Thessaloniki Sights: 11 highlights and tips

The city of Thessaloniki is characterised by a sprawling network of houses that extend from the shoreline up to the Acropolis Hill. The port city on the Thermaic Gulf is the second largest metropolis in the country after Athens with 325,000 inhabitants, and yet it stands in complete contrast to its famous capital.

»Thessaloniki surprises every visitor who is willing to get involved in this lively city.«

The locals affectionately refer to their city as a large village, despite it being the capital of Macedonia. This is where the heart of the tradition-conscious and proud region of Northern Greece beats. If you expect a dreamy town with an old town like Athens, this is the wrong place. You have to get involved with Thessaloniki.

The sea of concrete houses right by the sea seems almost bizarre. Historical treasures are hidden in the alleys, most of which you come across by chance. The Greek student city of Thessaloniki also knows how to convince culinarily, because 100,000 students want to be catered for. On every corner you will find cafés, quaint taverns and restaurants.

We will take you on a city tour through this crazy Greek metropolis and tell you our 11 Thessaloniki Highlights:

#1 Heptapyrgion: Sunrise over the rooftops of the city

A tour of the compact centre of Thessaloniki reveals the diversity of this northern Greek city. Relics from past eras are hidden between modern concrete buildings. Above all, the cobblestone alleys of the upper town are reminiscent of times long past.

The wide boulevards of Thessaloniki, which run directly alongside the sea, give you the feeling of being in noble Paris. Here you can stroll as you please and have your credit card swiped over the counter in countless shops.

The best way to explore Thessaloniki is “from top to bottom”. When the first rays of sunshine of the day settle over the city, you can enjoy the views of the city from the Heptapyrgion – the old city castle on the top.

The massive Fortress of Thessaloniki was built on a medieval citadel from the 9th century during Byzantine times, and has been used primarily for military purposes ever since. From 1895 to 1989, the Heptapyrgion was converted into a prison, where executions were also carried out.

Since 1990, the castle has been used for cultural purposes. If you want to save yourself the sweaty climb up to Heptapyrgion, you can also take a taxi from the city center for about €5 or bus line 23 from Eleftherias Square. More information about the facility can be found at: InThessaloniki

• Opening hours Heptapyrgion: Wed – Mon, 8 am – 3 pm, Admission: 10 €

The lovable Salonika Dimitra runs the small café Aithrio at Yedi Kyle, not far from the Heptapyrgion. In a cozy atmosphere you can linger here for a coffee or snack. Dimitra loves her “Saloniki” more than anything. She is happy about every interested visitor and has some great tips ready!

#2 Vlatades Monastery: Salonika’s Place of Silence

The Vlatades Monastery, a place of silence, is just a 10-minute walk south of the Heptapyrgion. Far away from the hectic city center, you can enjoy a fabulous view over the metropolis down to the sea from the only preserved Byzantine monastery in the city of Thessaloniki.

The complex was founded in the 14th century and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The idyllic monastery courtyard with its cypresses invites you to walk and linger. If open, it is also worth taking a look at the main church (Katholikon) with its magnificent iconostasis.

#3 Trigonion Tower and Church of St. Paul the Apostle

From the Vlatades Monastery we walk along the old city wall to the Trigonion Tower in the east.  The Defensive Tower is one of seven surviving towers in the city of Thessaloniki, of which the White Tower on the waterfront is probably the most famous.

The Trigonion Tower also offers a fantastic view of Thessaloniki and is also a popular meeting place for an evening sundowner. Unfortunately, the tower was closed during our visit in winter, and in summer it was only open sporadically during the day.

From here, our city tour goes about 7 minutes walk south in the direction of the Church of the Apostle Paul. The huge church is hard to miss and the interior of the church is decorated with beautiful murals. From here, too, there is a magnificent view of the city.

Before we explore the upper old town extensively, we can visit the Pasha Gardens (Gardens of Ali Pasha). The small park is not particularly spectacular, but at least offers a shady spot on hot days.

In the middle of the Pasha Gardens is a kind of bizarre monument, which was probably created in Ottoman times. The architect of this mystical building is still unknown today. The ruins give vague assumptions that it must have been some kind of temple or meeting place.

#4 Ano Poli: Stroll through the Upper Town

After our visit to the garden, we pass the street Elenis Zografou at the hospital of Thessaloniki and look for a small passage along the old town wall into the heart of the Ano Poli (Greek: upper old town).

A walk through the upper town is like a journey through time. The narrow cobbled streets quickly make you forget that you are in the middle of a hectic city. The village flair contributes to deceleration.

Typical of the Ano Poli are the bourgeois houses from the Ottoman period with their bay windows, which are supported by a wooden construction. They have been extensively restored in recent years and offer beautiful photo opportunities.

Our favorite place in Ano Poli was the church of Agios Nikolaos Orphanos. The church’s beautifully green forecourt is the perfect place to rest your legs and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Sitting under olive trees, you listen to birdsong and sniff a touch of island idyll. The interior of the church is also worth a visit thanks to its well-preserved frescoes from the 14th century. Admission is free, a small donation to maintain the facility is welcome.

• Opening hours Ag. Nikolaos Church: Wed – Mon 8:30 am – 3:15 pm

#5 Roman traces in Thessaloniki

From the upper town of Ano Poli, our tour continues southwest, always towards the sea. Thessaloniki has numerous relics from Roman times, which will amaze even many a history grouch.

Rotunda of Galerius

About a 10-minute walk from Ano Poli we come to a large rotunda. The exterior of the Rotunda of Galerius may appear somewhat unspectacular, but the interior is all the more impressive.

Looking into the dome, you will discover one of the oldest wall mosaics from Christian times, which sparkle beautifully with its gold. The Rotunda was built around 306 AD as a mausoleum, but was later converted into the Church of Agios Georgios. This makes it probably the oldest church in the world.

Under Ottoman occupation, the building was used as a mosque. The only surviving minaret in the city still stands right next to the rotunda. Today, changing exhibitions take place in the rotunda of the Galerius.

• Opening hours Rotunda of Thessaloniki: Wed – Mon 8 am – 7 pm (winter 8 am – 5 pm), 10 €

The cute café provides caffeine supplies La nina Frida (i mikri Frida) about 6 minutes from the rotunda. In a hip vintage ambience, there is delicious coffee, sweet pieces and cool drinks.

Arch of Galerius of Salonika

The Arch of Galerius is located directly below the rotunda on Egnatia Street. The huge triumphal arch also dates back to Roman times and was built around 303 AD on the occasion of the victory of Emperor Galerius over the Persians. Of the once four marble pillars, only two remain, which show reliefs of campaigns and battles.

Roman Agora (Roman Forum)

If you want to delve even deeper into the history of the city, then a visit to the Roman Agora of Thessaloniki is recommended. The excavation site is located in the city center in the middle of modern concrete buildings.

In the first centuries after Christ, the Agora was the centre of public life, as well as a market and meeting place. This historical site of Thessaloniki was rediscovered by chance around 1966 during construction work.

Today, the remains of a small theatre (the Odeon), a vaulted passage (the cryptoporticus) and the Roman baths can still be seen. An underground museum provides information about the individual components of the complex and the ongoing excavations.

• Opening hours Roman Agora: Wed – Sun 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., admission 3 €

#6 Weekly Markets of Thessaloniki

Our tour continues through Eleftherias Square to the wide boulevards and weekly markets of Thessaloniki. The latter are not for the faint-hearted, but the Modiano and Kapani markets are authentic and rustic.

A wide variety of smells flow from everywhere, market criers loudly advertise their goods. In addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish are offered in abundance.

In front of the stalls hang whole or half pigs, goat heads and other spicy components of animals. A large part of the two weekly markets is covered, and in the outdoor area there are stalls for clothing, flowers and delicatessen.

• Opening hours weekly markets Thessaloniki: daily from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

#7 Strolling on Aristoteles Platz

Follow the long promenade down to the sea and you will reach Aristotle’s Square. It is the heart of the waterfront and a bit of Parisian flair inevitably comes up with the majestic buildings. It is therefore not surprising that the architect who took over the new urban planning after the Great Fire of Thessaloniki around 1917 was a Frenchman.

The focus is on Electra Palace Hotel (Watch on Booking.com*), one of the semicircular buildings that nestle around the square. If you have a little more money, you can enjoy a royal night here. Or you can enjoy a coffee or a lunch snack on the hotel’s beautiful rooftop terrace, which is also open to non-guests.

Shopping in Thessaloniki

For an extended shopping spree, turn onto Tsimiski Street in front of Aristotelous Square. Here you will find, among other things, countless clothing and shoe stores of well-known brands. In addition to international stores such as Zara and H&M, there are also many local stores with Greek brands and designers.

Afterwards, why not relax in the elegant Olympion Café and enjoy a short break? Alternatively, the Orizontes Roof Garden, located opposite, is well worth a visit, offering fantastic sea views.

#8 Ladadika: Trendy district of Thessaloniki

The former district of the olive merchants is one of the most beautiful corners of Thessaloniki. A large part of the historic buildings of Ladadika have been preserved, and the area has been a protected site since 1985.

The cobbled streets with their colorful houses are a real eye-catcher and give an insight into what Thessaloniki must have once looked like. Until the late 1970s, this area was an abandoned ghost district, until the first restaurants reappeared.

Today, the pedestrian street of Ladadika is the evening meeting place for young and old with countless restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs where people party until the early hours of the morning.

Ladadika is the epitome of nightlife in Thessaloniki, so be sure to plan a detour here! Some restaurants are also open during the day for a lunch snack. Simple but very good Greek food is available, for e.g. in Full tou Meze.

Imaginative, creative dishes at a great price-performance ratio are available at the Extravaganza north of Ladadika. Here you can expect unique flavors and a relaxed atmosphere.

#9 White Tower on the Waterfront

From Ladadika, head southeast along the waterfront. Even from afar, the landmark of Thessaloniki comes into view. With a height of about 33 m, the White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos) is the most famous defensive tower in the city.

It was expanded to its present form in the 15th century and its interior tells a rather dark chapter of the city. Once intended as a defensive structure, it was primarily used as a prison and torture facility during the Ottoman occupation. Sultan Mahmud II had numerous prisoners of war executed here around 1826. As a result, the building was given the name “Blood Tower”.

After Thessaloniki and nearly whole Greece was liberated from the Ottomans around 1912, the tower was whitewashed. Thus, the White Tower of Thessaloniki retains its name, even though almost none of the white façade remains.

The White Tower houses a museum with an interesting exhibition about the history of the city of Thessaloniki. Audio guides are also available in German for the individual themed rooms, which are connected by spiral staircases. From the tower’s observation deck, you can enjoy a magnificent all-round view of the city and the Thermaic Gulf.

• Opening hours White Tower Thessaloniki: Tue – Sun from 8:30 am – 5 pm (winter until 3:30 pm), admission 4 €

#10 Zongolopoulos: Umbrellas of Thessaloniki

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful places to end your evening in Thessaloniki, look no further than the Umbrella sculpture by Zongolopoulos along the southern waterfront.

The artwork called Umbrellas of Thessaloniki, was created in 1997 by Georgios Zongolopoulos and has since become a popular meeting place and one of the most photographed motifs in the city. Especially at sunset, the umbrellas create a beautiful contrast with the sky.

A few meters further on, the tallest statue of Greece is enthroned. Alexander the Great, the former king of Macedon, is depicted here riding his horse, Bucephalus. This monument is also a beautiful photo spot, especially in the evening.

#11 Great Churches of Thessaloniki

As a fan of Orthodox church buildings, you can probably plan several days to explore the countless places of worship of Thessaloniki. Most of the churches date back to early Christian and Byzantine times and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

Hagios Demetrios Basilica

Not far from the Roman Agora stands the Hagios Demetrios (Agios Dimitrios), which is one of the most important churches in the city. The five-aisled basilica is dedicated to St. Demetrios, the patron saint of the city.

Its origin dates back to the 4th century AD, during which the church was rebuilt several times, expanded and rebuilt after the great fire of 1917. Particularly impressive are the walk-in reliquary of Saint Demetrius and the iconostasis with its beautiful wall paintings in the altar area.

Church of Hagia Sophia

Another eye-catcher in the middle of concrete architecture is the Church of Hagia Sophia (Agia Sofia). The three-aisled basilica is dedicated to Holy Wisdom and is one of the main churches of Thessaloniki.

It is located not far from the Arch of Galerius and was built in the 7th century on the foundations of an older church. In addition to elaborate wall paintings, its interior also features a magnificent golden dome mosaic from the 9th century.

More Thessaloniki travel tips

Guided tours in Thessaloniki

Here are some popular activities and tours in Thessaloniki. Saloniki is also an excellent starting point to explore northern Greece, like the Meteora Monasteries or to the thermal springs of Loutra Pozar. Click on the links from GetYourGuide* to learn more about the tours:

➲ To the Sun-Downer Experience on the OTE Tower*

➲ To the organized Loutra Pozar tour*

➲ To the guided Meteora tour*

Hotel tips for Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki offers numerous accommodation options for all budgets. From the simple hostel for backpackers to the luxurious penthouse suite, everything is there. If you are looking for peace and quiet, you should pay attention to the location, because the city is compact, but busy with traffic. Only a few districts are purely pedestrian zones. The quietest place to sleep is in the old town of Ano Poli.

Below are three recommendations for hotels in Thessaloniki with top ratings on Booking.com*:

• Luxury: Antigon Urban Chic Hotel*
• Standard: Blue Bottle Boutique Hotel*
• Budget: Crossroads Hostel*

→ About Booking.com* you will find many places to stay in Thessaloniki and you can check prices here:

Our recommended accommodation in Thessaloniki

View and the city, Ano Poli

Newly renovated and very tastefully furnished city apartment in the old town. Super equipped kitchen, very tasteful living room and modern bathroom. Large terrace with a view over the sea of houses to the Thermaic Gulf. You can find out more about the accommodation on Booking.com*:

➲ To book View and the city*

Tips for Cafés & Restaurants in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a true paradise for gourmets and gourmets. The best thing about it: The prices in the city’s restaurants are unbeatable. The competition is too great, so the restaurateurs have to offer their guests something. Throughout the city you will find cafes, bars and taverns. Here is a small selection of restaurants in Thessaloniki:

• Drosia
• Ouzeri Lola
• Valenio Café
• …

Want more restaurant tips for Thessaloniki?

→ In our Google map you will find all recommended cafes and taverns in Thessaloniki: To the Thessaloniki Map

Getting around Thessaloniki

The compact city center of Thessaloniki is wonderful to explore on foot. It’s best to always start above the city and then walk down towards the sea, so exploring won’t be quite as sweaty.

Explore Thessaloniki by bus

Particularly popular with tourists is the cultural bus line 50, which starts at the White Tower. The Thessaloniki on the Go! -Sightseeing Line stops at 16 locations across the city, providing easy access to numerous highlights and attractions.

One Thessaloniki bus ticket for line 50 costs around €2 and is valid for 24 hours. Buses run every hour between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in summer and every hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. in winter. More information at: Cultural Route

The general public transport in Thessaloniki was not a real alternative for us. The public buses in the city area are usually hopelessly overcrowded. From the airport, you can take bus line 01X to the city center. Here, too, we somehow squeezed in between crowds of people.

→ More information about Thessaloniki’s buses can be found on the website of the transport association: OASTH Thessaloniki

Another alternative to a city tour are the red Hop-On Hop-Off Thessaloniki Buses. They stop at eight stations in the lower part of the city and offer audio guides in different languages. The starting point of the buses is at the White Tower, tickets are available from 16 € p.p., travel times and details can be found here: Thessaloniki Bus Tour

Metro of Thessaloniki

Since November 30, 2024, Thessaloniki has been the second city in Greece to have a metro. The modern transport system covers a distance of 9.6 kilometres and 13 stations, including important stops such as the Central Station, Agia Sofia and Nea Elvetia. The operation of the metro is fully automated with driverless trains running every 2 to 5 minutes. A day ticket is available for €2.50. More information on the official website: Thess Metro

Taxis in Thessaloniki

The Taxis of Thessaloniki are blue and you can find them on almost every corner. We were surprised by how cheap the prices in the city traffic were. From the city center to the train station we paid 4 €, from the center up to the Heptapyrgion about 5 €. The distance to the airport is correspondingly more expensive.

Train station of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki has the only marshalling yard in Greece as the most important railway junction in the country. From here, for example, trains of the train company OSE depart daily, including to Athens. The Thessaloniki Train Station connects Greece with Central and Eastern Europe.

You shouldn’t expect much from the station building itself. There are a few simple bistros and cafes for a quick snack. The toilets are not usable and the scoreboards do not work. We therefore asked for our track directly at the counter. Delays must also be expected at any time.

How to get to Thessaloniki

From Northern Europe, there are direct flights from numerous airports to Thessaloniki all year round. For example, from Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Basel or Vienna. The flight time is approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes. From Thessaloniki Airport, also known as Makedonia Airport (SKG), you can get to the city centre by taxi or bus (Line 01X). You can find the best flight deals on the search portal Skyscanner*:

➲ To cheap flights*

The shortest journey by car is via the Czech Republic or Austria, Hungary, Serbia and North Macedonia (approx. 1,900 km from Berlin). Plan at least two days of arrival by land.

By bus to Thessaloniki

Alternatively, a longer journey by bus is also possible. Various bus companies offer long-distance buses from Germany (e.g. Berlin) via Skopje (Northern Macedonia) or Sofia to Thessaloniki. From Prague, a long-distance bus runs directly to Thessaloniki once a week (Simeonidis Tours).

→ Even more travel tips for Macedonia and other Greek regions can be found here: Mainland Greece

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