Though the bright lights and big attractions in the Greek capital often overshadow it, the relaxed and welcoming vibe of Thessaloniki – Greece’s second-largest city – shouldn’t be overlooked by visitors searching for a good time.
This student metropolis on the coast has a great nightlife scene, ancient sites, fabulous food and nearby wineries that will keep you coming back for more throughout the year. Is Thessaloniki good for tourists? The answer is a resounding yes. This is what you need to know before you go and what to do when you get there.
Dive into the incredible food scene
Get ready for a taste sensation – Thessaloniki was awarded the prestigious City of Gastronomy status by UNESCO in 2021 in recognition of the many cultures that have influenced its culinary scene over the years. This fusion of Ottoman, Balkan and Mediterranean traditions has produced such specialties as bougatsa, a popular cream pastry first brought to the city by refugees from Asia Minor in the 1920s.
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Be sure to sample Greek coffee and local street food such as koulouri, a sesame bread ring that is beloved throughout Greece – it supposedly originated with refugees in Thessaloniki. Seek out traditional handmade foods – pumpkin-and-leek pies, cheeses made from sheep and goat milk, cured meats, olives and extra-virgin olive oil, and traditional delicacies such as small fish mezes, and you’ll understand the region’s diversity through its food.
Centrally located Kapani Market, the city’s oldest, is a one-stop shop for tasting a range of fish and meat, fruit and vegetables, sweets, nuts, spices and more. A gastronomy tour offered by local outfit Chef Stories is a great way to combine top flavors while learning more about the city’s historical center.
Explore the charming city streets on foot
Compact Thessaloniki is a pleasure to walk around. The waterfront is never more than a 15-minute stroll from the city center, making it easy to delve into the city’s history and architectural wonders. The imposing 34m-high (111ft) White Tower served as a prison and place of execution during Ottoman times. Today, it’s the anchor of the New Waterfront, a modern promenade offering views across the bay to Mt Olympus.
There’s no shortage of ancient wonders here, either. The 7th-century Church of Agios Dimitrios honors Thessaloniki’s patron saint (his remains are interred in the crypt underneath the church) and the even earlier (6th-century) Agia Sofia blends Roman and Byzantine architectural traditions, with an interior covered with stunning gold leaf that glows in the candlelight. It was modeled on its namesake, the incredible Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Have a coffee break in Aristotelous Square, where the statue of the ancient philosopher stands proud. Then head up to the historic neighborhood of Ano Poli (Upper Town), with its narrow cobbled alleyways protected by the remaining walls of the Byzantine and Ottoman fortress. While it’s a long walk up, the phenomenal views down to the main lower city and sea are worth the effort. If it’s a hot day, take a taxi to the top and enjoy a leisurely stroll back down to sea level.
Back in the new city, learn even more about Thessaloniki’s past. The Archaeological Museum documents Macedonia’s prehistory, as well as the Hellenistic and Roman periods, while the Museum of Byzantine Culture showcases more than 3000 Byzantine objects. Guru Walk offers free walking tours with local guides.
Take a wine tasting tour at family-run vineyards
A few kilometers outside the city lies Ktima Gerovassiliou, a family-owned winery spread over 48 hectares (118 acres), that has produced wine since 1981. Visitors love sampling the whites, reds and rosés here, and exploring the small on-site museum, with its displays of viticulture, wine-making and bottling tools from around the world, collected by the family since 1976.
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For a taste of single-grape spirits made from hand-harvested, organic grapes, head to the Abelon Distillery, a half-hour drive from Ktima Gerovassiliou. Both family-run businesses continue regional traditions in a beautiful area with views of both the sea and snow-capped Mt Olympus.
Delve into the area’s regal history
Fans of ancient Greek history and archaeology should make a beeline for a small village about an hour from Thessaloniki. Vergina is where you’ll find the UNESCO-protected archaeological site of the Royal Tombs Museum; the main tomb is the burial chamber of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It’s one of the most important historical sites in Northern Greece.
Descend through the tunnel under the burial mound to see the tomb door. On display in the surrounding museum are silver chalices, an ivory-and-gold shield, a gold-plated quiver, a full suit of gilded armor and countless other treasures found buried with the king.
A short distance away lies the larger Polycentric Museum of Aigai, which exhibits objects from Alexander the Great’s period of rule in Macedon. It’s the main highlight of the restored part of Macedon’s Royal Palace, which was three times bigger than the Parthenon during its heyday.
Consider hiring a car to fully explore Vergina and the wineries, or join a guided tour to get a better understanding of the history and culture of the area. Discover Greece can help with both options.
To visit Vergina (as well as the wineries), it’s best to rent your own car if you prefer to tour on your own. But consider a guided tour to fully understand the majesty of what you’re experiencing. Discover Greece can help with both.
Enjoy art on the waterfront
Back in Thessaloniki, head to the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography on Pier A and the Experimental Center for the Arts, both atmospheric locations for creative expression. Both have photography exhibits on social and political themes, including works by international artists that change every three months or so. The two are part of the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts (MOMus) network – as is the Museum of Contemporary Art, a nine-minute walk from the White Tower.
Back at the pier’s entrance, treat yourself to a coffee at the Maritime Cafe and Cocktail Bar. Whether you’re sitting inside or out, you can soak in the lively waterfront ambiance and look out to Mt Olympus in the distance.
The best places to eat in Thessaloniki
You’ll be spoiled for choice with restaurants and tavernas here. Ladadika, the old district to the west of the port filled with cobbled streets and neoclassical buildings, is Thessaloniki’s nightlife area. You’ll find coffee shops and bars galore frequented by students, plus several restaurants to choose from.
In the heart of Ladadika, Kazaviti is a good local choice, with staples such as moussaka and wine served in jugs to a soundtrack of live music. The more upmarket Mamalouka serves a variety of dishes that should suit most palates – the tarama fish roe dip is to die for. In the heart of the city, Poster is popular with the business crowd; don’t leave without trying the delicious focaccia bread dripping with chili butter and hot honey.
Olympos Naoussa Restaurant at the On Residence Hotel combines deluxe gastronomy with down-to-earth, “passed down from grandma” recipes. The award-winning Greek chef serves up dishes such as moussaka with béchamel sauce on the side. We recommend being adventurous and leaving the choice of dish to your server.
Rest your weary head at one of Thessaloniki’s best hotels
Wherever you stay in central Thessaloniki, you won’t be far from the promenade or main sights. Hotel choices range from five-stars such as the renovated, historic On Residence along the promenade – the Mt Olympus views are the perfect backdrop for a romantic break. More down to earth but still central, the Teight Hotel is close to shopping streets and the main sights.
If you’re planning a longer stay, Thess Residences occupies a former factory that once produced traditional pots and the famous briki used to brew Greek coffee; today, the building houses 25 self-catering apartments in a local neighborhood. This is a great choice for independent travelers looking to be in the thick of local life, but only a 15-minute walk from the seafront.
Getting to Thessaloniki
Flights from Athens take around 35 minutes, and the airport is just 13km (8 miles) from the city center. A taxi will take about 30 minutes, with prices ranging from €24 euro (US$25.07) during the day to €32 (US$33.45/midnight to 5am). The 40-minute airport bus costs €1.80 (US$1.88) at all times; tickets can be bought on board, but only with cash.
Direct buses from Athens depart every couple of hours and take about 5½ hours (€42.90/US$44.83 one way). Driving on your own is marginally faster, though the cost of tolls and gas can run upward of €100 (US$104.49) one way.
