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One Day in Thessaloniki
A trip by Sandy PapasGreece Travel SecretsOne Day in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is Greece's second city and the capital of Macedonia – rich history, multicultural food, and some of the best markets in the country. One self-guided day covers the harbour, the markets, the White Tower and the UNESCO-listed Ano Poli.
Sigma Suites Hotel
A suite hotel in the old town, just above the city's waterfront heart.
9.9 Alternative places to stay
ThessalonikiDay 1
The White Tower & Ano Poli
Aristotelous Square
Thessaloniki's grand neoclassical plaza, opening from Egnatia Street down to the gulf. Cafes and arcades line both sides; concerts, demonstrations and festivals all centre here. The morning coffee stop on any walking tour of the city.
Kapani Market
One of the best open-air food markets in Greece. Tight rows of fishmongers, butchers, spice traders and produce stalls fill a maze of narrow streets behind Aristotelous Square. Best early – vendors start packing up by mid-afternoon.
Modiano Market
A historic indoor market – opened in 1922, restored and reopened in 2023 – that now houses some of Thessaloniki's most exciting new food stalls, tavernas and bars under its glass-domed arcade. Complementary to Kapani Market across the street.
White Tower
Thessaloniki's iconic 15th-century Ottoman tower on the waterfront. Once a fortress and a prison, today it's a museum dedicated to the city's history. The view from the top across the gulf to Mount Olympus is the city's most photographed shot.
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
The big draw of the museum is the gold of the Macedonian royal tombs (Vergina-era pieces, including Philip II's grave goods). Plenty of pre-historic, Roman and Byzantine material besides. A serious 2-hour visit; combine with the Byzantine museum next door.
The Greek (To Elleniko)
A reliable, locals-loved spot for traditional Greek dishes a short walk from the White Tower. The Greek salad is genuinely the platonic version; the slow-cooked lamb is reason enough to book ahead.
Ano Poli (Old Town)
Thessaloniki's UNESCO-listed Upper Town – the only district to survive the Great Fire of 1917. Cobbled lanes, Ottoman-era houses, Byzantine walls, small chapels and the best city views back down to the gulf. A taxi up, a long downhill walk back.
Holy Church of Demetrius
The 5th-century basilica of Thessaloniki's patron saint – burnt and rebuilt multiple times, today restored to its 7th-century footprint. The crypt holds the saint's reliquary; the upper church features rare surviving Byzantine mosaics.
Roman Forum
The 1st-century Roman agora at the heart of the lower town, sitting one level below the modern street. The bouleuterion (council chamber), cryptoporticus and small museum can be visited; the open archaeological site can be viewed from the railings at any time.
Mamaloulka
A Thessaloniki institution near the port – old-school taverna with seafood mezedes, ouzo by the carafe, and a clientele of locals who've been coming for decades. The right place to land if the cruise ship leaves at 9 PM.