A town of wine, water and carnival — in the embrace of Mount Vermio.
Naoussa. One of the most beautiful towns in Macedonia, built on the eastern edge of the imposing Vermio massif, with stunning views over the rich and beautiful plain of Thessaloniki. The capital of its province, with a population of around 25,000, it uniquely combines the beauty of the plain with that of the mountain, offering its fortunate visitors a rich array of activities and services. It lies 90 km from Thessaloniki and 510 km from Athens.
Its architectural heritage of town houses and industrial buildings reveals a town with a rich cultural past. Visitors can enjoy the special character of the traditional neighbourhoods and the sights of Naoussa starting from the Municipal Park, near the entrance to the town, with an enchanting view over the plain of Imathia as far as Thessaloniki and the Thermaic Gulf. A route of paved walkways along the green banks of the Arapitsa river, with its rushing waters and impressive waterfalls, ends at Stoumbanoi, the site where the women of Naoussa sacrificed themselves in 1822.
A few kilometres outside the town lies Agios Nikolaos Park, perhaps the favourite spot of the people of Naoussa. It is one of the few forests of centuries-old plane trees in Greece, crossed by the springs of the Arapitsa, with wooden footbridges, an artificial lake, the chapel of Agios Nikolaos and organised recreation areas. Even in August the temperature there is noticeably lower than on the plain — which is why it fills with people on summer afternoons.
Naoussa is also synonymous with wine: the PDO Naoussa zone, with its local Xinomavro, is one of the most historic in Greece, and several wineries in the area welcome visitors for tours and tastings. If you happen to be here during carnival, you will see the Boules ritual, one of the most distinctive carnival customs in Greece, recorded in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Read more on our blog.
The town’s cuisine deserves a mention of its own. Homemade pies are an institution in Naoussa — we serve them at breakfast too — while the plain around the town is one of the largest peach and cherry growing areas in Europe. In the meze taverns of the centre you will find local cheeses, country sausages and, of course, glasses of Xinomavro from the neighbouring estates, at prices that pleasantly surprise visitors from the big cities.
Driades Hotel is located at Chora Nero, just outside the town, in a spot that combines peace and quiet with easy access: the centre of Naoussa is a few minutes away by car, while Aristotle’s School and Agios Nikolaos Park are even closer. It is a location that lets you explore the town without staying in the middle of its bustle — and return in the evening to the calm of the Vermio foothills.
