Why visit
Thessaloniki is Greece's second city. Byzantine walls, Rotunda (Roman mausoleum), Ano Poli's old town, and the country's most celebrated food scene.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Thessaloniki is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Thessaloniki connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for Greece.
Thessaloniki at a glance
City population
319k
Metro: 1.0 million
Time zone
UTC+2 (UTC+3 DST)
Europe/Athens
Airport
SKG
Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia
Founded
315 BCE (by Cassander of Macedon)
Getting around
New driverless metro line plus buses; long waterfront promenade
Signature dish
Bougatsa, gyros, soutzoukakia, trigona panoramatos
Neighborhoods for travelers
LadadikaAno PoliAristotelous SquareValaoritou
Greece at a glance
Country center
39.0°, 22.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
131,990 km²
50,962 mi²
Country population
10.3 million
78/km²
Subregion
Southern Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+30
Language
Greek
Demonym
Greek
Internet
.gr
UN
Member state
ISO code
GR / GRC
Where in the world
39.0° - 22.0°
Greece
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Thessaloniki is Greece's second-largest city and was the first capital of the first Macedonian state in the 4th century BCE.
- The White Tower is the city's iconic 15th-century Ottoman fortress on the waterfront.
- Thessaloniki's "Ladadika" old market area is now a nightlife and restaurant district; it was once the Jewish commercial heart of the city.
- Greece has more than 6,000 islands but only 227 are inhabited.
- No spot in Greece is more than 137 km from the sea.
Bordering Greece
Traveler notes
- Bougatsa and koulouri breakfast culture
- Modiano Market for fresh produce and meze
- Day-trip to Mount Olympus or Meteora (3 hours)
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Thessaloniki
What currency is used in Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Greece?
The primary language is Greek.
What is the international calling code for Greece?
The calling code is +30.
What airport serves Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (IATA: SKG).
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