GR · Central Macedonia · 40.64°N 22.94°E

thessaloniki

A long waterfront, Byzantine churches and pastry breakfasts in Greece's northern food city.

Best time
April–June and September–October are good for walking and outdoor tables. July–August is hot and humid; winter is much colder than in southern Greece.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Thessaloniki, usually via Istanbul, about 15–17 hours all in, or connect through Athens. Airport buses reach the centre in 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Greece is 5 hours behind KL in summer and 6 in winter.
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GR · Central Macedoniathessaloniki40.64°N 22.94°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A long waterfront, Byzantine churches and pastry breakfasts in Greece's northern food city.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingThessalonikiGR, Central Macedonia
KLthessaloniki
≈ 8,832 km from KL, as the crow flies
Thessaloniki, White Tower and seafront from southwest

Photo: Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Greece's second city stretches along a long seafront, with Roman arches, Byzantine churches and Ottoman bathhouses tucked between the modern blocks. It's a food city first: locals plan the day round bougatsa, markets and long dinners.

Makan

  1. BougatsaFlaky filo filled with custard or cheese, cut up and dusted with sugar and cinnamon for breakfast.Map ↗
  2. KoulouriA sesame-crusted bread ring, the city's walking-around snack.Map ↗
  3. Trigona PanoramatosCrisp filo triangles soaked in syrup and filled with cream.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The waterfront and White TowerThe long seaside promenade, past the city's round Ottoman-era tower and the giant Umbrellas sculpture.Map ↗
  2. Ano PoliThe upper town of old houses with wooden balconies and the old city walls, looking down over the gulf.Map ↗
  3. Rotunda and Arch of GaleriusA 4th-century Roman rotunda that has been a church and a mosque, next to a carved triumphal arch.Map ↗
  4. Kapani and ModianoTwo old markets in the centre, for olives, spices, cheese and a grazing lunch.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Take a bus or taxi up to Ano Poli and walk back down through the lanes.
  • Halal food is limited. When buying bougatsa, ask for custard or cheese, as some bakeries also make a minced-meat version.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.