This northern Greek city has deep roots from Alexander the Great's era, with a central square lined by neoclassical buildings and local restaurants serving Macedonian cuisine.
Serres, the capital of Greece’s Serres regional unit, sits in the flatlands of Central Macedonia, 69 kilometers northeast of Thessaloniki. This city thrives on farming and factories but keeps its history close. Walk up the pine-covered hill to see crumbling walls from a Byzantine castle, or step into the Archaeological Museum inside a 15th-century Ottoman trading hall filled with ancient pottery and stone carvings. Drive 35 kilometers northwest to watch pelicans wade through Lake Kerkini’s shallow waters, or head to Mitropoleos Street where family bakeries have sold flaky bougatsa pastries since the 1920s. Motorsport fans can catch weekend races at the Serres Circuit, while winter visitors ski on Mount Lailias’ slopes less than an hour north. Thermal baths near Sidirokastro and university campuses in town add to its mix of work and leisure.
Byzantine Castle and Museums
Climb the stone path to Serres’ hilltop castle, where broken walls and towers from the 6th century overlook rooftops and farmland. On clear days, you’ll see the Rhodope Mountains to the north. Downhill, the Archaeological Museum occupies a restored Ottoman building with arched ceilings. Inside, find marble statues from ancient Amphipolis and clay oil lamps used in Roman homes. Three blocks east, the Sarakatsani Folklore Museum displays wool blankets, carved wooden tools, and black-and-white photos of shepherds who roamed these valleys until the 1950s. End your walk at the Serres Public Regional Theatre, a neoclassical building with nightly plays and weekend poetry readings.
Parks and Nature Areas
Lake Kerkini’s shallow waters draw thousands of pink Dalmatian pelicans between March and October. Join a morning boat tour to watch them fish, or rent a kayak near the village of Kerkini to paddle past water buffalo grazing on shore. The Angitis River Gorge, 40 minutes east by car, has a walking trail through limestone cliffs that tower 500 meters above the river. Guides lead two-hour hikes to Alistrati Cave, where electric lights illuminate stalactites shaped like frozen waterfalls. Closer to the city center, Agioi Anargyroi Park’s plane trees shade benches and a playground, with ice cream vendors setting up carts by noon.
Food and Local Products
Bougatsa shops open at dawn, serving warm custard-filled pastries dusted with powdered sugar. Ask for a slice with salty cheese if you prefer savory breakfasts. Afternoon shoppers line up at Kapani Market for akanes—chewy bars made from crushed almonds and honey—wrapped in wax paper by third-generation confectioners. At lunch, tavernas around Plateia Eleftherias grill pork souvlaki over charcoal and serve it with garlicky tzatziki. In spring, menus add vlita salads made with wild amaranth leaves picked near the Strymon River.
Universities and Local Economy
The International Hellenic University’s Serres campus teaches mechanical engineering and food science, with students crowding coffee shops along Venizelou Street after lectures. Across town, the Aristotle University’s sports science department runs a gym open to the public on weekday mornings. Factories on the city’s southern edge produce cotton towels, tractor parts, and processed tobacco sold across the Balkans. Every Tuesday and Friday, farmers from nearby villages sell peaches, olives, and thyme honey at open-air stalls near the train station.
Getting Around Serres
KTEL buses leave hourly from Thessaloniki’s Macedonia station, reaching Serres in 90 minutes. The train from Thessaloniki takes two hours but costs half the price. Once in town, local buses stop at the castle entrance, the archaeological museum, and the central park. Rent a car from agencies near Plateia Iroon to visit the Rupel Forts’ WWI bunkers or Sidirokastro’s hot springs. Between April and October, guided minibus tours depart daily for Lake Kerkini and Mount Lailias.
Festivals and Evening Spots
From June to August, the Public Theatre hosts free jazz concerts in its courtyard every Friday night. On the last weekend of May, villagers in Agia Eleni walk barefoot over glowing coals during the Anastenaria festival—arrive early to secure a viewing spot. In winter, bars along Exohi Street switch from iced coffee to mulled wine, while the Lailias ski lodge stays open until midnight on Saturdays with live folk music. Most cafes close by 1 AM, but clubs near the Agioi Anargyroi valley keep serving drinks until sunrise on weekends.
