Where to go and what to visit in Thessaloniki in 1, 2 or 3 days on your own? We have selected all the best attractions that are definitely worth seeing with your own eyes, found out the prices for excursions with a Russian-speaking guide to interesting places and surrounding areas, compiled a route for an independent walk and a map with the location of objects.
Thessaloniki is the northern capital of Greece, dating back over 2,500 years. The city is literally permeated with antiquity and monumentality.
The cultural heritage of these lands continues to amaze with various archaeological excavations to this day.
For several thousand years, Thessaloniki hosted the Hellenistic, Roman Byzantine and Ottoman empires on its lands, which was reflected in the architecture.
Although most of the city was lost, a fairly large number of Greek attractions remained that tourists can appreciate.
What is a must see in Thessaloniki and its surroundings?
Within the city limits there are concentrated sights that are stunning in their magnificence, which are definitely worth seeing and included in the tourist route when traveling to Greece on your own.
- White Tower
White Tower
The building dates back to the 15th century and is an interesting structure. Although the tower is called white, its color is closer to the skin tone of a buffalo. The monument surprises with its external simplicity, but is still the main symbol of the city. The building once stood guard over the peace of local citizens and was used as a defensive structure. You can enter the building free of charge at any time of the day.
- Aristotle Square
Aristotle Square
What to visit first in Thessaloniki? Of course, the central part of the city. The whole life of the Greeks is concentrated here. A stunningly beautiful place and an incredible view of Thermacois Bay will make you spend the whole day in the square. You can get to the place by regular buses going to the center.
- Hagia Sophia
Church of Hagia Sophia
The building was erected back in the 7th century, taking into account all the canons and personifies the iconoclastic period. The cross-domed structure is under the protection of UNESCO. For some time the temple belonged to the Turks and served as an Islamic mosque. The doors of Hagia Sophia are open until seven in the evening, admission is free. You can get there by bus routes 16,24 and 50.
- Arch of Galeria
Arch of Galerius
The only small part that has survived from the burial complex of the great Roman emperor. The brickwork is of interest to vacationers even just because the building dates back to the fourth century. Today here you can listen to concerts of street musicians and watch performances.
- Church of Panagia Chalkeon
Church of Panagia Chalkeon
A stunning structure that is included in the list of cultural heritage. Domed vaults, marble columns and stained glass two-tier windows amaze with their beauty. The inside of the church also boasts rich decoration. You can get there by bus number 22, getting off at the Filippov stop. The church gates are open until seven in the evening
- Roman forum
Roman Forum
In ancient times, this ancient agora was a real business center. Merchants and noblemen gathered here, various performances took place, and important issues were discussed. The multi-tiered structure was secretly divided into an upper and lower city.
The forum is located in the central part of the city, and anyone can get inside for 2 €.
- Railway Museum
Railway Museum
What interesting things you can see in Thessaloniki besides ancient architecture are museums. Within the walls of the building, built by an Italian master, exhibits related to the railway are collected. Guests will be able to view old maps, photographs, tickets, uniforms and much more. Entrance here is absolutely free, although you can only get in on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 1 p.m.
- Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum
Another interesting place we recommend for viewing. A very extensive collection, which includes interesting exhibits from excavations inside and outside the city. Tourists will be able to see household items of ordinary citizens, women's and men's jewelry, funeral items, and so on. You can get to the museum until eight in the evening for 8 €; the building is located in the central part of the city.
- Church of St. Panteleimon
Church of St. Panteleimon
The ancient building is also a cultural heritage property. The church has undergone minor external changes and now contains some elements from the Ottoman Empire. In fact, this is only a small part of the large-scale monastery complex that has survived. The construction of the church dates back to the sixth century. You can go inside absolutely free from morning until seven in the evening.
- Church of the Holy Apostles
Church of the Holy Apostles
Basilica is considered a wonderful embodiment of Byzantine culture. The domed building amazes primarily with its scale and, of course, architecture. The majestic temple was erected in honor of the twelve apostles. To this day, on the walls inside the building you can see amazingly beautiful frescoes that were successfully preserved after the Ottomans.
The building is located in the central part, entry inside is free for everyone.
- Lake Coronia
Lake Koronia
What to see in Thessaloniki and the surrounding area on your own? If you drive a little outside the city, you can get to a beautiful lake. It received its name in honor of the local god of healing. According to local residents, the waters of the lake have healing properties, thanks to which a lot of visitors flock here. You can get there from Thessaloniki by regular bus in just 40 minutes.
- Dojran Lake
Dojran Lake
An amazing body of water that arose as a result of tectonics. Mountain ranges stretching beyond the horizon, clear waters and the purest fine sand will give you the opportunity to relax and breathe in the crystal air, which has life-giving power. In order to get to the place, you must first get to the city of Kukush and from there take a bus or train to the lake.
Where to stay in Thessaloniki
A little about the city
Sights that have survived centuries, snow-white houses descending to the very waters of the Aegean Sea, many kilometers of sandy beaches in the suburbs, a mild climate and a relaxing atmosphere in the capital of Greek youth - here everyone will find a vacation to their taste!
As legend has it, the city of Thessaloniki was founded by the Macedonian king Kassander in 315 BC, and it received its beautiful name in honor of his wife - Thessaloniki. For more than two thousand years of history, the city was under the rule of the Romans, was part of the Byzantine Empire, was even the capital of a separate state - the Kingdom of Thessalonica, and spent more than 500 years as part of the Ottoman Empire.
Only in 1912-1923. The Greeks managed to win independence. Today Thessaloniki is one of the largest ports in the Balkans, the second largest and most economically important city in Greece, a cultural and youth capital and a famous tourist center.
Due to the predominance of white in the architecture of buildings, the city looks almost completely snow-white from the air or from the sea, which is why it is also called the “Bride of Thermaikos” (Thermaikos Gulf of the Aegean Sea, on the shores of which Thessaloniki is located). Also, Thessaloniki has a reputation among tourists as a city that never sleeps - many bars, cafes, nightclubs, discos are open and operating at night - so that lovers of club holidays will be satisfied. At the same time, on the outskirts of the city and in the suburbs you can fully relax for those who like silence and solitude.
Interesting excursions in Russian
All tourists are divided into two types. Some people dream of developing a route on their own and only using it to see all the planned sights, while others are inclined to trust a professional and not think about such trifles as, for example, renting a vehicle.
There are a huge variety of excursions in Thessaloniki in Russian, from individual tours to group programs. Some of the most popular are the following:
- overview;
- according to Orthodox shrines;
- upper city.
Where we recommend visiting first:
- Where to go on excursions in Thessaloniki? The ideal solution in this case is a classic sightseeing trip, which will show guests of the capital the most popular places for only 60 €
- Thessaloniki is home to a huge number of Orthodox churches, which can best be explored by a knowledgeable guide and conducted an exciting event. The approximate cost of the excursion is 84 €.
- The city was under the Byzantine people for a long time, which left a certain imprint on the local architecture. Walking around Ano Poli or the Upper Town will help guests better understand and experience the daily life of the ancients. The cost of such an excursion will cost 70 €.
We also definitely recommend booking gastronomic tours, here you will learn about spices and traditional cuisine.
- Well, a mandatory holiday program is an excursion from Thessaloniki to Meteora, the most popular tour according to the booking statistics of our readers. The cost of the trip (370 €) is more expensive than in local travel agencies, but for this money you will get an amazing route, a passionate guide with deep knowledge, and completely different emotions from what you see.
Archaeological sites
The archaeological sites of Thessaloniki are also quite interesting. Worth a look is the Archa Galeria, perhaps one of the most interesting Roman buildings in the city. It was once a triumphal monument built to celebrate the victory over the Persians in 298. The city also has a Rotunda Galeria, built in 306. Many archaeologists believe that it was originally used as a temple, although it is more likely that the rotunda was built as mausoleum. And a few blocks from the square. Aristotle contains the remains of the Roman Forum (Agora), which date back to the 1st century.
Kalamaria (aka Nea Krini) is a special, quaint urban area in the eastern part of Thessaloniki, about 25 minutes drive from the center. Here on the street. Aretsu is home to famous restaurants and fish taverns, as well as coffee shops, bars and shops.
Where to go with children?
Now we will select the most interesting places in Thessaloniki for a child, where parents can unwind with benefit.
The mild Greek climate and stunning nature encourage parents to bring even their smallest children on vacation. For young travelers, Thessaloniki “will be able” to organize a real cultural program.
Interesting places in the city:
- One of the most unique places located in the city is the digital planetarium . For just 5 €, a child will be able to enjoy a stunning view of the cosmic galaxies and listen to the tour using wireless headphones in two languages. Here, your child will be able to visit the cosmotheater for €5 and watch the usual 3D films in an unusual virtual reality simulator.
- a technology museum will definitely be etched in their memory for the rest of their lives . On the vast territory you can see exhibitions of vintage cars, interesting exhibits using ancient Greek technologies and a special park where you can touch and feel everything.
- An amusement park , a zoo and a water park will help children get acquainted with the local flora and fauna, get adrenaline on the rides and fly down the slide straight into the pool.
Prices for tours to Greece
Rate the Greek answer to Starbucks
If you ask Greeks where to drink coffee in Thessaloniki, 9 out of 10 will recommend Mikel coffee shops. The coffee here is really excellent. If you like it black and unsweetened, order “sketo” - without sugar and milk, if on the contrary, say “gliko”. A mid-sweet option is called metrio, and if you ask for a frappe, you'll get iced coffee with whipped milk foam and chunks of ice.
Takeaway coffee in a bright branded cup is cheaper, and Mikel chain establishments also offer promotions on coffee and fresh pastries - an excellent option when you need a quick meal in Thessaloniki: you can take coffee and a croissant with you and have a snack on the embankment with a picturesque view.
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What to see in Thessaloniki in 1-3 days on your own?
Independent tourists who plan to visit the ancient city in just 1, 2 or 3 days can use the following route.
- The first day
Walk along the embankment - visit to the White Tower - Royal Theater - Archaeological Museum - Telephone Tower - Macedonian Museum of Modern Art.
- Second day
Central Aristotle Square - Monument to Philip the Second - Kamara - Rotunda of St. George - Basilica of St. Demetrius - Evening walk around the Upper Town.
- Day three
It is better to devote the last day to exploring the surrounding area. An excursion to Meteora from Thessaloniki will definitely leave an incredible bouquet of emotions. The complex of monasteries, located on the rocks, seems to float in the air. The Meteora rocks are about 60 million years old.
Where to visit in Thessaloniki in winter or on New Year's Eve? There are thermal springs in the city that will help improve your health. Since winter does not indulge in too much frost, this time can also be devoted to sightseeing.
Reviews from tourists
- Natalia, Orenburg
The extraordinary blue and purity of the sea, delicious cuisine, friendly, hospitable people... The city will forever remain in your memory!
- Nikolay, Samara
The convenient location of the streets will not let you get lost - sooner or later you will still come out to the sea! I was amazed by the abundance of coffee shops, pastry shops, bakeries, and everything so delicious that you could eat your fingers!
- Milana, Moscow
The White Tower has a very beautiful view of the city!
Although, in fact, it, the tower, is gray... On the embankment there is an interesting monument to umbrellas, although why they are in Thessaloniki is unknown - there is always the Sun there! If you are just passing through Thessaloniki, you may not like the city briefly due to the bustle and confusion, for example, in the port area or the airport, but Thessaloniki is a pearl that is worth a closer look.
How to save money on your trip? Working lifehacks!
These tips will help you plan an independent holiday at resorts in winter or summer for less:
- We recommend looking for the best hotel prices on ROOMGURU . The search engine searches among all hotel databases on the Internet, even from such giants as Booking, and compares prices. If you are a smartphone lover, then the HOUSING SEARCH is a must. It is very convenient to open options upon arrival and book immediately.
- TRIPINSURANCE service will help you profitably insure your health and life while traveling ; the search engine shows results from all major insurance companies. All you have to do is choose only the most profitable option, but we advise you not to skimp on your health!
- Air tickets? Experiencedly, we recommend using AVIASALES , it is still the No. 1 search engine among independent travelers.
Enjoy the sweet triangles of panoramatos
Greek confectioner Yorgos Elenidis came up with delicate triangles of panoramatos made from puff pastry with custard back in the 1960s, but never patented his recipe. Today in Thessaloniki and throughout Greece you can try different versions of these cakes, but the most correct one is when the cream filling is added right before serving so that the dough does not soften. You can try classic Thessalonian triangle panoramatos at the Trigona Elinidi cafe.
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Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia)
Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia)
This Church of Holy Wisdom is one of the oldest continuously standing buildings in Thessaloniki. It was built in the 8th century on the remains of a church built in the 3rd century. The church was created in the Byzantine era according to the design of its more famous namesake from Constantinople. Today it is one of the best surviving examples of Greek domed churches of that time. The dome of Hagia Sophia features a magnificent mosaic depicting the Ascension of Christ seated on a rainbow throne in the central medallion. Below is the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and the Apostles separated by trees.
Jewish Museum
On Agiou Mina Street there is a small museum that tells the story of Thessaloniki's Sephardic heritage, where the Spanish-speaking community flourished for 450 years until the Holocaust.
Jews first settled in the city in the late 15th century after being expelled by Spain's Catholic monarchs.
Arriving from Western Europe, they brought with them valuable modern skills such as cartography, weapons-making, printing and medicine, thriving under the religious tolerance of the Ottoman Empire.
In 2022, the museum moved to a completely new six-story building, plans for which were presented by Benjamin Netanyahu and Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris in 2022. The current modest but interesting gallery contains Jewish tombstones, period photographs and information boards about key events, such as the 1943 deportation of 49,000 Jews, of whom fewer than 2,000 survived.
Ottoman heritage
Alatza Imaret
Alatza Imaret is a mute witness to the bright events and architectural heritage of the Ottoman period in the history of Thessaloniki, a multicultural city with a rich history in the past.
Muslim shrines
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Turbe Musa Baba
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Hamza Bey - the first mosque in Thessaloniki
The Hamza Bey Mosque is located at the intersection of Egnatia and Venizelou streets, it is the oldest Muslim shrine in the city.
Hafsa Khatun, the daughter of high-ranking officer Hamza Bey, founded a shrine in memory of her father in 1467. The courtyard of the attraction is decorated with capitals and columns of early Christian shrines of Thessaloniki. Muslim shrines
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Muslim shrines
Agios Demetrios
Square in front of the church
After the martyrdom of Thessaloniki's patron Saint Demetrius in the 4th century, a church was built on this site.
Early buildings here were repeatedly destroyed by fires until the current structure, a five-nave basilica, was built in the early 630s.
The church is famous for its mosaic panels, dating from around 630 to 730, depicting Demetrius with his children and the founders of the church - rare examples of art from the post-Emperor Justinian era.
Unfortunately, several other priceless mosaics were lost in a fire in 1917. The crypt contains the Roman bath in which Demetrius was imprisoned and killed, and was forgotten during Ottoman rule until excavations after a fire in 1917. Since 1988, it has been an exhibition space replete with sculptures, capitals, vessels and covered slabs from the early, middle and late Byzantine period, discovered during excavations.
Take a look at the legendary cheese shop on Komninon Street
After the Asia Minor disaster of 1922, a refugee from Turkish Samsun, Cosmas Sotiriadis, settled in Thessaloniki and soon opened his first grocery store. The locals fell in love with the store, and Kosmas’s work was continued by his children and grandchildren.
You can still look into Pantopolio tis Thessaloniki at 12 Komninon Street and feel the special, family atmosphere. And also - choose several varieties of cheese to try, buy juicy vegetables and fruits and try unusual Mediterranean products - for example, wild dandelion stamnangafi from the island of Crete, marinades with “Greek wild garlic” tsitsiravla from the island of Chios, stuffed peppers mustopiperia, salted mackerel tsiros from Mramornye sea or unusual halva.
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Have fun in the colorful Ladadika quarter
The dubious reputation of the Ladadika quarter is a thing of the past - today it is a vibrant and distinctive district of Thessaloniki, where it is interesting to walk during the day and have fun relaxing at night.
Come to Ladadika to wind your way through narrow cobbled streets lined with picture-postcard houses, listen to live music in taverns, sample ouzo and Greek wine in atmospheric bars and dance until the early hours with the locals in trendy clubs.
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Museum of Byzantine Culture
This extraordinary museum's 11 galleries present the history of the Byzantine Empire with artifacts collected from across Macedonia. They cover all periods, from the founding of the empire by Constantine in the 4th century and the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, to its destruction at the hands of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.
The museum's collection includes manuscripts, wooden icons, jewelry, textiles dating back to the 4th century, seals, mosaics, wall paintings, statues, early printed books and modern paintings inspired by Byzantine art.
There are also striking examples of stonework, such as inscribed stones, arches and piers from churches.
Ataturk Museum
In 1881, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the man who became the founder and leader of the modern secular Turkish state, which now houses the Turkish consulate, was born in this three-story house on Apostolou Pavlu Street.
In 1935, Thessaloniki handed over the building to the Turkish state to turn it into a museum of his life and career.
The house dates from 1870 and is decorated mostly with original furniture and personal items such as clothing, utensils, smoking utensils, glassware, as well as photographs of various stages of Atatürk's life.
You can see the room in which Atatürk was born and find the pomegranate tree planted by his father in the courtyard.
Take a ride on a pirate schooner along the Thermic Gulf
To admire Thessaloniki from the water, choose the cheapest tickets to Greece now!
Thermaikos Gulf can be admired not only from the shore. Every half hour or hour, guests of Thessaloniki can go out into the Aegean Sea on a pirate schooner and see cargo ships and the city port from a new angle.
A half-hour boat trip along the Thermic Gulf is free of charge: you don’t need to pay for entry to the pirate deck, but you will have to buy some kind of drink on board - at least a bottle of water. This investment will definitely pay off, especially if you decide to take a boat ride at sunset: the views are priceless!
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Experience the atmosphere of the Modiano market
At the large Modiano market in Thessaloniki you can buy everything from fresh octopus to a beach pareo. If you want to bring olive oil, pickled olives or unusual spices like hot peppers with Greek strawberry flavor as a gift to your loved ones, this is the place for you again.
Having a snack at the Modiano market is also a great idea. Here they bake delicious pancakes with a variety of fillings and layered bougatsi pies with custard or cheese, and they also serve gyros - it’s something like shawarma or doner kebab, only the dish is served with French fries and tzatziki sauce.
Shopping in Thessaloniki can be continued on the famous Tsimiski shopping street. For new items from popular brands, go to the Attica shopping center, for luxury brands - to Notos Galleries. If you are interested in Greek fashion stores, head towards Hagia Sophia Boulevard and Ermou Street next to the Modiano Market - for example, there are Lynne and Pin Up boutiques.
When is the sales season in Thessaloniki?
There are two main sales seasons in Thessaloniki: summer sales start on July 15 and end in August, winter sales start immediately after the New Year and last from January 15 until the beginning of spring.
In addition, many stores in Thessaloniki organize off-season sales. The best chance of getting one is in the first weeks of May and November. At the beginning of September, a major trade fair takes place at the HELEXPO exhibition center.
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