THESSALONIKI | 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.
Admire A Church
Thessaloniki is home to many churches, several of which date back to the Byzantine era and are UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites. Walk through any of them, and you’ll get a sense of just how old this city is, and its important place in history. Here’s three of the main ones that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Thessaloniki.
The Church of Agia Sofia (Holy Wisdom) was built in the 3rd century AD, and the current structure dates back to the 7th century AD. Modelled off Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia, the church is a Byzantine marvel. It was the central cathedral of the city from 1205 until 1430, when the Ottomans converted it into a Mosque. In 1912, it once again became a church, and today, many of its frescoes, icons, and mosaics have been painstakingly restored.
For a good example of a late Byzantine era church, check out the Church of Agios Panteleimon. The building dates back to the late 13th century AD, but was unfortunately significantly damaged in the city’s 1978 earthquakes. Thankfully, restoration work has meant that the church is able to be visited. You can also see the base of the minaret that dates back to when the church was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman era.
Another church worth visiting is the Church of Agios Dimitrios (Saint Demetrius). It’s a relatively modern church, built in 1948 in the style of its predecessor which was destroyed in the city’s great fire of 1918. The first church on this site was built in 418 AD, and some frescoes from the 7th and 8th century AD remain.
Discover 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, and Northern Greece is one of the country’s main wine growing regions.
Several excellent wineries are able to be toured just a short drive from Thessaloniki, and there are plenty of wine bars, restaurants, and cafes that showcase the best of the region. Xinomavro is the predominant grape variety of the region, and is a wonderful wine, similar to Nebbiolo.
One of my favourite producers in the region is Thymiopoulos. Their Young Vine Xinomavro is a great introduction to Greek wine. A few great spots for Greek wine in the city are Father Coffee & Vinyl, Monmarti Wine Bar, and Chilai Wine Bar.
Drive To Some Of Greece’s Most Important Classical Buildings
Located about an hour’s drive east of Thessaloniki, is the town of Vergina. It’s the site of what was once called Aegai (Aegae), the original capital of ancient Macedonia. It’s home two of Greece’s most significant classical buildings – the Tomb of Phillip II, and the Palace of Aegai. You can find out more about the area, and the individual sites, in my article, The Historic Archaeological Site of Aigai (Vergina).
There’s also a few wineries out here, many of which can be visited, along with the historic sites, but organising a guided tour, or a private driver.
Enjoy The Region’s Delicious Cuisine
Thessaloniki’s role as one of the crossroads of civilization is reflected in its cuisine. The food of the region has influences that can be traced back to its time as part of the Ancient Greece and Roman Empire, and the long period that it was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Greek, Turkish, Sephardic Jewish, and wider Balkan influences, amongst others, have all had a part to play in making the cuisine of Thessaloniki what it is today. The result is a wonderful cuisine that shares much with its neighbours, but is unique in its own right.
To find out more about the regional delicacies that you can enjoy in Thessaloniki, check out my article, What To Eat In Northern Greece. For some tips on restaurants, cafes, bars, and other places to enjoy Northern Greek food, take a look at my Thessaloniki Food Guide: Where To Eat.
Experience The City’s Ancient Roman/Byzantine History
Thessaloniki was the second largest and wealthiest city in the Byzantine Empire from the late 400s AD, through to the city’s transfer to Venetian control in 1423. It was an important strategic, large, and diverse city, and many of the era’s structures remain to this day.
There’s the churches discussed earlier in this article, as well as remnants of the ancient city walls, monasteries, baths, and other structures and ruins.
The Rotunda was built by Roman Emperor Galerius around 306 AD. It was meant to be the emperor’s mausoleum, but instead became a Christian church. It was converted by the Ottomans into a mosque, then back to a church. Today it’s a church and museum, and visible elements of all of its roles are still present. To stand inside and stare up at the impressive dome, is something special.
The nearby Palace of Galerius and Arch of Galerius, built around the same time as the Rotunda, are also well worth visiting. So too, the Roman Forum of Thessaloniki, and Ancient Agora Square.
Explore Historic Ladadika
Centrally-located Ladadika is a vibrant, historic Thessaloniki neighbourhood, that’s seen many uses over the years. Originally one of the city’s most important marketplaces, it was home to merchants from across the world, trading things like olive oil, spices, grains, and more.
In the early to mid 1900s Ladadika was the city’s red light district, with many of the shophouses used as brothels. The area steadily declined after World War II, before undergoing gentrification in the 1980s. Thankfully, the original buildings were protected and restored, and the streets pedestrianised. Today, Ladadika is a nightlife hub, with the old shophouses home to bars, nightclubs, cafes, and pubs.
Go To A Museum
Thessaloniki has museums that deal with the region’s history, along with many other topics. A great starting point is the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. It’s one of Greece’s most important museums, dealing with the history of the city and wider region. The museum’s permanent exhibition includes ancient Greek artefacts dating from prehistory to the 4th century AD.
For a deep dive into the Byzantine era, visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture. There’s over 3,000 artefacts in the museum’s permanent exhibition, which cover early-Christian and post-Byzantine art and history.
The city’s historic White Tower is also a museum, and across several levels as you work your way to the rooftop, you’ll learn all about the city’s history, cultural aspects, and people who lived here.
If you’re into contemporary art, MOMus (“Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts”) has four locations around Thessaloniki, including MOMus Museum of Contemporary Art.
For sports fans, the IOC recognised Thessaloniki Olympic Museum is a must visit. The museum contains over 10,000 items that take you through the history of the Olympics from the first games to today.
Seek Out Street Art
You’ll find street art throughout Thessaloniki, with most of it being located in the centre of town. Most of the street art in Thessaloniki is by local artists, but there are also pieces from international muralists. There are fun, whimsical pieces; themes of cultural identity; bold, political statements; and more. Check out my Thessaloniki Street Art Guide for more, including pictures and a guide to where to find the city’s best street art.
Stroll Along The Waterfront
A compact city, Thessaloniki is very walkable. The section that extends from Ladadika to the White Tower has always been vibrant, lined with bars, cafes, and restaurants. Until recently, the section after the White Tower was run-down and not pedestrian friendly, but this all changed in 2013, when a 3.5km stretch extending to the port opened after a complete renovation. It’s now a wide pedestrian promenade with open green spaces, cycle paths, street vendors, and more. It’s a great area to stroll through and while away and hour or two.
Visit A Fresh Produce Market
Thessaloniki is home to several fresh produce markets, showcasing the fantastic quality produce and food products that Northern Greece is known for. Dating back to the 15th century AD, centrally located Kapani Market is the city’s oldest. The must visit market offers vegetables, fruits, spices, olives, fish, meat, sweets, and more.
Just across from Kapani Market, you’ll find Vatikioti Market, with a similar offering. Also be sure to visit Modiano Market. Built in the 1920s in the style of a Parisian market, and completely restored to its former glory, Modiano Market is a higher end market with exemplary produce and artisan foods, as well as tavernas, restaurants and bars.
Walk Up The White Tower
Built by the Ottomans in the 15th century AD, to replace an earlier Byzantine tower, the 34m (111ft) high White Tower is a landmark of Thessaloniki. It served as a prison and place of execution during Ottoman times, and is today a city museum. The tower has been significantly altered over the years can feel the history of the building as you walk through the museum, and once you reach the top, you’re treated to spectacular views across the city, waterfront, all the way out the Mount Olympus.
