Thessaloniki, Greece Travel Community

What do Athenians think about Thessaloniki?

1 - 4 of 4 Posts
seleanor

seleanor

Active member
Before any Athenians or Greeks get their feelings hurt in the comments, please know that this video was just for fun! Personally, I love both Athens and Thessaloniki and have had great experiences in both places. I have found that Athens is very beautiful during Christmas time, and I prefer to travel there in the off-season since it can get very hot during the summer and pretty empty during August. Thessaloniki is great during the summer because it's right by the water so you can enjoy that cool ocean breeze.

 
I vote for both! Both cities are so charming - they give you a different experience than the other... So hard to pick but the video was interesting!
 
They should ask people from Thessaloniki what they think about Athenians... they will tell you that Athenians use the wrong words for foods.

In Greek, straw = kalamaki. In Athens, kalamaki = souvlaki. If you order souvlaki anywhere in Greece you will get meat on a stick, but if you order souvlaki in Athens you will get a gyros.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kosta_karapinotis
ellinasgolfer0320 said:
They should ask people from Thessaloniki what they think about Athenians... they will tell you that Athenians use the wrong words for foods.

In Greek, straw = kalamaki. In Athens, kalamaki = souvlaki. If you order souvlaki anywhere in Greece you will get meat on a stick, but if you order souvlaki in Athens you will get a gyros.
Click to expand...
This is something that always confuses me whenever I'm traveling to different cities in Greece
 
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Thessaloniki Weekend Itinerary Ideas

I’m starting to plan a short trip to Thessaloniki and will likely only have a weekend there, so I’m trying to figure out how to make the most of the time. I know the city has a strong food culture, a lot of history, and a great waterfront, but I’m not sure how to structure a 2–3 day visit.

For those who have been, how would you break up your time? Are there specific neighborhoods, landmarks, or food spots that should be prioritized? I’m especially interested in a mix of walking, good meals, and a few key historical sites without trying to rush through everything.

Would you recommend focusing on the city itself, or is it worth trying to fit in a quick day trip nearby?

How Did Thessaloniki Feel the First Time You Visited?

The first visit to a city often leaves a very specific imprint — not just what you saw, but how your body reacted to being there. Some places feel impressive, others overwhelming, and some quietly settle into you without asking permission.

I’m curious about people’s first experiences of Thessaloniki. When you arrived for the first time, how did it feel?

Did the city come across as familiar or unexpected? Calm or charged? Did the sea change your sense of space? Was it the pace, the light, the food, the conversations drifting past cafés, or something harder to name? Sometimes it’s not a landmark that sticks, but a mood — the way time moved, or didn’t. It has been so long since I was there for the first time!

What makes Thessaloniki different from Athens food-wise?

I’m curious how people here think about the food differences between Thessaloniki and Athens. Both cities are obviously incredible places to eat, but they feel very different to me in ways that go beyond specific dishes or restaurants.

Thessaloniki often feels more informal and food-driven in daily life, like late-night eating, mezedes culture, bakeries and street food that feel essential rather than optional. There’s also a heavier presence of refugee, Balkan, and Asia Minor influences that seem to shape flavors, spice use, and portion style. Athens, by contrast, sometimes feels more Mediterranean-polished and regionally diverse, pulling influences from all over Greece rather than leaning into one strong local identity.

But that’s just my perception. For those who know both cities well, what actually makes Thessaloniki different food-wise?

Getting to Know the Creative Side of Thessaloniki

As Thessaloniki continues to change, I’m curious about the creative side of the city that exists beyond the obvious landmarks and nightlife. Not just big festivals or well-known venues, but the quieter, everyday forms of creativity that shape how the city feels.

I’m interested in places where people make things: small galleries, independent bookstores, workshops, rehearsal spaces, studios, writing groups, and informal gatherings. I’m also curious how creativity shows up in daily life, in neighborhoods, cafés, street culture, or the way people use public space.

For those who live there or spend time in the city, what feels genuinely creative to you? Are there neighborhoods, spaces, or habits that come to mind? And has the creative scene changed in recent years, or stayed largely the same? Any personal observations or lesser-known examples would be especially welcome from locals here.

Favorite bakeries in Thessaloniki?

I may make it to Thessaloniki this year, and one thing I’m really looking forward to is the bakery culture there. Honestly, some of my favorite travel memories come from grabbing a quick snack or light meal from a bakery and just walking around the city.

I’d love recommendations for bakeries that locals genuinely like, especially places good for things like bougatsa, spanakopita, koulouri, tiropita, sandwiches, or simple sweets. I’m not necessarily looking for fancy pastry shops, more the kinds of bakeries people stop into regularly during the day.

Are there certain bakeries known for specific items? Also, are there areas of the city where the bakery scene is especially strong?

Part of what excites me about Thessaloniki is that everyone says the food culture there is incredible, and bakeries seem like a huge part of everyday life in the city.
Share and discuss your Thessaloniki photos, questions and experiences!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top