanasios is located 30 km from the city of Edessa and very close to the ski center of Mount Kaimaktsalan. The village has been built since the late 16th century on the foothills of the mountain.

There you will also encounter the enchanting old village of Agios Athanasios, built at an altitude of 1,200 meters. Once abandoned, it was declared a preserved settlement by the Ministry of Culture and is now ready to captivate every visitor. After a long period of decline, the village has flourished once again and today stands as one of the most popular winter destinations, aided greatly by its proximity to the ski resort.

It is a traditional settlement with fairytale-like architecture, featuring restored stone houses with tiled roofs, traditional guesthouses, restaurants, and stunning views of Lake Vegoritida. It generously offers visitors the opportunity for a peaceful and pleasant stay and has become a major attraction for tourists and skiers every year.

The village is truly picturesque and gives the impression of being in a winter destination abroad. Enjoy a warm coffee by the fireplace in one of the village cafés and taste delicious local specialties at its traditional taverns.

Combined with your stay in Old Agios Athanasios, you can enjoy a wide range of activities while exploring the slopes of Mount Voras, which is ideal for exciting climbing routes, romantic hiking trails, and organized excursions, as well as horseback riding and archery.

In the surrounding area, activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, river rafting, and kayaking are also organized.

If you manage to take your eyes off this beautiful place, it is well worth visiting the nearby villages as well as the regional capital, Edessa, to admire its famous and impressive waterfalls. The city emerges dramatically among rocks and mountains and is, in itself, a remarkable destination. Even amateur photographs will look like postcards.

Stroll through the picturesque Varosi district with its beautiful traditional houses, visit the Agras–Vrytta–Nisi wetland just 7 km from Edessa, and Lake Vegoritida, located 22 km from the city. The lake attracts hundreds of nature lovers and tourists who come to photograph its magical and serene landscape.

Lake Vegoritida also offers opportunities for sports activities such as water skiing, sailing, air sports, as well as romantic boat rides. It is an important wetland ecosystem, hosting many species of fish and birds, and is considered one of the largest and deepest lakes in Greece.

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POZAR THERMAL BATHS

In Loutraki, in the Regional Unit of Pella, 13 km west of Aridaia, are the Loutraki Thermal Baths, also known as Pozar Baths. Their mineral waters have many therapeutic properties, including benefits for chronic conditions, and are also drinkable. They are suitable for balneotherapy, drinking therapy, as well as for general rejuvenation and relaxation.
The spa complex is located 3 km from Loutraki village, built within a lush green forest of exceptional natural beauty, in the valley of Agios Nikolaos stream. The valley’s natural scenery is unmatched, featuring artificial waterfalls, rich vegetation, and impressive steep rocky slopes on both sides. The Thermopotamos (or Nikolaos Stream), originating from Mount Kaimaktsalan, flows through the area, creating a truly breathtaking landscape.

The thermal baths have been known since ancient times, with legends and archaeological findings indicating the use of the healing waters during the era of Alexander the Great, as well as during Roman and Byzantine periods.

The Loutraki thermal springs emerge at an altitude of 360–390 meters along the riverbed of the Thermopotamos. The springs are formed by rainwater that penetrates deep into the ground, heats up at great depths, rises to the surface, and becomes enriched with minerals and other beneficial elements along the way.

The waters were officially recognized as therapeutic in 1920. Their temperature ranges from 26°C to 37°C, depending on the spring, and they contain dissolved minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, radium, iron, iodine, phosphorus, and sulfur, as well as gases including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, with varying levels of acidity (acidic, alkaline, or neutral).

Hammams (Thermal Pools)

The hammams, or traditional pools, are the oldest structures in the spa complex. These enclosed natural pools feature thermal water bubbling up through the stones. They were the first indoor facilities used by visitors and continue to operate today, with upgraded installations.

The Community Enterprise managing the baths continuously strives to improve services and maintain and upgrade the facilities.
The Loutraki–Pozar Baths operate year-round, with visitor numbers steadily increasing.

Outdoor Pool

The outdoor pool measures 25 x 13 meters and has a depth ranging from 1.30 m to 2.80 m, making it suitable for therapy, exercise, and recreation for all ages. It is supplied with thermal water at 37°C, except during very hot summer hours when cold water is added.
During winter, the pool operates from 08:00 to 21:00, while in summer it operates from 07:00 to 22:00. Nearby, there is a refreshment bar–café set in a beautiful natural environment, as well as a children’s playground.

Spa Facilities

The facilities are organized as a small spa town operating year-round, with hotels, pools, changing rooms, restaurants, and bars, offering full services to visitors.

There are two hydrotherapy centers:

• The first, operating since 1960, includes 48 individual bathtubs, two indoor pools (3 x 7 m, depths of 1.50 m and 1.65 m, capacity of 12 people each), and two individual hammams with a capacity of six people.
• Since late 2005, a second, modern hydrotherapy center has been operating, featuring six individual pools with artificial waterfalls, each accommodating up to six people.

Waterfalls

Within the spa area, there are outdoor natural waterfalls with thermal water along the riverbank, where visitors can bathe for both health and leisure purposes.

Jacuzzi και spa

Jacuzzi and spa facilities are located in separate rooms. Water is supplied under pressure, with continuously renewed hot thermal water. Each unit accommodates one or two people.

Balneotherapy

The therapeutic properties of the water are recommended for:

• Rheumatic and joint conditions
• Sciatica
• Bronchitis
• Neurological, gynecological, and dermatological conditions
• Circulatory and respiratory system disorders

Drinking Therapy

Drinking therapy is suitable for conditions related to:

• Liver, kidneys, and gallbladder
• Digestive, circulatory, and urinary systems
• Chronic colitis, gastritis, and cholecystitis

Accommodation & Entertainment

In and around Pozar Baths, you will find a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, rental rooms, and furnished apartments of various types and categories. The closest villages are Loutraki and Orma.

For dining and leisure, the area offers numerous taverns, restaurants, and cafés.

Sightseeing & Activities

During your stay, it is worth purchasing local products and textiles and visiting:

• The Pozar Gorge and the surrounding mountainous area, ideal for walking, hiking, mountaineering, and excursions through a specially designed network of trails in a landscape of outstanding beauty, rich vegetation, and abundant water.
• The Pozar Cave Park, located just 100 meters from the Loutraki Baths settlement.