Welcome to Thessaloniki, Greece’s lively “co-capital,” founded in 315 BCE and shaped by Macedonian kings, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and a once-thriving Jewish community. This port city along the Thermaic Gulf dazzles with 15 UNESCO-listed Byzantine monuments, boulevards that spill into the sea, and a culinary scene that locals will proudly tell you is the country’s best.

Stroll the Nea Paralia waterfront from the White Tower to the Umbrellas sculpture, then climb into the stone lanes of Ano Poli for panoramic sunsets over the gulf. Explore the Rotunda, Arch and Rotunda of Galerius, Roman Forum, and the city’s twin heavyweight museums—the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and the Museum of Byzantine Culture.

Practical notes: Fly into SKG (buses 01X/01N serve the center; taxis are quick and affordable). Thessaloniki is famously foodie: start with bougatsa (cream-filled pastry), nibble meze with ouzo, then finish with trigona Panoramatos, those syrupy, custard-filled triangles. Card is widely accepted, tipping 5–10% is appreciated, and walking plus short buses cover most sights with ease.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki blends history with a youthful creative pulse. Aristotelous Square opens to the sea; Modiano and Kapani markets hum with spice-scented stalls; Ladadika’s cobbles glow at night with tavernas and jazz bars. It’s a city to taste as much as to tour.

• Top sights: White Tower, Ano Poli and Trigonio Tower, Rotunda and Galerius Arch, Roman Forum, Atatürk House Museum, Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki, Museum of Byzantine Culture, Archaeological Museum.
• Best neighborhoods to stay: Waterfront/Nea Paralia for sea views and jogging paths; Ladadika for nightlife and restaurants; Ano Poli for quiet, traditional houses and views.
• Food notes: Try bougatsa at classic bakeries, meze and grilled seafood in Ladadika, soutzoukakia and kebab “politiko” from the city’s Asia Minor heritage, and tsoureki from Terkenlis.
• Fun fact: A 1917 fire reshaped the center, giving today’s grand avenues their Parisian feel.

Where to book your stay: Browse apartments and sea-view stays on VRBO Thessaloniki or check hotels by neighborhood on Hotels.com Thessaloniki.

How to get here: Compare flights to SKG with Omio (Flights). If you’re already in Europe, check Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses) for Athens–Thessaloniki (train ~4–5 hours; bus ~6–7 hours). Flying from outside Europe? Search global deals on Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Seaside Welcome, Markets, and Ladadika Nights

Morning: Travel to Thessaloniki. From SKG Airport, take bus 01X (~40 minutes; about €2) or a taxi (~25 minutes; ~€20–25) to your hotel. Drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs on the Nea Paralia promenade: start at the White Tower, pass the “Umbrellas” sculpture, and watch sailboats skim the gulf. For a first taste, hit Modiano Food Market for olives, cheeses, and koulouri, then pop next door to Kapani Market for spices and meze bars.

Evening: Dinner in Ladadika. Try Full tou Meze (lively meze and tsipouro), Rouga (slow-braised lamb, stuffed peppers), or Sebriko (seasonal Greek with a modern touch). Nightcap options: Vogatsikou 3 (bespoke cocktails), The Hoppy Pub (Greek craft beers), or a sunset spritz on the old port’s deck at Kitchen Bar.

Day 2: Byzantine Bones, Roman Arches, and Upper Town Sunsets

Morning: Get oriented with a private city walk.

Best of Thessaloniki: Tour by Local (3–4 hours; typically €60–120 depending on group size). Expect a deep-dive into the Rotunda, Galerius Arch, Roman Forum, and Ottoman legacies, with neighborhood stories only locals share.

Brunch/coffee ideas before or after: Bougatsa Bantis (since 1969; classic cream bougatsa with cinnamon), Estrella (inventors of the “bougatsan”), or Gorillas (third-wave espresso and inventive small plates).

Afternoon: Spend 2–3 hours at the Museum of Byzantine Culture (subtle, superb curation) and the Archaeological Museum (Macedonian gold and Hellenistic sculpture). Break for a sweet at Elenidis (legendary trigona Panoramatos—crispy triangles piped to order).

Evening: Taxi or bus up to Ano Poli. Walk the Byzantine walls and Trigonio Tower for the city’s finest sunset. Dinner at historic Ouzeri Tsinari (vine-shaded courtyard; grilled octopus, fava, keftedakia) or try Mezen Salonica back in Ladadika (Volos-style meze with seafood twists). Toast the view with masticha or a Macedonian xinomavro.

Day 3: Day Trip—Vergina & Pella, the Macedonian Kingdom

Fuel up with a fast breakfast—spinach pie from a neighborhood bakery or a yogurt-honey bowl—then head out on a full-day history immersion.

Discover Vergina and Pella: Day Trip to Macedonian Kingdom (full day; often ~€60–90). Stand before the Royal Tombs at Vergina (Aigai)—including the astounding gold finds attributed to Philip II—and explore the archaeological site and museum at Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great.

Return to Thessaloniki by evening. Dinner ideas: Hamodrakas in Kalamaria (old-school seafood; fried gavros, fish soup) or Rouga if you prefer to stay central. For dessert, grab a chestnut-cream tsoureki from Terkenlis.

Day 4: Day Trip—Ancient Dion and the Slopes of Mount Olympus

Today blends myth and nature. Pack comfy shoes, a hat, and water.

Thessaloniki: Bus Trip to Dion & Mt Olympus National Park (full day; often ~€55–80). Wander sanctuaries and mosaics at ancient Dion, then stroll forested trails in Olympus National Park, with cascades and cool streams below the gods’ fabled peak.

Back in town, celebrate with a waterfront meal: try grilled sea bream, octopus, and a Macedonian white at a taverna along the marina or the port. Nightcap suggestion: a mellow glass of tsipouro at a small kafeneio near Aristotelous.

Day 5: Markets, Tastings, and Farewell Views

Morning: Eat your way through the city with a guided tasting walk.

Half Day Food and Walking Tour with Tastings in Thessaloniki (3–4 hours; often ~€55–75). Sample olives, cheeses, cold cuts, bougatsa, and meze while weaving through Modiano, Kapani, and tucked-away bakeries—plus stories from stallholders.

Afternoon: Last looks along the promenade—snap the White Tower—then transfer to SKG for your flight. If time allows, drop by the Museum of Photography at the port or sip a final freddo espresso by the water.

Evening: Departure day. If you have a late flight, an early dinner at Mezen Salonica or a quick gyro from Savvikos keeps it simple—and quintessentially Thessaloniki.

Where to stay (neighborhood picks):

• Waterfront/Nea Paralia: Modern hotels and contemporary apartments, ideal for runners and sunset lovers. Browse VRBO or check seafront hotels on Hotels.com.
• Ladadika: Steps from nightlife, meze bars, and the port’s sunsets—perfect if you want to walk everywhere.
• Ano Poli: Quiet, atmospheric guesthouses with sweeping views, a short bus ride from downtown.

Getting in and around: Compare flights with Omio (Flights) or worldwide with Kiwi.com. For overland routes in Europe, check Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). In town, buses cover most distances; taxis are affordable; walking links many sights in under 20 minutes.

This 5-day Thessaloniki itinerary layers seaside strolls, ancient Macedonian treasures, and generous Greek hospitality. You’ll leave with a camera full of golden-hour views—and a pocketful of favorite meze spots to recommend forever.