24hrs in Thessaloniki

Even though the church does not look particularly aesthetic from outside, do take some time to see it. It's located near the Roman Forum. Entrance is free. It's Thessaloniki's largest church and it's dedicated to Saint Demetrios - it was built on the presumed site of his martyrdom. The church burned down in the infamous 1917 fire and was then restored according to the original architectural plans. If you look closely though, you will discover that some of the original Byzantine mosaics decorating the pillars on either side of the entrance to the apse survived. Another special thing in this church? The crypt which you can access for free! You can see the bath in which Saint Demetrius was allegedly martyred there as well as the remains of the chapel built on the bath. In 1988 the crypt was converted into an exhibition area housing different artefacts. Note: be careful when going into the crypt, the stairs are slippery and the ceiling is quite low. If you come out through one of the exits on the left side of the church, there are free toilets there though do note that they are unisex and many of them are squat toilets.

Also known as Ancient Agora. Its construction started at the end of the 2nd century A.D. on the site of an older forum dating to early Imperial times. It was discovered only recently, during archaeological excavations in 1966. You can walk around the whole area on the outside and see it for free from above. You should be able to access the Forum after buying a ticket and there should also be a museum underground, however, online reviews say that the site is not actually opened and the museum wasn't worth the 8 euros the ticket costs anyway. When we visited (July 2023), the site also looked closed so we only saw the Forum from above. Note: the outside area is not shaded at all so try to come early in the day/later in the evening if you are visiting in the summer as it gets very hot.

The oldest church in Thessaloniki, one of its origin stories suggests it was built in the 4th century as a temple of the god Zeus. It was later converted into a Christian temple. Note that the rotunda is closed on Tuesdays. Individual price to see the Rotunda is 6 euros, but a combined ticket is available if you want to see multiple sites. The ticket includes the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the White Tower, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki as well as the Rotunda. The ticket costs 15 euros and is valid for 3 days.

Also known as Kamara, this is one of the most famous sights in Thessaloniki. If you love Roman architecture, you will be amazed by this monumental arch standing casually in the middle of the city. Built in the 4th century A.D. it was designed to celebrate the victory of Galerius over the Sassanid Persians. Remember to have a closer look at the marble panels on each pillar depicting scenes from the past such as the wars of Galerius against the Persians. It's free to visit.

As this is Thessaloniki's main square, you will, most likely, pass through it multiple times during your visit. It's located right opposite the city's waterfront. The two main buildings that envelop the square are the Electra Palace Hotel and the Olympion cinema. It's a popular meeting point not only for tourists but also locals, meaning the square is always lively. Christmas celebrations, festivals and other cultural events are often held on the square.

White Tower, probably the most famous sight in Thessaloniki. It was built in 1535 and originally it was surrounded by heavy walls as it was used as a prison during the Ottoman occupation of Greece. Many prisoners were tortured and executed here, hence the tower's nickname: “The Tower of Blood”, or “The Red Tower”. There are multiple stories about how it became the White Tower. One says that in 1890 a prisoner repainted it white in exchange for his freedom. Another version is that it was renamed by the Greeks in 1913, 1 year after they reconquered the city. The 34-meter high tower is now home to the White Tower Museum, dedicated to Thessaloniki’s history from the Roman Era to the present day. If your primary motivation behind going are the views, but you are on a budget, consider going to some of the other sites listed in this guide which offer views of the city and the sea for free (check out Heptapyrgion and the Vlatadon Monastery below). Individual price to see the White Tower is 8 euros but a combined ticket is available if you want to see multiple sites. The ticket includes the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the White Tower, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki as well as the Rotunda. The ticket costs 15 euros and is valid for 3 days.

Enjoy a walk on this 5-km long promenade along the seaside. It was recently completely renovated and it's a popular area for tourists and locals to go for a stroll, jog or cycle. Few tips: There is no shade so if you are visiting in the summer, avoid going during the hottest part of the day. The promenade is nice for a sunset walk but it does get very busy during this time. Watch out for the cyclists, especially as you continue past the White Tower - there is a cycling lane marked by yellow lines which might not be immediately obvious, but cyclists do get annoyed with people walking there. If you walk a bit south from the White Tower, along the promenade, you will see the statue of Alexander the Great who was born in Pella, about 1.5 hours away from Thessaloniki. Further on from Alexander the Great, take a picture at “The Umbrellas”, a modern art sculpture. Which one can you catch if you jump? There are also multiple beautiful thematic gardens for you to discover along the way: Alexander the Great Garden The Garden of the Afternoon Sun The Garden of the Sand The Garden of Mediterranean and more