How many days do you need in Thessaloniki?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Pella).

What are the top things to do in Thessaloniki?

Highlights: Basilica of Agios Dimitrios, Thessaloniki, White Tower of Thessaloniki, Hagia Sophia (Thessaloniki), Arch of Galerius and Rotunda and Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. The map has 30 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Thessaloniki city centre?

Thessaloniki Macedonia (SKG): Bus 01X / 01N ≈ 45 min

What is the emergency number in Thessaloniki?

Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199).

Do you tip in Thessaloniki?

Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.

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Thessaloniki Things to do and walking itinerary

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Thessaloniki travel guide

30 things to do in Thessaloniki, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

Top things to do in Thessaloniki

Basilica of Agios Dimitrios, Thessaloniki — church in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
White Tower of Thessaloniki — fortified tower (visit ≈ 120 min)
Hagia Sophia (Thessaloniki) — church in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 35 min)
Arch of Galerius and Rotunda — monument in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki — museum in Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
Church of the Acheiropoietos — church in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Church of Panagia Chalkeon — Orthodox church in Thessaloniki Municipality, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos — church in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Aristotelous Square — square in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 15 min)
Vlatadon Monastery — monastery in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Walls of Thessaloniki — Historic complex of walls built around the city of Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
New Mosque — former mosque (today an exhibition center) in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
Alaca Imaret Mosque — mosque in Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Church of Hosios David — church with fine Byzantine mosaics in Thessaloniki (visit ≈ 60 min)
Byzantine Bath — building in Municipality of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
Atatürk Museum — historic house museum in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
Hamza Bey Mosque — monument in Municipality of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Church of the Holy Twelve Apostles — church in Thessaloniki (visit ≈ 30 min)
Church of Saint Panteleimon — church in Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Church of Saint Catherine, Thessaloniki — church building in Municipality of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Church of Prophet Elijah — church in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Museum of Byzantine Culture — museum in Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
War Museum of Thessaloniki — war museum in Grigoriou Lampraki, Thessaloniki (visit ≈ 120 min)
Church of the Saviour — 14th-century Byzantine chapel in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
MOMus–Thessaloniki Museum of Photography — museum in Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
OTE Tower — telecommunications tower, with restaurant and observatory in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 40 min)
Rotunda — Roman temple, later church, in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
Heptapyrgion — fortress and former prison in Thessaloniki, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
Thessaloniki Concert Hall — building in Municipality of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (visit ≈ 20 min)
Monastir Synagogue — synagogue in Thessaloniki Municipality, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)

2-day Thessaloniki walking itinerary

Starting point: Aristotelous Square. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 7.3 km · 9,800 steps · 1 h 37 min on the way): Church of Panagia Chalkeon → Basilica of Agios Dimitrios, Thessaloniki → Church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos → Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki → White Tower of Thessaloniki → Arch of Galerius and Rotunda → Church of the Acheiropoietos
Day 2 (≈ 1.8 km · 2,390 steps · 24 min on the way): Hagia Sophia (Thessaloniki)

Where to stay in Thessaloniki

Aristotelous Square: On the main square, right by the sea.
Ladadika: By the port, full of tavernas and bars.
Ano Poli (Upper Town): A quiet old quarter with steep lanes and views.
White Tower / Nea Paralia: Next to the seafront parks and museums.
Kalamaria: A calm, local seaside district.

Getting from the airport to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Macedonia (SKG): Bus 01X / 01N ≈ 45 min

Getting around

The centre is walkable along the seafront; buses cover the city and the metro opened in 2024 runs east–west.

Classic places to eat

Ouzou Melathron: A beloved meze house with a witty menu.
Bantis: Warm bougatsa pastry since 1969.
Terkenlis: A bakery famous for tsoureki sweet bread.
Zythos: A beer and meze bar in Ladadika.
Modiano Pazarı: Small tavernas in the historic covered market.

Romantic views

Nea Paralia Promenade (Sunset): A seafront path leading to the Umbrellas sculpture.
White Tower (Evening): The bay and city from the top of the tower.
Trigonion Tower (Sunset): Sunset over the bay from the Upper Town walls.
Heptapyrgion (Sunset): A wide city view from the seven-towered fortress.

Football stadiums in Thessaloniki

Toumba Stadium: Home of PAOK FC
Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium: Home of Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
Kaftanzoglio National Stadium: Home of G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis (men's association football)

Day trips

Pella — 37 km from the centre

Good to know before visiting Thessaloniki

Fine: Removing stones or artefacts from ancient sites is a serious crime.
Fine: Photographing military installations, especially in border areas, is prohibited.
Fine: In Athens you must validate metro and bus tickets; inspectors fine riders without one.
Fine: Smoking indoors is banned; lighting fires outdoors in summer is fined.
Warning: Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries; some ask women to wear skirts.
Warning: Stiletto heels are banned at ancient sites like the Acropolis to protect the stone.

Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199)
Plugs: C/F, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is fine in Athens and Thessaloniki; on islands bottled water is usual.
Tipping: Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.

Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Greece, Wikivoyage — Greece, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Thessaloniki travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Thessaloniki?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Pella).
What are the top things to do in Thessaloniki?: Highlights: Basilica of Agios Dimitrios, Thessaloniki, White Tower of Thessaloniki, Hagia Sophia (Thessaloniki), Arch of Galerius and Rotunda and Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. The map has 30 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Thessaloniki?: Aristotelous Square: On the main square, right by the sea. Other options: Ladadika, Ano Poli (Upper Town), White Tower / Nea Paralia and Kalamaria.
How do you get from the airport to Thessaloniki city centre?: Thessaloniki Macedonia (SKG): Bus 01X / 01N ≈ 45 min
How do you get around Thessaloniki?: The centre is walkable along the seafront; buses cover the city and the metro opened in 2024 runs east–west.
What is the emergency number in Thessaloniki?: Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199).
Do you tip in Thessaloniki?: Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.

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