Visiting Thessaloniki? 7 things you must see and do!

Have you planned a trip to Thessaloniki, the nymph of the Thermaic Gulf? Excellent!

Here we will help you organise your trip, along with a guide to 7 of the best things you can do and see in the co-capital.

We will discover the best spots for a stroll by the sea, as well as the most interesting attractions!

What are you waiting for? Book cheap flights and dedicate at least 3 days to Thessaloniki – the city will surely reward you!

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The White Tower

And who doesn’t know the White Tower? A symbol of struggles and now of celebrations, the White Tower has been a landmark of the city since its construction in 1535.

It was initially used as a prison during the Ottoman occupation. Many prisoners were tortured and executed here, earning the tower the nickname “The Tower of Blood” or “Red Tower”.

In 1890, it was renamed the “White Tower” when a prisoner painted it white in exchange for his freedom.

The 34-metre tower now houses a museum dedicated to the history of Thessaloniki from the Roman era to the present day.

If you visit Thessaloniki and the White Tower, you should definitely go up to the top floor where you will admire a panoramic view of the entire city – from the castles and Hortiatis to the sea and Mount Olympus!

 

Thessaloniki Waterfront

Both the Old and New Waterfront offer a fantastic walk for all city residents, right by the Thermaic Gulf.

It's a walk of about 5 km, starting from the port and ending at the Concert Hall.

During your stroll, you'll encounter several interesting things such as street musicians, numerous bars and restaurants, the Photography Museum, the White Tower, the Concert Hall, the Macedonia Palace hotel, as well as the “Umbrellas” art installation.

You'll pass through several “gardens” such as the Garden of Sand, the Mediterranean Garden, the Garden of the Sun, and more.

If you're a cycling enthusiast, you can rent a bicycle and ride along the entire length of the waterfront!

Undoubtedly, the entire promenade is one of the best places to visit in Thessaloniki!

 

Thessaloniki Museums

Thessaloniki boasts a plethora of museums you can visit during your stay.

The Archaeological Museum presents a collection of artefacts found in Thessaloniki and the wider region of Macedonia.

The Museum of Byzantine Culture features over 3000 objects, such as jewellery and mosaic pieces, dating back to the Byzantine Empire!

At the Jewish Museum, you will learn everything about Thessaloniki's Jewish community, which has many members and has significantly influenced the city's events.

The Photography Museum awaits you to discover both modern and ancient photographs of Thessaloniki!

At the Olympic Museum, you will learn everything about the Olympic Games – from the first Olympics in Greece to the present day!

The Cinema Museum will show you everything about Greek cinema and how films are made!

Finally, at the War Museum, you will admire a large collection of Greek weapons, war uniforms, and various other artefacts.

 

Churches of Thessaloniki

Beyond all the other beauties that the city of Thessaloniki possesses, in the nymph of the Thermaic Gulf you will find beautiful churches that are certainly worth a visit!

The best churches to visit include Saint Demetrius, which is the most famous temple in the city and is dedicated to its patron saint, Saint Demetrius.

His relics are kept here in an underground crypt.

Panagia Acheiropoietos is a Byzantine church, built in the 5^th century with beautiful frescoes.

Hagia Sophia, built in the 8^th century, is one of the most impressive Byzantine churches in Thessaloniki!

Finally, in Agios Pavlos, the church of the same name stands on a hill. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful churches in the city!

 

A walk in the Upper Town (Ano Poli)

The Old Town of Thessaloniki, Ano Poli (Upper Town), is certainly worth dedicating a few hours to!

Here, a great fire in 1917 destroyed a large part of the city, while Ano Poli was the only neighbourhood that was spared!

Surrounded by Byzantine walls, Ano Poli was the castle of Thessaloniki during the occupation.

Walk through its narrow streets and admire the architecture of another era!

The main points of interest in the area are:

• Trigonion Tower – Built during Venetian rule, it was the armoury of the time.
• The Portara Gate, located in the northern part of the walls.
• Eptapyrgio, an ancient fortress with 7 towers.
• Vlatadon Monastery, built in 1351, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The Pasha's Gardens, located near Agios Dimitrios Hospital – an amazing place with fountains and beautiful views of the city of Thessaloniki!

 

Nightlife in Thessaloniki

The nightlife in Thessaloniki begins and ends in its centre! From Valaoritou to Ladadika, a wild party unfolds every night!

You'll find the best bars in the Valaoritou area, while if you're looking for a club, you'll find it in Ladadika.

If the weather is good, walk through the city centre and you'll surely encounter many establishments that will pique your interest for a night out!

 

Excursions near Thessaloniki

There are several day trips from Thessaloniki you can take during your stay.

For your comfort, you should arrange a car rental if you don't have your own vehicle – this will provide you with freedom of movement and, of course, convenience for travelling to your destination, instead of using buses and KTEL coaches.

In Thessaloniki, you can find car rental without a credit card at both the airport and the city centre.

With your own vehicle, you have many options for excursions based in Thessaloniki. If you are in the city during spring or summer, we recommend a trip to Halkidiki where you can enjoy the sun and the amazing beaches, especially on the second leg of Halkidiki!

A place that will thrill you, northeast of Thessaloniki, is Drama.

Drama is a small town but it has some unique thrills to offer its visitors.

During Christmas, a visit to Oneiroupoli (Dreamland) is a must for every family with young children!

Finally, mountainous Halkidiki with its enchanting places like Arnaia and Taxiarchis, as well as Lake Kerkini in Serres, offer amazing sights and unique landscapes!

 

How to get to Thessaloniki

You can reach Thessaloniki in several ways. By road via the Egnatia Odos if you are coming from Epirus or Evros, as well as via the National Road if you are coming from Southern Greece.

By air, you can arrive from several cities in Greece with direct flights to Thessaloniki. Flights from Athens to Thessaloniki start from approximately 59€, with flights operated by Ellinair and Aegean.

There are also daily flights from Kalamata to Thessaloniki. You will find flights from Kalamata to Thessaloniki only via Aegean Airlines, with prices starting from 69€ for a one-way trip.

Other cities directly connected to Thessaloniki include Heraklion, Chania, Rhodes, and Santorini during the summer months.

Finally, you can also reach Thessaloniki by train from mainland Greece as well as from Athens.