Thessaloniki - Suggestions for families?

We will be in Thessaloniki in late July with our three daughters (14/12/12) and we are looking for suggestions. We generally hire a private tour/driver to escape the crowds and move at our own pace. Does anyone have any recommendations? And what to see? We are torn between Dion and Vergina. Are there beaches that are reachable by taxi from the port (we are doing ruins at every other port, the kids may need a break!).

Many thanks for any recommendations.

Some of the best beaches in Greece are off the peninsula Chalkidiki (one of the fingers off the northern part of Greece and near Thessaloniki) and on the island of Thassos (off the northern coast of Greece near Kavala).

Thank you ! Do you know if taxis are easy to get for the return back to the port?

There is an abundance of taxis in Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki and Thassos are so popular, you shouldn't have any problem. If you go to Thassos, you should visit Phillipi where St. Paul spoke to the Phillipians. Also in Thessaloniki, you should visit the cathedral of St. Demetrios where is relics are housed. You will also see (under the altar area) the catacombs where he was held prisoner. Nearby Thessaloniki is Vergina home of Alexandar the Great and his father King Phillip. BE SURE to visit the Archeological Museum in Thessaloniki. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip. So much to see and enjoy.

When I visited Thessaloniki via cruise ship a couple of years ago, it was easy to get around the town and there are several things worth seeing.

In the morning we walked out of the port and caught a taxi to the Archaeological Museum first -- some really nice things to see and the museum isn't overly large. We then walked to the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda (not every day you can see part of the palace of a Roman emperor...), then more or less moseyed back to the ship.

In the afternoon, we took a tour to Vergina, which I can highly recommend. The museum there completely reconstructs a Macedonian tomb, and the things on display from the excavations are absolutely incredible. It's very well done and certainly would be interesting to kids at the ages of yours.

Thank you! I think that we will do as you suggest! It looks like the HopOn HopOff Bus takes you through the city and stops at the museum. I am hoping maybe we can find a taxi to Vergina.