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Thessaloniki
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Thessaloniki blends Roman and Byzantine landmarks, waterfront promenades, lively markets and northern Greek cuisine in Greece’s cultural capital.

Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Layers

Thessaloniki occupies the northern shore of the Thermaic Gulf, where a long seafront and a densely built historic centre meet the hills of Ano Poli. Founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedon, the city became an important Roman settlement, a major Byzantine centre and, for centuries, an Ottoman city shaped by Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities. Its past remains unusually visible: the Arch and Rotunda of Galerius stand amid modern streets, Byzantine churches preserve intricate mosaics, and the Roman Forum lies close to cafés and busy commercial avenues.
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A City Best Explored on Foot

The waterfront provides Thessaloniki’s most open urban walk, linking the White Tower with the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Archaeological Museum and the sculptural promenade around Nea Paralia. Inland, Aristotelous Square opens towards the gulf, while the lanes of Ladadika and the market quarters around Kapani and Modiano reveal the city’s mercantile character. Above the centre, Ano Poli offers quieter streets, surviving Ottoman-era houses and broad views towards the water; the city walls and the Trigonion Tower mark its upper edge.

Food, Memory and Contemporary Culture

Thessaloniki’s cafés, bakeries, tavernas and bars reflect its northern Greek setting and its long history of migration and exchange. Bougatsa, koulouri, seafood, meze and richly seasoned dishes associated with the city’s Jewish, Asia Minor and Ottoman legacies sit alongside contemporary restaurants and independent cultural spaces. Museums, student life, music venues and the annual International Film Festival give the city an active present, while the seafront remains a daily meeting place for residents and visitors.

When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki?

Best: April–May, October · 23–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1245
February1240
March1740
April (best)2335
May (best)2825
June3210
July3310
August3310
September2925
October (best)2545
November1955
December1455

Getting to and around Thessaloniki

How to get there

Thessaloniki is served by Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia, located southeast of the centre in Thermi municipality and connected with the city by road and public buses. It receives domestic and international flights, although routes vary by season. Long-distance coach services use the intercity bus station, KTEL Macedonia, west of the centre, with connections across Greece and to some Balkan destinations. Mainline trains arrive at Thessaloniki railway station, west of the historic centre, with rail links to Athens and other Greek cities; services and international connections can change. The city is also accessible by car via Greece’s major northern motorways, while its port handles passenger and commercial shipping rather than functioning as a regular international ferry hub for most visitors.

Transportation

Central Thessaloniki is compact enough for walking, particularly between Aristotelous Square, the markets, the Roman monuments and the waterfront. The metro, operating since 2024, provides a rapid north-south-east corridor through central districts, although it does not run directly to the airport. Local buses operated by OASTH cover areas beyond the central core and remain useful for the airport, railway station, KTEL Macedonia and uphill neighbourhoods. Taxis are widely available, while driving in the centre can be inconvenient because of traffic, one-way streets and limited parking. The waterfront promenade is suited to walking and cycling, but it is not a substitute for a comprehensive city-wide cycle network.

Best attractions in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki’s principal sights are concentrated within a walkable central area, beginning with the White Tower on the seafront and continuing along Nea Paralia towards the Archaeological Museum and Museum of Byzantine Culture. Inland, the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda reveal the scale of the late Roman imperial complex, while the Roman Forum offers a glimpse of civic life in the ancient city. The Church of Agios Dimitrios, dedicated to Thessaloniki’s patron saint, is an important Byzantine monument, and the Museum of Byzantine Culture places the city’s churches, mosaics and manuscripts in wider context. The markets around Kapani and Modiano provide a more everyday attraction, filled with food stalls and local commerce. Above the centre, Ano Poli combines old houses, narrow lanes and expansive views with the surviving Byzantine walls and Trigonion Tower.

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Best landmarks in Thessaloniki

The White Tower is Thessaloniki’s defining waterfront landmark, a cylindrical Ottoman-era structure that once formed part of the city’s fortifications and now houses an exhibition on its history. In the centre, the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda mark the monumental ambitions of the late Roman emperor Galerius, while the Roman Forum preserves the civic heart of the earlier imperial city. Byzantine Thessaloniki is represented by Agios Dimitrios, Acheiropoietos and Agia Sofia, whose architecture and surviving decoration illuminate the city’s religious importance. Aristotelous Square belongs to the post-1917 reconstruction carried out after the great fire, with an ordered waterfront-facing layout unlike the older streets nearby. Higher up, the Byzantine walls and Trigonion Tower define the edge of Ano Poli and provide a tangible link to the city’s defensive history.

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Explore Thessaloniki on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Thessaloniki

Best restaurants in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki’s food culture reflects northern Greece, the Thermaic Gulf and the communities that have shaped the city over centuries. Breakfast or a snack may mean bougatsa, filled with custard, cheese or minced meat, or a sesame-coated koulouri bought from a bakery or street seller. Tavernes and meze restaurants serve grilled meats, seafood, pulses, salads and small shared plates, while dishes associated with Asia Minor and Ottoman traditions add spice and complexity. Sweet shops are known for tsoureki and, in the wider Thessaloniki area, trigona panoramatos. Kapani, Modiano and the surrounding market streets offer ingredients, cured foods, cheese and casual eating, while Ladadika and the centre contain a broad mix of traditional and contemporary restaurants. Jewish and Balkan influences remain part of the city’s culinary memory, even as modern kitchens reinterpret local produce.

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Best bars in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki has a strong evening culture shaped by students, residents and its dense central districts. Ladadika is known for tavernes, music and late socialising in former commercial warehouses, while Valaoritou and the streets around Syngrou have become associated with bars, live music and younger nightlife. Cocktail bars, cafés and wine-focused venues are also found around the centre, Aristotelous Square and the waterfront, where evenings often begin with a long coffee or a walk beside the gulf. Ano Poli offers a quieter setting in traditional ouzeries and small bars, with views across the city. Nightclubs and late venues are present, but the city’s after-dark character is often more about conversation, music, shared food and gradual movement between neighbourhood bars than a single concentrated club district.

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Best nightclubs in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki has a strong evening culture shaped by students, residents and its dense central districts. Ladadika is known for tavernes, music and late socialising in former commercial warehouses, while Valaoritou and the streets around Syngrou have become associated with bars, live music and younger nightlife. Cocktail bars, cafés and wine-focused venues are also found around the centre, Aristotelous Square and the waterfront, where evenings often begin with a long coffee or a walk beside the gulf. Ano Poli offers a quieter setting in traditional ouzeries and small bars, with views across the city. Nightclubs and late venues are present, but the city’s after-dark character is often more about conversation, music, shared food and gradual movement between neighbourhood bars than a single concentrated club district.

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Best shops in Thessaloniki

Shopping in Thessaloniki ranges from traditional food markets to busy commercial streets and independent design shops. Kapani Market is the most atmospheric place to browse fish, spices, olives, cheeses and other provisions, while neighbouring Modiano Market has a long association with the city’s central food trade. Athonos Square adds tavernes and small specialist shops, and Tsimiski Street is the main modern retail artery, joined by nearby Ermou Street and Mitropoleos Street. The lanes around the centre contain jewellers, bookshops, footwear retailers and boutiques, while markets and delicatessens provide more distinctive edible souvenirs than generic tourist shops. Look for Macedonian honey, herbs, olives, preserves, local cheeses and sweets, remembering that products labelled from the wider region may not have been made in Thessaloniki itself. The upper areas offer fewer concentrated shops but more independent neighbourhood businesses.

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Thessaloniki essentials

Currency and Payment
Greece uses the euro, with the international currency code EUR. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in hotels, established restaurants, museums, shops and transport-related services, although smaller cafés, market stalls and kiosks may prefer cash or have minimum card amounts. ATMs are readily found in central districts, but visitors should use machines operated by recognised banks where possible and check any fees shown before confirming a withdrawal. Carrying a modest amount of euro cash is useful in Kapani and other traditional markets, for small purchases and in places outside the main tourist areas. Dynamic currency conversion should generally be declined in favour of payment in euros.
Safety
Thessaloniki is a large, active city where ordinary urban precautions are appropriate. Keep phones, wallets and bags secure in crowded markets, on buses, around transport hubs and in busy nightlife streets, and take care when crossing roads because traffic can be brisk. Central areas remain active after dark, but visitors should use well-lit streets, stay aware of their surroundings and take a licensed taxi or other suitable transport when returning late from less familiar areas. Watch belongings on beaches and in cafés, and avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars. Demonstrations and strikes can occasionally affect central routes, so local travel information is useful when major events are taking place.
Emergency Situations
The European emergency number 112 can be used throughout Greece for police, fire and medical emergencies, with operators able to coordinate the appropriate service. Greece also uses 100 for the police, 166 for the National Emergency Aid Centre ambulance service and 199 for the fire service. In a serious medical situation, call the relevant emergency number or 112 rather than trying to arrange transport independently. International visitors should carry identification and keep travel insurance and medical information accessible. For non-urgent medical assistance, hotels, pharmacies and local health services can help identify an appropriate facility; language support is more likely in central hospitals and established tourist services than in every neighbourhood clinic.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when entering churches and monasteries, and follow signs or staff instructions at religious and archaeological sites; do not touch mosaics, sculptures or fragile remains. Greek dining is generally relaxed, and service charges and tipping practices vary, but leaving a small amount for good service is customary rather than an automatic obligation. Greet shopkeepers and restaurant staff politely, avoid assuming that every meal follows a fixed timetable, and allow time for the slower rhythm of a long taverna meal. Do not photograph people without permission, particularly in intimate settings, and check photography rules in museums. Respect memorials connected with the city’s Jewish history and the victims of wartime persecution.
Local Tips
Read the city from the seafront upwards: Nea Paralia and the White Tower provide orientation, while the Roman monuments and markets explain the centre’s older layers. Leave a separate half-day for Ano Poli, where the terrain is steeper and buses or a taxi can save energy on the return journey. Kapani, Athonos and Modiano are most atmospheric during daytime trading hours, while Ladadika and Valaoritou become more sociable in the evening. The Archaeological Museum and Museum of Byzantine Culture complement outdoor sightseeing, especially in hot weather. For a quieter view, walk north along the waterfront or pause near the city walls above the centre rather than staying only around Aristotelous Square.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloΓεια σας[Ya sas]
GoodbyeΑντίο[Adio]
YesΝαι[Ne]
NoΌχι[Ohi]
Please/You're welcomeΠαρακαλώ[Parakalo]
Thank youΕυχαριστώ[Efharisto]
Excuse me/SorryΣυγνώμη[Signomi]
How are you?Τι κάνετε;[Ti kanete?]
Fine. And you?Καλά. Εσείς;[Kala. Eseis?]
Do you speak English?Μιλάτε Αγγλικά;[Milate Agglika?]
I don't understandΔεν καταλαβαίνω[Den katalaveno]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseΘα ήθελα να δω το μενού, παρακαλώ[Tha ithela na do to menu, parakalo]
I don't eat meatΔεν τρώω κρέας[Den troo kreas]
Cheers!Υγεία![Iyia!]
I would like to pay, pleaseΘα ήθελα να πληρώσω, παρακαλώ[Tha ithela na plirosso, parakalo]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Βοήθεια![Voi-thee-a!]
Go away!Φύγε![Fi-ge!]
Call the Police!Καλέστε την Αστυνομία![Ka-le-ste tin Asti-no-mia!]
Call a doctor!Καλέστε ένα γιατρό![Ka-le-ste ena giatro!]
I'm lostΈχω χαθεί[Eho ha-thee]
I'm illΕίμαι άρρωστος[E-mai a-ro-stos]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Θα ήθελα να αγοράσω...[Tha ithela na agorasoo...]
I'm just lookingΑπλά κοιτάω[Apla kito]
How much is it?Πόσο κοστίζει;[Poso kostizi?]
That's too expensiveΑυτό είναι πολύ ακριβό[Afto ine poli akribo]
Can you lower the price?Μπορείτε να μειώσετε την τιμή;[Borite na miosete tin timi?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Τι ώρα είναι;[Ti ora ine?]
It's one o'clockΕίναι μία ώρα[E-ne mia ora]
Half past (10)Μισή (10)[Mi-si (dek-a)]
MorningΠρωί[Pro-ee]
AfternoonΑπόγευμα[A-po-yef-ma]
EveningΒράδυ[Vra-doo]
YesterdayΧθες[Hthes]
TodayΣήμερα[Si-me-ra]
TomorrowΑύριο[Av-rio]
1Ένα[E-na]
2Δύο[Thi-o]
3Τρία[Tri-a]
4Τέσσερα[Tes-ser-a]
5Πέντε[Pen-de]
6Έξι[E-xi]
7Εφτά[Ef-ta]
8Οκτώ[Ok-to]
9Εννέα[En-ne-a]
10Δέκα[Dek-a]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Πού είναι ένα/το...;[Poo ine ena/to...?]
What's the address?Ποια είναι η διεύθυνση;[Pia ine ee dhee-ef-thin-see?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Μπορείτε να μου δείξετε (στο χάρτη);[Borite na mou dixete (sto har-ti)?]
When's the next (bus)?Πότε είναι το επόμενο (λεωφορείο);[Pote ine to e-pom-eno (le-o-foree-o)?]
A ticket (to ....)Ένα εισιτήριο (για ....)[Ena ees-ee-tee-ree-o (ya ....)]

History of Thessaloniki

Foundation as a Macedonian Harbour

Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC by Cassander, king of Macedon, who named the settlement after his wife Thessalonike, daughter of Philip II. It brought together smaller communities around the Thermaic Gulf and occupied a strategic position between the Aegean, the Balkans and the Macedonian interior. The nearby port and fertile hinterland supported trade, while the Via Egnatia later connected the city across the Roman Balkans. Thessaloniki’s location ensured that it remained important after the decline of the Macedonian kingdom, providing the geographical foundation for its long political, commercial and cultural history.

Roman Capital of Macedonia

After the Roman victory over Macedon in 168 BC, Thessaloniki became the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia and prospered as a major road and maritime centre. The city is associated with the apostle Paul, who visited in the first century AD and addressed the local Christian community. Its Roman importance is especially visible in the monumental complex built under Emperor Galerius in the late third and early fourth centuries: the palace, the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda formed an imperial centre near the ancient route through the city. The Roman Forum, markets and public buildings further illustrate Thessaloniki’s urban role in imperial administration.

A Byzantine Stronghold

Following the division of the Roman Empire, Thessaloniki became the second city of the Byzantine world after Constantinople in political and religious importance. Its fortified position and port made it a principal centre in the Balkans, although it faced Avar and Slavic attacks and periods of political instability. Christianity shaped the city’s architecture and public life, leaving churches such as Agios Dimitrios, dedicated to its patron saint, and the later churches of Acheiropoietos and Agia Sofia. These monuments, together with surviving mosaics and wall paintings, reflect the development of Byzantine religious art and the city’s continuing connections with Constantinople and the wider eastern Mediterranean.

Ottoman Thessaloniki and Jewish Life

The Ottoman army captured Thessaloniki in 1430, and the city remained under Ottoman rule until 1912, apart from a brief Venetian occupation in the late seventeenth century. Its population and appearance changed through the arrival of Muslim settlers, Christian communities and Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492. The Sephardic community became central to the city’s commercial and cultural life, while mosques, baths, synagogues, markets and houses shaped the urban landscape. The White Tower, originally part of the waterfront fortifications, belongs to this long Ottoman period, although its present identity was formed through later changes and its adoption as a symbol of the city.

Wars, Fire and Reconstruction

Thessaloniki became part of the Greek state during the First Balkan War in 1912. A devastating fire in 1917 destroyed much of the historic centre, including many homes, businesses and religious buildings. The reconstruction plan prepared by Ernest Hébrard introduced broad avenues, formal squares and a more coherent urban layout, particularly around Aristotelous Square, while some older quarters survived on the upper slopes. The city also received large numbers of refugees from Asia Minor after the 1923 population exchange, transforming its social and cultural life. These events helped create the modern Thessaloniki visible between its older monuments and twentieth-century apartment blocks.

Occupation, Loss and Modern Identity

During the Second World War, German forces occupied Thessaloniki from 1941, and the city’s historic Jewish community suffered catastrophic persecution. Most of the city’s Jews were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1943, bringing centuries of communal life to an abrupt end. After the war, reconstruction and rapid urban growth altered the centre, while the university, port, trade fairs and cultural institutions strengthened Thessaloniki’s role as northern Greece’s principal city. The opening of museums, the restoration of archaeological sites and the development of Nea Paralia have supported a contemporary identity that remains closely connected to the city’s layered and often difficult past.

Thessaloniki in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Thessaloniki

Discover Thessaloniki with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Your essential companion for an unforgettable trip.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy hotel, tour, ticket, and experience bookings
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More about the Evendo app

Evendo is your all-in-one, free travel guide app for Thessaloniki, Greece. Discover the best attractions, landmarks, shops, restaurants, and much more with ease.

  • History of Thessaloniki and travel essentials
  • Local advice to maximize your visit
  • Easy navigation through the app and city
  • 'Near me' feature to discover nearby attractions and amenities
  • Curated local tips to experience the city like a local
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs
  • Coverage of over 7,000 other destinations worldwide

Planning a trip to Thessaloniki? Let Evendo be your ultimate travel companion! Evendo is a 100% free app-based travel guide designed to help you make the most of your visit to this vibrant Greek city. From the imposing White Tower to the historic Rotunda, and the bustling Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki is a city brimming with history and culture. With Evendo, you can explore these famous landmarks and uncover hidden gems with ease.

Our app provides detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Thessaloniki. Whether you want to dine at the renowned Mavri Thalassa restaurant, visit the Archaeological Museum, or take a leisurely stroll along the beautiful waterfront, Evendo has you covered.

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Evendo also offers a wealth of features to enhance your travel experience. Learn about the history of Thessaloniki, find travel essentials, and get tons of local advice to ensure you get the most out of your visit. Use the 'Near me' feature to discover attractions and amenities around you, no matter where you are in the city. Our curated local tips help you experience Thessaloniki like a true local.

And the best part? Evendo is completely free to use forever, with no in-app purchases or additional costs. Plus, it covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide, so you can use it for all your future travels. Download Evendo today and start exploring Thessaloniki like never before!

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