Sight guide · Thessaloniki · Greece
Visiting Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls
The Upper Town's lanes climb to the Heptapyrgion (Yedi Kule), a Byzantine and Ottoman fortress that served as a prison until 1989, and to stretches of the city walls.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls is a neighbourhood in Ano Poli, Thessaloniki. Allow half a day; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Neighbourhood
- Area
- Ano Poli
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, views, history and photo spot
- Best months
- June–August
About Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls
The Upper Town's lanes climb to the Heptapyrgion (Yedi Kule), a Byzantine and Ottoman fortress that served as a prison until 1989, and to stretches of the city walls. The Trigonion Tower next to the walls is the classic sunset viewpoint over the whole city and the gulf.
Tip: Take a taxi or bus up to the Heptapyrgion and walk downhill through Ano Poli to the centre.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Ano Poli, steep lanes, Ottoman-era houses and the city walls above the centre.
Best time to visit Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- July: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- August: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- June: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-July the sun sets at about 20:58 local time (calculated for Thessaloniki).
When to visit Thessaloniki has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen White Tower and Rotunda of Galerius.
- No. 10 of the 17 sights in our Thessaloniki things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Thessaloniki.
- A family favourite in Thessaloniki with kids.
Near Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls
Also in Ano Poli, so you can walk between them:
- Vlatadon Monastery — 30 minutes, free
- Atatürk Museum — 30 minutes, free
If you like Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls
- White Tower — White Tower and the eastern seafront, 1 hour
- Arch of Galerius (Kamara) — Kamara and Navarinou, 20 minutes
- Church of Hagios Demetrios — City Centre (Aristotelous Square), 45 minutes
- Hagia Sophia — City Centre (Aristotelous Square), 30 minutes
Staying near Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls
Stay in Ano Poli ($$) to walk here: steep lanes, Ottoman-era houses and the city walls above the centre. All areas to stay in Thessaloniki.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls?
Plan half a day. With Vlatadon Monastery nearby, it fits a half-day in Ano Poli.
+Is Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls?
June–August, the quietest of the good months. Take a taxi or bus up to the Heptapyrgion and walk downhill through Ano Poli to the centre.
+Do I need to book Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki works well with children thanks to the flat, car-free seafront with playgrounds and bike lanes, the White Tower's rooftop, and day trips to Mount Olympus and Chalkidiki beaches.