Visiting Thessaloniki for the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do

Named Greece's first “city of gastronomy” by UNESCO in 2021, Thessaloniki is undoubtedly the country’s de facto foodie capital so there’s a huge number of food-centric experiences to be enjoyed. A tour of the bustling Kapani and Modiano markets is the best way to get an overview of the produce that makes the city’s cuisine so special, while sampling hallmark Thessaloniki dishes means hitting the city’s tavernas and bakeries.

Start the day with bougatsa—layered filo pastry stuffed with feta or sweet semolina custard (doused in icing sugar and cinnamon)—and later move on to spiced soutzoukakia meatballs, mussel pilaf, and syrupy trigona pastries.

Founded by King Cassander of Macedon around 315 BC, Thessaloniki has played a key role as a pivotal trading port within the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires—and traces of this rich history abound. Tour Thessaloniki’s ancient historical sites, passing beneath the triumphal Arch of Galerius (known as Kamara), whose marble pillars are adorned with intricate carvings. Imagine the hustle and bustle of the Roman Forum (Ancient Agora) and admire the elaborate frescoes of the Rotonda on an archaeological tour.

For an extra dose of antiquity, visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture—among the most popular Thessaloniki tourist attractions—or head on a day trip to Vergina and Pella.

Thessaloniki’s waterfront White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos) is nearly synonymous with the city. This emblem dates back to Ottoman rule, when the site was used as a prison. The Ottoman architectural legacy is more visible in Thessaloniki than in Athens—not least because Thessaloniki remained part of the Ottoman Empire far beyond the 1820s Greek War of Independence until 1912, meaning it spent nearly 500 years total under the Ottomans.

A Thessaloniki walking tour undoubtedly should take in the tower (climb to the top for stellar views), as well as the Alaca Imaret Mosque and the city’s first Ottoman bathhouse, the Bey Hamam.

Following their expulsion from Spain in 1492, Thessaloniki’s Jewish population comprised the city’s largest community until the early 20th century. Though the city’s contemporary Jewish community is small, traces of its rich contribution are still visible today—if you know where to look.

The Jewish Museum is among the best places to visit in Thessaloniki to discover this aspect of the city’s religious and cultural heritage, while a visit to the Holocaust memorial on Eleftheria Square is as worthwhile as it is sobering. And Thessaloniki’s main market, Modiano, is not only a place to explore Thessaloniki food and drink, but also Jewish history—it was built by prominent Italian Jewish architect Eli Modiano.

For a Thessaloniki walking tour with a bonus workout for the calves, make the steep climb up to Ano Poli (literally the “Upper City”) to discover one of the only neighborhoods to survive the Great Fire that ravaged Thessaloniki in 1917.

Wandering its labyrinthine, meandering stone-paved streets, you’ll find quaint squares, traditional houses, and well-preserved examples of Ottoman architecture, before arriving at the Byzantine- and Ottoman-era fort known as the Eptapyrgio. For a top-of-the-list of truly local things to do in Thessaloniki, join the groups of young people who gather to watch the sunset from the old city walls—ideally with a beer in hand.

Thessaloniki’s Nea Paralia promenade stretches more than 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the city’s port to the imposing Megaro Mousikis concert hall. A stroll—or a bike ride—along the waterfront is a beloved local outdoor activity, particularly on clear days when there’s a chance of glimpsing Mt. Olympus across the bay.

As well as 13 themed gardens and a triumphal monument to Alexander the Great, here you’ll find George Zongolopoulos’ Umbrellas installation. This piece of public art has become a symbol of the city to rival the White Tower and is an ever-popular spot for photo shoots.

In addition to the classic Thessaloniki tourist attractions, the city’s chock full of options for art and culture lovers. The MOMus-Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art houses the Costakis Collection, one of the world’s largest collections of Russian avant-garde art, while the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, set in a renovated port warehouse, is the only state-run museum in Greece dedicated entirely to photography.

The city’s creativity shines even brighter if you time your visit right, with the Thessaloniki International Film Festival taking over each November, and the Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art filling citywide locations with intriguing art.

Home to a host of universities—including Greece’s largest, the Aristotle University—Thessaloniki has a youthful energy and, as is often the case with student cities, a vibrant nightlife to match. Whether it’s sipping unique cocktails packed with local flavors (tsipouro negroni, anyone?) on a roof terrace, enjoying a glass of wine as night falls, or dancing until dawn at a bouzoukia club, there’s an evening adventure to suit every taste. Not sure where to start? Join a bar crawl for the inside track on Thessaloniki nightlife.

Long famed (not necessarily positively) for its penchant for retsina—a somewhat infamous Greek white wine infused with pine resin—Greece is making a name for itself as a wine destination, and there’s no shortage of wine experiences to enjoy around Thessaloniki. In addition to international varieties, the vineyards surrounding Thessaloniki are home to native grape varieties including the white Malagousia and Assyrtiko, and red Xinomavro, Mavroudi, and Limnio.

One of the region's best wineries, Ktima Gerovassoliou, is only around 40 minutes from the center of Thessaloniki—there’s no better way to experience world-class local wines than a visit to the vineyard’s museum and a tasting with panoramic views over the vines.

There’s no need to decide between a city break and a beach escape. If visiting Thessaloniki in summer, take the convenient water taxi over to the city beaches of Peraia and Neoi Epivates. For an even more idyllic waterside retreat, make the short drive to the silky sands of Halkidiki, considered one of the most serene. Discover Halkidiki’s three “fingers”—the Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos peninsulas, crowned by pine forests and scenic villages—during a cruise or other excursion. Visiting off season? Opt for a warmer swim at the Pozar Thermal Baths.