Even though there are tons of issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest metropolis is just not on everybody’s radar.
To Greeks, Thessaloniki is a legendary pupil 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 effectively value visiting. It actually has all of it — tons of fascinating historical past, an attractive seaside, and thrilling nightlife.
As a traveller, you could be questioning what to do in Thessaloniki, which is the place I are available. After studying this text, you’ll be shocked by the number of issues to do right here.
Listed here are the 15 finest issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece.
1. Go to The White Tower
The fortified White Tower on the seafront is Thessaloniki’s primary landmark, which homes an exhibition concerning the metropolis’s Byzantine historical past.
Throughout Ottoman instances, the White Tower was used as a jail and supposedly referred to as “Blood Tower” because of the many executions that befell there. It acquired the title “White Tower” after it was painted white, though right this moment it has a yellowish color.
From the White Tower, you’ve gotten a stunning view of the complete metropolis and the Mediterranean Sea.
In case you have just a few hours in Thessaloniki, a go to to the White Tower can be the one factor it is best to positively find time for. And due to its central location, you’ll most likely need to begin any journey to Thessaloniki right here. This strolling tour with a neighborhood takes within the White Tower and different highlights within the metropolis.
The White Tower is unquestionably one of many high issues to see in Thessaloniki and at solely €8, it’s fairly an inexpensive attraction as effectively.
The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, and in the summertime, the hours lengthen from 8 am to eight pm. When you’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’ll be able to take pleasure in a stunning stroll alongside the promenade, probably the greatest 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 automobiles or motorbikes!
You could possibly simply spend a number of hours on Thessaloniki’s waterfront, particularly if the climate is especially good.
When you stroll south from the White Tower alongside the promenade you’ll move 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. Study extra about that journey, right here.
Thessaloniki’s waterfront can be dwelling to one of many metropolis’s most instagrammable spots — the lovable umbrella sculpture. When you maintain 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’ll find tons of bars, cafés, and eating places.
When you’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 automobiles. Mother and father with kids will admire this car-free zone as effectively.
3. Discover Aristotelous Sq.
The town’s largest sq. is without doubt one of the hottest locations to go to in Thessaloniki and a fantastic place to cease for a espresso. That is the trendy middle of the town and a serious assembly place. You will see numerous cafés and eating places on this pedestrian zone.
Individuals prefer to buy groceries within the streets and markets near the sq., and you’ll positively move by right here greater than as soon as throughout your time in Thessaloniki.
Aristotelous Sq. is without doubt one of the most well-known squares in all of Greece and one of the vital well-known spots within the metropolis. When you go to throughout Christmas or New 12 months’s Eve this can be a excellent spot to see how the locals have fun.
Don’t overlook to take a fast picture of the statue of Aristotle after whom the sq. was named. However, needless to say the sq. can be well-known for the truth that political protests normally happen right here. Throughout a rally or protest, you may need to keep away from the sq..
4. Study About The Metropolis’s Jewish Historical past at The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki presents the historical past of the Jewish group in Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
The Jewish group in Thessaloniki was notably robust throughout the Ottoman Empire when Jewish refugees arrived from Spain and Portugal the place they confronted extreme persecution.
Jews made up the most important group in Thessaloniki till the Nice Fireplace in 1917 when many Jews left the nation. In the course of the Second World Struggle, nearly the complete Jewish inhabitants of Thessaloniki was deported to Auschwitz.
As we speak, solely about 1,200 Jews nonetheless stay in Thessaloniki which nonetheless makes it the second-largest Jewish group in Greece. Whereas the group may be very small right this moment, its impression on the historical past of Thessaloniki is big.
An effective way to study concerning the Jewish group and historical past is to be a 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 inexpensive €5. When you’re questioning what to do in Thessaloniki that’s not on everybody’s checklist, 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 high issues To do in Thessaloniki)
Top-of-the-line issues to see in Thessaloniki is the excavations of the Roman Agora of Thessaloniki (often known as the Roman Discussion board). This historic Roman market is positioned near Aristotelous Sq. and homes the stays of a theater and two Roman baths.
The perfect half is that it continues underground the place you could find out extra concerning the Roman Discussion board in its personal museum. In case you 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 spot to flee the warmth!
In any case, it’s definitely spectacular to see this historic sq. in the course of the trendy metropolis of Thessaloniki. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday between 8 am and three pm, and you will 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 primary church, Agios Dimitrios, is without doubt one of the high locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
The basilica burned down nearly fully within the Nice Fireplace of Thessaloniki in 1917, however huge reconstruction efforts returned the church to its splendour. Contained in the church, you’ll be able to even discover distinctive mosaics that survived the hearth.
Agios Dimitrios Church is positioned only a few steps from the Roman Discussion board so make sure to mix the 2. Dimitrios is Thessaloniki’s patron saint which explains the basilica’s significance. You may see the place the place he supposedly died within the crypt underground.
And, due to Thessaloniki’s fascinating historical past, you’ll be able to even see the stays of a Roman bathhouse on which the church was constructed. This church presents a fantastic 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)
Essentially the most lovely a part of Thessaloniki is definitely its outdated city, or Higher City. You may go for a stroll by means of the cobblestone alleys and can see the normal Balkan homes that date again to Ottoman instances.
A stroll within the picturesque Higher City is without doubt one of the actions in Thessaloniki which might be free and may be accomplished at any time of day.
This a part of Thessaloniki survived the 1917 hearth and due to this fact saved its conventional appear and feel. Plus, you could find outdated church buildings and towers right here and stays of the outdated Byzantine partitions. You could possibly spend hours exploring this attractive neighbourhood.
To many Greeks, Ano Poli is essentially the most genuine neighbourhood of Thessaloniki. It’s right here, that you could find conventional taverns taking part in 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. Examine Out The Eptapyrgio (Yedikule)
When you 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 acquired its title (“Seven Towers”) when the primary Ottoman governor added extra towers.
The fortress itself is sort of spectacular to have 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 unique perspective from the Eptapyrgio — which is positioned on Thessaloniki’s historic Acropolis.
What I discovered much more spectacular are the outdated jail corridors which join the place to Greek rebetiko music.
“Yedikule” is without doubt one of 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 start home of essentially 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 might not be of curiosity to everybody, however as an ethnic Turk, I used to be very moved by my go to right here.
A lot of the furnishings right here remains to be authentic, 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 when you’re not desirous about Atatürk and his life, there’s one more reason to go to his start home — it’s a wonderful option 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 primary issues to do in Thessaloniki)
Once 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 a Roman temple, then a church, and later a mosque.
Earthquakes have triggered severe injury to the constructing, however among 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 often known as Kamara.
This was Thessaloniki’s primary entrance gate, strolling by means of it is without doubt one of the actions in Thessaloniki that may join you all the way in which again to Roman instances.
The early Christian mosaics within the Rotunda are completely beautiful. Along with the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda is taken into account one of the vital necessary 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 imagine that free strolling excursions are probably the greatest methods to get to know a brand new metropolis. These days, free strolling excursions with a neighborhood information are fashionable in most main cities.
Why pay for a tour when somebody will provide it free of charge and also you solely tip the information primarily based on how good the tour was?! After all, the identical is true for Thessaloniki.
Being a serious pupil metropolis, you’ll be able to positively discover a younger and dynamic information who will passionately inform you about their fascinating metropolis.
It will definitely present the correct stability between archaeological websites and the extra trendy points of life in Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
Free strolling excursions normally final between two to a few hours and introduce you to the main landmarks.
That means, you get some background details about issues you’ve gotten already seen or are planning to see later. There are a few firms you’ll be able to select from — FreeTour and GuruWalk each have good scores.
12. Expertise Ladadika (one of many coolest issues to do in Thessaloniki)
When you 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 stuffed with eating places and bars. As is commonly the case with these neighbourhoods, it used to have a foul status however is now tremendous fashionable.
Ladadika has all the pieces the traveller might hope for in a giant European metropolis — cobblestone streets, vibrant outdated homes, and many conventional meals and music.
In actual fact, the neighbourhood is so alive that many think about it the most effective get together district in all of Greece. However, that doesn’t imply you gained’t take pleasure in a stroll by means of the realm throughout the day as effectively.
The neighbourhood was named for the oil retailers that was concentrated within the space. Throughout Ottoman instances, the primary market was positioned right here as effectively.
Just like the promenade and Aristotelous Sq., it’s a pedestrian-only zone that any customer to Greece will admire. This neighbourhood is without doubt one of the high 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 primary issues to do in Thessaloniki goes to an archaeology museum.
That is the place you’ll find out extra about Thessaloniki’s historical past till the Roman period. You’ll most likely want round two hours right here as there’s 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. A lot 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 need to make the most of the museum move which permits entrance to the Archaeological Museum, the White Tower, the Galerian Advanced, the Museum of the Roman Agora, and the Museum of Byzantine Tradition.
For €15 you’ll be able to see all of the necessary 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, when 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 can be to e book a therapy on the new Hammam Baths as a spa expertise.
The Hamam is impressed by conventional Turkish baths and affords numerous companies. You may both go for a self-service go to or add on numerous massages or therapies. 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. Be certain that to e book an appointment prematurely to make sure availability. For pure thermal baths, take a day journey to beautiful Pozar and Edessa. Study 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 well-liked nightlife space. With its status as a pupil metropolis, one of many primary actions in Thessaloniki is unquestionably testing its vigorous pupil (get together) scene.
There are numerous bars and cafés right here, that are cheaper than those within the Ladadika neighbourhood. Try Bulldog and the Beast, On The Highway, and Pulp.
When you’re in Thessaloniki in the summertime, you’ll be able to spend the entire evening exterior. When you’re on a very tight price range, you gained’t need to 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 evening with musicians, artists, and college students having an incredible time. And as common in such neighbourhoods, you can too discover the most cost effective 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 just a few extra to the checklist.
Wine and Meals Tasting
This is without doubt one of the high 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 way in which. This can be a enjoyable and inexpensive expertise. Discover out extra right here.
Prepare dinner and Dine With a Greek Household
What higher option to have a neighborhood expertise than cooking and consuming a meal collectively? The expertise takes place in a Greek dwelling and also you’ll make new pals whereas studying the way to prepare dinner some tasty Greek Delicacies.
This enjoyable and the inexpensive night consists of studying the way to make 4 dishes (and consuming them), tapas, drinks and even some Greek dancing! Study extra right here.
Go Crusing
Hop aboard this lovely 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 unbelievable 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 just a few nice day journeys you’ll be able to take as effectively.
- Meteora Monasteries: This awe-inspiring website is UNESCO listed and is without doubt one of the high locations to go to within the nation. Be 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 study extra in our article: Meteora Monasteries: A Information to Greece’s Legendary Panorama.
- Mount Olympus and Dion: Study concerning the tradition and historical past of the spectacular Mount Olympus, hike Enipeas gorge and luxuriate in lunch with a surprising view. Study 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 these items to do in Thessaloniki, I’m certain you’ll have a enjoyable and thrilling journey to Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
You’ll get to see lots of historical past but in addition expertise the scholar nightlife that’s typical of Thessaloniki. And also you’ll study extra concerning the metropolis’s multicultural previous.
I really 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, lots of the issues to do in Thessaloniki are both free or fairly low cost. So make sure that to make the most of all these items and e book your journey to Thessaloniki now.
And when you’re questioning the place to go subsequent, don’t fear, there are many choices.
From Thessaloniki, you’ll be able to discover different elements within the north of Greece, such because the attractive Chalkidiki peninsula with its beautiful seashores. Or you’ll be able to journey additional north to discover among the different Balkan international locations comparable to Albania (when you ask me my absolute favorite metropolis within the Balkans is Tirana).
Are you travelling to different areas in Greece? Try our high posts:
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