What to do in Thessaloniki? Our top 10

Located 400 km north of Athens, Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. In fact, it has 325,000 inhabitants. It is a young city (there are many students), lively and also dynamic.

With its various museums, its old churches, its numerous paleochristian and Byzantine monuments listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, its plethora of trendy bars and its renowned gastronomy, Thessaloniki is a destination of choice for a few days’ getaway.

If you are wondering what to do in Thessaloniki, here is our selection.

1 – Climb to the top of the White Tower

Thanks to its privileged position on the waterfront, the White Tower is the symbol of the city and the most famous monument of Thessaloniki.

Over time, this tower was used as a fortification, but also as a prison and torture chamber, which earned it the nickname “bloody tower” or “red tower” during the Ottoman period.
When Thessaloniki became part of the new Greek state in 1912, the tower was whitewashed to wash away the misfortunes of the past and received its new name, the White Tower.

We advise you to climb to the top of this tower because from the top you have a 360 degree view of the city and the bay.

Inside you will also find a museum dedicated to the history of Thessaloniki and the tower.

2 – What to do in Thessaloniki? Walking along the seaside

The waterfront of Thessaloniki is a must. It is very pleasant to walk around, especially between the White Tower and the Makedonia Palace. The quays are animated: bicycles, carousels, street artists, green spaces…

Don’t miss the imposing statue of Alexander the Great, located along the promenade, not far from the White Tower, as well as the umbrella structure of the artist George Zongolopoulos.

And don’t hesitate to walk a little further north from the White Tower, to the old rehabilitated port.

3 – Stroll in the Ano Poli district

Ano Poli (which literally means “high city” in Greek) is one of the few neighborhoods that were spared by the great fire of 1917 that ravaged Thessaloniki.

This neighborhood is located north of the Church of Agios Dimitrios, on the highest point of the city. Here, time seems to have stopped. You can enjoy a peaceful and picturesque atmosphere far from the urban rhythm of the city center: steep streets, numerous Byzantine churches, half-timbered houses.

The main fortress of the city (Eptapyrgion) is located in Ano Poli, offering panoramic views of the city.

4 – Admire the churches of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the Greek city with the most Byzantine churches. You will be surprised by the location of these churches, which sometimes seems a bit incongruous, in the middle of modern buildings and busy streets. This is one of the characteristics of Thessaloniki: the harmonious cohabitation of the ancient and the modern.

Among all these churches, let’s mention the ones that deserve a visit:

• The church of Agios Dimitrios is a must see. It has had an eventful history: built in the 4th century A.D. and renovated several times due to fires, it was destroyed again in the great fire of 1917 and then rebuilt in the 1940s, this time using tombstones from the Jewish cemetery. The church was then rededicated in 1949. Some of the finds from the excavations are on display in the crypt.
• Agia Sofia (Saint Sophia): this church is one of the oldest churches in Greece. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the 8th century and its construction was clearly inspired by the impressive Hagia Sophia of Istanbul (or Constantinople as the Greeks say). Agia Sofia of Thessaloniki is imposing, decorated with wall paintings and mosaics dating from the 11th century.
• The Church of Osios David: also registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this church has beautiful mosaics and frescoes. The building was transformed into a mosque in the sixteenth century, before being reinstated as a Greek Orthodox church in 1921. The base of the minaret is still visible today.
• The Church of Saint Nicholas Orfanos
• The Monastery of Vlatadon: this 14th century Byzantine monastery located in Ano Poli is one of the oldest and most important Byzantine monuments in Thessaloniki. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5 – Dinner or a drink in the Ladadika district

Located near the port, Ladadika is a lively neighborhood, a mecca for Thessaloniki’s nightlife. It attracts many locals, students and tourists every night. Colorful buildings surround the bars, traditional taverns and discos in a very successful mix of old and new.

Named “ladalika” because during the Ottoman occupation, the neighborhood had many oil stores (“ladi” in Greek).

6 – Visit the museums of Thessaloniki

Among the many things to do in Thessaloniki, visiting the museums is also a must. Three museums are, in our opinion, not to be missed under any circumstances:

• The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki exhibits the findings of the Macedonian region which represent the Macedonian culture from the prehistoric years to the antiquity. It houses several exceptional pieces.
• The Museum of Byzantine Culture: opened in 1994, it is without a doubt one of the most interesting museums in Thessaloniki. Installed in a modern complex, this museum allows to better understand the Byzantine Empire and to imagine the daily life at that time.
• The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki: created to represent the important Jewish heritage of the city. This museum is located in a beautiful townhouse in the city center. Following the expulsion of the Jewish population from Spain in 1492, a significant part of the Spanish Sephardic Jewish population fled to Thessaloniki. Much later, during the Second World War, the Jewish community of Thessaloniki was almost completely annihilated. A painful episode of history that has marked the collective memory of the city.

Other highlights include:

• The museum of the Olympic Games: a unique museum in Greece. It presents the history and heritage of the sport.
• The Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses approximately 2,000 works of art by Greek and foreign artists
• The museum of photography located in a former warehouse of the port

7 – See the Bey Hamam

During the period of the Turkish occupation, many Turkish baths were built in Thessaloniki.

Built by Murat II in 1444 after the Ottoman invasion, the Bey Hamam (which means “baths of paradise“), is the largest hammam ever built on Greek territory, with a rich decoration, many rooms and beautiful paintings.

The Bay Hamam offers a glimpse into Ottoman heritage, with baths being an integral part of daily life at the time.

Unfortunately, the site is only open on request. Tel: +302313310400

8 – Admire the imposing Roman rotunda

Here again, the present and the past coexist harmoniously. Just a few steps from the busy Via Egnatia, you can see the Arch, the Rotunda and the Palace of Galerius. These three Roman monuments date back to the 4th century, during the reign of Emperor Galerius..

The Rotunda of Galerius is an imposing structure of 30 meters high which was originally intended to house the remains of Galerius (he was finally buried in Serbia). In the course of history, the rotunda then became the first church of Thessaloniki before being transformed into a mosque.

9 – Discover the belly of Thessaloniki at the Kapani market

Located in the center of the city, the Kapani market (open in the morning until 15:00) is a lively and popular place. You can find on the stalls fish and seafood, all kinds of meats, olives, fruits and vegetables.

Opposite, in the Modiano passage, you will find many taverns.

10 – Discover the surroundings of Thessaloniki

While there are many things to do in Thessaloniki itself, there are also several sites of interest in the area.

• The main one is of course Vergina, a very impressive place not to be missed (70km west of Thessaloniki), where the majestic tombs of the father and son of Alexander the Great are located. You can go to Vergina by renting a car from Thessaloniki or on an organized day trip.
• Let’s also mention Pella, the former capital of Alexander the Great. The site is much less majestic than Vergina but will interest history lovers.
• You can also relax by the sea. The beaches in the vicinity of Thessaloniki are indeed known to be among the most beautiful beaches in mainland Greece. Especially in Chalkidiki, a region located about 70 km from Thessaloniki. Here again, you can choose to rent a car. Or opt for a day trip departing from Thessaloniki and cruising in the azure blue waters with stops on golden sandy beaches.
• Finally, you can opt for an organized day trip to discover the fabulous site of Meteora !

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We wish you an excellent stay in Thessaloniki.

To learn more about Thessaloniki, see also our articles :

• Our good addresses in Thessaloniki: restaurants, hotels… we share all our favorites
• Practical information on how and when to go to Thessaloniki, how long to stay, how to get around, etc.

Finally, if you are looking for a hotel or apartment in Thessaloniki, we advise you to visit the Booking website to make your choice.

Laure M.