The 10 things to do in Thessaloniki

To go to Greece in 2019, what a beautiful holiday project! Here for you, the 10 things to do to visit Thessaloniki!

Capital of Greek Macedonia east of continental Greece, Thessaloniki is the second most populous city in the country after Athens , with more than 322,240 inhabitants for 790,824 people in the urban area. It is also the 7th most populous city in the Balkans, and the second political, financial, cultural and political centre in Greece.

Port and commercial city at the gates of Asia Minor, Thessaloniki has a strategic position thanks to its situation close to the countries of South-East Europe. Founded by Cassandra of Macedonia in 315 before our Christian era, Thessaloniki was occupied by the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire before the independence of Greece. By visiting Thessaloniki, you will discover an impressive historical and cultural heritage, a young and active student population, and a relaxed lifestyle.

What about Thessaloniki? Here is our presentation of the 10 must-have things in the city!

1. The seafront and the White Tower

To discover and visit Thessaloniki, nothing like a first seafront ride, between the Tour Blanche and the port. Ancient Byzantine fortification in museum, the White Tower is an iconic city.

Under the Ottoman Empire, she was a prison and a place of executions and torture: many of the Jesuit rebels were decapitated on the orders of Sultan Mahmud II. Built in the 13th century, it was part of the enclosure wall, destroyed in 1866.

You can also see the sculpture of George Zongolopoulos installed in 1997: The Zongolopoulos Umbrellas . And to visit Thessaloniki through the eyes of a local, nothing like a guided tour of the city !

2. The old town, Ano Poli

What to do in Thessaloniki? Well, visit the old town of course, which says here Ano Poli ! Uncontournable, the old town is surrounded by ramparts, inside which there is a maze of colorful alleys. In the vicinity, church Agios Demetrios Don't miss. Built in the 7th century, it is one of the largest churches in Greece and one of the most important sanctuaries of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Ano Poli is considered one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city. It was preserved from the fire of 1917 which ravaged the city: there are buildings of the Ottoman era and the monastery Vlatadon .

3. The Greco-Roman ruins

Coming to visit Greece without making ancient ruins would be a shame. If we know better Agrigento site (Sicile) and Acropolis of Athens for the remains of ancient Greece, the Agora, the Arch and the Rotunda de Galère, the ruins of the palace of the Emperor Galère (250-311).

L’ Agora de Thessaloniki 3rd century before J-C. It was the public square, where public things were debated, during the Hellenistic and Roman period. The Arc de Galère is a tetrarchic monument (political regime imposed by the Roman Empire under Diocletian) imposing, built between 299 and 305 and dedicated to Emperor Galère to commemorate his victory against the Persians and the Sassanides. The Arc and the Rotonde have been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

4. The statue Alexander the Great

It is not so much to prostrate at the foot of the statue of the ancient warrior Alexander the Great (-356;-323) that is recommended to you, but to enjoy a lung of greenery in the heart of the city centre: the Garden in the name of the ancient king of Macedonia is located in the east of the White Tower, just on the seafront. This is an example of a park where to stroll and breathe a little by visiting Thessaloniki.

5. The Heptapyrgion

We come to visit the old town of Thessaloniki. L’ Heptapyrgion – meaning the fort to seven towers – is an ancient Byzantine and Ottoman fortress. Located northeast of the Acropolis, the walls of the medieval fortress crossed the ages: built in the 4th century of ancient Greece, the ramparts of the Acropolis initially consisted of three turrets. The castle has five other towers in the 12th century.

During the Ottoman occupation in the 15th century, the Turks reconstructed the site. From the late 19th century to 1989, Heptapyrgion was a prison.

6. Thessaloniki Museums

You know what to do in Thessaloniki? Well, know that the city's museums are unmissable. They make it possible to better address the history of the city and form an important part of European culture. First start by visiting Archaeological Museum , inaugurated in 1962. It houses collections of Greek art, as well as an important concentration of objects of the everyday life of the Macedonians from the archaic period (6th-5th centuries BC) to the late Roman Empire.

Continue with Byzantine culture museum – inaugurated in 1994, it presents an important collection of Greek art objects and on Byzantine culture in Macedonia, from the 4th century to the 19th century - and then go to the Photography Museum . Opened in 1998, there are photographs of Greek history and arts.

7. Thessaloniki churches

Do you like religious buildings and ornaments of Orthodox architecture? Visiting Thessaloniki allows you to see beautiful Byzantine churches, and will offer a certain change. Don’t miss the church Agios Demetrios , one of the must-sees. Largest church in the city, dedicated to Demetrios and classified at UNESCO, this church was first built around the year 306, destroyed several times, then rebuilt in the 7th century. It became a mosque during the Ottoman period (1492-1912), and then returned to an Orthodox church at the independence of Greece.

We must also see the Church of St. Sophia – no, we are not in Istanbul! – coming to Thessaloniki. Located in the city centre, it was built in the 5th century, destroyed by a earthquake and rebuilt in the 7th century. It is classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.

8. Thessaloniki markets

Would you like to visit Thessaloniki by being close to the population? Do you like local culinary specialties and gastronomy? Visit covered markets the city where you find a popular atmosphere, as often. You can wander through the aisles and stalls of Modiano's markets, Kapani and Athonos to find local specialties, fresh products, and discover the city's culinary identity: loukoums, cheeses, olives, spices, charcuterie...

And yes, visiting Thessaloniki is also how Greeks eat! And for the most greedy, know that you can allier visit the city and gustative pleasure by making a culinary and cultural tour !

9. Archaeological sites of Pella and Aigai

What to do in Thessaloniki again? If you stay on site, take a bus to visit a must in the region: the archaeological ruins of Pella and d Aigai .

Pella was an ancient capital of Macedonia, revealed by the Greek historian Herodote (-480;-425). Near Vergina, not far from Thessaloniki, is Aigai, the first capital of Macedonia (before Pella).

10. The beaches of Chalcidique

Why not go wet in the hot waters of the Aegean Sea after having been able to visit Thessaloniki in the long, wide and across? Before leaving, enjoy the beaches Epanomi , the best beach near Thessaloniki.

Otherwise, a trident – no, it’s not Zeus – plunges east of the Aegean: it’s the Chalcidique , area nicknamed "the secret paradise of Greece" by the locals. The region has beaches among the most beautiful in Greece: hot, translucent waters, fine and white sands, like a tropical lagoon!

How to get to Thessaloniki?

Going to Thessaloniki is simple: there are direct and regular flights from Paris for less than 50 euros (if flexible dates). L’ airport of Thessaloniki is 13 kilometers from the city. To find cheap flights to Thessaloniki, you can search our partner's website Ulysses . From the airport, you can reach the city if you rent a car , by bus or with one private driver .

From France, with your personal car or after having rented a car , you can also come by road trip through the Balkan road ( Ljubljana Zagreb, Belgrade, Sofia or Skopje).

Where to stay in Thessaloniki?

Where to stay to visit Thessaloniki quietly? Ano Poli neighbourhoods are recommended (for the ferus of history and culture), Egnatia and Ladadika (for the festivities). To help you choose where to stay in Thessaloniki, read our article « In which quarter house in Thessaloniki? “