Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and one of the liveliest places to visit. Despite its size, it is easy to get a good taste of everything it has to offer even in 2 days. If you are looking for a charming city to explore in Greece other than Athens, Thessaloniki is a good choice with interesting things to do and see. In addition, it has a great nightlife and a vibrant ambiance in general. Since it is our hometown, we can give you a good overview and not just focus on the tourist spots ! The most beautiful part of the city is its coastline that will take your breath away with its endless blue. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about your 48 hours in Thessaloniki.
Travel Together Gr contains affiliate links. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤︎ Read our full disclosure policy here.
Things to know before visiting Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a city rich in history with its main historical monuments dated back to the Roman and Byzantine eras. This is why most of the tourist attractions are related to history or culture. It is often called the cultural capital of Greece. Since most of the important monuments are concentrated in the center, you can easily visit them even in one day ! Thessaloniki is buzzing with life both during the day and at night. For your 48 hours in the city, we recommend that you visit the historical landmarks as early as possible, so that you still have time for a walk around the city center. There you will find almost everything, from charming cafés and restaurants to shops and boutiques. It is a very walkable city. Thus, you can visit the main spots on foot to have the opportunity to admire the magnificent views of the Thermaic Gulf.
Depending on the country you are from, we suggest purchasing a digital e-SIM card instead of looking for local mobile plans that provide limited mobile data. Especially in case you need a lot of GB for work, most local SIM cards offer few GB ! Obviously if you come from a European country, you can use free roaming.
How to get to Thessaloniki ?
As one of the largest cities in Greece, Thessaloniki is easily accessible. The most convenient way to visit is by plane. There are regular flights to the International Airport of Thessaloniki “Macedonia” which connects the city directly with Athens, but also with many other European cities. Of course, you can visit it either by train or bus (called KTEL) which are more affordable than flying. But to be honest, we do not recommend them if you want a relaxed trip. The last way to get to Thessaloniki is by car. You can rent a car in Athens or in any nearby city. However, you should know that you need a lot of time and money compared to the other options.
How to get around Thessaloniki ?
Although we would not suggest getting to Thessaloniki by car, we highly recommend renting a car either in the city or at the airport. The reason is simple, the only public transport is the local buses. That’s why locals prefer to take taxis or Ubers which are not expensive. Obviously if you only want to visit the city center, buses are enough. However, if you want to fully experience Northern Greece, you can take advantage of your trip to Thessaloniki to explore more of the beautiful places in the surrounding area. For example, you can easily spend a day in Halkidiki which is the ultimate summer destination with thousands of visitors each year. The easiest and fastest way to visit this wonderful area is by car. You will have the freedom to explore as many parts of Halkidiki as you want !
Where to stay in Thessaloniki ?
Thessaloniki is one of the most affordable destinations not only in Greece, but also in Europe. This means that you can find a variety of accommodations for affordable prices, especially if you book it in advance. But, you can find even cheaper options such as hostels. In case you are big ocean lovers like us, we highly recommend using Booking to find hotels or guesthouses that offer rooms with a view. Nothing is better than waking up and having the endless blue before your eyes.
The best time to visit Thessaloniki
Although it is located in the northern part of Greece, it still has a Mediterranean climate with many sunny days during the winter. So, you can visit Thessaloniki all year round ! Obviously it is even more beautiful and really worth a visit in the summer. But, to avoid the high temperatures, you can visit during the shoulder season (spring or autumn) when the weather is nice and sunny.
Best things to do in Thessaloniki in 48 hours
1-Explore the city center
Thessaloniki is considered a student metropolis with amazing city vibes. The center in particular is a magnet for locals and tourists alike with plenty to do and see. It consists of 2 main streets called “Tsimiski” and “Egnatia” where you will find many stores, cafés, restaurants or Greek taverns etc. The city center is also home to the best tourist attractions such as Orthodox churches, historical monuments, charming squares and luxury hotels. It perfectly combines the ancient with modern terrain creating a unique ambiance ! If we had to recommend 2 spots in Thessaloniki center that should not be missed, the first would be Aristotelous square (left photo) and the second the Roman Arch of Galerius (right photo).
As you can see from the photos, these places are completely different, but so special. They represent what you should expect from your time downtown. Impressive historical spots, adorable squares and stunning ocean views make it a real gem ! Since Thessaloniki is known for its food, it is best to eat out during your stay to try as many different dishes as you can. There are many street food options, from the famous Greek souvlaki and gyros to more traditional dishes. Of course, you can enjoy other cuisines besides Greek. But, it is hard to resist Greek food.
2-Walk along the coastline of Thessaloniki (Paralia)
Just a few steps down from Aristotelous square, you will reach the city’s famous coastline called “Paralia”. It is the most beautiful spot for long walks enjoying the magical views of the sea. It goes along the Leoforos Nikis Avenue where there are many cafés and bars that are usually open until late at night. Since it is the city’s main promenade, it is very crowded during the day and even at night. In this amazing location, you will also find the landmark and other important historical monuments and cultural sites such as the Umbrellas artwork, the Statue of Alexander the Great and the Royal Theatre. If you want to learn more about Thessaloniki’s history, we highly recommend taking a private walking tour. You will have the opportunity to dive into its history and admire the above masterpieces.
3-Visit the Umbrellas
George Zongolopoulos’ artwork called Umbrellas is one of the most popular photo spots in Thessaloniki. You can will find it on the waterfront near the White Tower. The best time to visit and photograph it is at sunrise or sunset with the pastel colors of the sky. However, if you want to enjoy it empty, you should visit it early in the morning to avoid the tourists. It is also an amazing place to visit in the evening when the Umbrellas light up and create a beautiful atmosphere.
4-Head to the White Tower
You cannot leave Thessaloniki without paying a visit to its landmark. It is located in the heart of the center, on the coastline. Apart from its special, old architecture, the White Tower has a historical significance. It was a fortress and prison during the Ottoman Empire. Today it is a monument and a museum where you can take an inside tour (small entrance fee). Due to its geographical location, we suggest you go inside to learn more about the history of the city and enjoy its stunning panoramic views. During the day, the surrounding area is very busy with locals and tourists. If you want to take beautiful photos of this iconic spot, you can walk a few steps and go to “Filikis Eterias” street to get a different perspective of the White Tower (right photo).
5-Enjoy delicious Greek meals
Thessaloniki is famous for its wide range of food options. So, you can find almost everything in the city. From local traditional cuisine and Greek street food (souvlaki and gyros) to other international cuisines. There are countless breakfast and brunch spots where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast. For lunch and dinner, you will again find many restaurants that cater for all tastes and budgets. For us, you should try the famous Greek pies (tiropita, spanokopita) and the typical lunch food (souvlaki and other meat specialties). Of course, there are also vegan options for every meal. If you want to live an authentic wine experience, we suggest you visit the wineries or taverns in the city center (Ladadika district) where you can taste local specialties and Greek wine. They are both delicious and the atmosphere is quite festive.
6-Head to the eastern part of city
Once you have explored the center of Thessaloniki, we suggest you head to the eastern part of the city called “Nea Krini”. It is a district of the municipality of Kalamaria and it is one of our favorite places. You can get there easily from the city center by bus (numbers 5,6 and 7) or by taxi. Since it is not a touristy place, you can really enjoy your time near the sea having a morning coffee or a delicious meal with a view. Walking in Nea Krini is a real treat, since it is much calmer than the busy center. We recommend getting down to enjoy the marina views or just chill in the park. In case you want to eat seafood, Nea Krini is the right place. You will find many restaurants serving delicious Greek seafood as well as the famous Greek ouzo (anise-flavored aperitif).
7-Watch the sunset in Nea Krini
If you are looking for a unique sunset spot outside the center of Thessaloniki, Nea Krini is the ideal place. Sunsets hit different there ! But, the best part is that there will be only a few locals strolling around. So, you can make the most of those magical sunsets without having hundreds of tourists around.
As Nea Krini belongs to the district of Kalamaria, you can then head to Kalamaria’s square on foot. It is one of the busiest places of the area with many cafés, bakeries, a few restaurants, bars and shops of all kinds. Wherever you choose to watch the sunset, it will leave you in awe.
8-Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Thessaloniki
As we said earlier, Thessaloniki has an amazing nightlife. The best place to enjoy a proper Greek nightlife is the city center where you will find countless bars, clubs, wineries etc. But, if you want more relaxing nights, you can obviously take long, romantic walks downtown or along promenade. Another incredible experience is to visit the famous OTE Tower, located in the center where you will have the best panoramic view of the city. It rotates every hour, so you have a 360 degrees view of the sea and the city. If you want to have such an experience while enjoying a light meal, you can book your ticket below at quite an affordable price.
Best day trips from Thessaloniki
1-Halkidiki
Halkidiki is the most dreamy area near Thessaloniki and consists of 3 incredible Peninsulas. Amazing beaches, picturesque villages and luxury resorts are what you should expect from this wonderful part of Northern Greece. As you can guess, it is a tourist destination with loads of tourists every summer. For your 2 days in Thessaloniki, the best advice we could give you is to spend a whole day in the city center and spend the next day in Halkidiki. However, for such a limited time, you need to rent a car or take a tour. Since, Halkidiki is famous for its dreamy beaches, we would prefer to take a day cruise to enjoy the blue waters to the fullest !
If you still want to have your own freedom and rent a car, we strongly recommend you to visit the most beautiful beach of Halkidiki. It is called Kavourotripes beach and is located on the second peninsula. It will take your breath away with the turquoise waters and huge rock formations ! As you need to start your day early to have enough time ahead of you, we suggest you watch the sunrise there. We did it a few years ago and were blown away.
2-Meteora
The second best day trip from Thessaloniki is Meteora which has nothing to do with the previous destination. It is located in the northwestern Greece and is a series of monasteries built on top of huge rock formations. There is nothing similar in the whole country ! Meteora was also added the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1988, so it has a unique religious significance. You can visit the monasteries to admire their impressive interiors and exteriors. The views from up there are stunning. Since Meteora is quite far from Thessaloniki (almost 3 hours), we strongly recommend taking an organized day trip to save time and money.
Final Thoughts
The mild weather, the natural and architectural beauty of Thessaloniki make it a very beautiful destination to visit all year round. So, if you are looking for the best coastal towns in Greece, Thessaloniki should be at the top of your list. As we live abroad, every trip to our hometown is a real treat and we always find a new gem to explore. We honestly cannot recommend it enough for a short trip !
Don’t have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later ? Just pin it!
