One day in Thessaloniki

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      White Tower

      Climb it late in the afternoon for the light over the gulf, then walk the promenade towards the Umbrellas for sunset. Allow 1 hour.

   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. Allow 2 hours.

   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

      Visit before touring the churches; the museum explains the iconography you will see in them. Allow 1.5–2 hours.

   5. Late afternoon

      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. Allow 1–2 hours.

   6. Evening

      Arch of Galerius (Kamara)

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

If it rains

• Swap in Rotunda of Galerius (Kamara and Navarinou): Combine it with the Arch of Galerius 100 metres down the hill and the palace remains around Navarinou Square.
• Swap in Church of Hagios Demetrios (City Centre (Aristotelous Square)): Do not miss the crypt, reached by stairs near the apse; it is cool and quiet even on hot afternoons.
• 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

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 6–7 hours of visiting over one day, 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.

Getting between stops: Walking. The centre, Ladadika and the Roman monuments are 10–20 minutes apart on foot, and the seafront is flat.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Thessaloniki
• 3 days in Thessaloniki

Questions travellers ask