Macedonian foundation, Roman colony and early Christian centre
Philippi carries several histories without collapsing them into one. Philip II refounded the city; Roman colonists reshaped it after the nearby battle; and an early Christian community made it a place of pilgrimage. The theatre, forum, basilicas and Octagon spread across both sides of the modern road.
Allow at least three hours and use the museum to connect the phases. The site is exposed, with substantial distances and road crossings, so begin early in summer. Kavala is the best base and adds the port through which the region connected to the wider Mediterranean. Check performance schedules when the ancient theatre is in use and never assume every sector remains accessible during events.
Good to know
UNESCO, Via Egnatia, Roman colony, Early Christian, and Apostle Paul
