Sight guide · Thessaloniki · Greece
Visiting Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)
Excavated in the 1960s when the site was cleared for a courthouse, the forum includes a small theatre-odeon, colonnades and an underground cryptoporticus.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Roman Forum (Ancient Agora) is a historic site in City Centre (Aristotelous Square), Thessaloniki. Allow 45 minutes; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history and outdoors
- Best months
- August–October
About Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)
Excavated in the 1960s when the site was cleared for a courthouse, the forum includes a small theatre-odeon, colonnades and an underground cryptoporticus. It sits a short walk up from Aristotelous Square, and you can look over much of it from the surrounding streets.
Tip: Walk round the railings first for the overview, then go down if you want to see the cryptoporticus and small museum.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: City Centre (Aristotelous Square), hébrard's grand square, Tsimiski shopping street and the markets.
Best time to visit Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)
Roman Forum (Ancient Agora) is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, busy crowds.
- August: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Thessaloniki has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Roman Forum (Ancient Agora) is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen White Tower and Rotunda of Galerius.
- No. 15 of the 17 sights in our Thessaloniki things-to-do list.
Near Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)
Also in City Centre (Aristotelous Square), so you can walk between them:
- Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki — 1 hour, low cost
- Kapani and Modiano markets — 1 hour, free
- Aristotelous Square — 30 minutes, free
If you like Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)
- Rotunda of Galerius — Kamara and Navarinou, 45 minutes
- Arch of Galerius (Kamara) — Kamara and Navarinou, 20 minutes
Staying near Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)
Stay in City Centre (Aristotelous Square) ($$$) to walk here: hébrard's grand square, Tsimiski shopping street and the markets. All areas to stay in Thessaloniki.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)?
Plan 45 minutes. With Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki nearby, it fits a half-day in City Centre (Aristotelous Square).
+Is Roman Forum (Ancient Agora) free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Roman Forum (Ancient Agora)?
August–October for the most comfortable weather. Walk round the railings first for the overview, then go down if you want to see the cryptoporticus and small museum.
+Do I need to book Roman Forum (Ancient Agora) in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.