ATHENS | Most visitors to Greece tend to stick to Athens and the Greek Islands. These are great places to visit and explore, but for a Greek holiday that offers something different, the city’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, is worth checking out.
Located in the country’s North, Thessaloniki is a student town known for its history, vibrant nightlife, art and culture scene, food. There are plenty of things to do in Thessaloniki, and my Thessaloniki City Guide will help you make the most of your time there.
Founded in 315 BC, the city was once one of the most important cities in the world, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It’s been part of Roman/Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire, and the site of many regional structures. All of this history is apparent as you walk through the city. with a diversity of architecture, and historic sites.
Below, you’ll find a list of the best things to do in Thessaloniki. If it’s a short, city trip, or a nature focused break, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Thessaloniki.
Discover Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece was one of the most influential civilisations in human history. The birthplace of democracy, and ground-breaking developments in areas like philosophy, science, the arts, and sports, Ancient Greece’s is considered to be the cradle of Western civilisation. Its influence on later powers, like the Roman Empire, and today’s nation-states, can be seen everywhere.
Many of that era’s grandest structures were built in Athens, and a lot of them are still standing today. There’s famous spots like the iconic Acropolis of Athens & Parthenon, and lesser known gems to be found all over the city. Check out my article, Discovering Ancient Greece in Athens, for a list of my top Ancient Greek sites to visit in Athens.
Enjoy Greece’s Wonderful Cuisine
Greek cuisine is one that’s been shaped by the country’s history and strategic geographical importance over thousands of years. Similar to neighbouring Mediterranean countries, Greek cuisine is one that’s centred around brilliant fresh produce, olive oil, grains, and vegetables.
You’ll find dishes that trace their history back to the Ancient Greek and Roman Empires, as well as foods that showcase the interplay with Asian, Turkish, Balkan, and Italian cuisine. Given Athens’ oceanside locale, it’s no surprise that seafood is a key part of the Athenian diet. You’ll enjoy some of the freshest, best seafood you’ve ever eaten in Athens.
In recent years, Athens has experience somewhat of a renaissance. This has resulted in a city that has a food a drink scene that mixes traditional and modern, new and old. You can enjoy souvlaki and places that have been operating for over 100 years, and contemporary dishes at places which are redefining what Greek food can be.
For some tips on restaurants, cafes, bars, and other places to enjoy traditional and modern Greek food in Athens, take a look at my Athens Food Guide: Where To Eat.
Experience The City’s Diverse Neighbourhoods
Athens a city that many people use as a base before heading out to the Greek islands. If you stay super central, you can certainly get a flavour for what the city has to offer, and hit up most of the main sites. You will, however, miss out on much of what makes Athens such a fascination place to visit, if you don’t check out some of its neighbourhoods.
Athens is, in many ways, a city of diverse neighbourhoods. Each one is unique, and will reveal a different side of the city to you. With only 48 hours in Athens, you might be tempted to stick to neighbourhoods like Plaka (very touristy, but fun), historic Monastiraki, and trendy Psiri. These are all great neighbourhoods to visit, don’t get me wrong, but I’d recommend dedicating a few hours, at least, to a neighbourhood or two that are slightly further out.
One of my favourite neighbourhoods is Koukaki. It’s a trendy neighbourhood that’s become more popular with visitors in recent years, but still has a more chill, local’s vibe to it. You’ll find plenty of great bars and eateries, along with independent boutiques selling an assortment of goods.
If you’re into politics and counterculture, pay Exarchia a visit. For late night bars and clubbing, the formerly industrial Gazi is the place to be. If it’s something a bit more low-key, with interesting bars, cafes, and shops opened by young Athenian’s attracted by the area’s affordable rents, Kypseli is the neighbourhood for you. Meanwhile, fans of art galleries and up-and-coming artists should head to Neos Kosmos.
Go To A Museum
Athens is home to several museums that focus on different aspects of the city’s ancient, and more recent, past. It’s also a city where you’ll find contemporary museums that exemplifies the Athens’ exciting present. Popular museums include the The Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the National Gallery (Alexandros Soutsos Museum). All of them are worth a visit, but here are a few that are often overlooked by visitors to Athens.
The Benaki Museum of Greek Culture is home to an impressive collection of artefacts from prehistoric times all the way through to Greece’s neo-Hellenic period. The exhibit on how modern-day Greece was shaped in the period from the Greek War of Independence to World War II, is particularly good.
For contemporary art, the National Museum of Contemporary Art Αthens (ΕΜΣΤ) is a must visit. It’s housed in the old FIX Brewery and features photography, paintings, installations, and more. There’s a permanent collection, as well as rotating exhibitions.
The Museum of Cycladic Art deals with the Bronze Age Cycladic Civilization, and features the world’s largest collection of Cycladic marble figurines (over 3,000 at last count). The Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, meanwhile, is focused on ancient Greek technology and other cultural achievements of ancient Greece.
Head To The Waterfront
Once a separate city to Athens, the port city of Piraeus is now part of the greater Athens metropolitan area. Only a short metro or taxi ride from the heart of Athens, most don’t venture beyond ferry terminal, enroute to or from the Greek islands. Take the time to explore the area, and you’ll discover a place that has a vibe that’s distinct from the rest of the city.
Piraeus has a gritty, working class vibe, fitting of its dockside heritage. It’s home to a wonderful seafood market and seafood restaurants, and plenty of bars and cafes. There’s museums and galleries, unique port architecture, and plenty of spots offering great views of the seaside.
Listen To Greek Music
Greece has a rich musical history. From traditional folk music, to the blues-like rebetiko, and modern styles like EDM and hip-hop, there’s a wealth of music to discover. There are plenty of live music venues, bars and restaurants with live music, and festivals where you can experience Greek music. Your best best is to check out local guides to find something that you’ll like – there’s a lot going on all of the time.
If you are into vinyl records and CDs, you’ll be pleased to know that Athens is home to a great mix of record stores. From old spots that have stood the test of time, to newer record stores that spotlight certain genres, and newer artists, you’re sure to find something that you’ll enjoy listening to.
At last count, there were around 35 independent record stores in Athens. Check out my list of Best Records Stores In Athens for a curated selection of the best.
Seek Out Street Art
Athens is one of the street art capitals of the world. Walk through the centre of town, and the many local neighbourhoods that extend beyond the city, and you’ll find a wealth of colourful creations.
Street art in Athens is varied in scope, and has strong ties to the local community and the people of the city. There are large murals painted by local and international artists, commissioned by the government, creative agencies and organisations. There’s also smaller scale murals, painted guerrilla-style across the city, and lots of tagging.
Check out my Athens Street Art Guide for pictures, and a detailed neighbourhood guide to help you find the city’s best street art.
Sip On Greek Wine
Greece is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world, with evidence suggesting wine production as far back as 6,500 years ago. The country is home to over 200 grape varieties, with varied growing regions across the country. From the affordable and drinkable retsina and house wines you find at traditional restaurants, through to seriously world-class local drops, you won’t go thirsty in Athens.
A few of my favourite places to enjoy excellent Greek wine in Athens are Fellos, which offers a rotating selection of 40 local wines (10 available by the glass), Heteroclito, which offers over 200 Greek wines (around 20 available by the glass), and Pharaoh. The latter is a wine bar and restaurant with around 400 bottles of excellent wine from around the world, with a particular focus on independent and interesting Greek producers.
Special mention must go to Line. It’s regarded by many as one of the best bars in the world, and is famous for its complex, wine-adjacent concoctions called “why-ins”. These are made using seasonal fruits grown by small Greek producers, and fermented on site.
Visit A Fresh Produce Market
Greece is known for its fertile soil and brilliant produce. One of the best places to try this produce and its freshest and best is at a local market.
The largest and most famous of these markets is Varvakeios. Located in the heart of town, it’s the city’s main municipal market. Operating since 1898, you’ll find a kreatagorá (meat market), psaragorá (fish market) and a lachanagorá (fruit and vegetable market). There’s also loads of vendors selling local products like nuts, olive oil, dried figs, dairy, and more. You’ll also find multiple tavernas and food and drink spots dotted around.
Also, don’t be afraid to purchase fresh fruit and veg from any of the street vendors that you see dotted around the city. Let your eyes guide you – the produce tends to be high quality, farm-fresh, and affordable. On such place is the farmer’s market that takes place every Friday on the streets of the neighbourhood of Kolonaki.
For a premium, modern-style experience check out the ground floor of ERGON House. It’s home to a greengrocer, butcher, fishmonger, roastery, deli, and a home and kitchenware section. It’s filled with some of the best quality produce and artisan foodstuff in Greece. The rest of the food offerings, and even the hotel above, are also brilliant.