Platanakia forest, Panorama area, Thessaloniki

Platanakia (=plane trees forest) is a favourite to Thessalonicians recreation area, 2km after Panorama, in the eastern outskirts of Thessaloniki, around 20km from the city center. Here one can walk among the shady plane forest and right next to the small river that comes from Hortiatis mountain (the main Thessaloniki mountain, 1000m height). It''s a nice half or full day excursion proposal, that can be combined with a pic-nic, using the available wooden benches. During the spring and summer season the area is much more greener and the temperature here is 2-3 degrees lower than in the city center, making it a perfect destination on heatwave day!