Day Trip to Ouranoupoli with Mt. Athos Cruise from Thessaloniki

Day trip to the heart of the Orthodox monastic life which beats for more than 10 centuries

Embark on a unique experience aboard our Mount Athos cruise, where the summer breeze carries you along the west coast of the Athos peninsula. Admire eight of the twenty Holy Monasteries of Mt. Athos, and continue to the stunning island of Ammouliani. As the only inhabited island in Chalkidiki, it’s renowned for its crystal-blue waters and white sandy beaches, all awarded the coveted blue flag certification. Join us for a breathtaking journey you won’t forget!

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ouranoupoli
  • Cruise to Mt. Athos
  • Ammouliani island ( on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday )
  • On Saturday experience a  a marvelous cruise around the imposing western part of the Holy Mountain of Athos

Bring your swimwear! Swimming in the crystal-blue sea is included!
Women can also participate in the Mount. Athos Cruise!

STARTING POINTS AND DEPARTURE TIMES

  • Starting point: ARISTOTELOUS square & EGNATIA (Venizelos Statue) 07:30

EXCURSION DURATION

  • 11 hours (5 hours on the road)

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCURSION

We depart to Ouranoupoli with the bus of Ammon Express along with our friendly trip attendant-archaeologist,

at 07:30 from Aristotelous Square & Egnatia Street (at the statue of Venizelos).

The route is 140 km and takes about 2 ½ hours.

Our journey begins as we arrive in Ouranoupoli at approximately 10:30 a.m, where we’re greeted by the Byzantine Tower of Prosforion, a trademark of the city. We then embark on an enchanting cruise around the awe-inspiring Mount Athos, an independent monastic state with a history spanning over 1,100 years.

Comprising of 20 monasteries, including one Russian, one Serbian, and one Bulgarian, Mount Athos is a destination that’s not to be missed. Experience the unparalleled beauty of the area as we sail along its stunning coastline, taking in the incredible views and learning about its fascinating history. Join us for an unforgettable journey to Mount Athos and discover the magic of this magnificent destination.

Our Mount Athos cruise continues to the enchanting island of Ammouliani, where we enjoy free time to immerse ourselves in the emerald waters and relax on the sandy beaches. This verdant island boasts a picturesque port and traditional alleys, showcasing the typical architecture of Mt. Athos dispersed throughout the island. Take a stroll through the charming village and explore its local shops and tavernas.

Experience the island’s serene waters, which never fail to amaze every traveler. Take advantage of the opportunity to taste traditional Greek cuisine at one of the island’s many tavernas, and indulge in the flavors of the region. Join us on this unforgettable journey and discover the beauty of the Athos peninsula and the enchanting island of Ammouliani.

On Saturday experience a breathtaking cruise around the majestic western region of the Holy Mountain of Athos with the luxurious boat. Immerse yourself in the holy monasteries and be captivated by the stunning natural beauty of the sea.

We depart to Thessaloniki at around 17:00 and we are back after 2 ½ hours, making the same stops where we started from.

THE PRICE OF THE EXCURSION INCLUDES

  • Round-trip transportation to Ouranoupoli – Chalkidiki
  • Trip attendant-archaeologist (English/Greek)
  • Basic travel insurance (during transport)

NOT INCLUDED

  • Cruise ticket (25 euros) which you pay at the time of boarding the boat
  • Personal expenses

The peninsula of Athos (the “third finger” of Chalkidiki) became an exclusive place of ascetics in the second half of the 9th century AD. At the same time they defined the borders of the monastic state and denied entry to non-clerics, and two centuries later officially denied entry to women, even including even the harem of the local Turkish “aga”. The region continues to be inaccessible to women until today.

Mount Athos is the name that was systematically used around 1100 AD, heyday during which the Great Lavra – the largest organized community – numbered 800 monks and a total of 180 operating monasteries. One of the oldest monasteries of Mount Athos are the Xeropotamou Monastery, Iviron Monastery, Vatopedi Monastery, Esfigmenou Monastery and Libra Monastery, like Athos Protaton, one of the oldest monastic settlements of the peninsula of Athos.

The Mount Athos community was strengthened during those years when monasteries began to accumulate wealth through donations of the believers and the subsidies of the state. As a result the phenomenon of greed of the clergy appeared, as they behaved as large landowners in the acquired land. These areas were leased to peasants who cultivated them and thus a large crowd of people came to depend indirectly from the monastic community.

A black page in the history of Mount Athos is the era of the 4th Crusade in 1204 AD, during which Latinos crusaders, except for the damage they caused to the monasteries, tortured and hung the monks until they managed to come under the protection of Pope Innocent and to save their lives. Next big blow that the monasteries received was a century later, when mercenaries of the Catalan Company plundered the estate of the Mount Athos and terrified the monks, leaving from the total of 300 monasteries only 35 in operation. In the last centuries of Byzantium, the Athos monasteries obtained the largest part of their material wealth, through support of the Byzantine emperors, as well as Slavic rulers and princes.

During the early period of Turkish rule the monasteries of Mount Athos continued to flourish, exempted from taxes and maintaining their property, however since the 16th century AD unbearable taxation was imposed that led to stagnation and abandonment of most monasteries. Valuable financial aid during the difficult years of Athos monastic life was offered by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Nordic rulers as of Moldova and Wallachia, and believers. In the area of ​​Vatopedi the famous Athonite Academy that was founded in the 18th century attracted a large number of students for the next fifty years teaching them theology, philosophy and logic.

During the struggle of the Greek nation in 1821, the monasteries of Mount Athos offered great help. They gave money, food, munitions and asylum to families who took refuge there, while about 800 monks fought alongside the fighter Emmanuel Papa in battles against the Ottomans. After the suppression of the revolution in Halkidiki, the punishment of Mount Athos was that the monks and the believers who had sought refuge in it would be slaughtered, that the printing press would be destroyed, looted and many priceless manuscripts would be lost. Mount Athos was finally released in 1912 by the Greek Royal Navy. The reception of the Greek fleet was enthusiastic, as the Greek flag was erected on the peninsula of Athos under the joyful beat of hundreds of bells of the monasteries. At that time 9,000-10,000 monks lived on Mount Athos.

During the Greco-Italian War of 1940 several young age monks asked to take roadmap for the Front, monasteries gave their animals to the Greek army and organized fundraisers to strengthen it. Then, during the German Occupation, the monks hid the relics and manuscripts in the catacombs to protect them from the invader. German scientists came to the Holy Mountain to photograph and study historical documents and manuscripts, and eventually attempted to steal them, but fortunately without achieving it.

The 1000th anniversary since the founding of the Mount Athos monastic community was celebrated with solemnity in 1963. Today about 1800 monks live there. The exceptional natural beauty and tranquility of the ascetic and monastic life attracts every year thousands of visitors.

  • Our trip attendant-archaeologist shall wear clothing with the Ammon Express marking so that he/she will be recognisable easily
  • You should be at the departure point 10΄ before the time indicated in the schedule. The bus cannot remain at designated stops, except for boarding
  • Please note that there is a cruise ticket fee of 25 euros, which is payable at the time of boarding the boat.
  • During the cruise, there are available coffees, sandwiches, beers and refreshments (not included in the price).There is also an audio guide, available in various languages.
  • Cruise ticket fee for ages 6-17 is 15 euros and for children 0-5 years old is free
  • Don’t forget your swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
  • Please be consistent with the exact appointment times specified by the Ammon Express escort, so that the excursion will remain unforgettable to all participants
  • Have a nice trip and an unforgettable experience!
  • Don’t forget to share pictures and comments from your experience!

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