About Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the capital and largest city of the administrative region of Central Macedonia, and the second-largest city in Greece. It is the largest city of Northern Greece, with over 300,000 in the city proper and slightly over one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, the capital of the geographic region of Macedonia, and the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace. It is also known in Greek as i Symprotévousa, literally "the co-capital", a reference to its historical status as the "co-reigning" city of the Byzantine Empire alongside Constantinople.
Cheap flights to Thessaloniki
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $995 from New York, travelling 18 Nov – 12 Jan. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- NYC New York to Thessaloniki18 Nov – 12 Jan · SKG from$995
- BOS Boston to Thessaloniki8 Mar – 25 Mar · SKG from$1,008
- WAS Washington to Thessaloniki31 Dec – 22 Jan · SKG from$1,335
- CHI Chicago to Thessaloniki21 Mar – 31 Mar · SKG from$1,092
- PHL Philadelphia to Thessaloniki16 Aug – 6 Sep · SKG from$1,208
- LAX Los Angeles to Thessaloniki9 Nov – 24 Nov · SKG from$1,184
- HOU Houston to Thessaloniki28 Feb – 7 Mar · SKG from$1,078
- SFO San Francisco to Thessaloniki14 Feb – 23 Feb · SKG from$1,176
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Finnair, Lufthansa.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to ThessalonikiPlaces to visit in Thessaloniki
-
White Tower of Thessaloniki
LandmarkA round Ottoman-era tower on the waterfront, now the symbol of the city and home to a small history museum. Climb to the top for views, then walk the seafront promenade toward the Umbrellas sculpture.
-
Arch of Galerius and Rotunda
HistoricA Roman arch carved with battle scenes and a massive round building nearby, later used as a church and mosque. The arch is free to see from the street, while the Rotunda has a small entry fee.
-
Church of Saint Demetrius
ReligiousThe main church of the city's patron saint, with Byzantine mosaics and a crypt over Roman baths. Dress modestly and step down into the crypt, which is often overlooked by visitors.
-
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Museum · 1 mi from centreA museum of finds from Macedonia, including elaborate gold jewelry and grave goods. It sits across from the Museum of Byzantine Culture, so you can visit both in one outing.
-
Ano Poli
NeighborhoodThe old upper town, with winding lanes, traditional houses, and stretches of Byzantine walls. Climb up in the late afternoon for views over the city and the gulf, then eat at a local taverna.
-
Heptapyrgion
Historic · 1 mi from centreA Byzantine and Ottoman fortress at the top of the old town, later used as a prison until 1989. Combine it with a walk along the city walls, and come at sunset for the best light.
-
Modiano Market
MarketA covered market hall in the center selling fish, produce, and local specialties, surrounded by small eateries. Wander through nearby Kapani market too for olives, spices, and street snacks.
Things to do in Thessaloniki by type
40 tours, tickets and experiences across 7 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
Day Trips & Excursions 21 experiences Alistrati Cave, Lazaridi Winery and City of Drama – Full-Day Private Tour -
Art & culture 7 experiences Archeological Site of Philippi, Kavala - Full-Day Tour with Swimming -
City tours 7 experiences City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 6 experiences Alistrati Cave, Lazaridi Winery and City of Drama – Full-Day Private Tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 3 experiences Big Bus Thessaloniki - Hop-On Hop-Off Tour -
Tour & activities 3 experiences Loutra Pozar and Edessa Day Trip and 24 hour City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Halkidiki Blue Lagoon Cruise with Lunch
- Over 6 hours 14
- 3-6 hours 6
- 1-3 hours 3
- Flexible 2
- Up to 1 hour 1
- Couples 1
- Youth 1
- Senior 1
- Private 12
- Shore excursions 3
- Small group 2
Top experiences in Thessaloniki
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 40 available.
Explore Thessaloniki City - Walking Tour
From $59 per adult
Thessaloniki Private Walking Tour
From $263 per adult
Museum of Byzantine Culture of Thessaloniki - e-Ticket with Audio Tour and City Audio Tour
From $18 per adult
European eSim Data Card
From $12 per adult
Walking Talking Food Tour
From $69 per adult
Where to stay in Thessaloniki
Popular hotels in Thessaloniki, out of 189 properties you can book.
The Excelsior Small Luxury Hotels of the World
From $214 per night
September Hotel Thessaloniki
From $102 per night
Avalon Airport Hotel Thessaloniki
From $81 per night
Antigon Urban Chic by GHH
From $121 per night
Capsis Hotel Thessaloniki
From $113 per night
Electra Palace Thessaloniki
From $231 per night
Capsis Bristol Boutique Hotel
From $111 per night
City
From $128 per night
Rotonda
From $68 per night
ABC Hotel
From $86 per night
Onoma Hotel Thessaloniki
From $114 per night
El Greco Thessaloniki
From $74 per night
Best time to visit Thessaloniki
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Thessaloniki is September to October, when average daytime highs are around 71–83°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Thessaloniki weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 70° 56° 8%
- Thu 22 Oct 71° 60° 17%
- Fri 23 Oct 71° 59° 46%
- Sat 24 Oct 68° 48° 3%
- Sun 25 Oct 63° 56° 22%
- Mon 26 Oct 61° 57° 36%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Greek
- Calling code
- +30
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/AthensUTC+3
- Capital
- Athens
Upcoming public holidays in Greece
- Ochi DayΤο Όχι
- Christmas DayΧριστούγεννα
- St. Stephen's DayΣύναξις Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας
- New Year's DayΠρωτοχρονιά
- EpiphanyΘεοφάνεια
- Clean MondayΚαθαρά Δευτέρα
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Thessaloniki
These are the airports closest to central Thessaloniki. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SKG Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia"9 mi (14 km) from the city centre
Getting around Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki has a single metro line with 13 stations that runs from the New Railway Station across the city centre and the southern and eastern suburbs to Nea Elvetia. The trains run from 05:30 to 00:30 except on Fridays and Saturdays when the last trains are at 02:00. The standard fare is €0.60 (which is purchased only with cash inside the stations).
By bus
OASTH is the city's bus company and runs a total of 85 different bus lines. Moovit or Rome2Rio mobile apps can be used to plan the journey and check the schedule on the go. Bus services usually operate from 05:00 until just after midnight.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought at TheTA's ticket outlets, at machines on the buses, and in the OSETH App. Certain types of tickets (see below) are also available at various other sales points. Physical tickets come in the form of reusable paper chipcards ("ThessTicket"). Tickets must be validated upon every boarding (by tapping your chipcard to the validator or scanning the QR code in your OSETH App - if the validators aren't working, simply get on board). There are four types of tickets available (prices as of July 2025):
By taxi
Licensed taxis (dark blue with a taxi light) can be hailed in the streets and at taxi ranks. Ride hailing services (Freenow.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link], Uber) are also an option. Most drivers are able to communicate in both Greek and English.
Thessaloniki travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Thessaloniki is September to October, when average daytime highs are around 71–83°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Thessaloniki?
July is usually the warmest month in Thessaloniki, with average highs of 95°F (35°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 38°F (3°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 153 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" (SKG) is the closest airport, about 9 miles (14 km) from the centre of Thessaloniki.
How much are flights to Thessaloniki?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Thessaloniki in the last 30 days was $995 from New York, travelling 18 Nov – 12 Jan. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $995.
What currency is used in Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Thessaloniki in?
Thessaloniki uses the Europe/Athens time zone (currently UTC+3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki has a single metro line with 13 stations that runs from the New Railway Station across the city centre and the southern and eastern suburbs to Nea Elvetia. The trains run from 05:30 to 00:30 except on Fridays and Saturdays when the last trains are at 02:00.
What are the best places to visit in Thessaloniki?
Top sights in Thessaloniki include White Tower of Thessaloniki, Arch of Galerius and Rotunda, Church of Saint Demetrius and Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. A round Ottoman-era tower on the waterfront, now the symbol of the city and home to a small history museum. Climb to the top for views, then walk the seafront promenade toward the Umbrellas sculpture.
What are the top things to do in Thessaloniki?
Popular experiences you can book in Thessaloniki include Explore Thessaloniki City - Walking Tour, Thessaloniki Private Walking Tour and Museum of Byzantine Culture of Thessaloniki - e-Ticket with Audio Tour and City Audio Tour. Destina Holidays offers 40 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Thessaloniki?
The most popular types of experiences in Thessaloniki are day trips & excursions (21), art & culture (7), city tours (7) and gastronomy & nightlife (6). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Thessaloniki?
Popular areas for hotels in Thessaloniki include Thessaloniki. Well-reviewed options include The Excelsior Small Luxury Hotels of the World and September Hotel Thessaloniki.
How many hotels can I book in Thessaloniki?
Destina Holidays currently lists 189 properties in and around Thessaloniki, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
