Thessaloniki is also an ideal weekend destination or starting point for travelling around Greece, thanks to its frequent low-cost connections with Europe, where you will have a lot of fun for 1 or 2 days.
Sights and history
Greece has been steeped in European history, so it's no surprise that Thessaloniki is brimming with sights. At first glance, it may seem that the local sights are little known and uninteresting compared to other similarly sized cities, but that's exactly what adds to their charm.
You won't be crowded with crowds of other tourists practically anywhere, and you'll also experience a unique atmosphere where ancient antique or medieval Byzantine monuments can be found right among the modern buildings.
The most important monuments of Thessaloniki from the Roman Empire include:
Of the Byzantine monuments, you should not miss these:
Top 10 best hotels in Thessaloniki
Shopping in the markets
Thessaloniki is literally a paradise for lovers of lively markets and streets brimming with stalls selling all sorts of goods. You'll be in your element, especially in the central area between Aristotle Square and the Roman Forum, where, heading west, you'll find impromptu or official markets in practically every alley.
The outdoor stalls are where you'll mainly buy clothes, souvenirs and handicrafts, while the indoor markets, such as Modiano or Kapani, will delight your senses with local foods from vegetables to fish and meat to spices.
Nightlife
The centre of Thessaloniki is renowned for its buzzing nightlife, with most restaurants and bars closing until the early hours of the morning.
The liveliest part is practically all along the promenade, where you can have a very pleasant sober day sitting by the sea before heading to your hotel.
Beaches and swimming
Don't expect any beaches right in town, the only usable one is in the suburb of Perea, which is best reached by boat, a pleasant experience in itself.
However, Thessaloniki will be the starting point for travelling to beach destinations in the north of Greece, especially the nearby and very popular Halkidiki peninsula or the island of Thassos.
A trip to the monasteries of Meteora
The rock city with its monasteries of Meteora in central Greece is one of the most visited and beautiful places in the country. And Thessaloniki is the nearest major city, with roughly an hour and a half shorter connection than from Athens.
For detailed information about this magical place, read our guide to Greece.
But how to get to Meteora from Thessaloniki?
Always look for connections to the town of Kalambaka (sometimes also spelled Kalabaka or Kalampaka), which lies in close proximity to the rock monasteries.
As well as car hire, there are fairly frequent bus and train connections, although these are always with a transfer.
Train
Trains run 3 times a day with a change at Palaeofarsalos station. The total journey time varies according to the time of change, the fastest train is the evening train with a journey time of 3:07, the slowest is the midday train with a journey time of over 4 hours. A one-way ticket costs about 35 eur and can be bought online at the official Greek Railways website tickets.trainose.gr.
Bus
Buses run 4 times a day (only 3 times on Saturdays) and you have to change buses in Trikala. Buses then run from Trikala to Kalambaka about once an hour, more often in summer. A one-way ticket from Thessaloniki to Kalampaka costs about 20 eur. Return tickets are sold at a discounted price at 33 eur. Information and the possibility to buy online at ktel-trikala.gr.
