Regarded by some Greeks as the 'second capital' of Greece, Thessaloniki is at the same time historic and avant-garde, ideal for a city break or stopover and providing a fascinating mix of holiday memories in northern Greece.

It has become one of Europe's most popular city-break destinations, welcoming flights to its international airport (Thessaloniki Airport Macedonia) from Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways and Swiss International among others. Connections from Athens are available with Aegean Airlines.

Greece's second city is unlike anywhere else in the country. Thessaloniki is both a sprawling urban centre and a cultural melting pot, where dreams, ideas, visions and trends percolate in an alternative, avant-garde scene. Its history is written upon everything that surrounds you, with ancient Greek and Roman monuments found amongst buildings that tell the story of the city's later Byzantine, Ottoman and Jewish influences.

The city has a well-earned reputation for food and nightlife and a colourful arts and culture scene – galleries and museums, international cinema and arts festivals, traditional tavernas, gourmet restaurants and street food as well as exhibition and conference centres.

Thessaloniki is, above all, a city made to be strolled. A walking tour of Thessaloniki organised or self-created, allows you to trace the civilisations and people that have left their mark. The Palace, Triumphal Arch and Rotunda (which formed the city's administrative and religious centre during the reign of Emperor Galerius Maximilianos in the early 4th century AD) are the preeminent legacy of Roman times.

The Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, pictured above, are neighbouring, early 4th-century monuments that represent outstanding examples of early Byzantine art and architecture. In addition to the importance of the Rotunda as one of the earliest Christian monuments in the Eastern Roman Empire, both sites were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.

Centuries later, this area known as Kamara is now the domain of students, of which there are plenty in Thessaloniki. Next to the ancient ruins, youngsters play the guitar and drink beer, giving the area the feel of a local Barceloneta, or so the locals like to think.

Meanwhile, the Jewish Museum recreates the life of the Jewish community in pre-war Salonica. And don't forget to visit the former home of Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, an architectural reminder of the Ottoman occupation.

Monuments, local energy and cuisine

There's a youthful energy, day and night, with hidden treasure around every corner: historic cafes, cosy bars and live-music clubs with impressive designs that have sprung up in renovated industrial spaces.

Thessaloniki's cuisine, with influences from Turkey, the Balkans and the Mediterranean, Macedonia and Thrace, is known for its meze (small plates intended for sharing) and recipes that the 1920s refugees brought from Asia Minor. They also brought the tradition of patsa (tripe soup) and Thessaloniki's famous bougatsa – a sweet-cream breakfast pastry that can be eaten at any time of day.

Surrounding areas

As Greece's main city in the north, Thessaloniki is perfectly situated for excursions into the countryside, from the beaches of Halkidiki to the Royal Tombs of Vergina (the burial site of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great) an hour to the west. Other archaeological sites within striking distance include Pella, Philippi and Ancient Dion, and you can go wine tasting on a tour of the vineyards around Thessaloniki.

To the south, you'll find it hard to resist the feast of activities on Mt Olympus or you could discover other little-known but utterly beautiful areas of Greece, like the Axios River Delta in Central Macedonia, or farther afield to the east, the Evros Delta, among Europe's richest wetlands with around 300 bird species living permanently or migrating through the areas.

If you're dreaming of a destination that blends untouched landscapes, ancient civilizations, vibrant traditions and cosmopolitan flair, look no further than Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Greece, this region is fast emerging as one of Europe's most exciting new places to visit.

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is a region where East meets West, both geographically and culturally. With its strategic location bordering Bulgaria and Turkey, it has absorbed a rich mosaic of civilizations over millennia. Yet despite its cultural depth and natural beauty, it has remained largely under the radar. That is changing fast.

More information:

Is Thessaloniki Worth Visiting? 10 Best Reasons to Visit (2025)

Thessaloniki city photos: Pixabay creators