Thessaloniki Travel & Vacation Guide

Built as a miniature of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople in the 7th century, the cathedral contains beautiful Byzantine frescoes and mosaics. Agia Sofia is one of the oldest churches in the city still standing today and is included as a World Heritage Site on the UNESCO list.

The Ancient Agora or the Roman Forum, right in the city centre, is an important and fascinating archaeological site, which once was the roman heart of the ancient city. It was first built in the late 2nd century AD and was dug up by accident in the 1960s. Grab a coffee from one of the many cafes located close by and enjoy the view.

In addition to the Rotonda, this is one of the two most characteristic monuments in town. The Galerius arch is situated close to the eastern city wall, a short distance from the Kassandreotiki gate. The 4th-century AD Roman emperor Galerius commissioned both structures to show off his power. A road used to run through the arch, past the Rotunda and on to the palace to the southwest. The arch is composed of a masonry core faced with marble sculptural panels celebrating a victory over the seventh emperor in the Sassanid Persian Empire. About two-thirds of the arch is preserved. Colloquially, the monument in known as Kamara, that's Greek for 'arch'.

Built in 1962 but newly refurbished, this museum provides numerous updated exhibitions. You can easily spend hours here, losing yourself in magical Macedonian gold artefacts and antique treasures.

Aristotelous Square is the most impressive square in Thessaloniki. It features buildings with monumental architecture inspired by European and colonial models, cafes, shops and restaurants. It is the focal point in big celebrations, such as the coming of the New Year, and is the de facto meeting place during the day. The history of Aristotelous Square began with the Great Fire of 1917 that destroyed two thirds of the city. The French architect Ernest Hébrard designed Aristotelous Square to serve as an end of a monumental axis for Thessaloniki that would stretch from the seafront to Dikastirion Square and the Roman Forum. The final design, built in the 1950s, is a lot more stripped down than Hébrard's original proposal, but still has significant architectural value.

Located in the same property as the Turkish Consulate in Thessaloniki, the Atatürk Museum is the birthplace of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, 'Father of the Turks', who was born here in 1881. It is a three-storey house with a courtyard, and its original furniture. Any missing items were replaced with items from Kemal's mausoleum and from Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Naturally, the museum is very popular with visitors from Turkey. A replica of the house has been constructed in Ankara.

The region of Halkidiki lies southeast from Thessaloniki. It is known for its jutting peninsulas, Mediterranean forests and sandy beaches in warm, sheltered bays. The region is often described as having three 'legs', the Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos peninsulas. Kassandra, the westernmost peninsula, is the most developed, offering modern resorts and nightclubs. Sithonia, also known as Longos, offers over a 100 beaches, cute villages and is a popular destination for families. Athos is an important centre of the Eastern Orthodox church. Its main point of interest, Mount Athos, is home to 20 monasteries.

While exploring the historic Ano Poli, the Old City or Upper Town, you will stumble upon the old city wall and the Heptapyrgion. It is a Byzantine and Ottoman-era fortress. You can pay to see the renovated interior part, which used to serve as a prison from 1890 to 1990. Enjoy your urban hike up to the monument, check out the panoramic views and sip a frappe in one of the charming cafes in the area. Also known as Edy Kulѐ or Eptapirgio, 'Seven Towers', is a medieval fortress with towers in the northeastern part of Thessaloniki. Despite its name, the fortress has ten towers. The fortress was built in the IX century, and some parts of it were built later. Like the White Tower, it was used as a prison from the late 19th century until 1978.

Vogue is a club and concert venue for young people who are there to see and be seen. Strong industrial decor and understated luxury details create the big nightclub vibe for the thousand people in attendance. Best music acts start after midnight. If clubs are your thing, don't miss Vogue.

Dentro sto Bar is a fabulous cafe and bar with a big tree full of fairy lights and an old villa as its home. The selection of beers is huge and the music they play is perfect. A great place for a coffee or a drink, as the music is not too loud and the place looks nice. Nightly events with live music usually start around 10:30 pm. Definitely one of the top 5 bars to visit in Thessaloniki.

Mylos is a large entertainment complex in the warehouse district of the port where you will find bars, galleries, restaurants, cafes, theatres and plenty of live music.

All the cool Tik-Tok kids head to Navarinou Square, just seaward from the Rotunda. You'll find bars and restaurants, tattoo parlours and alt clothing stores, cheap bites and plenty of energy. Drift around the square and find a table at one of the bars or just pass through to see the modern Greece doing their thing right next to the remains of the Palace of Galerius.

OTE Tower is a 76-metre-tall whimsical tower located within the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center. In addition to being a gleaming monument, the tower is also home to a revolving Skyline cafe-bar. The venue operates year-round, offering coffee, signature drinks and a small selection of small bites. After dark, there is live piano music. Skyline organises special events for Christmas and New year's Eve, should you visit Thessaloniki in winter.

No, unfortunately, Rotunda does not become a bar at night. However, take a stroll around the landmark towards the evening and you will notice plenty of cute and creative bars attracting customers. The area is at the border of Thessaloniki's university district, and all the students gravitate towards Rotunda. The bars seem to differ by age a bit, but there are no strict divisions. Just take a look around and find your crowd. Some of the favourite bars here are Tabya, Diethnes, Elektron cafe, To Podilato Beer House, which is popular among Erasmus students, and Hippopotamus.

Have a chilly drink on the 7th floor of The Met Hotel by the 22-metre long swimming pool. Sky Bar offers a breathtaking 360° degree view of Thessaloniki, so bring the camera with you and take some nice pics for the gram. This is a sophisticated bar and a great place to hang out with friends.

Cafe by day and a young trendy hipster bar by night, Stereo is the quiet alternative hangout for the young crowd with exceptionally nice staff. Literally the place to be if you want to mingle with cool locals. DJ's play understated and occasionally nostalgic hits. It's casual and friendly, perfect for weekdays and weekends. It will most likely become your favourite in Thessaloniki.

Attica is another large and fashionable department store in Greece. It combines upscale international designers with popular Greek brands. You can find a great collection of fashion, accessories and beauty.

Efishop is a family business which means extra care and attention to customer service. Here you will find clothes, footwear, electronics, gadgets, auto equipment, desk accessories and many other products that you might need.

Hondos Center is a beauty retail market that has been attracting shoppers since 1967. Prices are on the higher side, but it has a very wide selection of products. Fragrances, makeup, skin care: you name it, they have it.

There are plenty of gorgeous jewellery stores in Thessaloniki, selling beautiful and elegant handmade designs. Buy something for yourself as a long-lasting reminder of your trip or get a little something for your loved one back home. Most jewellery shops in Thessaloniki are located in the Ladadika area, along and around Tsimiski street. To get you started, check out Katerina Ioannidis Jewerly, great selection of modern, handmade jewellery with character.

Jumbo is the nation's largest toy retailer in Greece including baby items, stationery, seasonal products and home decor items. It’s made of joy, fun and carelessness. There are two more Jumbo stores south of Thessaloniki, close to 16 and 24 highways. If you're planning to take a car trip to Halkidiki or to the beach, they are conveniently on your way.

Kanellopulos Department Stores welcomes you in the fashion world, where you will experience excellent shopping and meet friendly staff. The variety of products are great and offer something for men, women, and children. Get their membership card for extra discounts. Their store on the central Tsimiski street is 7 storeys tall.

Exploring local markets is an excellent way to discover the city's culture. Foodies will appreciate seasonal fruits and veggies, regional cheeses and street food. Additionally, you can find anything from modern necessities of life to artisanal handmade cosmetics. Here are some of the main markets you should check out: Kapani Market, the oldest open public market in Thessaloniki. Focused on Greek delicacies, traditional cafes, tavernas and bakeries. Located in the city centre, it sprawls over several pedestrian streets and some parts are covered. Athonos Square, a spot for small traditional shops that offer spices and food products, handmade patio furniture and crafts. Some jewellery and clothing shops have sprung up in the last few years. Modiano Market was built in the 1920s and resembles some Parisian markets. Here you'll find traditional food items and a good selection on modern and old-fashioned tavernas. Bezesteni Market, a former Turkish bath from the 15th century now houses clothing, florist and jewellery shops. You can take the stairs to the attic and have a closer look at the six domes. Worth a visit for the architectural value alone. Martiou Market takes place every Saturday at Martiou, a neighbourhood in the eastern part of the city. Fishermen bring fresh catch from the Northern Aegean and from around the Halkidiki region. Fish of all sizes, mussels and octopuses won't stay on the counters long. Come early.

Mediterranean Cosmos is a well-organised shopping centre with colour-coordinated aisles, a wide variety of shops and a food court offering an extended selection of food, drinks and snacks. After shopping, treat yourself to a cinema visit. There's also a small river outside next to the amphitheatre, where you can enjoy an iced drink from one of the many cafes.

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Greece, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

The Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia, in the area of Mikra, is the second largest airport in Greece and is linked with most destinations of Europe and Balkan countries in particular. Getting from the airport to the city centre will take you from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the traffic. You can go to the centre of Thessaloniki using bus route X1 'KTEL – Airport'. It runs every 30-ish minutes and it takes approximately 45 minutes. You can buy a ticket at the kiosk before boarding or pay using exact change in a machine inside the bus.

You can cover most of the distances in the city on foot or using local buses. Tickets can be bought either at the kiosks or from the vending machines on the bus, 90 cents, exact change. If you buy the ticket on the bus, remember to have coins. All tickets must be validated and are usable for 70 minutes. Various kinds of day passes are also available. Google Maps is blissfully unaware of the bus system in Thessaloniki, so you'll have to install an app like Moovit to figure out how to get places.

Uber does operate in Thessaloniki, but it's simply used to call a municipal taxi to your location and does not give you a cost estimate. From the smaller streets, taxis can be hailed whenever you need one. On the major city streets, there are points with the sign 'TAXI'. You also find taxis standing on piazzas or outside the hotels. You can also book online through Taxiway.

In Greece, the standard power outlets are Type F and Type C which are compatible with most European plugs. The voltage is 230V, and the frequency is 50Hz.

Is Thessaloniki the same as Thessalonica? Yes. Thessalonica was the most common spelling in early 20th century, which later changed to Salonika, and finally to the version we have now. In English, the city can be called Thessaloniki, Salonika, Thessalonica, Salonica, Thessalonika, Saloniki, Thessalonike, or Thessalonice. Is Thessaloniki in northern Greece? Yes. Thessaloniki is located at the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea, on the Thermaic Gulf. However 'north' does not mean 'cold'. Expect sunny weather and perfect beach conditions from April to late September. Are there beaches in Thessaloniki? There are no beaches in the city centre, since Thessaloniki is a port city. Nevertheless, you can easily reach sandy beaches by boat, car or bus. Alternatively, explore the Halkidiki area after a few days in the city. Thessaloniki's Macedonia airport is very well connected.

Each pharmacy in Thessaloniki has a notice in the window showing which ones are open out of normal hours and their addresses. Wherever there is a doctor, you may see a sign with a cross most of the times. On some signs, there are also phone numbers to the emergency room.

Country code: +30 Area code: 231