Our 3 days in Thessaloniki

We spent 3 days in Thessaloniki on the last leg of our month-long tour of mainland Greece, unsure what to expect. A history-rich and vibrant port city awaited us.

Today, it is known for its festivals, events, and university. No wonder National Geographic Magazine included it in its top travel destinations.

If you are looking for a city break in an authentic Mediterranean setting or find yourself in Greece but have had enough of the beach, spending 3 days in Thessaloniki might be precisely what you need.

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Table of Contents

  1. 3 days in Thessaloniki
  2. Where to stay in Thessaloniki
    1. How to get around Thessaloniki
  3. What to do in Thessaloniki in 3 days?
    1. Day 1 – Sightseeing
      1. Aristotelous Square
      2. Roman Forum
      3. Hagios Demetrios (The Church of Saint Demetrius)
      4. Hagia Sophia
      5. The Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda
      6. East Byzantine Walls of Thessaloniki
      7. Bougatsa Giannis Thessaloniki
      8. White Tower of Thessaloniki
      9. Selfie Museum
      10. Dinner in Ladadika District
    2. Day 2 – Trip Outside the City
      1. Dion & Meteora
      2. Sithonia Beaches & Villages Tour
      3. Pozar Thermal Baths & Edessa
      4. Vergina & Pella
        1. Vergina
        2. Pella
      5. Kerkini Lake
      6. Cruise Blue Lagoon
      7. Siatista & Kastoria
    3. Day 3 Museums & Relaxation
      1. OTE Tower Rotating Experience
      2. Visiting Museums
      3. Nea Paralia
  4. Other City Break Options

3 days in Thessaloniki

Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki

The city’s history is too long and eventful to cover in this post.

However, you should know that Thessaloniki was one of the top two cities in the late Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. That’s more than 1500 years of prominence. To put it in context, Thessaloniki was to the Imperial capital of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul) what New York is to Washington, D.C. today.

Moreover, it had a crowning role in Christian history. Thessaloniki was one of the first major cities to convert to Christianity. It is also where Saint Paul wrote the first book of the Gospel: The First Epistle to the Thessalonians. Could you imagine Christianity without the Good Book?

Where to stay in Thessaloniki

We stayed in the Agia Triada district, near the waterfront and within walking distance from the city center. It turned out to be a good choice, especially since we were traveling with our 1-year old daughter. The nearby park and wide waterfront were a blessing, and we could cover the main attractions on foot.

Please be advised that parking on the narrow streets is not easy. So if you travel by car, make sure you book a place that has a parking space.

Speaking of cars, if you ever need to rent one, use Discover Cars. They can help you save up to 70% and have a flexible cancellation policy if your travel plans change.

To sum up, if possible, stay near the center and the waterfront. Also, make sure to check the parking availability.

Here are two hotel suggestions:

ON Residence is a great 5* hotel located on the waterfront, right in the city center. See more about the hotel here!

Noa Hotel is a more accessible option located only 600 meters from Aristotelous Square in the popular Ladadika District. Get the best price here!

Booking.com

How to get around Thessaloniki

Getting around Thessaloniki

On our visit, we walked; we didn’t use cars or buses. However, we stayed near the center and most attractions.

Bear in mind, though, that Thessaloniki is a large city with a metropolitan area of approximately 1 million inhabitants. So, if you want to explore outside the central area, we suggest using public transportation.

A dense network of bus lines serves the urban area, and tickets can be bought inside the bus or from ticket booths.

What to do in Thessaloniki in 3 days?

Day 1 – Sightseeing

3 days in Thessaloniki

Aristotelous Square

Aristotelous Square is one of the iconic places in contemporary Greece, famous for its political rallies, festivals, and cultural events.

For many Greeks, it is synonymous with the city of Thessaloniki.

You could start your day by having a coffee while admiring the beautiful architecture.

Roman Forum

Roman Forum in Thessaloniki

Nearby Aristotelous Square, you will find the Roman Forum.

Initially serving as a Greek-style agora during Macedonian times, the Roman conquerors redesigned it into their image.

It comprised a two-terraced forum where all the important public events of the day were held. The forum also hosted two public baths and a small theatre used for staging plays and organizing gladiatorial games.

Hagios Demetrios (The Church of Saint Demetrius)

Located a short distance from the forum, Hagios Demetrios is one of the storied Holy places in Thessaloniki.

The basilica is famous for six extant mosaics depicting Saint Demetrius, which were created sometime before the beginning of the Byzantine Iconoclasm in 730 AD. Their survival is what makes them extraordinary. Allow me to explain.

It may seem strange to Roman Catholics or Greek Orthodox worshipers today. Still, for two extended periods spanning more than 100 years, the depiction of religious figures was violently opposed by the (Eastern) Church and Imperial authorities—even depictions of Jesus Christ were considered heretical.

During this time, religious images were systematically destroyed, and those who venerated them were persecuted. Eventually, the iconophiles prevailed. Hence, the rich imagery adorning medieval and modern temples.

Somehow, the mosaics of Hagios Demetrios avoided destruction and endured through the ages.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia in Thessaloniki

Hagia Sophia, or Holy Wisdom, is the sister church of the similarly named monument in Constantinople, today’s Istanbul. It was built by the Byzantines in the 7th century and modeled after its more famous namesake.

The structure is a perfect example of Byzantine Art, so it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Similarly to Hagios Demetrios, Hagia Sophia was later transformed into a Catholic cathedral by the conquering Crusaders, then into a mosque by the Turks, and finally into a Greek Orthodox temple after Thessaloniki became part of independent Greece.

The Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda

The Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda are two neighboring monuments in Thessaloniki. They formed the backbone of the Roman Imperial precinct, which used to comprise the Emperor’s now-destroyed palace.

The Rotunda is a massive circular structure initially erected as a place of worship for the pre-Christian Roman gods. Later, it became one of the first Christian basilicas in the Roman Empire before being converted to the religion of the successive conquerors.

The Arch of Galerius is a Roman triumphal arch commemorating the Roman victories over the Sassanid Persian Empire. Later, people forgot the events depicted on it and mistakenly attributed the monument to Emperor Constantine the Great, King Philip II of Macedon, or Alexander the Great. Only in 1890 did a German historian rediscover the true origin of the structure, namely, a monument to Emperor Galerius’ victory over the Persians.

East Byzantine Walls of Thessaloniki

An important city since Macedonian times, Thessaloniki was surrounded by defensive walls. These walls fell into ruin after the Roman conquest and the ensuing centuries of peace. However, the upheavals of the Third Century Crisis led to the construction of new fortifications using materials from the ruined older walls. The defenses successfully fended off Gothic attacks in 254 and 268 AD.

The current structures date from the late Roman period and were erected circa 390 AD. As the Roman Empire crumbled, its Byzantine successors made successive improvements to keep the marauding Avars, Slavs, and Saracens at bay.

After the Ottoman conquest, the defenses visible today were neglected.

Bougatsa Giannis Thessaloniki

You must be hungry by now, so drop by Bougatsa Giannis to sample one of the finest traditional pastries in Thessaloniki.

Bougatsa is a traditional Greek pastry with ancient roots. It is probably a variation of the Roman placenta cake. It is usually served for breakfast, but don’t let that stop you. The pastries come in sweet and salty varieties.

White Tower of Thessaloniki

The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a circular monument on the city’s waterfront. For some reason, it makes me think of HBO’s Game of Thrones.

One of the gruesome events at the tower was Sultan Mahmud II’s mass execution of the rebellious Janissaries, the Ottoman Empire’s elite soldiers.

At the time, the tower hosted an infamous prison known as the Tower of Blood or Red Tower. You can easily guess why.

Its current name, the White Tower, dates from the 19th century when a convict is said to have whitewashed the structure in exchange for his freedom.

Today, the White Tower hosts a museum dedicated to the city’s history.

Selfie Museum

If you had enough of journeying down history lane but still have the energy for a bit of fun, you should visit the Selfie Museum of Thessaloniki.

Moreover, you can immortalize your visit to Thessaloniki by taking selfies in the 30 different-themed settings available at the site. Put aside an hour and be the star of your own photo session.

Dinner in Ladadika District

After a day of sightseeing, no one can blame you if you yearn for a good dinner in a lovely setting.

The Ladadika district is one of the picturesque waterfront areas of Thessaloniki and offers various options to the famished and weary. Enjoy a hearty Greek dinner and drinks in this authentic setting.

Day 2 – Trip Outside the City

The region around Thessaloniki has many interesting sights to offer. Depending on your interest, you’ll be well rewarded if you choose to wander outside the city limits.

You can rent a car or book a guided tour.

Personally, I’ll go for the tour—it comes with professional English-speaking guides and saves you the hustle of driving and finding parking spaces.

Most tours are affordable and reasonably priced compared to the cost of renting a car, paying highway tolls, and buying gas. Please note that Greece has one of the highest gas prices in Europe, and way higher than in the U.S.

Dion & Meteora

Meteora

Visiting Dion and Meteora is a must, as far as I am concerned. However, the sites are relatively far from Thessaloniki (Dion is a 1.5-hour drive from Thessaloniki, and Meteora is another 2-hour drive from Dion, so expect a 7-hour drive on a round trip), so you are best served to book a guided bus tour.

Located at the foot of Mount Olympos, the residence of the gods, the village of Dion is known for its ancient Macedonian sanctuary of Zeus and the remains of the ancient city. Therefore, visiting the Archeological Park of Dion is a worthwhile experience if you’d like to journey to ancient times.

Book a day tour of Dion and Mount Olympus!

Probably one of the most iconic sites in Greece, the monastery complex in Meteora is a sight to behold. Furthermore, the medieval monasteries are a unique architectural wonder perched on immense rocky pillars. Even for a skeptic like me, it is hard not to feel a mystical, peaceful presence in this place. Have I mentioned the marvelous Instagrammable potential of the place?

Book a day tour to Meteora!

Sithonia Beaches & Villages Tour

If you prefer a day at the beach, you can’t go wrong with the Sithonia beaches.

Driving one hour to the southeast of Thessaloniki, you’ll find the Sithonia cape, home to some of the finest beaches in Greece.

When you get bored of sunbathing, you could tour some of the nearby villages.

Old Nikiti has lovely ancient streets and a market, should you want to browse for local produce.

Porto Koufo boasts the largest natural harbor in Greece; it is also a good place for a swim.

Parthenonas, or Parthenon Village, is a picturesque place home to well-preserved traditional houses. The village was abandoned in the 20th century but has been revived since, and for good reason—it is lovely.

Book your tour from Thessaloniki to Sithonia!

Pozar Thermal Baths & Edessa

Have you ever dreamed of swimming in a beautiful outdoor pool surrounded by natural waterfalls? Perhaps you only want to relax in healing thermal waters while watching the nearby river slowly flow by. Either way, the Pozar Thermal Baths are the place for you.

The Pozar Thermal Baths are a 1.5-hour drive from Thessaloniki and can be accessed by car or an organized bus tour.

Three outdoor pools are available; the thermal water is hot, at a constant 37 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit). A cold river skirts the thermal pools, so many bathers jump in the river after bathing in the hot waters to create the sauna effect.

Then, after a relaxing stint at the baths and a delicious lunch in the nearby village, you should stop at the ancient city of Edessa on your way back to Thessaloniki.

According to legend, the founder of the ancient kingdom of Macedon made the city of Edessa his capital before it was relocated to Vergina. Little did he know that his fledgling realm would one day dominate most of the ancient world.

Later, Edessa became the center of Greek culture in medieval times and was known for its strong walls. After Greek independence, Edessa became an industrial center specializing in textile production. The city is mainly known today for its bustling tourist sector.

Apart from the ruins of ancient times and its old town district, Edessa is known for its spectacular waterfall. Make sure to take some pictures!

Book your day trip to Edessa and Pozar Thermal Baths here!

Vergina & Pella

For those visitors interested in the fantastic story of Alexander the Great and his Macedonians, spending a day visiting the two ancient capitals of the Kingdom of Macedon is a must.

Vergina

Called Aigai at the time, it was the first recorded capital of the Kingdom of Macedon (although legend claims Edessa preceded it in that role) before the kings moved to Pella. Today, the small village witnessed one of the most significant events in world history.

In 336 B.C., King Philip II of Macedon was assassinated in Aigai’s theatre, leading to the ascension of his young son, Alexander III the Great, to the throne. A few short years later, Alexander’s realm expanded from Greece to India, becoming one of the largest empires the world has ever seen.

Modern-day tourists can visit the Museum of the Tumuls of Philip II, which includes the tomb of the famous ancient king. Three other tombs are also on display.

Tomb II contained the remains of Philip’s last wife, Queen Meda, who sacrificed herself at her husband’s funeral as customary.

King Alexander IV of Macedon, son of Alexander the Great, was buried in Tomb III.

The latest tomb was erected for King Antigouns II Gonatas, a later Macedonian ruler who stabilized the realm after Alexander the Great’s death.

Due to Vergina’s importance in the development of European civilization, namely the shift from classical city-states to the first European-led empire, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pella

Pella was the capital of the Kingdom of Macedon during its peak period. It was the birthplace of Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great. During the Hellenistic period, Pella became one of the most prosperous cities in Greece.

Sacked by the Romans in 168 B.C., Pella was slowly eclipsed in Roman times by the rise of Thessaloniki.

Today, the site holds many interesting archeological remains. The Palace of Pella has been excavated since 2011, and much of it was restored in the following decade.

Book our trip to Vergina & Pella from Thessaloniki!

Kerkini Lake

Photo by Birger Strahl on Unsplash

Kerkini Lake is an artificial reservoir created in 1932 on the site of an extensive marshy area. Nestled at the foot of mountains and embraced by forests, it is the primary bird-watching site in Greece. Migratory birds flock there from the entire Balkan area and beyond. In addition to birds, tourists can observe buffalo herds and other smaller mammals.

Alongside the Danube Delta in Romania, the area around Kerkini Lake is one of the best places in Europe for a safari-like experience.

Book your Kerkini Lake tour from Thessaloniki!

Cruise Blue Lagoon

Image by Svetoslav Markov from Pixabay

You don’t have to fly all the way to the middle of the Pacific Ocean to swim in azure waters and rest on the sandy beaches of uninhabited islands.

Instead, book a Blue Lagoon Cruise around the islands of the Chalkidiki peninsula, a one-hour drive from Thessaloniki. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy an authentic Greek experience.

Book your day trip to the Blue Lagoon!

Siatista & Kastoria

Siatista and Kastoria are some of the most beautiful towns in Northern Greece. A trip to these will reward you with a combination of history, architecture, culture, and nature.

Siatista features picturesque traditional architecture and some lovely churches. Furthermore, it is home to an authentic Greek winery, Dio Filoi—guided tours usually include a wine-tasting experience.

Kastoria is a larger town located on the shores of Lake Orestiada. It is known for its natural beauty and the architectural legacy of the Byzantine and later Ottoman periods.

Book your tour here!

Day 3 Museums & Relaxation

I usually prefer a more relaxed schedule on my last day, no matter where I am.

OTE Tower Rotating Experience

Start your day with a late breakfast or early lunch at OTE Rotating Tower. It is the tallest building in Thessaloniki, and, as the name suggests, it slowly rotates at 360 degrees.

For this reason, you’ll be treated to a superb sea and cityscape while enjoying your coffee and some delicious snacks.

Visiting Museums

Next, you could visit one (or more) of the nearby museums, depending on your topics of interest. I recommend the following: the Archeological Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the War Museum of Thessaloniki, the Atatürk Museum, the Museum of Illusions Thessaloniki, the Olympic Museum, and the Folklife Museum.

Nea Paralia

Nea Paralia, or New Beach, is Thessaloniki’s main waterfront area. You can walk, bike, and rest on the benches. It is also home to several smaller parks: the Garden of Sound, the Garden of Remembrance, and the Water Garden.

Nea Paralia offers a good view of the sunset, so why not treat yourself to a dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants?

This concludes our post. I hope I piqued your interest and that you are planning your 3 days in Thessaloniki. However, if you prefer a stunning Greek island, read our post about 2 days in Santorini.

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