Travel between Greece’s two largest cities turned into a major ordeal over the weekend, as farmer protests brought parts of the country’s main highway network to a standstill. The normally five- to six-hour drive from Thessaloniki to Athens stretched to 10 or even 12 hours, with vehicles remaining stationary for long periods well into the early morning hours.
Drivers encountered congestion stretching for several kilometers, particularly near toll stations and junctions where traffic was diverted onto secondary roads. In some areas, cars were immobilized for more than 10 kilometers, while heavy traffic was still reported late at night along key sections of the route.
The disruption is linked to a wave of coordinated farmer blockades across Greece. Protesters, using tractors and agricultural vehicles, have been closing main roads, bypasses, and access points as part of a broader campaign pressing their demands. On Monday, further closures were announced, including the shutdown of alternative routes that had previously allowed limited traffic flow.
In northern Greece, farmers plan renewed actions at major transport hubs, while in central regions full closures of side roads and older highway sections are scheduled for several hours. These moves are expected to increase pressure on road users, particularly during the busy holiday return period.
At the same time, divisions have emerged within the protest movement. Groups from northern Greece have signaled openness to dialogue with the government, but only under clear conditions and with formal commitments. Their stance has drawn criticism from other protest groups, highlighting growing internal tensions as the mobilizations enter a prolonged phase.
Elsewhere in the country, key urban bypasses remain closed, forcing traffic back into city streets and adding to congestion. Farmers have warned they are prepared to escalate further, though some groups say they will temporarily ease restrictions around New Year’s to reduce hardship for holiday travelers.
With dozens of protest sites active nationwide and a possible national coordination meeting under discussion, attention is now focused on the farmers’ next decisions, which are likely to shape travel conditions and the broader protest landscape in the days ahead.
