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Looking for Flights to Thessaloniki?
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Hotels in Thessaloniki: Visit the Macedonian Metropolis
Ready for your Thessaloniki vacation? Thessaloniki, with 360,000 residents, is Greece’s second-largest city, located right on the sea. This lively capital of the Macedonian region might not seem like an obvious beauty at first glance, but its charms reveal themselves quickly.
Here, we’ll tell you what to experience and how to travel in Greece on a budget. Let’s go to Thessaloniki!
How to Plan Thessaloniki Vacations:
Flights to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is very accessible by airplane, with its international airport just outside the city. It serves as a hub for charter, regular, and budget airlines. For example, American Airlines operates Thessaloniki flights from major US cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Ryanair also connects Thessaloniki flights with Athens and Chania on Crete.
Thessaloniki is connected to the European rail network via Skopje, Belgrade, and Budapest, and several bus lines offer direct routes from major European cities to the Macedonian capital. However, these trips can take a while!
Pirate tip: Combine your stay in Thessaloniki hotels with a vacation in Turkey! From Istanbul’s Otogar bus station, you can reach Thessaloniki by bus in about 10 hours, making for a great round-trip experience.
How Long Should You Book Thessaloniki Hotels?
A weekend trip is enough to enjoy Thessaloniki and then head to the islands or Chalkidiki. But you could also spend a week or more in Thessaloniki without getting bored. The city is rich in history, with its historic gems spread throughout the area waiting to be discovered. On the other hand, it’s too sprawling to be covered in just one or two days. Three days is the absolute minimum.
Climate and Best Time to Visit Thessaloniki
Macedonia and northern Greece can get very cold in winter, so the winter months aren’t ideal for long stays. However, by March, it starts to warm up, with April and May being great months to visit. In the summer, Thessaloniki can feel extremely hot and polluted, so it’s better to use the city as a starting point rather than plan a long stay.
Pirate tip: During the peak summer months, do what everyone in Thessaloniki does: leave the city quickly and head to the beach!
What Must You Do in Thessaloniki?
Excursions in Thessaloniki
No Thessaloniki vacation is complete without a visit to the Chalkidiki Peninsula! A bus ride of just over an hour will take you to some of the most beautiful beaches of the northern Aegean. During the summer, everyone in Thessaloniki heads to Chalkidiki’s beaches.
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and the mythical home of the gods, only about an hour by train from Thessaloniki. You can take a train to Litochoro and then hike to the Enipeas Gorge. The E4 long-distance trail also passes just west of Litochoro.
Eating & Drinking
Order a Café Freddo in the old gatekeeper’s house, then head to the old harbor’s pier to enjoy the city’s view. That’s what everyone does, and it’s something you should do, too. Alternatively, relax on the central promenade of Platia Aristotelous.
Of course, you must have dinner in an authentic taverna! The best places are around the Athonos Square in the city center.
Pirate tip: In Greece, it’s a clever idea to order a variety of appetizers (Meze) for the whole table instead of individual main courses.
Nightlife in Thessaloniki
Before heading to the many clubs, young people meet in the bars along the waterfront. You’ll know you’re in the right place by the prices: the trendier the place, the more expensive it is!
Older locals (those over 35) stay away from these spots, opting instead for the local taverna or Kafenion. If you’re looking for something authentic, head up to the Upper Town and stop in wherever feels right.
Pirate tip: The alternative scene has settled in the former Fix Brewery area by the harbor, where “Fix-in-Art” hosts concerts, workshops, and festivals.
Shopping in Thessaloniki
The market in Thessaloniki is exactly where a market should be: right in the city center. Spread across several halls, you’ll find fresh fish, vegetables, meats, and much more.
The Must-See in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a diverse, relaxed, and tolerant city. However, if you’ve never been to the White Tower in the evening, you may be looked at in confusion by the locals. It’s where everyone meets, and from there, the city and night are yours to conquer.
Museums in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki has a museum for every phase of its history and every group of people. Notable museums include the Archaeological Museum, dedicated to ancient Macedonia, the Jewish Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, and the Ethnological Museum.
Landmarks: What You Must See in Thessaloniki
Many of Thessaloniki’s architectural landmarks are hidden away in small side streets or outside the city center. It’s worth preparing ahead or picking up a guidebook. Here’s a small selection of must-sees:
The old merchant district of Ladadika near the harbor is now full of trendy bars and restaurants. In summer, people stay outside until after midnight.
From the White Tower, follow the newly opened promenade along the sea and enjoy the view of the city lights and the smell of the sea.
Most tourists stay near the large Egnatia Avenue by the sea without venturing up to the quieter Upper Town. That’s a mistake, as there’s more to discover here than anywhere else in the city. Simply walk to Kalithea Square and see what unfolds.
Thessaloniki is a colorful, diverse, and lively city, just waiting to be discovered!
Thessaloniki Hotel Offers with Infinity Pools
Infinity pool – where the pool blends seamlessly into the horizon, offering an incredible bathing experience with a stunning view. This luxury experience isn’t always far away. You can find top hotels with beautiful infinity pools even on the Greek islands.
The spacious, comfortable Ikos Oceania Hotel, in Mediterranean style, sits above the sea and sandy beach. The pool area, which includes an infinity pool, offers a breathtaking panoramic sea view, making it the perfect place for relaxation.
Other affordable hotels with infinity pools can also be found on Greek islands such as Crete, Kos, Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini.
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