5 Days in Thessaloniki Enough or Too Much?

[knicks_fan87]

I’m starting to plan a possible trip to Greece with my family, and Thessaloniki is high on my list. I’ve always been interested in the history there — Byzantine sites, Roman ruins, Ottoman influences — plus the food scene seems incredible. It feels like a city with a lot of character compared to some more tourist-heavy destinations.

What I’m trying to figure out is timing. Would about five days in Thessaloniki be a good amount, or is that more than the city really needs? We tend to travel at a relaxed pace, not rushing from place to place, but I also don’t want to run out of things to do.

For those who’ve visited, how long did you stay? Did you wish you had more time, or less? Would you combine it with nearby day trips?

 

[k_tsoukalas]

Five days in Thessaloniki actually sounds pretty reasonable to me, especially if you like to travel at a relaxed pace. The city has a lot more layers than people sometimes expect. Between the Byzantine churches, the Roman sites like the Rotunda and Galerius complex, the waterfront, and neighborhoods like Ano Poli, you can easily fill several days just wandering and soaking in the atmosphere.

If you did have five days, you could also mix in a day trip or two. Vergina (the royal Macedonian tombs) is fantastic, and Mount Olympus or Halkidiki are also within reach. I’d personally rather have a little extra time than feel rushed in a city like that.