a large castle sitting on top of a lush green hillside

Thessaloniki

Greece's second-largest city, known for Byzantine churches, Roman monuments and a waterfront promenade, with tavernas and food markets in the historic center.

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Thessaloniki is the capital of Central Macedonia and Greece's second-largest city, on the Thermaic Gulf in the northwest Aegean, about 505 km north of Athens. It is known for Byzantine churches, Roman and Ottoman monuments and Sephardic Jewish heritage, and it has 15 UNESCO-listed monuments, more than any other Greek city. The White Tower on the waterfront is the city's main landmark. Ano Poli, the Upper Town, has stone-paved streets, old houses and views over the gulf, and on clear days you can see Mount Olympus, about 100 km away.

The city suits a visit of a few days or a stop before the rest of northern Greece. Plan at least two days: one for the Byzantine churches and the Galerius complex, and one for the waterfront, the tavernas of Ladadika and the Modiano market in Kapani. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for sightseeing. July and August average about 28 °C, and January averages 8 °C. Aristotle University, the largest in Greece and the Balkans, gives the city a large student population.

Thessaloniki in five

Spend a day on the Roman and Byzantine sitesThe Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius and the Byzantine churches cluster in the center, and several belong to a UNESCO listing. Opening hours vary by site and season, so check before you go.
Eat where locals eat: bougatsa, souvlaki, mezedesThe city is known for street food and meze places around Ladadika and the center. Go at Greek hours: lunch after 2pm, dinner after 9pm.
Stay near Aristotelous Square or the waterfrontThis puts the White Tower, shops and restaurants on foot. The Upper Town (Ano Poli) is quieter and has the walls and views, but is a steep walk.Greece travel guide
Use Thessaloniki as a base for northern GreeceThasos, the Halkidiki beaches and the Pelion peninsula are each a long day trip or a short stay away. Train or bus fits a city trip better than a car.Pelion Peninsula
Arriving from outside the EU? Allow for EESIf Thessaloniki is your first Schengen airport, non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a photo at the border. Allow time before a tight onward connection.EES explained

Things to do in Thessaloniki

See all attractions in Thessaloniki

Historic site · ThessalonikiPetralona Cave

Museum · ThessalonikiArchaeological Museum of Pella

Historic site · ThessalonikiWhite Tower of ThessalonikiGo early in the morning or near sunset for softer light and a quieter waterfront.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ThessalonikiPut the places you like in Thessaloniki on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Thessaloniki Makedonia (SKG), about 15 km from the center
Getting there: Flights from Athens and Europe; Athens by train about 4 hours
Getting around: Walking, city buses, taxis and the new metro line
Best base: Aristotelous Square, Ladadika or the waterfront
Time needed: 2–3 days for the city; add 1–2 for day trips

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low3°Cold, damp
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cold, damp
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Mild, windy
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Spring, blooms
MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Warm, open
JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Hot
JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Hot, quiet
AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Hot, quiet
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Warm, calm
OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Mild, calm
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Rain
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cold, damp

Average daily high and low in Thessaloniki, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Thessaloniki

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 15°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 88%

Thessaloniki

10:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today16°12°88%Monday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 88%.
Tue17°13°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed16°10°23%Wednesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 23%.
Thu12°11°55%Thursday: Rain. High 12°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 55%.
Fri13°9°28%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 28%.
Sat12°7°3%Saturday: Rain. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sun13°6°18%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 18%.

Updated 07:47 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Thessaloniki

Tickets for monuments and museumsByzantine sites and museumsBook timed entry

Hotels near the waterfrontWalk to the White Tower and LadadikaCheck availability

eSIM for northern GreeceMaps for Ano Poli's steep lanesRead the guide

Insurance for a Greece city breakStrikes, delays and medical careRead the guide

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Rules for Thessaloniki, checked

Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
Non-EU visitors may be fingerprinted and photographed at the Greek border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check current EES guidance before you travel.
The European Commission criticised Thessaloniki's air pollution in 2021. If you have a breathing condition, check air-quality reports before going out.
Dress and behave respectfully at churches and synagogues. The city mixes Orthodox Christian, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish heritage.

Plan around Thessaloniki

Macedonia

The region around Thessaloniki, with its coast and mountains

Read the guide Northern Greece

Thessaloniki's neighbors, from Halkidiki to the border

Read the guide Thasos

Island of marble beaches, a ferry from Keramoti

Read the guide Pelion Peninsula

Mountain villages and beaches south of Volos

Read the guide All of Greece

Athens, the islands and the mainland

Read the guide Getting around Greece

Train, bus, ferry and car options

Read the guide

Thessaloniki FAQ

How many days do you need in Thessaloniki?

Two full days cover the waterfront, the main Roman and Byzantine monuments and a meal out. Three days let you add the Upper Town and one museum without rushing.

Is Thessaloniki worth visiting?

Yes, especially for food, history and a less touristy feel than Athens. It is a good gateway to northern Greece and the islands of the north, but not a beach town.

Where should you stay in Thessaloniki?

Near Aristotelous Square for the best balance of sights and transit. Ladadika suits evenings out; Ano Poli suits quiet nights and views but has steep streets.

How do you get from Athens to Thessaloniki?

Flights take about an hour and trains about 4 hours. Buses are slower but often cheaper. Book rail early for holiday weekends.

Can you do Thessaloniki as a day trip?

From Athens, not comfortably. From the coast or the Pelion area, a long day is possible, but the city is better with a night. If you have a day, focus on the center and the waterfront.