Thessaloniki, Greece. What can you expect on vacation in Thessaloniki?
A Greek vacation that has everything – unforgettable food on every corner, cool neighborhoods, history, architecture, magical streets, markets, authentic taverns, music, abundant entertainment venues and of course a blue sea. The flights and prices are affordable, the Greeks are just lovely and the atmosphere accompanies you in every alley. We’ve also collected recommendations for you – where to sleep, what to eat, where to hang out and what to see. Let’s begin…
Thessaloniki Greece - some background
Thessaloniki is the second Greek city, just after Athens, and is the capital of Macedonia, or the “Balkan capital of students”. Thousands of tourists pass through it every day, the historic port is full of relics that tell us stories about the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, wars, life, cultures as well as Jewish history and expulsion. With the past, fragments of the present are intertwined – modern restaurants alongside traditional taverns, masses of bars with innovative designs alongside long-standing bars that the locals love to frequent, heaps of young people who study at universities or just moved here from the villages, stunning scenery and a happy Greek atmosphere.
What to do in Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki is indeed full of fascinating attractions and things to see. Here is a list of all the highlights that will make your vacation much more organized and precise.
Aristotelous Square
At the heart of the city stands Aristotelous Square which is the main city square. Around it, you will find beautiful buildings and luxurious hotels. The square is connected by the three main streets full of historical places alongside entertainment venues, bars, taverns, cafes and more.
Recommended cafes around the square –
Υpsilon– A minimalist café in a building that survived the great fire of 1917. On one side of it, you will see people working or reading for pleasure, but many just stop there for a mere coffee.
Pantheon is a classic café and bar befitting the upscale shops in its vicinity. Despite the modern industrial atmosphere, it is still warm and inviting and most importantly – delicious! Even in the evening, it is very worthwhile to go out to it.
The Blue Cup Cafe– A recommendation as hot as the quality coffee and the atmosphere in the place. Even at night, keep warm with the help of special cocktails.
Blé Taste Gallery– A relatively expensive confectionery in local terms, but super luxurious with quality desserts.
Beach Promenade + White Tower
The White Tower is undoubtedly the famous symbol of Thessaloniki and rightly so! It is located on the seashore, which adds drama to its appearance if not enough drama in its interesting story. Don’t let the Greek flag flying from the building confuse you – the building was originally Ottoman and was built when they conquered Thessaloniki from the Byzantines in the 15th century. After that, it was called for a time the “Red Tower” (or Tower of Blood) because it served as a prison where prisoners were tortured and executed. Today it serves as a museum of Byzantine culture, even if it is not a point of interest for you, the view from it presents 360 degrees of the beauty of the sea, the city and even Mount Olympus. Another museum within walking distance is the Archaeological Museum, where there are explanations in Hebrew as well.
Recommended cafes in the White Tower area –
Café Palermo– A super recommended place with an atmosphere taken from the past. All around you will see antiques and be surrounded by colorful light that the sun lets in through the stained glass. Truly lovely!
ARC espresso wine bar– The best breakfasts, with an emphasis on a crazy variety of pancakes! Even at night, the bar atmosphere is pleasant and lively.
Sugar Angel – Cakes, cakes, cakes, on all the shelves and from every direction. A pleasure for the eyes and then for the stomach.
ΚΟΥΚΟΣ Vogatsikou 10– Delicious croissants, recommended cheese spinach böreks, sandwiches in gorgeous brioche buns with good combinations of flavors, or even just a relaxing coffee in the middle of the day. Either way, it would be a great stop!
Piece of Cake– A small, picturesque and colorful place, a warm feeling and a perfect location for a rest break in the middle of the day. Also at night, the cocktails are good and the atmosphere is gorgeous.
Recommended hotels in Thessaloniki
Electra Palace Thessaloniki– An amazing hotel near Aristotelous Square. The swimming pools (one rooftop and one indoor) completely upgrade your stay when you want to relax. On the roof garden is Orizontes Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar with panoramic views of the bay.
Makedonia Palace– The hotel offers two fine restaurants and designer spaces, and the highlight is the proximity to the promenade and the sea. Here you should pay attention to the season because the swimming pool is outdoor, but inside there is a hammam and spa.
MonAsty Autograph Collection– A modern and aesthetic hotel that is fun to be in. The restaurant is good, the swimming pool is outdoor and closed in winter, there is a fitness center, bar, garden and more.
ON Residence – Right next to the sea and close to the main square, The On Residence Hotel sits in a winning location. It offers a restaurant, a buffet breakfast and a variety of rooms with or without balcony with or without sea views, so pay attention when booking.
The Excelsior Small Luxury Hotels of the World– Beautiful hotel near the main square with excellent breakfast.
S Hotel Boutique Thessaloniki– The boutique hotel is located close to Aristotelous Square, has a beautiful bar and serves a great buffet in the mornings.
Colors Urban Hotel Thessaloniki– A charming and modern boutique hotel, located in an excellent location.
Thessaloniki Promenade - a pleasant place to spend time
The beach promenade is the liveliest, most kicking and fun center in the city. Five miles of great atmosphere, from the port to the concert hall, on which you can walk along or rent a bike at any of the many rental shops. Along the promenade, there are magical spots to take pictures in and you will find, among other things, Nikis Square, the popular “umbrella” statue, restaurants, bars that operate into the night and crowds of people.
Thessaloniki Entertainment Area
Please note, all the partygoers – the next section is dedicated to you! Vibrant, happy and memorable at night, but beautiful and full of character even during the daytime. Ladadika is a bohemian and cool district, full of color and life, excellent tavernas with Greek and Mediterranean food and of course, live music that as the evening progresses more and more people will get up to dance to its sound. If you are an art lover, in this district you will find the Film Museum, the Museum of Photography and the Center for Contemporary Art of Thessaloniki. If you want to delve deeper into the glorious Jewish history that was brutally interrupted during the Holocaust – visit the Jewish Museum. And in a sharp transition – if you are traveling with children and have not yet visited the Museum of Illusions (there are in every major city in the world and even in Israel), this is the opportunity to have a little fun.
Valaoritou is a sunny district with several buildings with beautiful architecture such as the Stoa Malakopi. Here, too, as in Ladadika, you can enjoy endless amounts of atmosphere, alcohol, entertainment venues of all kinds, cafes, bars, some of which play live music into the night and excellent restaurants.
Meet Skyline – It is at the top of the OTE Tower and the view from it is panoramic and beautiful and even walking around! It’s highly recommended at sunset, but it’s also great for a romantic nightly date. Perfect for night activities and of course pictures as well.
Another recommended bar in town is called Dentro sto bar is inside a beautiful mansion, which absolutely makes the atmosphere! It is open from the morning and you can also enjoy coffee, a hysterical tea scene, and traditional Greek recipes of appetizers and stews throughout the day… At night dozens of types of beers, rare wines and more. The live music enhances the experience as is usually does.
Ancient Town Ano Poli
After walking up between the small houses for the energetic ones among us, or a short bus for the pampered, you will reach the Ano Poli district, which means “upper city” and indeed is located in the higher part of the city. This is actually the historic center, an old quarter surrounded by Byzantine walls, with an ancient castle and a fortress that are among the best sites in the city, and if that is not enough, around them you will find narrow cobbled alleys with places to hang out, bars, restaurants and all with a gorgeous view of the city.
The attractions of the old city are the Trigonion Tower (which besides its military and war history is also an excellent spot to see a sunset from), the beautifully decorated Portara Gate, the Heptapyrgion – an ancient fortress and prison with 7 towers and the highlight – the 14th-century Vlatadon Monastery where you will find an ornate chapel and an important inscription for Christians bearing the name of St. Paul. The place was chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was chosen by us as the perfect viewpoint!
Markets in Thessaloniki
Get to know Kapan: This is where you’ll find Thessaloniki’s two most popular markets. The first is the Kapani market, which is the largest and oldest in the city, a thing that’s reflected in its traditional look – the arches and window design. You will find a large selection of delicious Greek food, spices and herbs, fish, cute souvenirs and Orthodox icons in the Greek spirit.
In the second market, the colorful and happy Modiano Market, you will also find a variety of local products such as olives, fruits and vegetables, traditional Greek cheeses, ouzo, sweets and clothing. The market is named after the Jewish architect Eli Modiano who founded it. Go inside and the parts that the locals trade in and not just the tourists and don’t be shy about haggling a bit! If you like the area, you can eat lunch at the market and continue to Athonos Square, which is bustling and full of tourists, but also locals and especially students, who are as symbolic of the city as the White Tower.
Both markets rest on Sundays and during the afternoon hours, because Greeks know how to live, it’s worth checking opening hours before arriving just in case there’s an Orthodox holiday you didn’t know about or renovations. If markets are your thing – two other nice markets are Bezesteni Market and The Flea Market.
Culinary in Thessaloniki - Recommended Restaurants in the City
Let’s start with a recommendation for those who are afraid – the street food is excellent! The prices are good, the quality is no less than that of restaurants, the prices are excellent and the variety is simply tremendous. We snacked throughout the day on the street. You can snack in bakeries, from international treats such as crispy fun fries to local delicacies such as Gyros which is a classic Greek meat sandwich. The restaurants are varied, the selection ranges from authentic and fusion taverns to super modern places with international chefs who bring their personal message with them.
Nea Folia– A small restaurant with an atmosphere of home cuisine and full of locals, the food is delicious and interesting – cheeses, smoked seafood, fish and of course ouzo as well as other kinds of alcohol accompany the meal and add to the atmosphere.
Kanoula– A small and authentic place, which by passing outside you might miss, but inside the authentic food and music are great. The portions are small and adapted to ‘open a table’ so you can enjoy many flavors. Simply pleasure.
Rouga– An award-winning, classic and family-run Greek tavern, located near Ermou Street and the Jewish Museum. The prices are reasonable and the food is wonderful, with live music (except on Mondays) in the background of all this pleasure.
The University of Thessaloniki and its surrounding sites
Several sites are concentrated around the university. In the area closer to the White Tower you will find the Arch of Galerius (or “Kamara”), built in 305 AD and marking the victory over the Persian enemy, decorated with battle scenes. Right next to it, you can see the rotunda and a palace that did not survive, constituted the venerable compound of Emperor Galerius. On the other side of the university, after crossing a sea of students, or the Atatürk Museum (the father of the Turkish nation), you reach Pasha’s Gardens, a cute community garden where you can sit and relax with some traditional Greek pastry you grabbed in one of the bakeries. At the third corner, extreme sports enthusiasts can visit the Thessaloniki Olympic Museum, which tells the history of the Olympic Games from ancient times to the present day. At the fourth corner, fans of the genre can enjoy the War Museum and Arms Collection.
Thessaloniki seafront
The sea is visible from every corner of the city but if you want to swim in it, unfortunately, you will probably have to go to Halkidiki. However, only about a 15-minute drive from the center is the cool Kalamaria neighborhood that hides a beach for bathing, but not only! It’s a less touristy area, but we highly recommend walking around a bit if you’re already there, and not skipping it straight to the beach, enjoying the fine cuisine and great bars.
Shopping in Thessaloniki - Where will you find the shopping areas in the city?
Churches and museums are nice, but let’s talk about shopping in Thessaloniki for a moment. Shopping is especially fun because most of it will pass through the beautiful streets with an excellent atmosphere. Among the recommended streets for the surveying trip are Tsimiki, Ermou and Egnatia. If you are tired of the classic brands and you are looking for more unique boutiques for luxury shopping – Proxenou and Mitropoleos streets and the streets that cross them are your area. If you still want everything to be grouped in one place, the popular malls are One Salonica Outlet Mall, where besides shopping you will also find a supermarket, children’s playground, cafes, restaurants and a cinema. Other malls include Mediterranean Cosmos Mall and Hondos Center.
The vacation in Thessaloniki can be combined with a vacation in northern Greece, the Pelion Peninsula, Halkidiki or Lefkada.
The article was done in collaboration with Noam Gutkin – the tourism correspondent for the travel magazine Romitravel.
