Thessaloniki Travel Guide

Thessaloniki, a city etched into our minds since childhood, loved even before setting foot there. As Greece’s second-largest city, it’s renowned for its youthful population. We decided on a three-night trip to this city in October.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Transportation

Accessing Thessaloniki offers a multitude of choices. The city’s airport lies just a half-hour away from the city centre. It’s welcoming direct flights from several European points, especially a favorite layover hub for low-cost airline companies. You can check the flight options from here.

Another alternative is the bus. Choosing to travel from Istanbul by bus, we secured round-trip tickets for 50 Euros per person, snagging a Kamil Koç promotion. Boarding the bus was at 10:00 PM on a Friday evening. This marked my first long bus journey, an excitement that led me to gather snacks. Seamlessly crossing the border, we arrived in Thessaloniki around 8:00 AM. Disembarking at Thessaloniki Bus Terminal, we later accessed the city centre via the company’s shuttle.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Accommodation

Using Airbnb, we arranged homes close to the city centre for the initial two nights and another for our last night. You can find the Airbnb links to the places we stayed here. Welcomed for early check-in, we dropped off our belongings and set out to explore the city.

There are many hotel options in Thessaloniki. You can explore the hotel options here.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Internet Access

Wi-Fi accessibility within the city is somewhat limited. To avoid internet-related inconveniences during exploration, consider purchasing an e-SIM via Airalo. Using the code IAMONT3974 on your first Airalo purchase will avail you of a $3 discount. If you prefer not to buy a SIM card, I recommend downloading the city’s offline map to your phone.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Places to Visit

Atatürk’s House

Opting to visit the house where Atatürk was born on a significant day like October 29 was a poignant choice. Nestled in the vicinity of the Turkish consulate, this louvered house left us profoundly moved upon our first sighting. Free entry to the house turned museum allowed us to explore every inch, from the garden up to the three-story building. Witnessing Atatürk’s wax statue and personal belongings led to deeply emotional moments.

Aristotelous Square

We later ventured towards Aristotelous Square, surrounded by charming cafes. Opening up to the sea at the front and encircled by buildings, the journey through alleys adorned with numerous simit and börek vendors led us to pick a börek shop for lunch, relishing their delicious and generously filled offerings.

Hagia Sophia Church

Inspired by Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, this church has stood since the 7th century. Maintaining a Byzantine style, the Hagia Sofia Church stands as one of the oldest structures in the city. It is under UNESCO protection.

The Waterfront

Post breakfast, we headed to the waterfront to take a stroll along the Kordon. The resemblance of Thessaloniki’s seafront to that of Izmir became strikingly evident. For instance, even the architectural style of the buildings bore almost identical semblances to those along Izmir’s coastline.

On our final day, we watched the sunset from a café along the Kordon. There are numerous cafés and restaurants along the waterfront. You can simply sit back and enjoy the beautiful sunset and stunning view.

White Tower

At the end of the Corniche, we encountered the famous White Tower. Built by Mimar Sinan during the Ottoman era, this tower had previously served as a prison. When the city came under Greek rule, the tower was painted entirely white. And its name has remained “White Tower” ever since. Despite losing its white hue over time, the name has persisted. Positioned right by the sea, the White Tower stands as one of the city’s most significant symbols.

Boat Tour

Found right in front of the White Tower along the waterfront, there are boats offering short tours. We hopped on one of these boats for a half-hour tour. The tour price, inclusive of a drink, stood at 5 Euros per person. Cruising along the coastline, we caught a distant view of the city’s silhouette. We opted for a Greek beer, Mythos, for our drink. It was truly delightful. If the weather is good, I highly recommend taking a boat tour.

Anna Palaiologina Gate

After disembarking from the boat, we wandered through the streets, eventually heading towards Anna Palaiologina Gate. This historical structure offers a bird’s eye view of the city. The view was beautiful, although due to cloudy weather, the sunset wasn’t as vivid. If you aim to watch a clear sunset on a clear day, this spot comes highly recommended.

Ladadika District

This area covers a broad region with numerous bars and entertainment venues. We had heard that the city boasts a lively nightlife due to its young population. After trying a few places in this area, we ended our night at a venue with live music. I’m sure amidst these options, you’ll find a spot that resonates with your taste.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Activities

There are many activities to do in Thessaloniki and its surroundings. Day trips to Mount Olympus and Meteora are just some of them. You can check out the activities and tour ticket prices in the Thessaloniki area on the platform below.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Dining

Full Tou Meze

To shake off the bus weariness and rejuvenate ourselves, we rested at home for a while and chose Full Tou Meze for our first dinner. The food and mezes were simply outstanding at this restaurant. I wholeheartedly recommend this place; the meals I had here linger in my thoughts. If I return to Thessaloniki one day, this will be my first stop.

Estrella Cafe

On our second day, we visited Estrella Cafe for breakfast. This sweet café is renowned for its croissants. We tried various types, all incredibly delicious. Located right across from Hagia Sophia Church, it offers a beautiful view as well.

Music Tavern Rosiniol

For dinner, we stumbled upon Music Tavern Rosiniol by chance during the day. Sitting at the front table, we enjoyed delightful mezes and dishes accompanied by live tavern music. Both the music and food were exceptional. To mention prices, mezes started from 2.5 Euros and main dishes from 7 Euros. The small bottle of Ouzo was priced at 6 Euros. If you fancy experiencing live Greek music in a tavern atmosphere while relishing great meals, this is a must-visit.

Blè

We dedicated our third day entirely to wining, dining, and souvenir shopping. Returning to the delightful pastries we had tried before, we indulged once again. We also tried various delectable treats at Blè, a cafe with a long queue and tantalizing sweets.

Ouzeri Lola

For our final dinner, we dined at Ouzeri Lola. Just like the other restaurants we tried, we were thoroughly satisfied with the meals here. This was another high-rated find stumbled upon casually.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Souvenirs

For souvenirs, alongside classic gifts like magnets, pins, pens, and notebooks, we purchased Ouzo from a local market. The prices seemed more reasonable than what we’d find at a Duty-Free store.

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: Notes & Recommendations & Conclusion

• I’ve pinned all the places to visit and restaurants on Google Maps in sequence. Save the map below, and even without internet, you can easily navigate to these locations.
• On Sunday evening, we boarded the bus company’s shuttle and headed to the terminal. Boarding the return bus at 10:00 PM, we arrived in Istanbul by 8:00 AM on Monday, ready for work. Traveling by bus turned out to be much more enjoyable than I anticipated. Sleeping through the journey not only makes time fly but also eliminates the need to pay for accommodation.
• Our time in Thessaloniki, buoyed by the warm people, cuisine, street life, history, and shared cultural ties, was immensely enjoyable, leaving us in high spirits as we bid farewell.
• In a similar weekend getaway fashion, you can read about my experiences in Tbilisi here.