Vergina Voyage Tips and guide

Vergina (Greek: Βεργίνα) is a village in Central Macedonia, Northern Greece built on top of Aigai (Αἰγαί, ay-YAY), the ancient capital of Macedonia. Its royal tombs, filled with unlooted treasures, are a World Heritage Site; one tomb is said to be that of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, while another is believed to be the final resting place of Alexander IV, son of Alexander the Great.

The village, located on the site of the ancient city of Aigai, the first capital of Macedon, became internationally famous in 1977, when the Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos unearthed the burial site of the kings of Macedon, including the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.

Nineteen years later, the UNESCO Committee inscribed the site of Aigai in the list of the World Heritage Sites considering the universal value represented by the discovery of the royal tombs and the importance of their frescoes that testimony the transitional phase of the ancient art from the classic to the Hellenistic period.

According to the tradition, Aigai was founded in the mid-7th century BC, by Perdiccas I, a Dorian from Argos, of the family of Hercules. As other ancient Greek cities, the society in Aigai was founded on an aristocratic structure having the royal authority as its point of reference. Aigai, in ancient Greek means “goats”, and the city is described by Herodotus as "the land with many goats".

Pella replaced Aigai as the capital, probably during the reign of Archelaus I (413 - 399 BC), though the city remained a cultural and ceremonial centre for Macedonians. It was destroyed by Roman Legions in the aftermath of the Third Macedonian War (171–168 BC), fought between Rome and King Perseus of Macedon. The Roman province of Macedonia was established in 146 BC, and had Thessalonica as its capital.

Map of Vergina

In 2022, the various archaeological sites of the area were organized into the Polycentric Museum of Aigai. A combined ticket to see all the sites costs €20 (10€ reduced). It consists of the following sites:

• 40.4938622.306511 Central Museum. Summer: 08:00-20:00 W-F, 12:00-20:00 Tu; Winter: 09:00-17:00 W-F. The main museum features sculptures, ceramics and artefacts excavated from the city, with exhibits on Alexander the Great and the royal palace. Exhibits have room-level descriptions in dense English. Allow 40 to 60 minutes to explore the main exhibits.  (updated Dec 2025)

• 40.487722.31962 Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, 59031 Vergina, ☏ +30 2331 092347. Summer: 08:00-20:00 W-F, 12:00-20:00 Tu; Winter: 09:00-17:00 W-F. The earthen burial mound has a diameter of over 100 metres, and was once 12 metres high. It's not much to look at from the outside, but inside is a museum with four tombs in situ, the grave goods found there, and reconstructions of what the complex once looked like.  (updated Dec 2025)
  • The grave goods are displayed in showcases. Philip II's bones were found in a golden larnax depicting a sun, which today adorns the flag of the Greek province of Macedonia, as well as (in modified form) that of the neighbouring Republic of North Macedonia. The larnax also contained a golden oak leaf wreath. One of Philip's wives was buried in this tomb alongside a golden diadem and richly decorated purple fabric.
  • Tomb II can be reached by a ramp and has the form of an underground vaulted building with two chambers and a monumental facade. The portraits of Philip II and his son, are depicted in the hunting scene of the tomb’s facade. The tomb was thought to belong to Philip II, though recent evidence points to Philip III, Alexander the Great's half-brother.
  • Tomb III is where Alexander IV, son of Alexander and Roxane and assassinated by Cassander, finds his last residence next to his grandfather Philip II, 25 years after his assassination. The wall paintings in the tomb depict the Abduction of Persephone by the God of the Underworld.

• 40.478922.3223 Aigai Theater. Summer: 08:00-20:00 W-F, 12:00-20:00 Tu; Winter: 09:00-17:00 W-F. The place where Philip II was murdered during October 336 BC. The court had gathered there for the celebration of the marriage between Alexander I of Epirus and Philip's daughter, Cleopatra. While the king was entering unprotected into the theater, he was killed by Pausanias of Orestis, one of his seven bodyguards. The murdered tried to escape but was pursued and killed by three of Philip's bodyguards. The orchestra has a diameter of 28.40m. At its center stands the altar of Dionysus.  (updated Mar 2016)
• 40.477922.32234 Royal Palace (Greek: Anaktoro) (Next to the theater). Constructed during the reign of Philip II (359-336 π.Χ.), the royal palace was probably designed by architect Pytheos, known for his contribution to the construction of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. The complex was sumptuously decorated with mosaics, marble sculptures and other luxurious materials. Row of columns once surrounding the palace can still be seen.  (updated Mar 2016)
• 40.4861922.322425 Necropolis. Summer: 08:00-20:00 W-F, 12:00-20:00 Tu; Winter closed.  (updated Dec 2025)
• 40.4785122.337476 Church of Saint Demetrius. Summer: 10:00-18:00; Winter closed.  (updated Dec 2025)

Cheaper options can be found in the nearby city of Veria

• 40.486922.31481 Archontiko Dimitra Hotel, 5, Athinas Str, ☏ +30 23310 92900, +30 6936 026209 (Mobile), +30 6936 584 467 (Mobile), fax: +30 23310 92901. 3-star hotel. Eight A/C rooms, Internet access, TV, heating.  (updated Mar 2016)
• 40.486522.31772 Aigon Hotel, ☏ +30 23310 92524, +30 23310 92588, +30 6973 249 128 (Mobile), fax: +30 23310 92587. 3-star hotel  (updated Mar 2016)
• 40.488922.28953 Kalaitsi Estate (Ktima Kalaitzi), "Metochi Prodromou" Village (5km from Vergina Town by the provincial road Vergina - Veria), ☏ +30 23310 92092, fax: +30 23310 92093, [email protected]. A 3-star hotel set on a hill overlooking the vineyards. 11 A/C rooms. Wireless Internet, garden, outdoor Lounge Bar, wine cellar.  (updated Mar 2016)
• 40.485822.32014 Olympia Guesthouse, ☏ +30 23310 68052, +30 6937 255 468 (Mobile), fax: +30 23310 92198, [email protected]. 4-star hotel. Ten double deluxe rooms and three triple with veranda. Wi-Fi Wireless Internet.  (updated Mar 2016)
• 40.48422.32015 Evridiki Apartments, ☏ +30 23310 92502, +30 23310 92577, +30 6972 407 435 (Mobile). 4-star hotel. Eight A/C rooms. Bath or shower, breakfast room, dining room  (updated Mar 2016)

• Nearby Pella, the capital of Macedon during the height of the Hellenistic period.
• The historic city of Veria, where according to tradition, the Apostle Paul stayed and preached, converting most of its inhabitants to Christianity.
• The city of Naousa, where Aristotle gave lessons to Alexander the Great as well as two other future kings: Ptolemy and Cassander.
• The Macedonian graves at Lefkadia

Igoumenitsa ← Veria ←

W  E

→ Thessaloniki → Kavala

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