Thessaloniki

Still little known to international tourists, Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city after the capital Athens, is a perfect destination for a city break off the usual tourist routes.

There is enough art and culture to keep you busy for several days, including ancient ruins, museums ranging from the classical era to contemporary art, majestic churches, imposing Byzantine walls and an enigmatic tower, but if you want a more frivolous holiday you can explore the shopping districts, elegant squares and pleasant waterfront.

Young, energetic and optimistic, Thessaloniki may not have the iconic charm of Athens but it knows how to entertain its visitors, with clubs to spend the evenings having a drink or two and major cultural events such as the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.

If the heat gets unbearable, just hop on a ferry or bus to reach the surrounding beaches or the more distant Chalkidiki Peninsula.

Things to do in Thessaloniki

Streets and squares

The beating heart of Thessaloniki is the central and monumental Aristotle Square, stretching out towards the sea. The area around the square is full of bars, souvenir shops, bookshops and boutiques; you can then continue shopping in the main streets of Tsimiski, Mitropoleos, Egnatia and the Nikis shoreline.

If, on the other hand, you just want to stroll, the seafront is the best place, cooler and with many bars for a drink stop.

Churches

The huge church of Agios Dimitrios is almost a symbol of the city. Dedicated to the patron saint, this very old church dates back to the 5th century and was built on the site of the martyrdom of St Dimitrios, who was killed by order of a Roman emperor during the persecution of the early Christians.

Only five of the beautiful frescoes that decorated the church survived the 1917 fire: you can admire them above the altar.

Built in the 8th century on an early Christian temple from the 3rd century, the Church of St Sophia is reminiscent in name and design of Istanbul’s more famous Agia Sophia. Check out the exceptional mosaic depicting the Ascension of Christ in the dome.

Monuments and historical sites

The most famous monument in Thessaloniki is the White Tower: built as a defensive tower in the 15th century on the remains of a pre-existing Byzantine tower, it was used by the Ottomans as a prison and torture chamber, earning it the unflattering nickname of the Tower of Blood.

Today, the 34-metre high tower houses a museum dedicated to the history of Thessaloniki; you can climb to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

At the intersection of Egnatia Street and Gounari Street you can see the remains of the Arch of Galerius, built around 300 BC to celebrate an important victory over the Persians.

It originally consisted of four pillars supporting a dome, but today only three pillars remain; the sculptural decorations depict scenes from Galerius’ victorious campaign against the Persians.

Another vestige of Roman rule in Thessaloniki are the remains of the Roman agora (or forum), which you can see north of Aristotle Square. Don’t miss the fortress that dominates the city from above and the Byzantine walls, built in the 4th century BC and fortified by Emperor Theodosius.

Museums

Although Thessaloniki cannot compete with Athens for the quantity and prestige of its ancient museums, the city boasts a good number of art and history museums that are well worth a visit:

• Archaeological Museum: in the heart of Thessaloniki’s old town is the most important museum in northern Greece and one of the largest in the country, exhibiting artefacts and works of art from prehistory to late antiquity. The highlight of the collection is the Derveni crater, a bronze vase used as a funerary urn famous for its extraordinary decoration with Dionysian dance scenes.
• Museum of the Macedonian Struggle: a bastion of Greek nationalism, this museum will tell you about the battles and struggles that drove the Turks and Ottomans out of Greece. You can admire rare maps, weapons, uniforms, period photographs and other documents.
• Museum of Byzantine Culture: displays a collection of more than 3000 objects of Byzantine art including mosaics, jewellery, glassware and funerary paintings. Its well-kept information panels will guide you through the discovery of this extraordinary culture.
• Atatürk House: a museum dedicated to the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal, who was born in Thessaloniki. The museum, which displays objects that belonged to the famous politician, is formally part of the Turkish consulate: you will be asked for an identity document to enter.
• Jewish Museum: a touching museum housed in one of the few Jewish buildings that survived the fire of 1917, which tells the story of the Jews in Thessaloniki, from the first immigrations in the 15th century, to the heyday of the 17th century and the brutal massacre during the Holocaust.
• Museum of Cinema: a small museum dedicated to the history of Greek cinema.
• Museum of Photography: an old warehouse in the harbour is converted into a photographic museum housing temporary and permanent exhibitions.
• CACT – Contemporary Art Centre Thessaloniki: this cultural centre, dedicated to new trends in contemporary art, is also housed in a warehouse. It organises temporary exhibitions and events.

Beaches of Thessaloniki

Although Thessaloniki is a seaside city with a harbour and a seafront promenade, it is not a seaside resort: there are no city beaches.

That said, you can add a couple of hours of relaxation by the sea to your cultural visits by reaching the beaches in the surrounding area. For a few euros, you can take a ferry that leaves from the city wharf and stops at several beaches in the area, all less than 50 minutes away.

They are mostly equipped beaches with bars and restaurants. They may not be the most beautiful beaches in Greece, but the sea is cleaner than well-known locations on our Adriatic.

If you are willing to travel further afield, you can take a bus to the Chalkidiki peninsula, but plan your day well otherwise you risk spending it all on the bus (or worse waiting in the hot sun).

Where to stay in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a lively city, full of places of interest, and is located in the northern part of Greece. As the second largest city in the country, Thessaloniki offers numerous accommodation options whether you are travelling there for holiday or business.

Able to satisfy even the most demanding travellers with its excellent hotel facilities, Thessaloniki manages to combine the characteristics of a modern city with Byzantine ones. Choose accommodation in the city centre, perhaps in one of the small hotels housed in historic buildings, treat yourself to a stay in one of the charming and luxurious establishments within walking distance of Aristotle Square, or stay in excellent flats and studios scattered around the city.

Recommended hotels in Thessaloniki

Nightlife in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a lively metropolis that doesn’t go to sleep when the sun goes down. The aperitif is almost a sacred ritual, celebrated by the locals with gaiety. If you want to join them, the best place is the waterfront, between Aristotelou Square and the port, with its wide choice of bars and cocktail lounges.

The evening continues with dinner, which, according to Greek tradition, is eaten very late and is an important moment for socialising. Choose one of the typical taverns around the covered market for a fun evening of mezedes and traditional music.

You might decide to stop here, as it will already be late, but the Thessaloniki night continues in the clubs of the suburban district of Kalamaria or, in the summer months, in the clubs on the coast, all less than an hour’s drive away.

How to get to Thessaloniki

Reaching Thessaloniki couldn’t be easier: it is connected by direct flights from various cities. It can also be reached by bus from Athens but it is quite a long journey, between five and seven hours.

Flights to Thessaloniki

The direct flights to Thessaloniki are carried out by the airlines Aegean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Finnair, Involatus, Jet2, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair, SWISS, Scandinavian Airlines, Transavia France, Volotea, EasyJet and Transavia from the airports of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Birmingham, Bristol, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Duesseldorf, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Helsinki, Leeds, London, Manchester, Munich, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, Vienna and Zurich.