Although there are tons of issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest metropolis will not be on everybody’s radar.
To Greeks, Thessaloniki is a legendary scholar vacation spot with a cool, relaxed vibe that distinguishes the town from the remainder of the nation. However, many vacationers haven’t even heard of it!
This port metropolis has 3,000 years of historical past, and its early Christian and Byzantine structure are listed as UNESCO World Heritage websites.
To not point out, the influences of Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and Jews give Thessaloniki a really distinctive character.
Finest Issues To Do in Thessaloniki, Greece
Having lived in Greece for nearly six years, I can testify to the truth that Thessaloniki is a dynamic metropolis properly price visiting. It actually has all of it — tons of fascinating historical past, a phenomenal seaside, and thrilling nightlife.
As a traveller, chances are you’ll be questioning what to do in Thessaloniki, which is the place I are available in. After studying this text, you’ll be shocked by the number of issues to do right here.
Listed below are the 15 greatest issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece.
1. Go to The White Tower
The fortified White Tower on the seafront is Thessaloniki’s foremost landmark, which homes an exhibition concerning the metropolis’s Byzantine historical past.
Throughout Ottoman occasions, the White Tower was used as a jail and supposedly known as “Blood Tower” because of the many executions that befell there. It received the identify “White Tower” after it was painted white, though immediately it has a yellowish color.
From the White Tower, you might have a beautiful view of the complete metropolis and the Mediterranean Sea.
You probably have only some hours in Thessaloniki, a go to to the White Tower could be the one factor you need to undoubtedly find time for. And due to its central location, you’ll in all probability wish to begin any journey to Thessaloniki right here. This strolling tour with an area takes within the White Tower and different highlights within the metropolis.
The White Tower is unquestionably one of many prime issues to see in Thessaloniki and at solely €8, it’s fairly an reasonably priced attraction as properly.
The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, and in the summertime, the hours lengthen from 8 am to eight pm. If you happen to’re not eager on climbing up the tower, you might additionally simply have a look at it from the surface.
Handle: White Tower, Thessaloniki 546 21, Greece. Get instructions right here.
2. Take a Stroll Alongside The Seafront
On the seafront, you may get pleasure from a beautiful stroll alongside the promenade, the most effective locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
I bear in mind being fascinated that I had lastly discovered a place in Greece the place I might stroll for hours with out being disturbed by vehicles or motorbikes!
You may simply spend a number of hours on Thessaloniki’s waterfront, particularly if the climate is especially good.
If you happen to stroll south from the White Tower alongside the promenade you’ll go by the statue of Alexander the Nice who was born in Pella, about 1.5 hours from Thessaloniki. A visit to Pella is a good day journey from Thessaloniki. Be taught extra about that journey, right here.
Thessaloniki’s waterfront can be residence to one of many metropolis’s most instagrammable spots — the lovable umbrella sculpture. If you happen to hold strolling farther south, you’ll see a number of small parks, such because the Backyard of Sands and Backyard of Remembrance.
The view of Thessaloniki’s port from the promenade is wonderful, and farther north you can find tons of bars, cafés, and eating places.
If you happen to’re into biking, this enjoyable journey is a should. Thessaloniki’s promenade might be the most effective place in all of Greece to have the ability to journey your bike for a number of kilometres with out worrying about vehicles. Dad and mom with youngsters will recognize this car-free zone as properly.
3. Discover Aristotelous Sq.
Town’s largest sq. is among the hottest locations to go to in Thessaloniki and an excellent place to cease for a espresso. That is the trendy middle of the town and a significant assembly place. You’ll find varied cafés and eating places on this pedestrian zone.
Folks prefer to buy groceries within the streets and markets near the sq., and you’ll undoubtedly go by right here greater than as soon as throughout your time in Thessaloniki.
Aristotelous Sq. is among the most well-known squares in all of Greece and one of the vital well-known spots within the metropolis. If you happen to go to throughout Christmas or New Yr’s Eve this can be a excellent place to see how the locals rejoice.
Don’t neglect to take a fast picture of the statue of Aristotle after whom the sq. was named. However, take into account that the sq. can be well-known for the truth that political protests often happen right here. Throughout a rally or protest, you may wish to keep away from the sq..
4. Be taught About The Metropolis’s Jewish Historical past at The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki presents the historical past of the Jewish neighborhood in Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
The Jewish neighborhood in Thessaloniki was notably sturdy throughout the Ottoman Empire when Jewish refugees arrived from Spain and Portugal the place they confronted extreme persecution.
Jews made up the most important neighborhood in Thessaloniki till the Nice Fireplace in 1917 when many Jews left the nation. Throughout the Second World Struggle, virtually the complete Jewish inhabitants of Thessaloniki was deported to Auschwitz.
At this time, solely about 1,200 Jews nonetheless reside in Thessaloniki which nonetheless makes it the second-largest Jewish neighborhood in Greece. Whereas the neighborhood could be very small immediately, its influence on the historical past of Thessaloniki is big.
A good way to be taught concerning the Jewish neighborhood and historical past is to be part of this personal tour with a information which takes within the museum, synagogue, Jewish market, Holocaust Memorial and extra. Click on right here for particulars.
The Jewish Museum on Agia Mina road is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and tickets are an reasonably priced €5. If you happen to’re questioning what to do in Thessaloniki that’s not on everybody’s listing, this museum is for you.
Handle: Ag. Mina 11, Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece. Get instructions right here.
5. See The Roman Agora (one of many prime issues To do in Thessaloniki)
Top-of-the-line issues to see in Thessaloniki is the excavations of the Roman Agora of Thessaloniki (also called the Roman Discussion board). This historic Roman market is positioned near Aristotelous Sq. and homes the stays of a theater and two Roman baths.
One of the best half is that it continues underground the place you will discover out extra concerning the Roman Discussion board in its personal museum. You probably have any curiosity in archaeology in any respect, a go to to the museum is a should — particularly since one of many two Roman baths remains to be buried beneath the town.
In the summertime, going underground is usually a excellent place to flee the warmth!
In any case, it’s definitely spectacular to see this historic sq. in the midst of the trendy metropolis of Thessaloniki. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday between 8 am and three pm, and you may get in for €4.
Handle: Roman Agora, Olympou 75, Thessaloniki 546 31, Greece. Get instructions right here.
6. Go to Agios Dimitrios Basilica
Thessaloniki’s foremost church, Agios Dimitrios, is among the prime locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
The basilica burned down virtually utterly within the Nice Fireplace of Thessaloniki in 1917, however monumental reconstruction efforts returned the church to its splendour. Contained in the church, you may even discover distinctive mosaics that survived the fireplace.
Agios Dimitrios Church is positioned just some steps from the Roman Discussion board so make sure you mix the 2. Dimitrios is Thessaloniki’s patron saint which explains the basilica’s significance. You possibly can see the place the place he supposedly died within the crypt underground.
And, due to Thessaloniki’s fascinating historical past, you may even see the stays of a Roman bathhouse on which the church was constructed. This church presents an excellent overview of the town’s historical past. Pictures is allowed, and because it’s a church, entrance is free.
Handle: Agios Dimitros, Ag. Dimitriou, Thessaloniki 546 33, Greece. Discover it on the map, right here.
7. Take a Hike By Thessaloniki’s Previous City: Ano Poli (Higher City)
Probably the most stunning a part of Thessaloniki is definitely its previous city, or Higher City. You possibly can go for a stroll by means of the cobblestone alleys and can see the standard Balkan homes that date again to Ottoman occasions.
A stroll within the picturesque Higher City is among the actions in Thessaloniki which might be free and could be achieved at any time of day.
This a part of Thessaloniki survived the 1917 fireplace and subsequently saved its conventional feel and appear. Plus, you will discover previous church buildings and towers right here and stays of the previous Byzantine partitions. You may spend hours exploring this beautiful neighbourhood.
To many Greeks, Ano Poli is probably the most genuine neighbourhood of Thessaloniki. It’s right here, that you will discover conventional taverns enjoying rebetiko music, not for vacationers, however for the locals.
Get pleasure from getting misplaced within the maze of streets in Thessaloniki’s oldest neighbourhood.
8. Verify Out The Eptapyrgio (Yedikule)
If you happen to head farther up from the Higher City, you’ll attain the Eptapyrgio fortress which gained notoriety when right-wing totalitarian Greek regimes imprisoned political prisoners there.
This interior a part of the wall was constructed by the Byzantines however received its identify (“Seven Towers”) when the primary Ottoman governor added further towers.
The fortress itself is sort of spectacular to take a look at, however the view from right here is spectacular because it’s the best level within the metropolis. Whereas the view from the White Tower can’t be crushed, you get a special perspective from the Eptapyrgio — which is positioned on Thessaloniki’s historic Acropolis.
What I discovered much more spectacular are the previous jail corridors which join the place to Greek rebetiko music.
“Yedikule” is among the most well-known rebetiko songs, and the protagonist is a prisoner on this well-known jail. The doorways and cells are a haunting reminder of what occurred right here within the twentieth century.
Handle: Eptapyrgio Fortress, Επταπύργιο, Eptapirgiou 130, Thessaloniki 546 34, Greece. Get instructions right here.
9. See The Atatürk Home
For one thing rather less touristy, go to the delivery home of probably the most well-known particular person from Thessaloniki, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The constructing now homes the Basic Consulate of Turkey, the state which Mustafa Kemal based.
This is probably not of curiosity to everybody, however as an ethnic Turk, I used to be very moved by my go to right here.
Many of the furnishings right here remains to be unique, and there are even a few of Atatürk’s and his household’s belongings. It’s one of many locations to go to in Thessaloniki if you wish to see one thing that’s not on everybody’s radar.
Even should you’re not curious about Atatürk and his life, there may be another excuse to go to his delivery home — it’s a superb approach to see one of many conventional homes within the Higher City from the within. It’s open daily from 10 am to five pm, and entrance is free.
Handle: Consulate of Turkey, Ag. Dimitriou 151, Thessaloniki 546 34, Greece. Get instructions.
10. Go to The Rotunda (one of many foremost issues to do in Thessaloniki)
If you head again down in direction of the trendy middle of the town, you’ll spot the traditional Rotunda. It’s one of many oldest issues to see in Thessaloniki and was once a Roman temple, then a church, and later a mosque.
Earthquakes have prompted critical harm to the constructing, however a number of the mosaics inside have been restored.
Only a few steps from the Rotunda you’ll discover one other Roman monument, the Arch of Galerius. It commemorates the Roman victory over the Persians and is also called Kamara.
This was once Thessaloniki’s foremost entrance gate, strolling by means of it is among the actions in Thessaloniki that may join you all the best way again to Roman occasions.
The early Christian mosaics within the Rotunda are completely gorgeous. Along with the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda is taken into account one of the vital essential locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
Handle: Platia Agiou Georgiou Rotonta 5, Thessaloniki 546 35, Greece. Get instructions right here. The Rotunda is open daily between 8 am and 5 pm within the winter and till 7 pm in the summertime.
11. Take a Free Strolling Tour
I firmly consider that free strolling excursions are the most effective methods to get to know a brand new metropolis. These days, free strolling excursions with an area information are fashionable in most main cities.
Why pay for a tour when somebody will provide it without spending a dime and also you solely tip the information primarily based on how good the tour was?! In fact, the identical is true for Thessaloniki.
Being a significant scholar metropolis, you may undoubtedly discover a younger and dynamic information who will passionately inform you about their fascinating metropolis.
This can definitely present the correct steadiness between archaeological websites and the extra fashionable facets of life in Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
Free strolling excursions often final between two to 3 hours and introduce you to the main landmarks.
That approach, you get some background details about issues you might have already seen or are planning to see later. There are a few corporations you may select from — FreeTour and GuruWalk each have good scores.
12. Expertise Ladadika (one of many coolest issues to do in Thessaloniki)
If you happen to ask any Greek particular person what to do in Thessaloniki they are going to definitely inform you to discover Ladadika.
This charming neighbourhood near the port is filled with eating places and bars. As is usually the case with these neighbourhoods, it used to have a foul fame however is now tremendous stylish.
Ladadika has all the things the traveller might hope for in an enormous European metropolis — cobblestone streets, vibrant previous homes, and plenty of conventional meals and music.
In actual fact, the neighbourhood is so alive that many contemplate it the most effective social gathering district in all of Greece. However, that doesn’t imply you received’t get pleasure from a stroll by means of the realm throughout the day as properly.
The neighbourhood was named for the oil outlets that was once concentrated within the space. Throughout Ottoman occasions, the principle market was positioned right here as properly.
Just like the promenade and Aristotelous Sq., it’s a pedestrian-only zone that any customer to Greece will recognize. This neighbourhood is among the prime locations to go to in Thessaloniki, don’t miss it.
13. Tour The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
As in lots of locations in Greece, one of many foremost issues to do in Thessaloniki goes to an archaeology museum.
That is the place you can find out extra about Thessaloniki’s historical past till the Roman period. You’ll in all probability want round two hours right here as there may be a lot to see within the exhibition.
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is positioned close to the White Tower the statue of Alexander the Nice. The exhibitions cowl the interval between prehistory and late antiquity. Many of the artefacts are from Thessaloniki and its neighborhood.
The museum is open all week from 8 am to eight pm, and a ticket is €8, however you may wish to make the most of the museum go which permits entrance to the Archaeological Museum, the White Tower, the Galerian Complicated, the Museum of the Roman Agora, and the Museum of Byzantine Tradition.
For €15 you may see all of the essential locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
14. See The Previous Hamams (and Soak at The New Ones)
Thessaloniki has some Turkish baths that you could go to: Bey Hamam, Yeni Hamam, Paşa Hamam, and Yahudi Hamam (Pazar Hamam).
Sadly, none of them are nonetheless in use. So, whilst you can marvel on the structure, you won’t be able to expertise an genuine Turkish bathtub there. They’re now used as eating places and for cultural occasions.
Nevertheless, one of the vital enjoyable actions in Thessaloniki could be to e-book a therapy on the new Hammam Baths as a spa expertise.
The Hamam is impressed by conventional Turkish baths and presents varied companies. You possibly can both go for a self-service go to or add on varied massages or remedies. After you calm down within the steam room, you get to take pleasure in a glass of Turkish tea and some items of lokum (Turkish delight).
The self-service expertise prices €25 whereas the fundamental “Ali Mama” service prices €45. Ensure that to e-book an appointment prematurely to make sure availability. For pure thermal baths, take a day journey to gorgeous Pozar and Edessa. Be taught extra about that tour right here.
15. Go For Drinks in The Scholar Space Round Kamara/Rotunda
Whereas the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda are fashionable locations to discover throughout the day, that is additionally a preferred nightlife space. With its fame as a scholar metropolis, one of many foremost actions in Thessaloniki is unquestionably trying out its full of life scholar (social gathering) scene.
There are numerous bars and cafés right here, that are cheaper than those within the Ladadika neighbourhood. Take a look at Bulldog and the Beast, On The Highway, and Pulp.
If you happen to’re in Thessaloniki in the summertime, you may spend the entire night time exterior. If you happen to’re on a very tight finances, you received’t should enter a bar in any respect — merely get booze from a kiosk and drink it exterior.
Don’t miss this space because it involves life at night time with musicians, artists, and college students having an incredible time. And as common in such neighbourhoods, you too can discover the most affordable road meals right here.
Extra Enjoyable Issues To Do in Thessaloniki
There are such a lot of actions within the metropolis, I had so as to add a number of extra to the listing.
Wine and Meals Tasting
This is among the prime issues to do in Thessaloniki for foodies. Meet at a market and find out about Greek meals, whereas sampling many various conventional meals and drinksa lengthy the best way. This can be a enjoyable and reasonably priced expertise. Discover out extra right here.
Cook dinner and Dine With a Greek Household
What higher approach to have an area expertise than cooking and consuming a meal collectively? The expertise takes place in a Greek residence and also you’ll make new associates whereas studying methods to prepare dinner some tasty Greek Delicacies.
This enjoyable and the reasonably priced night consists of studying methods to make 4 dishes (and consuming them), tapas, drinks and even some Greek dancing! Be taught extra right here.
Go Crusing
Hop aboard this stunning sailboat and luxuriate in a half day cruise round Thessaloniki. On this luxurious journey, you’ll go to seashores, go snorkelling, and luxuriate in a implausible Greek lunch with wine aboard the boat. Included is an skilled captain, gas, meals, drinks, and tools. Discover out extra right here.
Day Journeys From Thessaloniki
Whereas there are quite a few issues to see, do and eat within the metropolis itself, there are a number of nice day journeys you may take as properly.
- Meteora Monasteries: This awe-inspiring web site is UNESCO listed and is among the prime locations to go to within the nation. Be a part of a full-day, highly-rated tour and see what all of the fuss is about. Click on right here for particulars concerning the tour, and be taught extra in our article: Meteora Monasteries: A Information to Greece’s Legendary Panorama.
- Mount Olympus and Dion: Be taught concerning the tradition and historical past of the spectacular Mount Olympus, hike Enipeas gorge and luxuriate in lunch with a surprising view. Be taught extra about this fashionable day journey right here.
- Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa: Soak in pure thermal sizzling springs, gaze on the tallest waterfall within the Balkans, and luxuriate in lunch in a picturesque village. Discover out extra about this enjoyable day journey right here.
Now You Know What To Do in Thessaloniki
With all this stuff to do in Thessaloniki, I’m positive you’ll have a enjoyable and thrilling journey to Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
You’re going to get to see a variety of historical past but additionally expertise the scholar nightlife that’s typical of Thessaloniki. And also you’ll be taught extra concerning the metropolis’s multicultural previous.
I like Thessaloniki as a result of it’s quieter than Athens, the individuals are friendlier, the service is healthier, and it’s much more relaxed.
And due to the numerous college students, a variety of the issues to do in Thessaloniki are both free or fairly low-cost. So be certain that to make the most of all this stuff and e-book your journey to Thessaloniki now.
And should you’re questioning the place to go subsequent, don’t fear, there are many choices.
From Thessaloniki, you may discover different components within the north of Greece, such because the beautiful Chalkidiki peninsula with its gorgeous seashores. Or you may journey additional north to discover a number of the different Balkan nations comparable to Albania (should you ask me my absolute favorite metropolis within the Balkans is Tirana).
Are you travelling to different areas in Greece? Take a look at our prime posts:
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