Thessaloniki waterfront location
Thessaloniki is beautifully situated on the Thermaic Gulf (Aegean Sea) with tavernas, cafes and bars lining the town’s waterfront. Nearby you will find several good beaches with easy access. The family friendly Perea Beach is the Closest of the Beaches in Thessaloniki ( just over one hour by public urban transport)
If you want to stay here there are several hotels like Atlantis and the Golden Star City Resort, both located on the beach and bookable with booking,com
Other beaches to mention are Neoi Epivates Beach, Agia Triada Beach and don’t forget you are close to the The Chalkidiki peninsula the most favoured resort of Northern Greece with its lovely combination of green hills, blue sea and sky, dense pine woods and in-between with a succession of sandy beaches and coves.
Thessaloniki ideal for a citybreak
Thessaloniki (Thessalonika) the second city of Greece and the capital of administrative region in Central Macedonia. European City of Culture in 1997. Thessaloniki has a population over 800.000 (year 2022).
Thessaloniki easy to access, good rail connections Hellenic trains. Great airlinks (Makedonia Thessaloniki Airport, 16km to Thessaloniki center, Aristotelous Square) with several cities in Europe and of course Athens, Aegean Airlines.
From the port you can either book a ferry tickets to Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, or take a trip to the North Aegean Islands or Athens. Book your ferry tickets with ferries in greece
No matter how you arrive the easiest way of getting your bearings, head for the waterfront and the white tower of Thessaloniki.
The best way to get to know Thessaloniki Tours by locals - 23 Thessaloniki tours
Where to stay
There is plenty of accommodation to be found in Thessaloniki. I recommend somewhere within walking distance to White Tower and close by attractions. Here are a few suggestions.
Daios Luxury living Boutique Hotel
5 star, within 5 minutes walk White Tower
4 star, within 8 minutes walk White Tower
4 star Hotel, within 5 minutes walk White Tower
All the above hotels (in no particular order) can be Book direct or you can find them and more alternatives on
Walking and travelling
Most popular is to take a stroll along the waterfront. The Centre, key streets and squares have been pedestrianized over the years, overall, Thessaloniki is a walking friendly town.
Local bus service is good, Thessaloniki urban transport organisation.
Hellas chauffeur offers private cars, airport run and more.
Traditional Greek tavernas,
koutoukia & ouzeries
From traditional Greek tavernas, tasty street food places to restaurants with international cuisine.
Most Thessaloniki restaurants are found in the quarters of Ladadika and the charming Old Town (Ano Poli), located within the city’s ancient walls, a maze of narrow winding streets lined with traditional houses, tavernas and ouzerias serving Mediterranean meze and koutoukia (family-run restaurants offering authentic food and often live Greek folk music, so be prepared, popular to eat here you might have to queue for a little while).
The atmosphere is half the experience, especially when you order food ‘gia ti mesi’ (for the middle of the table) to be shared by everyone. Rustic décor, bright light wooden tables and chairs, others with vintage décor and a more traditional kafeneion (coffee shop-style metal tables) where locals would have coffee or a snack.
Ladadika area is a vibrant entertainment hub where cobbled streets teem with lively tavernas, bistros and coffee bars, night clubs close to the Museum of Illusions and Morichovou Square, popular area for tourists. Ladadika is one of Thessaloniki’s most popular neighbourhoods and the definition of urban cool. Located west of the city centre, near the port, and on and around Egiptou Street.
Nice venues are also found at Aristotelous Square.
Strolling along the waterfront. It’s not just an iconic walk, stretching from the Ladadika district past the White Tower and all the way to Thessaloniki Concert Hall (Megaro Mousikis) – but it’s also a favourite hangout for residents and visitors alike and the location of a seemingly endless line of restaurants, cafes and bars. The liveliest stretches are around Aristotelous Square and the White Tower.
A few tasty suggestions
(Instagram) walking distance approximately 400-500 meters White Tower.
Nea Folia Restaurant (Facebook)
Located in the old town between Church San Demetrios (listed Archaeological Site of Greece and Part of a World Heritage Site) and Ataturk Museum (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was born in this house in Apostolou Pavlou St in 1881. In 1935 the Thessaloniki city council decided to give the building to the Turkish State which afterwards converted it into a museum dedicated to the life and achievements of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and leader of the modern secular Turkish State. He is considered one of the most important and historic personalities of Turkey).
(translate Wall to Wall) restaurant. Located close to the old town’s North walls.
two popular restaurants, one of them is the first beer house that appeared in Thessaloniki, in the district of Ladadika in 1990 A wide variety of Greek and international dishes are served.
The second one In the shadow of White Tower, is placed exactly where it was in the past, the old historic haunt of Thessaloniki Dore, Since it was founded in 1995 until today, and with obvious inclination to respond fully to the historical significance of the place, Dore-Zithos succeeds even today to win our hearts with both the environment and the architecture.
Stou Mitsou restaurant.
Well placed in the lively centre of Thessaloniki, near Aristotelous Square, In the beginning it was a traditional Greek “kafeneio”, a place to have a drink accompanied by appetizers or small dishes, and now it has established itself to become a popular restaurant that offers fresh delicacies and more.
Thessaloniki Nightlife
Ladadika is one of Thessaloniki’s most popular neighbourhoods and the definition of urban cool. Located west of the city centre, near the port, and on and around Egiptou Street, transforming warehouses into tavernas, bistros, pubs, wine bars and even nightclubs. And as an extra tip, check out Emporiou Square (just above Tsimiski St) for other tasteful wine bars and eateries.
A special thanks to
Discover Greece for some of the information, text, Images supplied by GNTO (Greek National Tourist Organisation) Photos: Thessaloniki waterfront K Grozoudis, Thessaloniki white tower K Kouzouni, Thessaloniki_Aristotelous Square1674 H Kakarouhas. Thessaloniki NightLife images 4356 and 4371 H Kakarouhas.
