Larissa is one of the oldest settlements in Greece with artifacts uncovered dating at least the Neolithic period (6000 BC). The name means "stronghold" in ancient Greek. It was also the head of the Thessalian League during the Hellenistic and Roman era. Today, it's a modern city and is Thessaly's capital.

• Volos Airport (VOL ^IATA) (in Nea Anchialos, about 75 km (47 mi) south-west from the city.). This is the nearest airfield but only offers service during the warm-weather months. 

TUIFly operates every Saturday from 24/04/17 - 08/10/17 (Flights to/from Munich) and Codor operates every Saturday from 29/04/17 - 28/10/17 (Flights to/from Munich).

There is a bus connecting the airport and Volos bus station. Buses are scheduled based on flights. The cost from the airport to Volos Bus station is 3 €. Then you need to get another bus or train from Volos to Larissa. The bus station in Volos is about 1 km from the train station.

The nearest airport offering year-round international service is in Thessaloniki (SLK ^IATA) about 2.5 hours away.

There are buses connecting Larissa with some eastern European cities. FPtravel (Serbia, Hungary).

Interurban coaches (("KTEL" buses) in Greek) are by far the most convenient way to travel around Greece, as well as for intra-regional travelling. There is frequent bus service from Athens Liossion Station to Larissa about 15 times a day (cost is about €20), as well as from Thessaloniki bus terminal "Macedonia" to Larissa about 10 times a day (about €13.5). The main bus station is at Georgiadou & Olympou streets (☎+30 2410 537777) providing service to most cities. KTEL buses have free Wi-Fi and coffee. For service to Trikala and Kalampaka (Meteora) the bus station is on Iroön Polytehniou near the junction with Gazi Anthimou (☎+30 2410 610124).

Trains (OSE) connect Larissa to other cities in Greece including Athens, Thessaloniki, and Volos. Travelling with ordinary trains can be cheaper, although a little bit slower, whereas choosing a fancy faster Intercity train will cost the same amount of money, or even more than a KTEL bus. The train station (☎+30 2410 590143) lies just south of the ring road a little less than 1 km from the city center. Also there is an OSE office downtown (☎+30 2410 590239) at Papakyriazi 35, opposite the town hall.

The best way to get around the central district, since most of the streets in the commercial centre are pedestrianized. This area is small enough so that most locations are just a few minutes apart.

Larissa is a flat city thus bicycle in a nice way to explore it. The city center has many pedestrian streets. there are also some streets with bicycle lanes in recent years. These are: Papanastasiou st., part of Kyprou st.

Parking in the central district can be a challenge, especially on-street parking. There are parking lots scattered throughout town.

There is an efficient public transport system going around the city (ticket price about €1), detailed info in the regional bus terminal (called "Astiko KTEL") or at its official website.

Taxis in Larissa, as everywhere in Greece are comparably cheap. You should not pay more than €4 if you hail a cab (silver colour) on the road to take you anywhere in the city. Note that taxi meters have two rates - rate 1 applies from 05:00 till 24:00, and rate 2, the double rate, from midnight to 05:00. Taxi fare fraud is not widespread but it still happens, so make sure the rate is correct. If you feel you have been overcharged, ask for a receipt (they are obliged to give one) and take the plate number, then phone the tourist police to report the driver on 171. Expect to pay €1 or €2 extra if you take a taxi from the bus station or the train station, and a surcharge if you call for a taxi service on demand.

Films shown in original language with Greek subtitles. Cartoons are often translated to Greek.

• Ster Cinema (in Pantheon shopping center on south side of city). Multiplex 

• Alkazar Park. Just across the river from the town center and along the Pinios River. A nice place to cool down and relax with a large fountain and a statue of Hippocrates who is supposed to have been buried in Larissa. 

• ^{[dead link]} AEL 1964 FC (Larissa), AEL FC Arena (Niapoli District). Plays in the Greek Football League. AEL's stadium holds over 16,000 seats. 

During the summer months you may have the chance to follow the weekly night ride. Bikers usually gather every Thursday night at the Central Square and form a large group that later rovers on a common route around the city.

Various running events take place in the city during the year with the most notable ones being:

• ^{[dead link]} Imimarathonios Tyrnavos-Larisa. A half-marathon from Tyrnavos to Larisa, it usually takes place in the first week of December. 

• ^{[dead link]} Gyros tis Larisas. 5 km run in the streets of the city, usually in the last weeks of May. 

• Ippokratios Agonas Dromou. Newly established event where runners are required to cover about 10 km on unpaved roads that run through the fields in the west edge of the city. In June the weather conditions are extremely hot in Larisa but most people will forget the heat and enjoy the wide view of the Thessaly's lowland and the surrounding mountains. 

Many locals enjoy training by the river which offers paths almost 1.5 km long on each side.

Tsipouro is a very famous beverage in Greece, but most of the areas in Thessaly are famous for making some of the purest and strongest tsipouro in the country. It's really good in cold weather, because of its high concentration in alcohol. Tyrnavos is known for its local production which is known and sold as Tsipouro Tyrnavou.

Clubs:

• Stage. Often live music venue, mostly rock. 

Tsipouro, Ouzo or Wine, as in the rest of Greece, are good choices. There are many bars downtown, so the visitor is not expected to have any problem finding a place to enjoy a drink. Youths buy drinks and sit around the Frourio square during the summer nights while the restaurants and pubs in that area thrive with people this season. Another popular place is Neapoli square where a big number of pubs is to be found around the square.

• 39.606322.441691 Pantheon Plaza. A big mall with a lot of shops. Among others: Mediamarkt, Fokas. Also many cafeterias and places to eat, e.g. Goody's. Cinema too. 

• Gaea Lifestyle Center, Αγίας Τριάδας 60, ☏ +30 2410 610922. A mall with shops. 

Or more properly "Peoples Market" and locally known as "Laiki agora" is a weekly event in many Greek cities. Farmers sell their fresh products directly to the housekeepers for very affordable prices from morning to noon. Peoples Market instances in Larissa include:

• Every Saturday in the Neapoli region on the street "Dimitri Karaoli"
• Every Wednesday on the street "Kalitheas" next to Pinios river.

• 39.640822.412541 Kimatothrafstis (Κιματοθραύστης), Kentavron 2 (Κεντάυρων 2), ☏ +30 2410 256722. Small plate for €3.5, big for €6, soup for €3. 

• Nikodimos (Νικόδημος), Karaiskaki 2 (Καραϊσκάκη 2), ☏ +30 2410 535042. Nice old tavern with a nice backyard. 

• Syndrivani (on south side of Platiea Ethnarhou Makariou), ☏ +30 2410 535933. Open all day and known for its lamb and moussaka. 

(1 and 2 Stars)

• Achillion Hotel Larisa, 10 Kentavron, ☏ +30 2410 537401. In center of town 

• Avra hotel. 

• GR Louis Larissa Hotel, 1 Skarlatou Soutsou, ☏ +30 2410 535024. In center of city 

• Helena Hotel Larisa (Elena), 13 Oktovriou 28th, ☏ +30 2410 287461. Inside ring road on southeast side. 

• Pantheon Hotel, Railway Square, ☏ +30 2410 234810. Near the train station. 

(3 and 4 Stars)

• Asteras Hotel Larissa, Kouma & Asklipiou, ☏ +30 2410 534772. In center of city 

• Dionissos Hotel Larissa, L. Katsoni & 23th October, ☏ +30 2410 230101. In center of city 

• Grand Hotel, 16 Papakiriazi St. (Tachidromiou Sqr), ☏ +30 2410 257711. In center of city 

• Hotel Metropol, 14 Roosevelt, ☏ +30 2410 537161. In center of city 

• Park Hotel Larissa, 1 August 31st, ☏ +30 2410 257071. In center of city 

(5 Stars)

• Divani Palace Larissa, 19 Papanastassiou, ☏ +30 2410 252791. In center of city 

• Grecotel Larissa Imperial, 182 Farsalon, ☏ +30 2810 300330. On south side of city 

Metaxochori

• Archontiko Soulioti (35 km east of Larissa), ☏ +30 24940 22040, xenones@lar.forthnet.gr. Traditional settlement in a small village. Offers a great view of the valley and plains of Thessaly.