Even supposing there are tons of issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest metropolis 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.

Having lived in Greece for nearly six years, I can testify to the truth that Thessaloniki is a dynamic metropolis effectively price visiting. It actually has all of it — tons of fascinating historical past, a fantastic seaside, and thrilling nightlife.

As a traveller, you might be questioning what to do in Thessaloniki, which is the place I come in. After studying this text, you’ll be shocked by the number of issues to do right here.

Right here it goes, my listing of the 15 finest issues to do in Thessaloniki!

1. Go to The White Tower

The fortified White Tower on the seafront is Thessaloniki’s principal landmark, which homes an exhibition concerning the metropolis’s Byzantine historical past.

Throughout Ottoman occasions, the White Tower was used as a jail and supposedly known as “Blood Tower” as a result of many executions that passed off there. It bought the identify “White Tower” after it was painted white, though at present it has a yellowish color.

From the White Tower, you’ve got a beautiful view of your entire metropolis and the Mediterranean Sea. When you’ve got only some hours in Thessaloniki, a go to to the White Tower could be the one factor you need to positively find time for. And due to its central location, you’ll in all probability need to begin any journey to Thessaloniki right here.

The White Tower is unquestionably one of many prime issues to see in Thessaloniki and at solely €4, it’s fairly an inexpensive attraction as effectively. The museum is open day by day from 9 am to Four pm, and in the summer time, the hours prolong from Eight am to eight pm. In the event you’re not eager on climbing up the tower, you might additionally simply take a look at it from the skin.

2. Take a Stroll Alongside The Seafront

On the seafront, you possibly can get pleasure from a beautiful stroll alongside the promenade, top-of-the-line locations to go to in Thessaloniki. I bear in mind being fascinated that I had lastly discovered a spot in Greece the place I might stroll for hours with out being disturbed by vehicles or motorbikes!

You may simply spend a number of hours on Thessaloniki’s waterfront, particularly if the climate is especially good. In the event you stroll south from the White Tower alongside the promenade you’ll cross 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, right here.

Thessaloniki’s waterfront can be dwelling to one of many metropolis’s most instagrammable spots — the lovable umbrella sculpture. In the event you hold 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 will see tons of bars, cafés, and eating places. In the event you’re into biking, Thessaloniki’s promenade might be the perfect place in all of Greece to have the ability to journey your bike for a number of kilometres with out worrying about vehicles. Mother and father with youngsters will respect this car-free zone as effectively.

3. Discover Aristotelous Sq.

The town’s greatest sq. is among the hottest locations to go to in Thessaloniki and an excellent place to cease for a espresso. That is the trendy middle of the town and a serious assembly place. You’ll discover numerous cafés and eating places in this pedestrian zone.

Individuals prefer to buy groceries in the streets and markets near the sq., and you’ll positively cross by right here greater than as soon as throughout your time in Thessaloniki. Aristotelous Sq. is among the most well-known squares in all of Greece and probably the most well-known spots in the town. In the event you go to throughout Christmas or New Yr’s Eve it is a good spot to see how the locals have a good time.

Don’t overlook to take a fast photograph of the statue of Aristotle after whom the sq. was named. However, hold in thoughts that the sq. can be well-known for the truth that political protests often 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 significantly 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 Battle, nearly your entire Jewish inhabitants of Thessaloniki was deported to Auschwitz. At the moment, 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 at present, its influence on the historical past of Thessaloniki is gigantic.

The Jewish Museum on Agia Mina avenue is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and tickets are an inexpensive €5. In 2020 the Jewish Museum is scheduled to maneuver to an even bigger constructing, so it’s finest to examine their web site for the most recent information. In the event you’re questioning what to do in Thessaloniki that’s not on everybody’s listing, this museum is for you. 

5. See The Roman Agora (Considered one of The High Things To Do in Thessaloniki)

Top-of-the-line issues to see in Thessaloniki are 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 very best half is that it continues underground the place yow will discover out extra concerning the Roman Discussion board in its personal museum. When you’ve got any curiosity in archaeology in any respect, a go to to the museum is a should — particularly since one of many two Roman baths continues to be buried beneath the town. In the summertime, going underground could be a good spot to flee the warmth!

In any case, it’s definitely spectacular to see this historical sq. in the center of the trendy metropolis of Thessaloniki. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday between Eight am and three pm, and you will get in for €4.

6. Go to Agios Dimitrios Basilica

Thessaloniki’s principal church, Agios Dimitrios, is among the prime locations to go to in Thessaloniki. The basilica burned down nearly fully in the Nice Fireplace of Thessaloniki in 1917, however monumental reconstruction efforts returned the church to its splendour. Contained in the church, you possibly can 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 you 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 in the crypt underground.

And, due to Thessaloniki’s fascinating historical past, you possibly can even see the stays of a Roman bathhouse on which the church was constructed. This church presents an excellent overview of the town’s historical past. Images is allowed, and because it’s a church, entrance is free.

7. Take a Hike Via Thessaloniki’s Outdated City: Ano Poli (Higher City)

Probably 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 standard Balkan homes that date again to Ottoman occasions. A stroll in the picturesque Higher City is among the actions in Thessaloniki which can be free and may be carried out at any time of day.

This a part of Thessaloniki survived the 1917 fireplace and subsequently stored its conventional feel and appear. Plus, yow will discover outdated church buildings and towers right here and stays of the outdated Byzantine partitions. You may spend hours exploring this beautiful neighbourhood.

To many Greeks, Ano Poli is essentially the most genuine neighbourhood of Thessaloniki. It’s right here, that yow will discover conventional taverns enjoying rebetiko music, not for vacationers, however for the locals. Get pleasure from getting misplaced is the maze of streets in Thessaloniki’s oldest neighbourhood.

8. Examine Out The Eptapyrgio (Yedikule)

In the event 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 inside a part of the wall was constructed by the Byzantines however bought its identify (“Seven Towers”) when the primary Ottoman governor added extra towers.

The fortress itself is kind of spectacular to have a look at, however the view from right here is spectacular because it’s the best level in the town. Whereas the view from the White Tower can’t be overwhelmed, you get a distinct perspective from the Eptapyrgio — which is positioned on Thessaloniki’s historical Acropolis. 

What I discovered much more spectacular are the outdated jail corridors which join the place to Greek rebetiko music. “Yedikule” is among the most well-known rebetiko songs, and the protagonist is a prisoner in this well-known jail. The doorways and cells are a haunting reminder of what occurred right here in the 20th century.

9. See The Atatürk Home

For one thing rather less touristy, go to the start home of essentially the most well-known individual from Thessaloniki, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The constructing now homes the Common 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 continues 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 if you happen to’re not in Atatürk and his life, there’s another excuse to go to his start home — it’s a wonderful method to see one of many conventional homes in the Higher City from the within. It’s open day by day from 10 am to five pm, and entrance is free.

10. Go to The Rotunda (Considered one of The Foremost Things To Do in Thessaloniki)

Whenever 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 once a Roman temple, then a church, and later a mosque. Earthquakes have brought about critical harm to the constructing, however a few of 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 once Thessaloniki’s principal entrance gate, strolling by means of it is among the actions in Thessaloniki that can join you all the way in which again to Roman occasions.

The early Christian mosaics in the Rotunda are completely beautiful. Along with the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda is taken into account probably the most essential locations to go to in Thessaloniki. It’s open day by day between Eight am and 5 pm in the winter and till 7 pm in the summer time.

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 an area information are common in most main cities. Why pay for a tour when somebody will supply it totally free and also you solely tip the information based mostly on how good the tour was?! In fact, the identical is true for Thessaloniki.

Being a serious pupil metropolis, you possibly can positively discover a younger and dynamic information who will passionately let you know about their fascinating metropolis. It will definitely present the fitting steadiness between archaeological websites and the extra fashionable elements of life in Greece’s second-largest metropolis.

Free strolling excursions often final between two to a few hours and introduce you to the most important landmarks. That approach, you get some background details about issues you’ve got already seen or are planning to see later. There are a few firms you possibly can select from — FreeTour and GuruWalk each have good rankings.

12. Expertise Ladadika (Considered one of The Coolest Things To Do in Thessaloniki)

In the event you ask any Greek individual what to do in Thessaloniki they’ll definitely let you know to discover Ladadika. This charming neighbourhood near the port is filled with eating places and bars. As is commonly the case with these neighbourhoods, it used to have a foul repute however is now tremendous fashionable.

Ladadika has every little thing the traveller might hope for in an enormous European metropolis — cobblestone streets, vibrant outdated homes, and many conventional meals and music. In reality, the neighbourhood is so alive that many contemplate it the perfect celebration district in all of Greece. However, that doesn’t imply you gained’t get pleasure from a stroll by means of the world throughout the day as effectively.

The neighbourhood was named for the oil retailers that was once concentrated in the world. Throughout Ottoman occasions, the principle market was positioned right here as effectively. Just like the promenade and Aristotelous Sq., it’s a pedestrian-only zone which any customer to Greece will respect. This neighbourhood is among the prime locations to go to in Thessaloniki, don’t miss it.

13. Tour The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

As in many locations in Greece, one of many principal 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 in all probability want round two hours right here as there’s a lot to see in 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 Eight am to eight pm, and a ticket is €8, however you would possibly need to benefit from the museum cross 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 possibly can see all of the essential locations to go to in Thessaloniki.

14. See The Outdated Hamams (and Soak at The New Ones)

Thessaloniki has some Turkish baths 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 will be unable to expertise an genuine Turkish bathtub there. They’re now used as eating places and for cultural occasions.

Nonetheless, probably the most enjoyable actions in Thessaloniki could be to e-book a therapy on the new Hammam Baths as a spa expertise.

The Hamam is impressed by the standard Turkish baths and gives numerous providers. You may both go for a self-service go to or add on numerous massages or remedies. After you chill out in the steam room, you get to indulge in a glass of Turkish tea and some items of lokum (Turkish delight).

The self-service expertise prices €25 whereas the essential “Ali Mama” service prices €45. Be certain to e-book an appointment in advance to make sure availability. For pure thermal baths, take a day journey to beautiful Pozar and Edessa. Be taught 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 common locations to discover throughout the day, that is additionally a preferred nightlife space. With its repute as a pupil metropolis, one of many principal actions in Thessaloniki is unquestionably trying out its energetic pupil (celebration) scene.

There are numerous bars and cafés right here, that are cheaper than those in the Ladadika neighbourhood. In the event you’re in Thessaloniki in the summer time, you possibly can spend the entire night time outdoors. In the event 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 outdoors.

Don’t miss this space because it involves life at night time with musicians, artists, and college students having an incredible time. And as regular in such neighbourhoods, it’s also possible to discover the most affordable avenue meals right here.

Day Journeys From Thessaloniki

Whereas there are quite a few issues to see, do and eat in the town itself, there are just a few nice day journeys you possibly can take as effectively. 

• Meteora Monasteries: This awe-inspiring web site is UNESCO listed and is among the prime locations to go to in 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 be taught extra in our article: Meteora Monasteries: A Guide to Greece’s Legendary Panorama.
• Mount Olympus and Dion: Be taught concerning the tradition and historical past of the spectacular Mount Olympus, hike Enipeas gorge and luxuriate in lunch with a surprising view. Be taught extra about this common day journey right here.
• Pozar Thermal Baths and Edessa: Soak in pure thermal scorching springs, gaze on the tallest waterfall in 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 positive you’ll have a enjoyable and thrilling journey to Greece’s second-largest metropolis. You’re going to get to see quite a lot of historical past but additionally expertise the scholar nightlife that’s typical of Thessaloniki. And also you’ll be taught extra concerning the metropolis’s multicultural previous.

I like Thessaloniki as a result of it’s quieter than Athens, the individuals are friendlier, service is best, and it was much more relaxed. And due to the numerous college students, quite a lot of the issues to do in Thessaloniki are both free or fairly low cost. So ensure to benefit from all these items and e-book your journey to Thessaloniki now.

And if you happen to’re questioning the place to go subsequent, don’t fear, there are many choices. From Thessaloniki, you possibly can discover different components in the north of Greece, such because the beautiful Chalkidiki peninsula with its beautiful seashores. Or you possibly can journey additional north to discover different a few of the Balkan nations (if you happen to ask me my absolute favorite metropolis in the Balkans is Tirana).

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