Thessaloniki, Greece Travel Community

Where do I need to go in Thessaloniki?

1 - 9 of 9 Posts
d_kakavouli

d_kakavouli

Active member
Hi guys, I’ve never been to Greece before, even though my whole family is Greek. I’m going to Thessaloniki, but only for a few days because i’m going to be visiting my mom’s family in Chalkidiki. What do I need to see and where do I need to go? Authentic answers only :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: cubrinj
Hey! I’ve been living in Greece for some time now, and I love Thessaloniki. If you like museums, you def have to go visit the Museum for Macedonian struggle. The best beach is the Agia Triada beach and then of course the white tower or Lefkos Pyrgos is a must!! Just look how pretty it looks during the sunset

thessaloniki-greece-250x167.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: cubrinj and d_kakavouli
A good friend of mine is from Thessaloniki and for my trip this year he suggested that I visit Aristotle square in the city and the archeological museum, he knows the city very well so I trust him! I can’t wait for my trip!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: cubrinj
When I visited Thessaloniki last I went to a bunch art museums and they were amazing, arguably better than Athens! If you’re a fan, I would suggest the Teloglion foundation of art, the Macedonian museum of contemporary art and the dozens of small art galleries that line the streets of downtown. I bought one of my favorite paintings from a local artist at one of his galleries and it still hangs above my bed! I love it!
 
KTIMA PEREK: If you have a car, there is a restaurant out in the outskirts of the city. The drive from the city there is gorgeous and the surroundings of the restaurant are absolutely stunning. If I remember correctly, this restaurant is associated with a nearby Pontic village and the restaurant itself serves Pontic style pita. This place is very authentic, tourists don't know about it, so you have mostly Greek families from Thessaloniki coming in for an afternoon away from the city. The restaurant grounds has outdoor gardens and a small playground. You can easily spend three hours out here. Suggest to go here with your extended family, as it can accommodate large tables https://www.perek.gr/en/restaurant
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fetk
If you want to explore, until recently, a little known aspect of the city, get to know the history of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki:

www.theguardian.com

Thessaloniki’s Jews: 'We can’t let this be forgotten; if it’s forgotten, it will die'

New centre in Greek city will be lifeline for small community, mostly descendants of Iberian exiles
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

To visit sites within the city, I'd recommend

1) The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki: https://inthessaloniki.com/item/jewish-museum-of-thessaloniki/

2) Molho Bookstore, the oldest book store in the city, owned by a Sephardic family since...... that serves the whole city. You can read about the bookstore here as well about other historical Jewish sites:
jguideeurope.org

Thessaloníki - jewish heritage, history, synagogues, museums, areas and sites to visit

Thessaloníki - Heritage and history, synagogues, museums and areas - Thessaloniki. Photo by Wikipedia When David Ben Gurion moved to Thessaloníki to learn Turkish in 1910, he was surprised to discover a city like
jguideeurope.org jguideeurope.org
 
  • Like
Reactions: Worldwide Greeks Editor
d_kakavouli said:
Hi guys, I’ve never been to Greece before, even though my whole family is Greek. I’m going to Thessaloniki, but only for a few days because i’m going to be visiting my mom’s family in Chalkidiki. What do I need to see and where do I need to go? Authentic answers only :)
Click to expand...
Thessaloniki is very beautiful. Many nice sites to see! "Sophia
 
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Lesser-Known Things to See in Thessaloniki

I'm considering spending a few days in Thessaloniki this summer and have started putting together a list of places I'd like to see. The major attractions are easy enough to find, but I'm especially interested in some of the lesser-known sights around the city.

I've read about the White Tower, the waterfront, and a few of the major museums, but I'm curious about places that don't always make it into the guidebooks. Historic neighborhoods, overlooked churches, interesting viewpoints, local markets, hidden courtyards, small museums, or anything else that gives a different perspective on the city would be great to hear about.

I'm also interested in places that locals enjoy but visitors might not think to seek out on their own.

For those who know Thessaloniki well, what are some of the lesser-known things to see that are worth adding to an itinerary?

Is Ladadika a Good Area to Stay?

I might be going to Thessaloniki, and I’ve been looking at different neighborhoods to stay in. Ladadika keeps coming up because it seems very central and close to restaurants, nightlife, and the waterfront.

For anyone who has stayed there, is Ladadika actually a good area to base yourself? I like the idea of being able to walk to a lot of places, but I’m wondering whether it gets too noisy at night or feels overly touristy.

I’d also love to know how convenient it is for getting to the main sights in Thessaloniki. Can you easily walk from Ladadika to places like the White Tower, Aristotelous Square, and the historic churches, or would I be relying on taxis or public transportation?

I’m still in the early planning stage, so I’m open to other neighborhood suggestions too. Is Ladadika where you would stay, or would you choose somewhere else?

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.

Is Ano Poli worth the uphill walk?

I've been looking into different neighborhoods to explore in Thessaloniki, and Ano Poli keeps coming up as a place worth visiting. The traditional houses, narrow streets, and beautiful views over the city sound wonderful, but I'm wondering whether the uphill walk is as challenging as some people say.

I love exploring neighborhoods on foot, especially places with interesting architecture, little cafés, and a more traditional atmosphere. Ano Poli seems like it would be a nice change of pace from the busier waterfront and city center.

For those who have visited, is the walk up worth the effort? Are there particular streets, viewpoints, or historical sites that you recommend seeing while you're there?

I'm also wondering if it's better to walk uphill from the center or take a taxi or bus to the top and explore on the way down. I'd love to hear everyone's experiences!

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!
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