Thessaloniki NorthGreece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Thessaloniki and North Greece reveals Greece's extraordinary second city, the most sophisticated and underrated destination in the country, from its remarkable Byzantine churches, the finest collection outside Constantinople, to the extraordinary White Tower on the waterfront, the magnificent Rotunda and the most extraordinary food scene in Greece. This route covers the essential Thessaloniki experience. The extraordinary Byzantine churches of Agios Dimitrios and Agia Sofia, the remarkable Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki with the finest Macedonian gold in the world, the extraordinary Ano Poli upper town and the magnificent Vergina royal tombs of Alexander the Great's father, Philip II of Macedon.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
Getting Around
Walking and taxi in the city. Car for Vergina day trip.
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 130 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking
DAY 1
THESSALONIKI WATERFRONT AND BYZANTINE CHURCHES
MORNING
THE WHITE TOWER AND THE THESSALONIKI WATERFRONT
The White Tower is the most extraordinary Ottoman monument in Thessaloniki, its remarkable 15th-century circular tower on the waterfront serving first as a fortress, then as a prison and now as the finest museum of Byzantine and Ottoman Thessaloniki. The extraordinary waterfront promenade stretching from the White Tower to the Concert Hall is the finest urban seafront in Greece, its remarkable views across the Thermaic Gulf to Mount Olympus on clear days giving the most extraordinary city panorama in northern Greece. Entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
THE BYZANTINE CHURCHES OF THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki contains the most extraordinary collection of Byzantine churches outside Constantinople, its remarkable UNESCO-listed monuments including the extraordinary Rotunda of Galerius, built in 306 AD and the finest Roman rotunda in Greece, the remarkable Agios Dimitrios, the largest church in Greece, built over the tomb of the city's patron saint, and the extraordinary Agia Sofia with its magnificent 9th-century mosaics. All churches free. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
ARISTOTELOUS SQUARE AND THE CENTRAL MARKETS
Aristotelous Square is the most extraordinary neoclassical public space in northern Greece, its remarkable colonnaded buildings designed by Ernest Hebrard in 1918 framing an extraordinary view down to the Thermaic Gulf. The remarkable Modiano and Kapani covered markets give the finest food market experience in northern Greece, their extraordinary stalls of fresh fish, spices, olives and regional produce giving the most authentic Thessaloniki experience. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Eptapyrgio Byzantine fortress at the top of Ano Poli is the finest hidden viewpoint in Thessaloniki, its remarkable seven towers giving the most extraordinary panorama over the city and the Thermaic Gulf. Almost no tourists make the walk up from the lower city. Free entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bougatsa Giannis, city centre The most extraordinary bougatsa in Thessaloniki, the finest cheese and custard pastry in Greece. Open from 6am. | Lunch: Modiano Market food stalls Outstanding fresh mezedes and grilled seafood in the extraordinary covered market. Local wine and ouzo. | Dinner: Extravaganza, Ladadika district The finest modern Greek cuisine in Thessaloniki. Outstanding local ingredients and extraordinary wine list.
DAY 2
ANO POLI AND THE GREAT MUSEUMS
MORNING
ANO POLI, THE UPPER TOWN
Ano Poli is the most extraordinary historic neighbourhood in Thessaloniki, the remarkable upper town that survived the great fire of 1917 preserving an extraordinary collection of Ottoman and Byzantine buildings, wooden-balconied mansions and narrow cobbled lanes. The extraordinary Byzantine walls, the Eptapyrgio fortress and the remarkable Chain Tower give the finest medieval urban landscape in northern Greece. The views over the lower city and the gulf are extraordinary. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min walk down to museum
MIDDAY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is the most extraordinary archaeological museum in northern Greece, its remarkable collection spanning prehistoric Macedonia to the late Roman period. The extraordinary gold jewellery, the remarkable bronze crater of Derveni, the finest ancient bronze vessel in Greece, and the extraordinary Macedonian funeral offerings give the finest museum experience in the city. The remarkable glass collection is among the finest in Europe. Entry approx 10 euros. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
MUSEUM OF BYZANTINE CULTURE
The Museum of Byzantine Culture is the most extraordinary Byzantine museum outside Athens, its remarkable collection of mosaics, icons, frescoes and ecclesiastical treasures from 4th to 15th century Byzantium giving the finest overview of Byzantine civilisation in any single institution outside Constantinople. The extraordinary early Christian floor mosaics and the remarkable textile collection are the finest in Greece. Entry approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki documents the remarkable history of one of the largest Sephardic Jewish communities in the world, which made up over half the city's population before the Holocaust. The most moving and extraordinary hidden museum in the city. Entry approx 6 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Trigona Panorama, Panorama suburb The most extraordinary triangular custard pastries in Greece. Worth the short taxi to the suburb. | Lunch: To Makedonomacheion, Ano Poli Outstanding traditional northern Greek cuisine in the extraordinary upper town. Local wine and grilled meats. | Dinner: Myrsini, Ladadika The finest seafood restaurant in Thessaloniki. Outstanding fresh fish from the extraordinary northern Aegean.
DAY 3
VERGINA AND THE ROYAL TOMBS OF MACEDON
MORNING
DRIVE TO VERGINA AND THE ROYAL TOMBS OF AIGAI
The Royal Tombs of Aigai at Vergina are the most extraordinary archaeological discovery of the 20th century, the remarkable underground burial complex discovered by Manolis Andronikos in 1977 containing the intact tomb of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. The extraordinary gold larnax containing Philip's bones, his gold oak wreath, ivory portrait and bronze armour give the finest royal burial experience in the ancient world. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
THE PALACE OF AIGAI AND THE ANCIENT THEATRE
The Palace of Aigai at Vergina is the most extraordinary Macedonian royal palace in Greece, its remarkable remains revealing the finest Late Classical palace in the ancient world. The extraordinary theatre where Philip II was assassinated in 336 BC, the mosaic floors of the palace symposium halls and the remarkable tumulus burial mounds give the finest Macedonian heritage experience. The site is completely free after paying the tomb entry fee. Drive: 1.5 hr drive back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO THESSALONIKI AND THE LADADIKA DISTRICT
Return to Thessaloniki and spend the final afternoon in the extraordinary Ladadika neighbourhood, the remarkable former oil warehouse district converted into the finest bar and restaurant quarter in the city. The extraordinary Byzantine arch of Galerius, the Kamara, is the finest Roman triumphal monument in northern Greece. The remarkable evening atmosphere of the Ladadika is the finest in Thessaloniki. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pella Archaeological Site, the ancient capital of Macedon and birthplace of Alexander the Great, is the finest hidden ancient site near Thessaloniki, its remarkable pebble mosaics, the finest surviving pebble mosaics in the ancient world, giving the most extraordinary floor art in Greece. Entry approx 8 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Local cafe before the Vergina drive Early start recommended. Pick up koulouri sesame bread rings from a street vendor before leaving the city. | Lunch: Taverna in Vergina village Outstanding local northern Greek cuisine in the village near the extraordinary royal tombs. | Dinner: Aristotelous Square restaurant Outstanding final evening dinner on the most extraordinary square in northern Greece. Local wine and mezedes.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
City Centre, Nights 1 to 3 Electra Palace Thessaloniki or Hotel Capsis. Walking distance to all sites. Approx 90 to 200 euros. Budget option Rent Rooms Thessaloniki or Youth Hostel. Approx 20 to 50 euros per night. Luxury option Makedonia Palace Hotel on the waterfront. Finest views over the Thermaic Gulf. Approx 200 to 400 euros.
Top Tips
1. Thessaloniki's food scene is the finest in Greece. The city's bougatsa, grilled corn, sesame koulouri and seafood are extraordinary.
2. Vergina: book the Royal Tombs of Aigai tickets online ahead. The underground museum with Philip II's gold is extraordinary.
3. Ano Poli upper town is best explored in the late afternoon when the light on the Byzantine walls is extraordinary. Free.
4. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki contains the finest Macedonian gold in the world. Allow at least 2 hours.
5. Thessaloniki waterfront evening stroll from the White Tower to the Concert Hall is the finest urban promenade in Greece.
6. Modiano Market and Kapani Market are the finest food markets in northern Greece. Go Tuesday to Saturday morning.
Total Budget
70 to 130 euros/day