Discover Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki: a perfect city for a weekend between sea, restaurants, monuments and nightlife.
Thessaloniki is the second city in Greece with a million inhabitants, named as the wife of the ancient Macedonian King. It is not the history that make this destination interesting, but the lifestyle and the conviviality of its inhabitants. Everybody speaks English and will be ready to help you.
What to see in the city centre
Rotonda (Arch e Tomb of Galerio), Dim. Gounari, White Tower, Waterfront, Aristotelus Square, Kapani Market, Bey Hammam, Agia Sofia Church.
Thessaloniki has a small center that you can easily visit in a day.
We start from the Rotonda, the Tomb of Galerius, near the homonymous Arch, a place always crowded at any time. This is the neighborhood closest to the universities so you can find a lot of bars and bookshops.
Near the entrance to the Tomb there is a small orthodox church, embedded in a house, which is worth seeing for the depictions inside and the wooden inlays.
We descend towards the sea along the Dim. Gounari street, where we can observe the bars and souvenir shops. The archaeological excavations in the middle of the street seem abandoned and in the evening this area is reserved for students. But once on the sea there are two small streets with a beautiful view and beautiful restaurants.
At the seafront you can admire the symbol of the city: the White Tower. Former Turkish prison, legend says that a prisoner of the tower, sentenced to life imprisonment, painted the building in exchange for his freedom.
From here you can walk along the promenade towards the umbrellas of Zongolopoulos to take some photos and watch the moon that in the evening reflects its light on the sea. You can continue until the Opera House: the walk is suggestive with beautiful cafes overlooking the sea, but it is several kilometers long. On the seafront you will always find some artist who sing Greek music and kiosks.
On the opposite side, you arrive at Aristotelous Square, the main street of the city. Walk until the end of the road towards the ancient roman forum and you will find the local market: on the left the shops and stands (open until 17), on the right shops and typical restaurants.
A few steps away there is the ancient Bey Hammam, the largest Turkish hammam in Greece, where it is easy to imagine the warmth, water fountains and frescoes.
Continue the street and visit Hagia Sophia with its charm, dark frescoes, orthodox chants and large golden candelabra.
What to see in Ana Poli, the old town
Agios Pavlos, Trigonion tower, Sunset
We finish the tour in the upper part of Thessaloniki, where the church of Agios Pavlos dominates the hill with a breathtaking view. Open only during the ceremonies (we were able to enter around 7 in the evening), it is beautiful to see even from the park around.
From here the ancient walls are only a few minutes away, while for the castle you have to climb a little more. From the Trigonion tower you can see the most beautiful and vast sunset of Thessaloniki, with the sun rising in the immense sea and colors the whole city. Observing, you can see that the walls that surrounded Thessaloniki started in the past from the White Tower to Trigonion Tower.
In Ana poli we recommend going to Castra for a coffee or a cocktail with a unique view!
What and where to eat
VIEW THE MAP BELOW TO SEE THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY
Where drink a coffee, cocktails and nightlife
VIEW THE MAP BELOW TO SEE THE BEST BARS AND CLUBS IN THE CITY
Beaches easily to reach from Thessaloniki
Perea and Agia Triada beach: it can be reached by bus from the city center and changing at Ikea, or by a boat that in summer goes from the old port (at Kitchen bar) and it takes 1h40 minutes. There are restaurants and cafes that give free sunbeds (you just need to consume).
Epanomi (paralia potamos) with the shipwreck from which you can jump (it is a little bit far away and you need to walk under the sun). There are beach bars very good like Melissa. Here the water is more beautiful and clear than Perea.
The idyllic beaches of the Chalkidiki Peninsula
Kassandra: Thea Beach, Afytos village and beach, Glarokavos Beach
Sithonia: Karydi paralia, Kavourotrypes paralia, village of Neo Marmaras, Ethnik Beach Bar, Tristinika Beach, Armenistis, Akti Oniro/Manassu Beach Bar and Restaurant
Mount Athos: Tripiti paralia, Komitsa bay, Ammouliani island
Around Thessaloniki
Platanakia in the middle of the forest with fawns, an excellent restaurant and the paths up to the mountain of Chortiatis.
Thermi and the lake where dozens of turtles live.
One or more day trips from Thessaloniki
METEORA
MOUNT OLYMPUS, DION, PALAIOS PANTELEIMONAS
EDESSSA FALLS, POZAR THERMAL BATHS AND PELLAS ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
VERGHINA AND THE MAUSOLEUM OF PHILIP II, FATHER OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Useful tips:
Search for flights with Ryanair (very convenient for the weekend) or via Agean or Volotea.
From the airport the bus line 01X (night 01N ) will take you directly into the center on the Egnatia road. The bus ticket can be bought on board with 0.90€ and you better have the coins because the automatic machine does not give change.
Use the Beat App to book your taxi and see how much you will pay, and they are the only taxis that allow you to use your credit card. The prices are reasonable and the most expensive route is to and from the airport (about 15/20€).
Apart from the summer months, shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays. But you will always find restaurants and 4all to buy food and necessities.
Go to Jumbo if you need anything for your staying.
Must places:
Ladadika, Sunset from Castra, local market
Route map:
