Free things to do · Thessaloniki · Greece
11 free things to do in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Thessaloniki without paying an entry fee: Arch of Galerius (Kamara), Aristotelous Square, Church of Hagios Demetrios and Hagia Sophia are all free. Most of the UNESCO-listed churches, including Hagios Demetrios and Hagia Sophia, are free to enter.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · Kamara and Navarinou
1.Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
Look closely at the lower friezes on the south-facing pier, where the reliefs are best preserved.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Iconic
- After dark
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Landmark · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
2.Aristotelous Square
Order a frappé or freddo espresso on one of the arcade terraces and watch the evening volta, the city's promenade.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Architecture
Religious site · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
3.Church of Hagios Demetrios
Do not miss the crypt, reached by stairs near the apse; it is cool and quiet even on hot afternoons.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Religious site · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
4.Hagia Sophia
Bring binoculars or use your phone zoom for the dome mosaic, which is hard to read with the naked eye.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Architecture
Religious site · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
5.Panagia Chalkeon
Look at the brickwork from the small square outside, which is as interesting as the interior.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Ano Poli
6.Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls
Take a taxi or bus up to the Heptapyrgion and walk downhill through Ano Poli to the centre.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
Religious site · Ano Poli
7.Vlatadon Monastery
Dress modestly and keep your voice low; this is an active monastery, not a museum.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Off the beaten path
Market · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
8.Kapani and Modiano markets
Go in the morning on a weekday, when the fishmongers are in full voice, and buy olives and spices to take home.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Ladadika
9.Ladadika quarter
Come for dinner from about 9pm, when locals start arriving; earlier you will mostly see other visitors.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
Waterfront · White Tower and the eastern seafront
10.Nea Paralia seafront and the Umbrellas
Rent a bike and ride the full length in the early evening, when locals come out for their walk.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Ano Poli
11.Atatürk Museum
Bring your passport or ID, which is usually requested at the consulate entrance.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Kamara and Navarinou | Arch of Galerius (Kamara) | 20 minutes |
| City Centre (Aristotelous Square) | Aristotelous Square, Church of Hagios Demetrios, Hagia Sophia, Panagia Chalkeon and Kapani and Modiano markets | 30 minutes + 45 minutes + 30 minutes + 20 minutes + 1 hour |
| Ano Poli | Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls, Vlatadon Monastery and Atatürk Museum | Half a day + 30 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Ladadika | Ladadika quarter | 2–3 hours |
| White Tower and the eastern seafront | Nea Paralia seafront and the Umbrellas | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
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Landmark · White Tower and the eastern seafront
White Tower
Climb it late in the afternoon for the light over the gulf, then walk the promenade towards the Umbrellas for sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
Historic site · Kamara and Navarinou
Rotunda of Galerius
Combine it with the Arch of Galerius 100 metres down the hill and the palace remains around Navarinou Square.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Iconic
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Museum · White Tower and the eastern seafront
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.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · White Tower and the eastern seafront
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Visit before touring the churches; the museum explains the iconography you will see in them.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Historic site · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)
Walk round the railings first for the overview, then go down if you want to see the cryptoporticus and small museum.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Outdoors
Museum · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
Allow time to read the panels; the museum is small but changes how you see the rest of the city.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Most of the UNESCO-listed churches, including Hagios Demetrios and Hagia Sophia, are free to enter.
- Eat in tsipouradika and student areas around Navarinou Square for generous portions at low prices.
- Greek state museums and archaeological sites have free-admission days on certain dates; check the Ministry of Culture listings before you go.
- Use the city bus or metro rather than taxis for longer trips across town.
- Hotels are cheaper outside the September trade fair and the November film festival.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Thessaloniki expensive to visit?
Thessaloniki is affordable for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Thessaloniki?
Arch of Galerius (Kamara): Look closely at the lower friezes on the south-facing pier, where the reliefs are best preserved.