Thessaloniki city breaks

Oh-so cosmo Thessaloniki is a city full of soul, ready to impress with its tangle of historical gems, hip bars, live music and bustling harbourside cafés. This place is a vibrant port city, where each uniquely flavoured neighbourhood paints a different picture. Expect action-packed days hopping between independent boutiques and modern art galleries, grabbing streetside gyros as you go. And by night? Get ready for one of the most exciting and diverse dining scenes around, followed by ouzo with the locals until late in lively Ladadika. Best of all? It’s just a bus ride away from some of the best Blue Flag beaches in all of Greece.

Sightseeing galore

Your to-do list is going to be jam-packed in Thessaloniki. The iconic White Tower acts as a gateway to a web of squares and avenues for shoppers and eager foodies, while there are bazaars, remnants of the city’s past, and the glistening harbour. It’s a multicultural melting pot, with fragments of many civilisations’ histories.

A tapestry of districts

Past the 2,300-year-old port, this vibrant urban jungle is filled with possibilities. It’s split out into districts, so you’ll easily be able to discover the spoils of each, one at a time. Ladadika is all about fun and good times, Valaoritou is more commercial, and Aristotelous Square is the centre of everything.

Mediterranean moments

This city gets particularly stylish when it comes to cuisine. Greek gastronomy is well known, but it mingles nicely with modern, international influences, too. Tapas fans can opt for a meze platter for a similar light-bite experience. Sticky pastries are great for sweet tooths, while you can’t beat an end-of-the-night ouzeri for a nightcap.

Excelsior Hotel Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki City, Thessaloniki

Our rating

Based on 1090 reviews

Fine dining restaurant
Central location
700m from the White Tower
1.2km from the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Certified Sustainable Hotel

City Hotel Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki City, Thessaloniki

Our rating

Based on 1005 reviews

Great for nightlife
Close to bars and restaurants
700m from the White Tower
1.2km from the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Certified Sustainable Hotel

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Arch of Galerius and Rotunda

Thessaloniki

Meet Thessaloniki’s most distinctive Roman structure. The Arch of Galerius neighbours the Rotunda, which were both built way back in the 4th century. They were pretty grand in their heyday, but now only...

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki

Dig up pieces of the city’s past. Hellenistic and Roman artefacts from Thessaloniki and Macedonia have been recovered and put on show. It was established in 1912 and – as it’s been going so...

Aristotle Square

Thessaloniki

The main square is the bubbling centre of this stunning city. It’s one of the most impressive of its kind in Greece, and is lined by 12 large, mansion-like buildings. To the right, you’ll spot the...

Language

Greek

Currency

Euro (€)

Time difference

+2hrs

Local beer

£3.60

One-way local transport ticket

80p

Meal for two

£38.40

Sightseeing

The New Waterfront gives a picturesque front-of-house look to Thessaloniki. There’s a lot to explore – both old and new – including walls and now modern hangouts too, like trendy bars. Wind around the many museums, like the Thessaloniki Cinema Museum, Teloglion Foundation of Art, and Archaeological Museum.

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Eating and drinking

Expect the perfect mix of swish restaurants and traditional tavernas. When it comes to street food, you can’t fault gyros. These wraps are made of pita bread, and stuffed with roasted meat and fresh salad. Enjoy a sit-down meal and order local specialties, like patsa (tripe soup) and bougatsa (a sweet, cream-filled pastry). Spicy lamb and aubergines are also winning regional staples.

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Shopping

This is where the districts are extra handy. Get set for shopping heaven, with malls and department stores around nearly every corner. Tsimiski Street hosts the city’s biggest range of shops, where you can snap up jewellery and tech. Mitropoleos Street is better for clothes and shoes.

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Getting around

The best way to see all the little nooks and hidden gems is to get around by foot. But the OASTH bus company offers super-low fares for single journeys and multiple trips. You’re only looking at a few euros, and you’ll be able to get on and off at different routes.