Philippi & Kavala Day Tour: Early Christian History

Nine hours retracing the first steps of Christianity in Europe

A nine-hour private day tour from Thessaloniki to the archaeological site of Philippi near Kavala, with certified English-speaking guide, museum entry, and hotel pickup and drop-off. The site spans Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian periods, including the place where the Apostle Paul baptized Lydia, the first Christian woman in Europe, in 49 or 50 AD. The tour includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, a two-hour lunch break, bottled water and coffee during the drive, and digital photos and video sent by email after the trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Philippi archaeological site and museum

• Pick-up from Thessaloniki at 09:00
• Arrive at Archaeological Museum of Philippi at 11:00
• Visit Museum Unit A and Unit B exhibitions
• Explore archaeological site of Philippi
• Visit Baptistery and Saint Lydia church
• Lunch break for 2 hours

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Thessaloniki hotel at 9:00 AM and a two-hour drive to the Archaeological Museum of Philippi. The museum holds two exhibition units: the ground floor covers finds from the prehistoric period through Roman antiquity (inscriptions, sculptures, vases, coins and jewellery from the city and its region), while the first floor focuses on the Early Christian period, with mosaics, architectural fragments and objects from the city's rise until its abandonment in the late 14th century.

From the museum you move to the archaeological site itself, the most important in eastern Macedonia. Philippi began in 360 BC as Krenides, a settlement founded by colonists from Thasos. King Philip II conquered and fortified it in 356 BC, renaming it after himself. After the battle of Philippi in 42 BC, it became a Roman colony on the Via Egnatia, one of the empire's most important trade routes. Walking the site, you see the expanded theatre, the Forum (the Roman agora), and everyday structures (baths, cisterns, latrines with running water) that show the transition from Hellenistic city to Roman colony. The third chapter arrived in 49 or 50 AD when the Apostle Paul preached Christianity within its walls. He was briefly imprisoned but the city became a metropolitan centre of Early Christianity. Near the ancient site stands the Baptistery where Paul baptized Lydia, the first Christian woman in Europe. A modern monumental church dedicated to Saint Lydia of the Philippians now marks the spot.

After exploring the site you have two hours for lunch (not included in the tour price). Your guide is a certified English speaker throughout, and the air-conditioned vehicle includes a professional English-speaking driver. You receive bottled water and coffee during the drive. At the end of the day you're returned to your Thessaloniki hotel, and within days you get digital photos and video of the trip by email.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Thessaloniki.
• transportation in an air-conditioned V.I.P. vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver.
• entry to the Archaeological Museum of Philippi with two exhibition units.
• access to the archaeological site itself.
• a certified English-speaking guide throughout.
• bottled water and coffee during the drive.
• WiFi on board.
• digital photos and video of the trip sent by email after the tour ends.

Options for this experience

2 options

Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English08:00 and 09:00

Up to 8 per booking · Guide in English08:00 and 09:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hello Thessaloniki

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the full arc of Philippi's history (from the Hellenistic city through the Roman colony to the Early Christian landmarks) without arranging transport or a guide yourself. The nine-hour structure gives you time in both the museum and on the site, plus a lunch break, so you're not rushing between stops or skipping the indoor collection.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What exactly is at the archaeological site of Philippi that I'll see?

The site contains monuments from three periods: the Hellenistic city founded in 360 BC, the Roman colony established after 42 BC with its expanded theatre and Forum, and Early Christian structures from the period after the Apostle Paul's visit in 49 or 50 AD. You'll walk past baths, cisterns, latrines with running water, and other buildings that show daily life across these eras.

Where did the Apostle Paul baptize the first Christian woman in Europe?

The Baptistery where Paul baptized Lydia stands next to the ancient archaeological site of Philippi. A modern monumental church dedicated to Saint Lydia of the Philippians now marks the location, which is included in the tour.

How long is the drive from Thessaloniki to Philippi?

Pickup from your Thessaloniki hotel is at 9:00 AM, and you arrive at the Archaeological Museum of Philippi at 11:00 AM, making the drive roughly two hours each way. The full tour lasts nine hours including the museum, the archaeological site, and a two-hour lunch break.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but you have a two-hour break during the day to eat in the area. Your guide can recommend options near the site.

What's provided during the drive to and from Thessaloniki?

The tour includes bottled water and coffee during the route, plus WiFi on board the air-conditioned vehicle. Your driver is a professional English speaker, and you get hotel pickup and drop-off in Thessaloniki.

Do I get photos or video from the tour?

Yes. After the trip ends, you receive digital photos and video by email, so you have a record of the sites and the day.