thessaloniki travel guide, city trip thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: 16 Hotspots You Want to Know

April 20, 2025
Last updated: June 28, 2025

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: 16 Hotspots You Want to Know

Looking for an original destination for a city trip? Thessaloniki Thessaloniki is an enchanting city in northern Greece, also known as the cultural capital of Greece. It's a great destination for a city break of a few days, but it also combines perfectly with a beach holiday on the Halkidiki coast. The city boasts a rich history, breathtaking architecture, numerous restaurants and cozy cafes, and delicious food.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the White Tower, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, where you'll discover historic buildings, charming boutiques, and lively squares. Sample local cuisine in traditional tavernas and savor delicious dishes like souvlaki, moussaka, and fresh fish straight from the Aegean Sea. Stroll through the fashionable neighborhoods and discover trendy cafés and cozy rooftop bars. Check out all our tips in this Thessaloniki Travel Guide. Have fun planning your next trip to Greece!
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favorite hotels in Thessaloniki

TheMET

If you love rooftop pools, TheMET You've come to the right place. Relax by the pool in the morning, and head into town for a delicious meal in the afternoon. This design hotel is located in Thessaloniki's industrial port area, less than a 20-minute walk from the old city center. The rooms are modern and offer views of the Aegean Sea. Tip: enjoy a cocktail at the Sky rooftop bar during sunset.
26is Octovriou 48, Thessaloniki 

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 | TIP: This hotel can also be booked as a package holiday including flights. Compare prices directly here Sunweb en The Holiday Discounter!

Thessaloniki travel guide MET

© The MET

Blue Bottle Hotel

In the heart of the trendy Valaoritou district, the Blue Bottle HotelA lovely and very affordable boutique hotel with fresh, bright rooms and colorful design accents. Located just around the corner from the city's best hotspots, this hotel is the perfect base for those who enjoy exploring the city on foot. You can also rent bikes at this hotel to explore the city.
16 Episkopou Amvrossiou, Thessaloniki 

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Thessaloniki Travel guide blue bottle

© Blue Bottle

Thessaloniki Travel Guide: 11 Restaurants & Bars You'll Want to Know

Sebriko

This restaurant doesn't have a website and has therefore remained a well-kept secret among Thessaloniki locals. Sebriko is a combined delicatessen and restaurant tucked away behind the courthouse. They serve authentic and pure food made with ingredients from local farmers. If there's one dish you definitely want to try, it's the rib steak.
Fragkon 2, Thessaloniki 

Elia Lemoni

The charming square where Paikou and Kapodistriou streets intersect in the Valaoritou district is home to many charming restaurants with terraces that always seem to be bustling. Elia Lemoni is a favorite, and the menu features a wide variety of Greek dishes prepared in the open kitchen. Be sure to pop inside the restaurant, where a huge olive tree is the focal point.
Mark. Mpotsari 19, Thessaloniki 

best restaurants thessaloniki

© Elia Lemoni

KitchenBar

Thessaloniki's former port area was transformed a few years ago into a place where culture and delicious food meet. In good weather, you can relax on the terrace of Kitchen Bar for a drink or lunch. From the former shipyard, you have a beautiful view of the water and the city promenade. Tip: this restaurant is next to the Photo Museum!
Limani, Thessaloniki 

Glikanisos

Pylaia is a suburb that has become part of Thessaloniki over the years. Here you'll find one of the city's hippest restaurants. Spend an evening dining at the oyster bar and seafood restaurant Glikanisos, and you'll understand why the locals love this hotspot. Be sure to try the salt-crusted sea bass!
Megalou Aleksandrou 46, Pylaia, Thessaloniki

Stin taratsa

The best rooftop bar in Thessaloniki is undoubtedly Stin Taratsa. It's a great spot for drinks in the late afternoon or before dinner. Grab a spot at one of the tables or a wooden cube and enjoy the rooftop view. Tip: The same building also recently housed the Tokyo City Bar, a club that focuses on electronic music.
Valaoritou 29, Thessaloniki  

best restaurants thessaloniki

© Stin taratsa

Opsopoion Magganiai

For authentic Greek food with a modern twist, head to Opsopoion Magganiai. This small restaurant with a lovely terrace is located just outside the city center on the boulevard. Be sure to ask about the chef's specials and share several dishes with the whole table.
Emiliou Riadi 5, Thessaloniki 

The Blue Cup

Early in the morning, head to The Blue Cup for a perfectly brewed coffee and a treat from the baristas. In the early evening, the bar transforms into a cocktail bar where mixologists shake up delicious cocktails. Be sure to try a Hannibal cocktail!
Salaminos 8, Thessaloniki 

Thessaloniki Travel guide blue cup

© The Blue Cup

2 x best spots for shopping in Thessaloniki

ERGON Agora

This food concept store could easily be located in New York's hippest neighborhood. ERGON Agora is a must-see for foodies visiting Thessaloniki. Enter what initially appears to be a greengrocer, but opens into a vast industrial space with a charming café for lunch or dinner. Fun fact: ERGON recently opened stores in Brussels, Singapore, and London!
Pavlou Mela 42, Thessaloniki 

Board of Water

At Bord de L'eau, you're in the right place for designer items from up-and-coming local designers, as well as food and drinks. It's the perfect spot to pick up a unique souvenir to commemorate your city trip.
Egnatia 45, Thessaloniki 

thessaloniki travel guide, city trip thessaloniki

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Thessaloniki Travel Guide: 5 x must-sees & fun things to do

Go to the market

Visit the historic Kapani market where locals buy their fresh food (the entrance to the market is at the intersection of Vlali and Menexe streets)
to-pantopolio.gr

thessaloniki travel guide, city trip thessaloniki

Visit the photo museum

If you love modern photography, the Photo Museum, located in an old shipyard, is the place to be.
Navarchou Votsi 3 | Warehouse A, Thessaloniki Harbour, Thessaloniki 

SPOt street art

Thessaloniki is full of street art and for a discovery tour of these public works of art you should go to the Valaoritou district.

thessaloniki travel guide, city trip thessaloniki

Stroll along the promenade

Stroll or cycle along the 5km long waterfront promenade and visit the iconic White Tower and the “Umbrellas” artwork along the way.

Drink a frappé

Did you know that the famous frappé was invented in Thessaloniki? You'll definitely want to try this iced coffee if you're at one of the hotspots in this guide.

thessaloniki travel guide, city trip thessaloniki

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