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The White Tower on the Thessaloniki waterfront

No. 89 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Thessaloniki

Greece

Greece's laid-back second city: a long waterfront, Byzantine churches and one of the country's best food scenes.

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Photo: Annatsach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Thessaloniki is No. 89 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. Greece's second city curves along the Thermaic Gulf in northern Greece.

Its Early Christian and Byzantine monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also known for its markets, bakeries and tavernas, its student life and its seafront sunsets.

The Rotunda seen from the Arch of Galerius, Thessaloniki
The Rotunda seen from the Arch of Galerius, Thessaloniki. Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to go

April to June and September to October are the most pleasant.

July and August are hot, and many locals head to the beaches of Halkidiki.

Top sights

  • 1

    White Tower

    The city's landmark on the waterfront, with a museum and views from the top.

  • 2

    The waterfront

    A long promenade with the Umbrellas sculpture by George Zongolopoulos.

  • 3

    Rotunda and Arch of Galerius

    Roman monuments from around AD 300 in the city centre.

  • 4

    Hagios Demetrios

    The large basilica of the city's patron saint, with a crypt.

  • 5

    Ano Poli

    The upper town of old houses, lanes and city walls, with views over the bay.

  • 6

    Modiano and Kapani markets

    Central food markets full of olives, spices, cheese and small eateries.

Getting there

Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) is about 15 km south-east of the centre; buses and taxis take 30 to 45 minutes.

Trains link Thessaloniki with Athens in about 4.5 hours.

Getting around

The Thessaloniki Metro opened in 2024 and runs under the centre; buses cover the rest of the city. The centre and waterfront are walkable.

Practical tips

Currency
Euro (EUR). Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere.
Language
Greek. English is widely spoken.
Safety
Thessaloniki is generally safe. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
Greece is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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