Greece’s second city and northern port, with the seafront White Tower and UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches; famous for food shaped by Byzantine, Ottoman and Asia Minor influences, and served by a metro since 2024.
Pleasant weather for the waterfront and historic sites. source
September–October
The heat eases and the sea is warm — good for a trip to the Halkidiki beaches. source
Weather: April–June and September–October are best; July–August is hot, and November–March is cool and rainy. source
Times to avoid: From November to March, national sites such as the Archaeological Museum are free on the first and third Sunday of each month. source
Weather varies from year to year; check the forecast before you go.
Don't miss in Thessaloniki
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki Ancient treasures of northern Greece, including Macedonian gold. source
White Tower The city’s seafront symbol, housing a city-history exhibition; visitor numbers inside are limited. source
Bougatsa Thessaloniki’s breakfast pastry of phyllo filled with semolina cream or cheese. source
Where to stay in Thessaloniki
City Centre (around Aristotelous Square)
Close to the waterfront, markets and metro.
Ano Poli (Upper Town)
The hilltop old quarter of walls and lanes with city views.
What to eat in Thessaloniki
Bougatsa — Phyllo pastry filled with semolina cream or cheese
Trigona Panoramatos — Cone-shaped pastry filled with rich cream
Mussel Pilaf — Rice cooked with local mussels
Thessaloniki tips and things to watch out for
Thessaloniki travel tips
Airport to city: bus 01X (night 01N) leaves from Exit 4 of Terminal 1 for the centre, the railway station and the intercity bus terminal; it needs its own single ticket, not a standard one. source
Good to know in Greece
During summer, check official heat alerts and plan outdoor archaeological visits to avoid the hottest periods. source
Greek restaurants may not charge for bread or bottled water without your consent, or add a cover charge for tableware. Check your order and bill. source
Watch out for in Greece
Watch for pickpockets on the Athens metro, especially the airport and tourist lines. source
Marble paths at ancient sites are very slippery; wear shoes with good grip. source
General advice for the whole country. Check official government travel advice for entry rules and safety before you go.
Restaurant prices for Thessaloniki are still being collected. The estimate also uses some official meal and transit prices checked in other cities in Greece.
Thessaloniki attraction & theme park tickets
Official sellers’ prices for one adult admission. Select attractions in the calculator to add them to your budget.
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (Adult): €10.00