View of the beach of the city with various people looking at the sunset
Ⓒ P. Merakos

Thessaloniki

NOW 9 °C

Next 5 days

  • MON 9 °C
  • TUES 13 °C
  • WED 14 °C
  • THURS 13 °C
  • FRI 12 °C

Climatic Data

Source: National Observatory of Athens /meteo.gr

City of Experiences

The metropolis of Thessaloniki has a population of over a million and is the biggest city in the northern part of Greece. It is built by Thermaïkos and Strymonikos Gulf, on fertile grounds resting beside the Rivers of Axios, Gallikos and Loudias, as well as the lakes Koroneia and Volvi.

Findings prove that Thessaloniki has been inhabited since prehistoric times, marked by multiculturalism, yet its present day modernised state is charmingly intertwined with archaeological sites, byzantine churches and other significant monuments from the past.

Thessaloniki is a busy, bustling city at all times of the day but especially at night when it becomes brighter and colourful.

Points of Interest

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MONUMENTS

Byzantine Baths

MONUMENTS

The walls of Thessaloniki

MUSEUMS

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

MONUMENT

The White Tower

MONUMENTS

Palace complex of Galerius

MONUMENTS

Heptapyrgion

MONUMENTS

The Rotunda

SCULPTURES

The Umbrellas

SCULPTURES

Statue of Alexander the Great

CHURCHES

Agios Demetrius – patron saint of Thessaloniki

MONASTERIES

Latomou Monastery - Church of Osios David

CHURCHES

Agia Sophia

CHURCHES

Panagia Chalkeon

CHURCHES

Agios Nikolaos Orphanos

CHURCHES

Agia Aikaterini

CHURCHES

Transfiguration of the Saviour - Metamorphosis Sotiros

MONASTERIES

Vlatadon Monastery

CHURCHES

Acheiropoietos

GOING OUT

Ladadika Neighbourhood

SHOPPING

Bezesteni Textile Market

SHOPPING

Modiano Food Market

SHOPPING

Kapani Food Market

SQUARES

Aristotelous Square

GOING OUT

Navarinou Square

TRAIN

Thessaloniki Suburban Railway Station

INTERCITY BUSSES

Macedonia Intercity Bus Station

AIRPORT

Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia

BIKING

Thessaloniki Seaside Promenade

CITY STROLLS

Seaside Promenade

"There is a homeland for everyone, while there is Thessaloniki." (Niκ. Houmnos, 14th c. Byzantine dignitary and a Scholar).

Touring the City

Walking around is a great way to explore any city, whether you are familiar with it or not, so why would Thessaloniki differ?  Start walking, just for the sake of it, while enjoying the journey. Explore the city’s landmark, the White Tower, located on the seaside promenade. Within the tower runs a museum showcasing Thessaloniki’s history from its foundation up to 1922 as well as a charming collection concerning the city’s glorious Byzantine past. The fortified cylindrical structure (33.9m height and 22.7m diameter) was built in the 15th century during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent and was later used during the Ottoman rule as a place of execution, which was called Canli Casteli meaning “tower of blood”. The origin of its current name dates to the 19th c.

At a short distance from the Tower you can visit the Vassiliko Theatre, built in 1940, which is home to the National Theatre of Northern Greece NTNG. The three storey, recently renovated 11,000m2 building, accommodates numerous playhouses.

Head to Aristotelous, the most significant and popular square in town overlooking the Thermaic Gulf, from where you can even see Mt. Olympus when the weather is clear. Enjoy the view of stately buildings, which were built following the large fire of 1917, by Ernest Hébrard (commissioned by El. Venizelos the Greek Prime Minister) along with other Greek and foreign architects. Walk along the coast, next to Nikis Boulevard, which extends from the city port on the west to the statue of Alexander the Great on east, where you’ll come across a number of cozy cafes, bars and shops.

Stop by the Palace complex of Galerius and see the Octagon building intended to be a throne hall with its impressive mosaics, the Rotonda (containing Early Christian mosaics) and Galerius Arch (aka Kamara) built in ca. 305 A. D.

Visit the Ancient Agora (dating 3rd c. B.C. to the 5th c. A.D.) where you will see the ruins of the  market, a mint, a conservatory, the (most probably) City Archives room, public bath facilities, taverna, brothel, as well as other finds. An ancient temple and early Christian tombs ( 4th-7th c.) were revealed after excavations under Γ’ Septemvriou St.

Get to know another aspect of the city’s history by stopping at the Byzantine Baths, near Koule Kafe square. It is a rare sample of Byzantine Baths dating back to the end of the 13th century.

Make a point of visiting the Ishak Pasha Tzami Mosque (1484), near Kassandrou St. and the Hamza Bey Tzami Mosque (aka Alkazar) (1467), located among Egnatia and Venizelou streets, which was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt in 1620. Stop by Bey Hamam (1444), on Egnatia Odos St., Pasha Hamam (1520), Pazar and Yeni Hamam.

Moreover, the city of Thessaloniki is a renowned shopping destination; the main shopping streets are Tsimiski, Ermou, Egnatia, Mitropoleos and the environs. Make sure to pass by the old fashioned food markets of Modiano and Kapani (built in 1922). Enjoy your day out among the shops housed in the market’s arcades or sit and relax in one of the charming cafes and traditional eateries (mezedopolio)!

Another fascinating market to explore is the 15th c. Bezesteni Textile Market (Venizelou and Solomou St.) where you’ll find a sheer variety of fabrics in all colors and designs.

Jaunt around Thessaloniki’s port where the customs and warehouse buildings (built in 1910) are home to the Photography and Cinema Museums but are also used as venues for the International Film Festival.

Last but not least, don’t miss the nearby Ladadika neighbourhood, the best place to soak up the vibrant nightlife scene in Thessaloniki near Aristotelous square. This is where you’ll enjoy the night out in restaurants and nightclubs in old restored buildings that were saved by the 1917 fires.


More things to see:
  • the Y.M.C.A.’s stately building (greek abbreviation  Χ.Α.Ν.Θ.),
  • the OTE tower from where you can enjoy a birds eye view of the city,
  • the Holocaust memorial on Eleftherias Square, dedicated to the Greek Jews who were executed by the Nazis (1942),
  • the large number of churches and museums of the city will make your trip to Thessaloniki unforgettable!

Filming in Thessaloniki

FILMING IN GREECE

XENIA (2014)

After the death of their mother, Dany, 16, leaves Crete to join his older brother, Odysseas, who lives in Athens. Born from an Albanian mother and a Greek father they never met, the two brothers, strangers in their own country, decide to go to Thessaloniki to look for their father and force him to officially recognize them. The movie was selected to compete at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, and to be screened at the Contemporary World Cinema section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

DIRECTOR: PANOS KOUTRAS
FILMING LOCATION: THESSALONIKI

IMDb

THE ENFORCER (2022)

Miami's top mob enforcer, Cuda, sacrifices it all to tear down the criminal organisation he's spent his whole life building up when he discovers his boss, Estelle, is putting a young runaway's life in grave danger. Now, he has one last chance to make up for his past and find redemption -both for himself and his family - before the mob hunts him down for his betrayal. Starring Antonio Banderas, Kate Bosworth and Mojean Aria.

DIRECTOR: RICHARD HUGHES
FILMING LOCATION: THESSALONIKI

IMDb

Latest Events

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THEATRE

The Little Prince

CONCERT HALL / THESSALONIKI
EXHIBITIONS

Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Fair

TIF HELEXPO / THESSALONIKI

Tips for your Trip

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A delicious visit to Thessaloniki's museums

Thessaloniki's Museums with their breathtaking views over the Thermaikos golf or their beautiful green gardens, promise to offer you relaxing spots before or after your culture-oriented visits.

48 hours in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the ideal destination if you’re in the mood for a weekend excursion or a three-day trip. Here are a few tips about how to make the most of your available time even if you can only spend a few hours there.

Local Dishes

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BY CAR
From Athens via PATHE (Athens-Thessaloniki) and the journey takes about 5 hours.
BY PLANE
Thessaloniki is connected to Athens International Airport, the flight lasts 50 minutes but also to other airports in Greece.

Other destinations

VIEW MACEDONIA

Ferry routes