Visiting Vlatadon Monastery

About Vlatadon Monastery

A working monastery founded in the 14th century beside the walls of Ano Poli, with a frescoed church, peacocks in the courtyard and a terrace overlooking the city. It is one of the few Byzantine monasteries in the city still in use.

Tip: Dress modestly and keep your voice low; this is an active monastery, not a museum.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 30 minutes.
• 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 Vlatadon Monastery

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

Vlatadon Monastery is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen White Tower and Rotunda of Galerius.

• No. 11 of the 17 sights in our Thessaloniki things-to-do list.
• Listed in free things to do in Thessaloniki.

Near Vlatadon Monastery

Also in Ano Poli, so you can walk between them:

• Ano Poli, Heptapyrgion and the city walls — half a day, free
• Atatürk Museum — 30 minutes, free

If you like Vlatadon Monastery

• 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 Vlatadon Monastery

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