3 days in Thessaloniki

Day by day

1. Day 1: White Tower and Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

   White Tower, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and Museum of Byzantine Culture, then Arch of Galerius (Kamara) in the evening.

   1. Morning

      White Tower

      The cylindrical Ottoman tower on the waterfront, built in the 15th century and once used as a prison, is the symbol of the city.

   2. Late morning

      Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

      Head first for the gold of Macedon rooms and the Derveni Krater, then visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture across the road.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bougatsa

      Specialist bougatsa shops across the centre, many open from early morning; order 'me krema' for the sweet custard version.

   4. Afternoon

      Museum of Byzantine Culture

      Award-winning galleries trace Byzantine life from early Christian tombs and mosaics to icons, textiles and everyday objects, using material found largely in and around Thessaloniki.

   5. Evening

      Arch of Galerius (Kamara)

      Look closely at the lower friezes on the south-facing pier, where the reliefs are best preserved.

2. Day 2: Rotunda of Galerius and Aristotelous Square

   Rotunda of Galerius, Aristotelous Square and Church of Hagios Demetrios, then Ladadika quarter in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Rotunda of Galerius

      Combine it with the Arch of Galerius 100 metres down the hill and the palace remains around Navarinou Square.

   2. Late morning

      Aristotelous Square

      Designed by the French architect Ernest Hébrard after the 1917 fire, the city's grand square opens from Egnatia Street down to the sea between arcaded buildings full of cafés.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Thessaloniki koulouri

      Street carts near Aristotelous Square, Egnatia and the university, and bakery chains throughout the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Church of Hagios Demetrios

      Do not miss the crypt, reached by stairs near the apse; it is cool and quiet even on hot afternoons.

   5. Evening

      Ladadika quarter

      Come for dinner from about 9pm, when locals start arriving; earlier you will mostly see other visitors.

3. Day 3: Hagia Sophia and Panagia Chalkeon

   Hagia Sophia, Panagia Chalkeon and Kapani and Modiano markets, then Valaoritou in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hagia Sophia

      This 8th-century church, modelled on the great churches of Constantinople, has a mosaic of the Ascension filling its dome, with Christ seated on a rainbow above the apostles.

   2. Late morning

      Panagia Chalkeon

      Look at the brickwork from the small square outside, which is as interesting as the interior.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Trigona Panoramatos

      Pastry shops in the centre and in Panorama itself; buy a few rather than a box, as the cream does not keep.

   4. Afternoon

      Kapani and Modiano markets

      The Kapani (Vlali) market is a grid of lanes selling fish, olives, herbs, spices, cheese and loukoumi, and it has been the city's food market since Ottoman times.

   5. Evening

      Valaoritou

      Former wholesale shopfronts turned into bars and small clubs, busiest after midnight at weekends.

If it rains

• Swap in Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki (City Centre (Aristotelous Square)): Allow time to read the panels; the museum is small but changes how you see the rest of the city.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, City Centre (Aristotelous Square) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Ladadika ($$$) suits nightlife, food lovers and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–12 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.3 hours in December to 15.1 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Thessaloniki
• 2 days in Thessaloniki

Questions travellers ask