Central Macedonia, Greece

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a lively seafront city of Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, an Ottoman upper town and some of Greece's best food.

Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki Old Town Walking Tour -Mythology & Botany
Featured walk: Thessaloniki Old Town Walking Tour -Mythology & Botany · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC and became the second city of the Byzantine Empire. Its early Christian and Byzantine monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The flat centre runs along the waterfront, while the Ano Poli climbs to the old walls.

What makes Thessaloniki distinctive

  • Byzantine churches
  • The White Tower and seafront
  • The Ano Poli upper town
  • Food markets

Walking tours in Thessaloniki

Hand-picked guided walks in Thessaloniki, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Thessaloniki · History walks in Thessaloniki

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Ladadika

    Restaurants in old warehouses.

  • Ano Poli

    Hillside lanes.

  • Kapani and Modiano

    Markets.

Free self-guided walk

Seafront to the Rotunda

A free self-guided walk in Thessaloniki, from the White Tower along the seafront to Aristotelous Square, then up past the markets to the Rotunda.

2.8 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Nea Paralia

    The seafront promenade.

  2. Aristotelous Square

    The main square.

  3. Ano Poli

    Up to the walls.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat centre; steep to Ano Poli.

  • Heat

    Hot summers.

  • Food

    Try bougatsa for breakfast.

When to visit

  • Spring and autumn

    Best.

  • Summer

    Hot.

  • Winter

    Mild.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Thessaloniki Airport is about 15 km from the centre.

  • By rail

    Trains run to Athens.

Local transport

  • Metro

    A new metro line.

  • Buses

    Cover the city.

Questions travellers ask about Thessaloniki

How many days do I need?

Two days.

Is it walkable?

Yes; the centre is flat.

What should I eat?

Bougatsa, koulouri and mezedes.

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.