Travel to Thessaloniki

Travel to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, in the north of Greece, is a great place to spend a holiday. With a climate slightly cooler than Athens and an interesting mix of modern cafs, bars, museums and shopping areas situated among some of the finest sites of ancient Greece. The city has some excellent restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes, and a bustling nightlife and music scene.

Transportation to Thessaloniki

There are good rail, road and air transport links to Thessaloniki. From Athens, there are daily flights with both Olympic Airways and Aegean Airways, and British Airways also operates five flights a week from London Gatwick International Airport. There are regular connections with other major European cities, and some budget airlines operate services here too.

By road, there are regular bus services to Athens, and the 314-mile drive by car is generally a scenic route. The drive from Igoumenitsou (where ferries arrive from Italy) through the Pindus Mountains is stunning and takes around 7 hours. Istanbul (392 miles) and Skopje (140 miles) are also easily accessible by road.

There are regular daily train services from Athens, and it is also possible to travel by boat to some of the Greek islands. Thessaloniki has local buses covering an extensive network, but services arent the most reliable and buses are often crowded. Fortunately, most of the major sites are easily explored on foot and this is a pleasant way to see the city.

What to see

For many people, Thessaloniki has all the attractions of Athens, but in a cooler environment that operates at a slightly less hectic pace. The White Tower is the main focal point of the city and it has an interesting history. A short walk from here is the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, which is said to be one of the worlds finest archaeological museums.

There are also interesting churches and museums around the city and simply walking around the streets looking at some of the architecture is a great way to spend your time. The house where Mustafa Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, was born has been converted into a museum and is well worth a visit.

Daytrips

The most popular trips outside of the city are to the great beaches of the Halkidhiki Peninsula, and most people chose to come here for more than a day. For daytrips, there are some great hill walks around the city with stunning views and nearby Petrlona has an interesting cave.

Activities and leisure

Thessaloniki has some great shopping areas, which host everything from expensive designer clothes boutiques to shopping malls and local markets. The city also has some excellent restaurants and eating out is something of a national pastime. The nightlife is lively, with good clubs and live music venues offering modern international or traditional Greek music.

Safety issues

Thessaloniki is generally a safe place to visit and violent crime rates here are low. Tourists should take care with their belongings in busy areas and on buses, and be sure to have a comprehensive travel insurance policy.