Greece

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Thessaloniki

Greece's second city, layered in history

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Thessaloniki Plan a trip around Greece

Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Currency: EUR
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: Greece

Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0

Thessaloniki is Greece's second-largest city, a port on the Thermaic Gulf with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, a long waterfront and a lively food and nightlife scene. People come for the UNESCO Byzantine churches, the Upper Town's old streets and the easy day trips to beaches and ancient sites.

Largest cities

Athens
Thessaloniki
Patras
Heraklion
Larissa

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Greece
Capital: Athens
Metro population: 309,617
Population of Greece: 10.5M
Country area: 131,957 km²
Official language
Currency: Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8926 EUR
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +30
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 15 m
Plugs: C / F · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 166 · 100 · 199
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	11°	13°	15°	19°	24°	31°	34°	33°	27°	22°	17°	13°
Low	4°	4°	6°	10°	15°	20°	23°	22°	18°	13°	9°	5°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$50
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$105
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$235

Plan a trip to Thessaloniki

Top things to do

Free
Aristotelous Square and Promenade
The city's main square opens onto the waterfront promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants; walk it at sunset and continue uphill to the Roman Forum.
- Half day
- City Centre (Aristotelous Square and waterfront)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $5
White Tower
The city's landmark Ottoman-era tower has a small museum and a rooftop view over the gulf; go early to avoid the midday heat and queues.
- Half day
- City Centre (Aristotelous Square and waterfront)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $8
Arch of Galerius and Rotunda
Roman imperial remains stand side by side on Egnatia street, with the Rotunda's mosaics inside; the two are a short walk apart and easy to combine.
- Half day
- City Centre (Aristotelous Square and waterfront)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Ano Poli and Byzantine Walls
The Upper City survived the 1917 fire, so you walk stone-paved lanes past Ottoman houses up to the Byzantine walls and the Heptapyrgion fort for city views.
- Half day
- Ano Poli (Upper City)
- Good for kids
Free
Hagios Demetrios
The city's patron saint's fifth-century basilica is a UNESCO site with a crypt; it is an active church, so dress modestly and check opening hours around services.
- Half day
- City Centre (Aristotelous Square and waterfront)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Ladadika Quarter
A former oil-trading district of low old buildings now full of tavernas and bars; come after 21:00 for dinner and live music, and book ahead on weekends.
- Half day
- Ladadika
- Good in the evening
Free
Nea Paralia Waterfront
The rebuilt seafront park runs east past gardens and the concert hall, ideal for an evening walk or bike ride with views back to the city and Mount Olympus on clear days.
- Half day
- Eastern Waterfront (Megaro Mousikis and Kalamaria shore)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $20
Day Trip to Pella and Vergina
Visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great at Pella and the royal tombs and treasures at Vergina, both about an hour west by car or organised tour; a half-day is not enough for both.
- Full day
- City Centre (Aristotelous Square and waterfront)
- Good for kids
- Indoors

Before you go

Entry and visas

Greece is in the Schengen area, so many visitors from the Gulf, India, Spain and Latin America can enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa applied for in advance; check your nationality's rules before booking. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced, and travellers may need to register fingerprints and a photo at the border, with no fee. Always confirm current requirements with the Greek embassy or consulate and the official EU travel site.

Official website

From the airport

Thessaloniki International Airport "Macedonia" (SKG) is 15 km south of the centre; a taxi into town takes about 25–30 minutes, and buses 01X/02X run to the centre and the train station in roughly 40 minutes.

Getting around

The centre is walkable and buses cover the rest of the city; taxis are cheap and plentiful, and the new metro line connects the centre with the eastern suburbs.

Local tips

Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) when visiting churches and monasteries, which are active places of worship.
Carry some cash for small tavernas, kiosks and taxis; cards are widely accepted but not everywhere.
Siestas are real: many shops close in the afternoon, and dinner starts late, often after 21:00.
Summer afternoons are hot and humid; plan sightseeing for the morning and keep the waterfront for the evening.