Thessaloniki is relaxed, young and serious about food. Walk the long waterfront from the White Tower to the Umbrellas, explore Roman and Byzantine monuments, and eat your way through its markets and ouzeri.
Highlights
- White Tower and the waterfront promenade (Nea Paralia)
- Rotunda, Arch of Galerius and the Roman forum
- UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches, including Agios Dimitrios
- Ano Poli: old town lanes, city walls and Heptapyrgio fortress
- Modiano and Kapani markets
- Bougatsa for breakfast and evening ouzo with meze in Ladadika
Greece's second city sits on a wide bay with Mount Olympus visible across the water on clear days. It has a big student population, which keeps the bars and cafés lively all year, and a food culture shaped by Byzantine, Ottoman, Jewish and refugee history.
History on every corner
The Rotunda and the Arch of Galerius date from the early 4th century, and the city's early Christian and Byzantine monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb up to Ano Poli for whitewashed lanes, sections of the old walls and the best views over the city.
Eating and drinking
Start the day with bougatsa — flaky filo pie with cream or cheese — and spend the evening in Ladadika or around Athonos Square with ouzo and small plates. The covered Modiano market and the Kapani market are great for snacks, spices and people-watching.
Beyond the city
Thessaloniki is the natural base for Halkidiki's beaches, Mount Olympus, the royal tombs at Vergina and the lakes of northern Greece.
☀️ Best time to visit
May–June and September–October for pleasant city weather. Summers are hot and many locals head to Halkidiki; winters are cooler and wetter than Athens but great for food and culture. The Thessaloniki International Film Festival runs in November.
🧭 Getting there & around
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) is about 30 minutes from the centre by bus or taxi. Trains run to Athens in roughly 4–5 hours. The city's metro opened in late 2024 and connects the railway station with the centre and eastern districts; buses cover the rest.
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