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Even if there are tons of issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest metropolis just isn't 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 attention-grabbing historical past, a fantastic 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. After studying this text, you’ll be shocked by the number of issues to do right here.
Listed here 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 primary landmark, which homes an exhibition in regards to the metropolis’s Byzantine historical past.
Throughout Ottoman instances, the White Tower was used as a jail and supposedly known as “Blood Tower” as a result of many executions that happened 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 will have a stunning view of all the metropolis and the Mediterranean Sea.
When you have only some hours in Thessaloniki, a go to to the White Tower can be the one factor it's best to undoubtedly find time for. And due to its central location, you’ll most likely need to begin any journey to Thessaloniki right here. This walking tour with a neighborhood 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 inexpensive attraction as effectively.
The museum is open each day from 9 am to 4 pm, and in the summertime, the hours prolong from 8 am to eight pm. Should you’re not eager on climbing up the tower, you would additionally simply take a look at it from the surface.
Tackle: White Tower, Thessaloniki 546 21, Greece. Get directions here.
2. Take a Stroll Alongside The Seafront
On the seafront, you may take pleasure in a stunning stroll alongside the promenade, top-of-the-line locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
I keep 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 can simply spend a number of hours on Thessaloniki’s waterfront, particularly if the climate is especially good.
Should you 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 superb day journey from Thessaloniki. Be taught extra about that journey, here.
Thessaloniki’s waterfront can also be house to one of many metropolis’s most instagrammable spots — the lovable umbrella sculpture. Should 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 superb, and farther north you will see tons of bars, cafés, and eating places.
Should you’re into biking, this fun trip is a must. Thessaloniki’s promenade might be one of the best place in all of Greece to have the ability to experience your bike for a number of kilometres with out worrying about automobiles. Dad and mom with youngsters 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 an ideal place to cease for a espresso. That is the fashionable middle of the town and a serious assembly place. You'll discover varied cafés and eating places on this pedestrian zone.
Folks wish 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 Square is without doubt one of the most well-known squares in all of Greece and one of the crucial well-known spots within the metropolis. Should you go to throughout Christmas or New Yr’s Eve it is a excellent place to see how the locals have a good time.
Don’t overlook to take a fast picture of the statue of Aristotle after whom the sq. was named. However, understand that the sq. can also be well-known for the truth that political protests normally happen right here. Throughout a rally or protest, you would possibly need 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 group in Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
The Jewish group in Thessaloniki was notably robust in the course of 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 Great Fire in 1917 when many Jews left the nation. Throughout the Second World Warfare, virtually all the 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 group in Greece. Whereas the group could be very small right this moment, its impression on the historical past of Thessaloniki is gigantic.
An effective way to be taught in regards to the Jewish group and historical past is to join this private tour with a information which takes within the museum, synagogue, Jewish market, Holocaust Memorial and extra. Click here for details.
The Jewish Museum on Agia Mina avenue is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and tickets are an inexpensive €5. Should you’re questioning what to do in Thessaloniki that isn't on everybody’s record, this museum is for you.
Tackle: Ag. Mina 11, Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece. Get directions here.
5. See The Roman Agora (one of many prime issues To do in Thessaloniki)
The most effective issues to see in Thessaloniki is the excavations of the Roman Agora of Thessaloniki (often known as the Roman Discussion board). This historical 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 will discover out extra in regards to the Roman Discussion board in its personal museum. When 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 generally is a excellent place to flee the warmth!
In any case, it’s actually spectacular to see this historical sq. in the course of the fashionable metropolis of Thessaloniki. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday between 8 am and three pm, and you may get in for €4.
Tackle: Roman Agora, Olympou 75, Thessaloniki 546 31, Greece. Get directions here.
6. Go to Agios Dimitrios Basilica
Thessaloniki’s primary church, Agios Dimitrios, is without doubt one of the prime locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
The basilica burned down virtually fully within the Nice Hearth 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 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 attention-grabbing historical past, you may even see the stays of a Roman bathhouse on which the church was constructed. This church presents an ideal overview of the town’s historical past. Pictures is allowed, and because it’s a church, entrance is free.
Tackle: Agios Dimitros, Ag. Dimitriou, Thessaloniki 546 33, Greece. Discover it on the map, here.
7. Take a Hike By Thessaloniki’s Outdated City: Ano Poli (Higher City)
Probably the most stunning a part of Thessaloniki is actually its old town, or Upper Town. You may go for a stroll by the cobblestone alleys and can see the standard 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 might be completed at any time of day.
This a part of Thessaloniki survived the 1917 hearth and due to this fact stored its conventional feel and appear. Plus, you will discover previous church buildings and towers right here and stays of the previous Byzantine partitions. You can spend hours exploring this beautiful neighbourhood.
To many Greeks, Ano Poli is essentially the most genuine neighbourhood of Thessaloniki. It’s right here, that you will discover conventional taverns taking part in rebetiko music, not for vacationers, however for the locals.
Take pleasure in getting misplaced within the maze of streets in Thessaloniki’s oldest neighbourhood.
8. Examine Out The Eptapyrgio (Yedikule)
Should 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 internal a part of the wall was constructed by the Byzantines however acquired its title (“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 unique perspective from the Eptapyrgio — which is positioned on Thessaloniki’s historical Acropolis.
What I discovered much more spectacular are the previous 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 happened here within the twentieth century.
Tackle: Eptapyrgio Fortress, Επταπύργιο, Eptapirgiou 130, Thessaloniki 546 34, Greece. Get directions here.
9. See The Atatürk Home
For one thing rather less touristy, go to the delivery home of essentially the most well-known individual from Thessaloniki, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The constructing now homes the General 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 in the event you’re not inquisitive about Atatürk and his life, there's 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 each day from 10 am to five pm, and entrance is free.
Tackle: Consulate of Turkey, Ag. Dimitriou 151, Thessaloniki 546 34, Greece. Get directions.
10. Go to The Rotunda (one of many primary issues to do in Thessaloniki)
While you head again down in the direction of the fashionable 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 brought on severe harm to the constructing, however a few of the mosaics inside have been restored.
Just some 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 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 gorgeous. Along with the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda is taken into account one of the crucial vital locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
Tackle: Platia Agiou Georgiou Rotonta 5, Thessaloniki 546 35, Greece. Get directions here. The Rotunda is open each day 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 top-of-the-line methods to get to know a brand new metropolis. These days, free strolling excursions with a neighborhood information are well-liked in most main cities.
Why pay for a tour when somebody will provide it totally free and also you solely tip the information based mostly on how good the tour was?! After all, the identical is true for Thessaloniki.
Being a serious pupil metropolis, you may undoubtedly discover a younger and dynamic information who will passionately inform you about their fascinating metropolis.
It will actually present the fitting steadiness between archaeological sites and the extra trendy facets of life in Greece’s second-largest metropolis.
Free strolling excursions normally final between two to a few hours and introduce you to the most important landmarks.
That method, you get some background details about issues you will have already seen or are planning to see later. There are a few corporations you may select from — FreeTour and GuruWalk each have good rankings.
12. Expertise Ladadika (one of many coolest issues to do in Thessaloniki)
Should you ask any Greek individual what to do in Thessaloniki they'll actually inform you to discover Ladadika.
This charming neighbourhood close to the port is stuffed with eating places and bars. As is usually the case with these neighbourhoods, it used to have a nasty popularity however is now tremendous fashionable.
Ladadika has all the pieces the traveller might hope for in a giant European metropolis — cobblestone streets, vibrant previous homes, and many conventional meals and music.
In reality, the neighbourhood is so alive that many take into account it one of the best social gathering district in all of Greece. However, that doesn’t imply you received’t take pleasure in a stroll by the world in the course of the day as effectively.
The neighbourhood was named for the oil retailers that was concentrated within the space. Throughout Ottoman instances, the principle 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 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 primary issues to do in Thessaloniki goes to an archaeology museum.
That is the place you will see 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. 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 would possibly need to benefit from the museum pass 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 vital locations to go to in Thessaloniki.
14. See The Outdated Hamams (and Soak at The New Ones)
Thessaloniki has some Turkish baths which 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 tub there. They're now used as eating places and for cultural occasions.
Nonetheless, one of the crucial enjoyable actions in Thessaloniki can be to guide a remedy on the new Hammam Baths as a spa expertise.
The Hamam is impressed by conventional Turkish baths and gives varied providers. You may 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 bask 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 sure that to guide an appointment upfront to make sure availability. For pure thermal baths, take a day journey to gorgeous Pozar and Edessa. Be taught extra about that tour here.
15. Go For Drinks in The Pupil Space Round Kamara/Rotunda
Whereas the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda are well-liked locations to discover in the course of the day, that is additionally a preferred nightlife space. With its popularity as a pupil metropolis, one of many primary actions in Thessaloniki is unquestionably trying out its vigorous pupil (social gathering) 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 Road, and Pulp.
Should you’re in Thessaloniki in the summertime, you may spend the entire night time exterior. Should you’re on a very tight funds, 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 students having an incredible time. And as traditional in such neighbourhoods, you may also discover the most cost effective avenue 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 record.
Wine and Meals Tasting
This is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Thessaloniki for foodies. Meet at a market and study Greek meals, whereas sampling many alternative conventional meals and drinksa lengthy the way in which. It is a enjoyable and inexpensive expertise. Find out more here.
Cook dinner and Dine With a Greek Household
What higher approach to have a neighborhood expertise than cooking and consuming a meal collectively? The expertise takes place in a Greek house and also you’ll make new associates whereas studying tips on how to prepare dinner some tasty Greek Delicacies.
This enjoyable and the inexpensive night consists of studying tips on how to make 4 dishes (and consuming them), tapas, drinks and even some Greek dancing! Be taught extra here.
Go Crusing
Hop aboard this stunning sailboat and revel in a half day cruise round Thessaloniki. On this luxurious journey, you’ll go to seashores, go snorkelling, and revel in a implausible Greek lunch with wine aboard the boat. Included is an skilled captain, gasoline, meals, drinks, and gear. Find out more 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 effectively.
- Meteora Monasteries: This awe-inspiring web site is UNESCO listed and is without doubt one of the prime 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 here for particulars in regards to the tour, and be taught extra in our article: Meteora Monasteries: A Guide to Greece’s Mythical Landscape.
- Mount Olympus and Dion: Be taught in regards to the tradition and historical past of the spectacular Mount Olympus, hike Enipeas gorge and revel in lunch with a surprising view. Be taught extra about this well-liked day journey here.
- Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa: Soak in pure thermal sizzling springs, gaze on the tallest waterfall within the Balkans, and revel in lunch in a picturesque village. Discover out extra about this enjoyable day journey here.
Now You Know What To Do in Thessaloniki
With all this stuff 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 loads of historical past but in addition expertise the scholar nightlife that's typical of Thessaloniki. And also you’ll be taught extra in regards to 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, loads of the issues to do in Thessaloniki are both free or fairly low cost. So make sure that to benefit from all this stuff and guide your journey to Thessaloniki now.
And in the event you’re questioning the place to go subsequent, don’t fear, there are many choices.
From Thessaloniki, you may discover different elements within the north of Greece, such because the beautiful Chalkidiki peninsula with its gorgeous seashores. Or you may journey additional north to discover a few of the different Balkan international locations such as Albania (in the event you ask me my absolute favourite city in the Balkans is Tirana).
Are you travelling to different areas in Greece? Try our prime posts:
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