Thermal water and waterfalls in one long day. This trip pairs Pozar Thermal Baths with the dramatic Edessa Waterfalls, and I like that you get warm year-round soak time plus guided stops to keep the day feeling easy. I also love the planning around not driving yourself home after a spa day. The main catch is that Pozar entry and towels are extra, and the on-site setup can feel a bit confusing for first-timers.

You start with a central meeting at the Eleftherios Venizelos Statue on Egnatia Street, then head out in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking escort. Guides like Evangelia, Lazarus, Elleni, and Eva can add real color to the ride, with clear info on what you’re seeing and where to go once you arrive.

If you’re hoping for a zero-spend, walk-off-the-bus and everything is included kind of day, plan to budget a little extra once you reach the baths. Still, at $59.65 per person, it’s strong value for transportation, escort support, and two standout nature stops.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Warm year-round soaking at Pozar hot springs, with multiple pool options and set time slots
• Edessa Waterfalls viewing decks plus a path that takes you behind a curtain of water
• Varosi free time options: a traditional district walk, plus the Water Museum or a sesame-focused stop
• Central Thessaloniki pickup and an out-and-back schedule that saves you the driving stress
• Group size capped at 49, so it still feels manageable on the move

Meeting at Thessaloniki’s Egnatia 78 at 8:00 am

This day trip is built for people who want to get out of Thessaloniki fast without figuring out routes, parking, and timing. You meet at the Eleftherios Venizelos Statue (Egnatia 78) at 8:00 am, and you’ll want to be there 10 minutes early so boarding stays smooth.

You’ll ride with an English-speaking tour escort in an air-conditioned vehicle. The escort is marked with Ammon Express clothing, so you can find your group quickly once you’re at the statue.

The tour runs for about 10 hours total, and you’ll be back at the same meeting point when it ends. That structure matters because you’ll be making choices in a timed day: how long to soak, how long to explore, and how hungry you’ll be for lunch.

Pozar Thermal Baths: warm mineral waters in a gorge setting

Loutra Pozar is the reason this excursion works even if your plans in Thessaloniki feel full. The core experience is soaking in natural hot springs that stay warm year-round. The hot water forms underground, heats as it travels deep, then returns to the surface with minerals and trace elements.

One of the coolest parts is the setting around the pools. You’re not just in a pool room or a man-made spa: you’re near a gorge where the Toplitsa river runs through the rock, creating small cascades and shallow shores. You may also hear it described as the hot river, and that it’s connected to Saint Nicolas as it flows through the area today.

Pozar also has a practical vibe. You’re there to relax, then move on—no long lecture tour required. If you enjoy nature-with-your-senses turned on, this place does it without being complicated.

Choosing your Pozar pools: small pools vs large thermal pool time

Pozar’s biggest decision is which pool type you’re paying for. You’ll see two main fee setups: small natural pools and a large thermal pool.

Small pools cost €3 per person for 30 minutes. The large pool costs €5 per person for 2 hours and includes chairs and sunbeds, which is ideal if your goal is to stretch out and really do the soak.

Here’s the practical tradeoff. If you want flexibility and photo time around the area, the small pools can feel easier to fit into a shorter schedule. If you truly want “my body needs a reset,” the large pool time makes it less rushed.

Either way, plan around towels. Towels aren’t included. You can rent a towel on-site for €4 per towel, and you may need a cash deposit in that towel area. You’ll also find changing rooms with hairdresser-style facilities, but you’ll still want swimwear ready.

Transfer to Edessa: scenery and a timed switch from soak to waterfall

After the Pozar soak, the trip moves you toward Edessa. The overall drive to Pozar is about 110 km and around 1.5 hours, so you’re not just hopping across the map. It’s a real day trip, and the pacing is part of the value: you get a full nature fix without needing to stay overnight.

Once you arrive back in the vehicle, you’ll transition from hot mineral water to cool waterfall energy. The change is nice because your body feels it: after soaking, the Edessa stop often feels like a different kind of relief.

You’ll leave Pozar and head out in time for the afternoon waterfalls viewing. The schedule runs so you’re back in Thessaloniki around 4:30 pm.

Edessa Waterfalls and Varosi: more than a quick photo stop

Edessa Waterfalls are a standout because you get multiple ways to experience the falls, not just one viewpoint. The name Edessa is tied to the idea of a tower into the water, which fits how strongly the water element shows up in the city’s past.

You get free time to admire the cascading waterfalls from viewing decks. There’s also a path that lets you get close enough to experience that curtain-of-water feel. The area is known for consistent water coming from mountain springs, fed by snowmelt from Kaimaktsalan (Voras).

Expect stairs depending on where you want to go. If you have mobility limits, this is a stop where you’ll want to plan your route before you commit to the viewpoint that looks best in photos.

If you have energy after the waterfall, the escort may offer a walking tour of the traditional district of Varosi. You might also be able to visit the Water Museum or a Sesame Mill of Flavors. If you’d rather eat or wander at your own pace, you can do that too—lunch is at your own expense.

Lunch and free time: how to use the afternoon wisely

Your Edessa time is designed to give you choices. If your group follows along with the Varosi walk, you’ll have a cultural stop built into the day. The Water Museum and Sesame Mill of Flavors are the kind of options that help you understand how everyday life connects to the region’s water story.

If you’re more of a food-and-walk person, use the area to eat and slow down a bit. Lunch is not included, but your escort can point you toward traditional restaurant options in the area.

This matters because most people underestimate how hungry they get after hot springs. Having a real lunch stop in the schedule often makes the last stretch back to Thessaloniki feel much less painful.

Getting there without the drive: why this package is worth it

You’re paying for more than transportation. You’re paying to avoid the two-day-travel headache in one long day: not driving the winding roads yourself and not worrying about timing.

The experience is run with a group of up to 49 travelers, which keeps it big enough to run smoothly but small enough that you’re not stuck in a constant crowd shuffle. The air-conditioned vehicle helps, especially if you’re going in summer heat.

Also, don’t ignore the practical value of having an escort. Guides can help you find lockers, explain how to navigate the pool area, and keep the day moving at the pace your group needs.

Price check: what $59.65 covers and what you’ll add on-site

At $59.65 per person, this tour includes:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• English-speaking tour escort
• Basic travel insurance
• Edessa Waterfalls admission (free)

You’ll add on for Pozar. The thermal baths have an admission fee, and that’s not included in the base price. You’ll see that entry is structured by pool choice, with small pools and the large thermal pool priced differently. Expect to pay more if you want to try multiple pools, since each option has its own fee.

Towels are another cost. Renting a towel is €4, and you can sometimes rent towels directly from the large pool area as well. If you want to keep your day simple, bring a packable towel or a bathrobe from home. If you don’t, rentals are available, just keep cash in mind for deposits.

This is still good value when you compare it to paying for transport plus two major nature stops separately. The escort and timed schedule reduce a lot of hidden friction.

Tips to make Pozar smoother: towels, lockers, and avoiding the rush

Do a little prep so the on-site part doesn’t steal your relaxation. Wear swimwear under your clothes if you can. The pools are the core event, and you’ll lose less time changing if you’re ready.

Bring:

• Your swimwear
• A towel or bathrobe (or plan to rent)
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat for warmer months

Use lockers for your valuables. Lockers with keys are available at the thermal springs area, and changing rooms are numerous. That said, the layout can feel awkward at first glance, so give yourself a minute to find where towels, lockers, and changing rooms connect.

If you’re picky about comfort, aim to arrive early enough to get oriented. Your schedule has set time windows at Pozar, and you’ll enjoy the soak more if you’re not spending the first part of your session hunting for the right door.

Who should book this Pozar and Edessa day trip

Book it if you want:

• A warm year-round spa stop paired with a major waterfall
• A guided day trip that handles transport and keeps timing manageable
• Scenic nature days outside the city, without renting a car

Skip it or rethink it if:

• You want everything included with no on-site fees or purchases
• You dislike places where you might need to move between stations to buy entry, rent towels, and manage locker/changing areas
• You’re pregnant, since pregnant women are not allowed to enter the hot springs

Should you book from Thessaloniki?

I’d book this day trip if you’re in Thessaloniki for just a few days and you want one outing that feels like a reset. Pozar delivers the kind of warm soaking that can genuinely fix a tired schedule, and Edessa gives you a second, totally different payoff with waterfalls and close-up viewing options.

If you’re the type who plans carefully and shows up ready—swimwear, towel plan, and a budget for bath entry—you’ll get a smooth day that’s worth the cost. If you hate extra steps and surprise costs, you might find the Pozar side a bit more work than you expected.

Either way, it’s one of the better “nature + comfort” combinations in the area, and the central pickup means you don’t have to treat logistics as your main activity.

FAQ

What time does the Pozar and Edessa day trip start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am. You should arrive about 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Where do I meet in Thessaloniki?

You meet at the Eleftherios Venizelos Statue, Egnatia 78, Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece.

How long is the drive to Loutra Pozar?

The distance is about 110 km and the drive takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Is admission to Pozar Thermal Baths included in the tour price?

No. Loutra Pozar Thermal Baths admission is not included. Small natural pools are €3 per person for 30 minutes, and the large thermal pool is €5 per person for 2 hours.

Can I rent a towel at Pozar?

Yes. Towel rental is €4 per towel. You can also find towels available directly from the large pool area.

Are pregnant women allowed in the hot springs?

No. Pregnant women are not allowed to enter the hot springs.

What do I do at Edessa Waterfalls?

You’ll have free time to admire the waterfalls from viewing decks, plus a path that takes you behind a curtain of water. There may also be an option for a walking tour in the nearby district of Varosi and a visit to the Water Museum or Sesame Mill of Flavors.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.