Thessaloniki

History, Seaside Charm and Lively Vibes

Thessaloniki stands as Greece’s vibrant second city, where Byzantine history meets modern urban life along the Thermaic Gulf. Its ancient walls protect centuries of stories while street markets hum with local flavors and aromas. The city balances old port traditions with contemporary culture, evident in its museums, galleries and lively squares. From Roman ruins to Ottoman architecture, Thessaloniki reflects diverse influences without losing its Greek identity. Food stalls serve fresh seafood alongside traditional souvlaki, inviting visitors to experience daily life beyond famous landmarks.

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City in Greece

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and by younger generations. You should have no trouble communicating in English.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Thessaloniki Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Strong in history and food culture. Visit Byzantine churches and museums, walk along the waterfront promenade, explore lively markets and enjoy famous local cuisine.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Guided tours

Markets

Sea

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

💻 8

Digital Nomads

Greece – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in urban areas. However, many small shops and rural locations still prefer cash payments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Greece. In restaurants, 5-10% is typical, though rounding up is also common. Tipping taxi drivers is customary, and small tips for hotel staff are appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Greece, especially in designated areas or during festivals. However, it’s prohibited in some areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places. There are designated outdoor smoking areas in most restaurants and public buildings.

Easter (March/April)	Easter is a significant religious holiday, and many businesses close. Popular for family gatherings and church services.
Assumption of Mary (August)	A national holiday with parades and festivities. Expect crowded tourist areas and higher accommodation prices.
Christmas (December)	Christmas celebrations take place in many towns and cities, with lively events, though many businesses close for the holiday.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Beat, TaxiBeat, Uber
Other:	Greece is a popular tourist destination, particularly in summer, so be prepared for high demand for accommodation and services during peak months.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Thessaloniki, Greece

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	May - June, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April, July - Aug.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Late August: many local restaurants and shops close as residents head for the coast

Thessaloniki International Film Festival in early November, Thessaloniki Fair in early September

Gateway to Halkidiki, whose beaches are best June to September

Don't miss

🌆 Climb the White Tower for panoramic city and sea views
🏛️ Visit the historic Arch of Galerius and Roman Forum
🍽️ Explore vibrant Ladadika district for nightlife and dining
🖼️ Discover Byzantine art at the Museum of Byzantine Culture
🚶‍♂️ Wander through Ano Poli, the charming Upper Town streets
🌊 Relax along Thessaloniki’s scenic waterfront promenade

You've been here?

Why travel to Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki is a fascinating mix of history, culture and coastal charm. You’ll find ancient ruins, lively markets and a beautiful waterfront promenade. The city's food scene is incredible, offering everything from traditional Greek meze to contemporary culinary delights. While it's generally safe, like any bustling city, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Hagia Sophia
2 White Tower of Thessaloniki
3 Aristotelous Square
4 Ρωμαϊκή Αγορά
5 Museum of Byzantine Culture
6 Arch of Galerius
7 Βυζαντινά Τείχη Θεσσαλονίκης

🎡Places for activities

1 Thessaloniki Concert Hall
2 Noesis
3 International Trade Fair Thessaloniki
4 Ladadika

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Beach
2 Epanomi Lagoon
3 Thermaic Gulf
4 The garden of water
5 Koronia Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 Modiano Market
2 Kapani Market
3 Louloudadika
4 Σπύρου Μουστακλή

🎈Events

Thessaloniki International Film Festival (November)
Thessaloniki International Fair (September)
Dimitria Festival (October)
Reworks Music Festival (September)
Thessaloniki Book Fair (May)
Street Mode Festival (August/September)
Kapani Project (October)
Open House Thessaloniki (November)
Thessaloniki Food Festival (Various dates)
Carnival Festivities (February/March)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Try local bougatsa and gyro from reputable street vendors or bakeries.
Stroll the waterfront promenade at sunset for views of the White Tower.
Consider a day trip to Halkidiki or nearby Mount Olympus for hikes.
Join a food-focused walking tour to sample diverse Macedonian-Greek dishes and history.

How to travel to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG) connects the city to major European hubs. There are also international bus and train connections and the port offers ferry services to nearby islands.

Access summary

From Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Bus 01X/01N or taxi, about 30–60 minutes.
From Athens: Intercity trains or KTEL buses, typically around 4–6 hours.
From Sofia: Cross-border buses to Thessaloniki, usually about 4–6 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki offers a wide range of accommodation, from budget hostels to luxurious hotels. The city center and Ladadika District are great for easy access to attractions and nightlife.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Makedonia Palace

9.4

Electra Palace Thessaloniki

9.3

ON Residence

9.6

S Hotel Boutique Thessaloniki

9.3

Excelsior Hotel

9.3

Golden Star City Resort

Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki

8.1

City Hotel Thessaloniki

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Thessaloniki

Public buses (OASTH) cover the city well and walking is great in central areas. Taxis are affordable and bike rentals are also available. The city center is compact and walkable.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-20 %

Daily expenses in Thessaloniki are around 20% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£49	£110	£313
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£120
🍝 Food per day	£27	£58	£170
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£6	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£20
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£40
🤧 Cold medication	£4.30
💇 Basic haircut	£8.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Thessaloniki is generally safe. Petty crime like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas, so keep your belongings secure. The city is safe to explore during the day and night.

Health & Medical

Thessaloniki has good healthcare facilities, with public hospitals and private clinics available. Pharmacies are easy to find and emergency services are reliable.

Accessibility

The city is fairly accessible, with ramps and facilities in newer buildings. However, historic areas and cobblestone streets might be challenging for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink in Thessaloniki. Bottled water is also widely available and most restaurants serve tap water upon request.