中文 (香港)There are so many things to do in Thessaloniki but most people often overlook the second-largest city in Greece. While there are plenty of lovely eateries in Athens, Thessaloniki cannot be dismissed as it has an amazing food scene as well.
In fact, I love these smaller but historic cities around the Balkans because there is so much to see and learn but it’s all relatively compact. I spent about a week in Thessaloniki before I set off to hike Mount Olympus and then go island hopping, and here is a list of what to do in Thessaloniki:
> see all of my Greece content here and also Thessaloniki food guide.
A short history of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the Center of Macedonia. Its history stretches back to 315 BC to the Macedonia kingdom, founded by King Cassandre of Macedonia. Fun fact: his wife was the half sister of Alexander the Great. Since then, it has been continuously inhabited. Here is a little timeline:
- 315 BC – 4th century: Macedonia Kingdom
- 4th to 15th century: Byzantine Empire
- 7th century: Slavic tribes come to Thessaloniki
- 904: Sack of Thessalonica by Muslims
- 1185: Another sack by Normans of the Kingdom of Sicily
- 1430: Ottoman invasion. After inhabitants were all captured, other Christians and also Jews were moved into the city
- 1821: Greek War of Independence – the Battle of Vasilika in Thessaloniki
- 19th century onwards: demolishing of the city wall
- 1917: a huge fire changed the city’s appearance
- 1922: Asia Minor wars refugees arrived, changing the populations of Thessaloniki
Upper Town and New Town
Thessaloniki’s main town can be further split into Upper Town and New Town. The New Town is flat grounds by the sea with beautiful squares, boulevards, and taller apartments. The Upper Towns rises over the hill with remnants of the old city wall intertwined among the windy roads and smaller, older houses.
While you’re more likely to stay and spend time in New Town, don’t forget to put aside some time for a roam in the old town.
Essential Information on Thessaloniki
Before we dive into the top things to do in Thessaloniki, here are more frequently asked questions answered:
Is Thessaloniki worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Thessaloniki has never really been on my radar at all to visit. But it is the second most important city in the Byzantine Empire after Istanbul, the capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia in ancient times, and a cultural hub.
What is Thessaloniki best known for?
Thessaloniki is best known for the White Tower by the harbour front, the historic upper town Ana Poli that was not destroyed in the great fire, and its cultural and food scene. It is also close to other major attractions and historical sites like Meteora, Mount Olympus and close to other Balkan countries.
How many days is enough for Thessaloniki?
If you are only looking to see the city and its highlights, 2 to 3 days is enough to see everything. I spent 5 days there and would have taken a day trip if I had the time. The old part of the city is walkable, but you’d need to drive or take the bus to the new town or further to some of the beaches nearby.
Is Thessaloniki a walkable city?
If you are only staying around the old town, you can easily walk around. However, the city itself has expanded and I had to take a taxi to the bus station west of town as it’s too far to walk.
My walk from the center of the old town to some of the museums also verges on the edge of being too long (30-40 minutes), but there is a good network of buses. It would work if you take a lunch or afternoon tea break in the middle!
When should I go to Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki is best visited outside of the height of summer, as everything closes around mid-August. It’s common for Greeks to leave the mainland for an island holiday then and it is also an important religious holiday and a lot of things won’t be open.
Thessaloniki can also get quite cold in the winter months, which might not be ideal.
Which is better Athens or Thessaloniki?
Depending on the focus of your trip, you might want to visit Thessaloniki over Athens for a less crowded holiday in a more lived-in city. Athens can be a bit grimy in certain places, but the Acropolis and ancient agora (market) without a doubt some must-sees.
Athens Thessaloniki
If you have already visited Athens, Thessaloniki is worth a visit and also a great add-on for a Balkan trip.
Is Thessaloniki cheaper than Athens?
Accommodation in Thessaloniki is a bit cheaper than in the busy capital. But I haven’t noticed a particular difference in terms of food or transport prices. It is cheaper to visit the historical sites here as prices for the Acropolis are the priciest.
Things to do in Thessaloniki
Most of the top things to do in Thessaloniki is historical or culturally related, although one can’t discount the food scene as well. Here, we’ll focus on the museums, monuments, and historical sites, plus a few fun activities sprinkled in:
Take a Sunset Cruise
There are several cruises available by the White Tower that you can join. One of them is even pirate themed! They depart by the hour or half hour, and the ticket price is just one minimum drink order on board. There are several promotors milling around and I decided to go on one around sunset.
Klio Cruise Bar
I opted not to go on a pirate one and the Klio Cruise Bar was the only other option that day. It was a nice experience. I got to watch the coastline, the setting sun, and a surprisingly large flock of seagulls around us.
I ordered a lemon mythos and also got a bowl of peanuts and enjoyed the 40 minutes. Do note that their departure time is arbitrary and depends on when they get enough people and not exactly schedule.
Note: you can pay by card!
Umbrella by the Sea
The metal sculpture of Umbrellas by the Sea is a modern icon of Thessaloniki. It’s an art piece by George Zongolopoulos, a local sculptor who installed it in 1997. The Umbrellas are 13m tall and unmistakable by the seafront. And a short walk from the White Tower and major museums.
Bike along the Nea Paralia – Thessaloniki’s seaside promenade
You can rent a bicycle and explore the 5km long seaside promenade of Thessaloniki. It was opened in 2013 and stretches between the White Tower and Thessaloniki Concert Hall. It’s also home to the Umbrella by the Sea, as well as a statue of Alexander the Great, who was born in a nearby city.
There are also smaller gardens, benches, and small eateries along the way. I saw a bike shop where you can rent bicycles for 30 mins or a few hours:
BikeIT
Opening times: 10:00 – 18:00
Kapani Market
The Kapani Market is near the Statue of Eleftherios below the Roman Forum and sells everything from fresh produce to souvenirs. It is a covered open market bustling with activities. It’s best to visit in the morning or before mid-afternoon.
Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s nice to enjoy the atmosphere and see the locals doing their usual rounds.
The Arch of Galerius
Outside the Rotunda is the Arch of Galerius, which was built to commemorate the victory of the Empire Maximianus Galerius against the Persians in the 2nd century AD. although now only two out of four of the arches remained, you can still see the intricate relief on the arches that depicts the victory.
Walk down Aristotelous Square
Aristotelous Square is the main square in Thessaloniki by the waterfront. It was built after the Great Fire in 1917 which destroyed most of the city but gave it a chance to replan. It was designed by a French architect and is now a place for Christmas markets, cultural events, and rallies.
Churches in Thessaloniki
Greek Orthodox is the main religion in Greece and there are a lot of churches in Thessaloniki. I visited during the Assumption of Mary holiday (mid-august) so I didn’t visit that many as most of them were holding celebrations.
Note: I have listed their google opening times but it’s likely that it varies slightly, especially during the winter season.
Church of Agia Sofia
The Church of Agia Sofia is in the center of the city and set lower than the other, surrounded by buildings with a garden in front. It was modeled after the Hagai Sofia in Istanbul and built in the 7th century, surviving the Great Fire.
Don’t miss going inside to see the mosaic that dates back to the 8th century and the domed architecture representative of the Byzantine era. It is free to enter and a popular church for tourists and locals alike.
Opening times: 7:00 – 21:00
The Church of Saint Dimitrios – Hagios Demetrios
The Church of Agios Dimitrios is the most famous church in Thessaloniki. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the grounds have been home to churches since the 4th century AD. The current one is a classic example of Byzantine architecture and is known for its six mosaic panels.
It was rebuilt following damage suffered during the Great fire in 1917 as well as during WWI and WWII.
Opening times: 6:00 – 22:00
Rotunda
The Rotunda is also one of the most iconic monuments in Thessaloniki. It was a 4th-century pagan building that served as a Byzantine church and mosque as well. As hinted in its name, it is a round building that was first used as a mausoleum or temple for Constantine the Great.
You can see it clearly from afar as it is almost 30m in height and almost 25m in diameter. When it was turned into a church, a sanctuary was added on the eastern side. It was used as a mosque by the Ottoman and converted back in 1912 following the city’s liberation.
You can see the exquisite mosaics from the Byzantine era and excavations inside and in the garden.
Opening times: Weds – Mon 8:30 – 15:30
Entrance fee: 6 euros, 3 euros concession. Included in combined ticket for White Tower, Rotunda, Archeological Museum, and Museum of Byzantine Culture for 15 euros
Church of Nea Panagia/ The Hippodrome
The Church of Nea Panagia occupies a part of what was the Hippodrome, which was built in the 4th century AD. this was a public building where contests were held and political opinions exchanged, and it was in use until the 6th century.
The church itself was built in the early 18th century and dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. before Nea Panagia, it was a Byzantine Monastery.
Holy Monastery of Saint Theodora
The Holy Monastery of Saint Theodora is located unexpectedly in the city center along the road leading to Hagia Sophia. You can see the beautiful fresco and icons even from the street and it’s free to go in for a visit.
The monastery’s patron saint is Saint Theodora, who came from Aegina island but came to Thessaloniki. One of her relics is held inside. But when it was first established in the 9th century, it was dedicated to Saint Stefanos.
It remained a monastery under Ottoman rule, situated in the Christian district. It also suffered damage in the fire but it was restored and opened its door again by the end of the 80s.
Opening times: 7:00 – 20:00
Museums in Thessaloniki
One of my favourite things about smaller cities like Thessaloniki is that you can learn everything from their museums without being too overwhelmed. I did my best to see everything and the prices are very affordable.
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Θεσσαλονίκης
The city’s Archaeological Museum is a lovely air-conditioned space (great to escape the summer heat) with sectioned exhibits.
Although sectioned, the rooms lack continuity and seem to be grouped based on loose themes. There are a lot of micro details but an overview of history. But I enjoyed all the artifacts and also the section on Macedonia beauty products.
Opening times: 1st April – 31st Oct 8:00 – 20:00; 1st Nov – 31st March 8:30 – 15:30
Entrance fee: 8 euros, 4 euros concession. Included in combined ticket for White Tower, Rotunda, Archeological Museum, and Museum of Byzantine Culture for 15 euros
Museum of Byzantine Culture Μουσείο Βυζαντινού Πολιτισμού
The Byzantine is an important era in Thessaloniki with flourishing religious art. The Museum of Byzantine Culture showcases the best of it with very clear signs and is structured into a series of rooms according to the time period.
I’m not particularly a religious art person, but I enjoyed learning about history. If you are interested in funeral rites, then they have an extensive exhibit on that!
Opening times: 1st April – 31st Oct 8:00 – 22:00; 1st Nov – 31st March 8:30 – 15:30
Entrance fee: 8 euros, 4 euros concession. Included in combined ticket for White Tower, Rotunda, Archeological Museum, and Museum of Byzantine Culture for 15 euros
White Tower of Thessaloniki
The White Tower is arguably the most iconic monument in Thessaloniki standing right by the harbourfront. There was a Byzantine tower on it previously, but it was replaced by the White Tower in the late 15th century. It lay on the eastern wall where it meets the sea by the Ottoman at 33.9 m high.
The tower was used as a prison and now you can roam up the 6 floors with exhibits on the history of the city along with an audio guide (included). You can also get a stunning panorama at the top where there is a cafe and restaurant as well.
Interesting exhibit with a free audio guide in English and German, which covers everything that I couldn’t understand in Greek on the signboard.
Note: they ask for an official document or hotel keys as a deposit for using the audio guide
Opening times: 1st April – 31st Oct 8:00 – 22:00; 1st Nov – 31st March 8:30 – 15:30
Entrance fee: 8 euros, 4 euros concession. Included in combined ticket for White Tower, Rotunda, Archeological Museum, and Museum of Byzantine Culture for 15 euros
Museum of the Roman Forum of Thessaloniki
The Roman Forum of Thessaloniki is set back away from the sea in a quiet area. While there isn’t much to see other than the ruins in the forum itself, the museum is quite comprehensive.
The agora – which means the gathering place – is a quintessential part of life in Roman times. The most notable was the semi-circle Odeia-Bouleuterion, the music house, and the council houses.
The forum ceased to be used in the 5th century under Galerius and was used as a reservoir in the 7th century. Only shops on the south side survived until the 14th century and then they too were not in use. The museum continued to cover the history of the area and it’s a nice comprehensive roam and walk.
Opening times: Weds – Mon 8:00 – 20:00
Entrance fee: 2 euros
Folklife & Ethnological Museum of Macedonia & Thrace
A bit further in the newer part of town, the Folklife & Ethnological Museum of Macedonia and Thrace is unique inside and out. Housed in an eclectic building with French influence, it was originally built for a banker with beautiful loggia. It came to be the museum in 1971 with 2 floors and a gorgeous garden cafe.
The ground floor covers the traditional industries of the area before modern times. There are water mills, logging, and sewing with working demonstrations of the water-related mills, logs, and washing tubs. Upstairs are traditional costumes collected from mid 19th century until the 50s.
If you like culture and want to learn more, this is definitely worth the trek.
Entrance fee: 2 euros
Opening times: Fri – Tues 8:30 – 15:30; Weds 9:00 – 15:30
Ana Poli Upper town
Ana Poli – aka the Upper Town – is the only part of Thessaloniki that escaped from the damage of the Great Fire in 1917. You can walk up from the harbour front and it felt like you’re in a different world. The houses are all still home to the locals and the windy streets and stairs were a little confusing but interesting. There are a few major points of interest but it was also pretty fun to just walk around exploring.
Tower of Manouil Palaiologos
The Tower of Manouil Palaigologos is a mouthful but it boasts a great view of Thessaloniki. It’s a 13th-century defensive tower in the northern walls of the city. The tower is relatively well preserved. But not one that you can visit inside. And the stairs make for a good photo spot.
Vlatadon Monastery
The Vlatadon Monastery lies just south of the old walls and is one of the most popular places to visit in Upper Town. It was founded in the 14th century under the Byzantine Empire and is the only Byzantine monastery in Thessaloniki still in operation today.
The monastery and church are still active, so when you visit, remember to be respectful. I didn’t go in but the church has a fresco from the 14th century, revealed during the earthquake in 1978.
There are little courtyards dotted around too on my little nose around and a peacock enclosure.
Opening times: 7:30 – 11:00, 15:30 – 20:00
Portara and Anna Palaiologina Gate – Trigonio
This part of the wall preserves the main gate from the Byzantine era, named after the Empress Anna Palaiologina, who modified the wall to give it the gates in the mid-14th century. It is now a main road where cars can pass through.
Trigonion (Chain) Tower
Trigonion Tower, better known as the Chain Tower, is the best place to see in Upper Town if you only have time to stop by one spot. That said, it is right next to the Vlatadon Monastery so you should have time to see both.
It is one of the best-preserved sections of the tower closest to the seafront with a spectacular view during sunset. Along the front of it and the gates above, you get a few restaurants with outdoor seating and the whole setting just look magical.
The Chain Tower was built by the Ottoman in the late 15th century, along with several other defensive towers along the wall. You can walk along the wall outside for free but you can also visit the inside. Do check their opening times as it changes and close quite early.
Entrance fee: 6 euros, free for EU citizen under 25.
Where to Stay in Thessaloniki
I personally would recommend staying in the central part of the new town, as you don’t want to lug your suitcase up Ana Poli. Here are some of my recommendations:
Budget
Mandrino Hotel is set back on the main road Egnatias with good rooms for triples and twins size.
Domotel Olympia is in a quieter part of town with friendly staff but the rooms are on the smaller side.
Midrange
Noa Hotel is close to the Thessaloniki pier with minimalist modern rooms.
Antigon Urban Chic Hotel lives up to its name with beautiful rooms in the quieter part of town north of Egnatia Street.
Splurge
ONOMA Hotel is by the bus and railway station with modern rooms and a rooftop terrace.
To be right by the Aristotle Square, the iconic Electra Palace is unbeatable with spa.
On Residence is also seafront with stunning courtyard rooms.
