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Second-largest city in Greece
Photo: Ωριγένης, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Thessaloniki (Greek: Θεσσαλονίκη) is the capital of Macedonia, and with one million inhabitants (2025), the second largest city in Greece. It is a city with a continuous 3,000-year history, preserving relics of its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past and of its formerly dominant Jewish population. Its Byzantine churches, in particular, are included in UNESCO's world heritage list.
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Arch of Triumph
The triumphal arch was dedicated in 303 AD to celebrate the victory of the tetrarch Galerius over the Sassanids.
Ancient Agora
Excavations and an interesting museum underneath.
Started life as a Roman temple of Zeus, built by Caesar Galerius, and is almost as old as the Pantheon in Rome. The monument has a diameter of 24.5 m and its dome reaches a height of 30 m. It was converted into a Christian church during the Early Christian era, and its interior was decorated with magnificent mosaics. However some inside frescoes are a work of the British artist Alexander Rossi (1840-1916). In 1591 the Rotunda was converted into a mosque, and a tall minaret still stands beside the monument. Frequent earthquakes from the early 7ᵗʰ century until 1978 caused several damage. The latter caused the destruction of the dome section. After being restored, the monument reopened to the public in 1998.
Agios Demetrios
Constructed in the mid-7th century on the ruins of a Roman bath complex, in honor of Demetrius, a Roman officer who was imprisoned and martyred here in 303 AD. An earlier small church, built on the site of martyrdom, burned down during the earthquake of 620 and a new large basilica was erected at expenses of Leontius, the Byzantine prefect of Illyricum and the Bishop of Thessaloniki. The new church of S. Demetrios became one of the most famous centres of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians until its Muslim conversion in 1492. In the Great Fire of Thessaloniki of 1917 the basilica was gutted. The work of restructuring the church lasted fifty years. Most of the ancient mosaics in the western wall and in the inner central aisle survived the heat from the fire.
Panayia Acheiropoietos
A 5th-century church. The surviving original decoration includes fine 5th-century Ionian capitals, the green Thessalian marble columns of the tribelon and fragments of 5th-century decorative mosaics. Early 13th-century frescoes adorn the southern side.
Church of Hosios David
A late 5th-century church, once part of a monastery. Many surviving elements of the Byzantine decoration are of high artistic quality, especially the 5th-century apse mosaic the Icon of Christ of Latomos. Under Ottoman rule, the building was converted into a mosque.
Agia Sofia
A church from the 7th century, based on the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, with mosaics from the 9th century.
An 11th-century church. The paintings are from the time the church was built, except a few from the 14th century.
Fragments of its interior decoration are dated to ca. 1315.
A church built in the 14th century. Few of the building's original wall paintings survive, but its architecture is striking.
The interior decoration consists of rich mosaics on the upper levels. Frescoes complete the decoration on the lower levels of the main church, but also on the narthex and one of the chapels.
A 14th-century church, particularly worth a look for its well-preserved frescoes. See if you can spot one of the turtles in the garden.
A 14th-century chapel.
Vlatadon Monastery
A monastery built in the 14th century.
A 14th-century church. Fragments of the church's original wall paintings survive.
Baths from the 12th/13th century that functioned continuously until 1940.
A 34 m fortified tower from the 16th-century, the primary symbol of the city. It was part of the city's erstwhilse Byzantine walls, and became a prison under the Ottomans. Today it houses a small museum dedicated to the history of the city, and viewpoints at the top. The exhibits are only in Greek, but the museum provides WiFi and an MP3-based audioguide.
Επταπύργιο, Yedi Kule
Medieval fort built by the Ottomans, overlooking the city from Thessaloniki's acropolis. The Greeks converted it into a prison which remained open until 1989.
Πύργος Τριγωνίου
There is an observation deck just outside the tower, offering great views of the city.
Baths of Paradise
Built in 1444 by sultan Murad II, it was the first Ottoman bath in Thessaloniki and the most important one still standing throughout Greece.
Μπεζεστένι, Bezesteni
A historical Ottoman market for jewellery and precious materials
Αλατζά Ιμαρέτ
A historic mosque completed in the 1480s, with an imaret (public charity kitchen).
Αλκαζάρ Θεσσαλονίκης, Alkazar
A former mosque built in 1460. In modern times, a cinema operated in the premises for decades.
Πλατεία Ελευθερίας
In July 1942, during the Nazi occupation, all Jewish men aged 18 to 45 years old were brought here and were ordered to perform humiliating acts.
Andronikou st 6. Covers the history of Thessaloniki from prehistory to Roman times.
Focuses on Early Christian life in the Byzantine Empire, with exhibits on churches, cities and Dwellings, cemeteries, castles and monastic communities. Declared best Museum of Europe in 2005.
Sports related.
The house where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born.
Ζωολογικός Κήπος Θεσσαλονίκης
A small municipal zoo with many hilly climbs. The exhibited animals are mostly goats, sheep, ducks, deer, and peacocks. Admission is free.
Line 50
OASTH launched a special “Cultural Route” to make the rich historical and cultural heritage of Thessaloniki more accessible. The bus departs from the White Tower for a 50-minute tour around the city's main historical and cultural monuments. The tour is supported by a telematics based audio-visual material (in Greek and English), as well as by printed leaflets (also in Greek and English).
The venue includes a main hall of 1,400 seats, designed by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and inaugurated on 2 January 2000. The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra plays Italian Operas and works of Greek composers.
A large water park near Tagarades Hill. Free bus service starting at the city centre.
Bareboat charter or skippered sailing yacht, also night time tours.
Licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organization, organizes skippered or bareboat yacht charters with a wide range of monohulls and catamarans for sailing.
A celebration of Cycling, Environment, Body Freedom.
Lively and youth-oriented
It is famous for its collection of Greek Asia Minor sweets (politika glyka) originating from Constantinople.
It is famous for its variety of "tsoureki", a sweet bread much like challah or brioche but containing spices too, covered and filled with several combinations of chocolates, creams, and nuts.
It is considered the expert in "trigona" (triangles made of thin phyllo dough layers and filled with cream).
Very popular for its profiterole
A nice small place near the ancient market of Thessaloniki. Very cozy and nicely decorated. The personnel are very friendly and helpful and eager to make you feel welcome. Very nice place with traditional style and music. You will get nice plates and local drinks.
Reminiscent of old taverns from the 80s with very helpful staff and respect for the customer. Really nice charcoal grill food. Small bistro and worthwhile a try. Good quality for little money.
One of the nicest pizzas in Thessaloniki. Well made dough and incredible flavors. The pizza slices are only €1.50.
Nice place with good vegan food. This is the best place to enjoy vegan mezze in Thessaloniki. You can find a decently sized menu with several options to choose from. The space is very alternative but small with some outdoor seating and expect to have to wait for seating if you arrive at peak hours. The beet salad is fresh and delicious.
Very tasty homemade food with lots of vegetables from their garden. Friendly staff, affordable rates, nice and clean interiors
This is a small tavern. One of the oldest ouzories. Kind staff and great atmosphere.
Λάδι και Ρίγανη
Cafe with light meals and takeaway.
Ask to eat in the restaurant terrace - fantastic views at sunset.
Ouzo restaurant (ouzeri) in one of the most interesting old downtown areas.
Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on seafood. Offers vegetarian options. Well-supplied with many regional Greek wines.
Regional Greek ingredients.
Here you can eat pork gyros and soutzoukakia from executive chef Ioannis Chantakis
Πήρε και βραδιάζει
Great taverna, unique style, good food and some days (Th-Su) live music.
An hipster hang-out, nice atmosphere, very expensive for the quality.
Τσαρούχας
For those with adventurous tastes, preferably go after a hard night's drinking, for a "patsás" (tripe) soup, a delicious way to prevent a hangover.
Vary Peponi, Βαρύ Πεπόνι
Traditional Greek, Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern recipes. Also, a selection of desserts.
It is the Greek fast-food chain. You will find classic hamburgers, also souvlaki, pasta and salads.
Cretan and Pontian restaurant. Here, order raki rather than ouzo or tsipouro.
Great traditional dishes.
Traditional pies and sweets, croissant and dishes accompany the coffee or your drink. Porcelain miniatures and collective drinks are available for original gifts.
Good Cretan restaurant.
For the best pizzas in town head here.
Τομπουρλίκα
Great traditional ouzeri, with fresh fish and meat dishes and live rembetico music.
Lepen
Most Salonicans know it as the "Lepen".
An upmarket brasserie with a wide range of specialties and interesting ambiance.
Hosting concerts, events, exhibitions, music bands, famous Greek artists etc. Venue can change. Check their page on Facebook.
This is a new hostel in Thessaloniki run by a brother and sister who are hosts. They have five rooms in a reconstructed house, each room with private bathroom and kitchenette and big lockers. There is also a common room and kitchen, and a nice, cozy garden area with tables and chairs. Welcome drink, maps of the city, wifi and linens, tea and coffee, all free. Laundry and breakfast for €2.
Near the city centre (5-min bus ride) and the water front (7 min on foot) is well connected to the train station, bus station and the airport. 24 hr hot water, free linen, washing machine, kitchen, free city map, info available about Thess, and activities in northern Greece. Pick up and other transport options, free internet. Only a small capacity and advanced booking is recommended-staff is not present around the clock.
2-star hotel, cheap, clean and welcoming. Single, double or triple rooms. Free WiFi. Parking with an extra charge of €15 per day.
Cheap hotel opposite the train station towards the centre. Only a 5-min walk from train station. Not great, but adequate.
Close to the train station. Clean but shabby rooms, most with a balcony.
Bang in the centre of Egnatia Str., with easy bus connections. Friendly staff. Price includes private bathroom, A/C, WiFi, fridge and TV. Snacks and laundry for extra charge.
Travellers and backpackers hostel. Nice & clean rooms and dorms with balconies. Cafeteria garden for drinks and snacks near a green park. It is in city centre's university side, overlooking "Rotonda" UNESCO World Heritage Roman monument site. Cozy atmosphere and friendly staff really helpful. Available breakfast and bicycles. Free internet stations, WiFi in rooms and common areas.
Pefka Hotel
Between the hills of Tagarades with panoramic views of the city and Thermaico's gulf.
Boutique hotel in Thessaloniki city centre in a neo-classical building offering free wi-fi, free parking and free pick-up from airport.
3-star hotel in the heart of Thessaloniki. Free parking lot, VIP taxi service and free WiFi.
4 star.
4 star.
3-star hotel entering the city of Thessaloniki. Free parking lot, VIP taxi service and free WiFi.
Very nice double rooms
3-star hotel in neoclassical building next to the Thessaloniki seaside and Aristotelous square
Boutique hotel in the centre of Thessaloniki.
3-star hotel next to Thessaloniki seaside and port with free Wi-Fi.
4-star boutique hotel (formerly a tobacco warehouse).
5 star.
4-star hotel in the heart of Seich-Sou Park, overlooking Thessaloniki and Thermaikos Golf.
Good breakfast buffet and reasonable price near the old Administration building.
In an all-green setting with sparkling water from the surrounding mountains, a few metres from the water mills, on an area of .
2-star hotel, in the centre of Thessaloniki, close to Aristotelous Square, all rooms with balcony and free WiFi.
Ξενοδοχείο Βεργίνα
Boutique hotel in the city centre in a neo-classical building offering free wi-fi, free parking and free pick-up from airport.
5-star hotel in the heart of Thessaloniki. 130 rooms and 8 suites, some of them with a view of Aristotelous square and the sea. The "Orizontes Pool Bar & Restaurant" provides superb view of Thermaikos gulf.
One of the most prestigious hotels in Thessaloniki, on the waterfront.
5-star hotel with 2 ballrooms, 5 meeting rooms and 3 boardrooms. 2 km from the largest casino in Europe.
At the west entrance of the city, near the new harbour/port. It has direct access to the new financial district and it is 5 min away from the city centre and the shopping area.
Nearby the major cultural centre of the city. The State Museum of Contemporary Art inspired its design philosophy.
5-star hotel with views of Thermaikos Bay.
Recognized as one of the best hotels in Thessaloniki city center, this modern 4-star boutique hotel features stylish rooms with sea views, fast Wi-Fi, and upscale design amenities.
Books & art-objects, cultural events.
The traditional central food market, with hundreds of stalls selling meat, fish, fruit, vegetables (sometimes cheek-by-jowl, an unnerving experience for North Americans), cheap clothes and shoes, flowers, herbs and spices, near Aristotele Square.
The indoor portion is closed for an extensive renovation. It was supposed to reopen in 2021, but as of August 2022 the work is ongoing. The shops in the back alleys are still good for a wander.
The city's oldest market, with a wide variety of shops.
By bus
Thessaloniki is connected via the intercity KTEL bus network with every corner of Greece.
By plane
The domestic flight network is quite extensive, with most flights provided by either Aegean Airlines, its regional subsidiary Olympic Air an operator of subsidized public-service-obligation flights…
By car
Finding parking is difficult: be prepared to spend a lot of time looking for a place or to pay for space in the parking lot (starting from €4 for 3 hr).
By bus
OASTH is the city's bus company and runs a total of 85 different bus lines. Moovit or Rome2Rio mobile apps can be used to plan the journey and check the schedule on the go.
By taxi
Licensed taxis (dark blue with a taxi light) can be hailed in the streets and at taxi ranks. Ride hailing services (Freenow, Uber) are also an option.
By bicycle
There is a decent bicycle lane that runs along the seafront, but most other roads are narrow and not friendly to novice cyclists. Bicycle lanes often do not exist, even on main roads.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Thessaloniki · International · SKG
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