Thessaloniki or Salonika is the capital of Macedonia Prefecture and the second largest city in Greece after Athens. For this reason, it has the reputation of being the second capital of the country. You can easily get a good taste of the city even within 48 hours. Being our hometown, we do know all the best photo spots of the town. But, if you are a visitor, without prior research, you might not think that it would offer quite beautiful places to capture. In this article, you will find the most Instagrammable places of Thessaloniki.
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Things to know before visiting Thessaloniki
As the second largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki is an interesting place to add to your list. It can also be a good starting point for your trip to the north of the country. You can easily visit the cities of Serres, Kavala, Kastoria or Edessa as day trips. It offers plenty of things to do and has a wide range of hotels and Airbnbs for all budgets. Due to its long history, it has many museums, monuments and historical sites that are really worth visiting. Another great thing about Thessaloniki is the countless cozy cafés, restaurants and tavernas (Greek restaurants) to enjoy delicious meals from all cuisines. Its nightlife is also interesting with many options from bars, cinemas and theaters to nightclubs. So, it covers all tastes.
How to get to Thessaloniki ?
It is an easily accessible city. You can visit it by flying directly from Athens (many daily flights) or by train or public buses called “KTEL”. Of course, you can also get to Thessaloniki by car. Aegean Airlines, Skyexpress or Ryanair are the airlines that fly from Athens to Thessaloniki and vice versa most regularly.
How to get around Thessaloniki ?
Although there are public buses running around the city, they are not enough to get around. This is why many people choose to take taxis or ubers which are quite affordable. If you are in Paralia (the coastline of Thessaloniki), you can rent a bike and admire the fascinating ocean views ! Obviously if you plan to stay more days and want to explore the city, you can rent a car. It is also a budget option and the best way to fully enjoy Thessaloniki and beautiful nearby places such as Halkidki.
The best time to visit Thessaloniki
Since Greece is located in the northern part of Europe, it generally has a mild climate. Thessaloniki therefore has mild temperatures all year round with many sunny days even in winter. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the temperatures are not too high and you can easily get around. This does not mean that summer is not a good choice. You can definitely visit it in the summer. However, you should expect high temperatures.
Best photo spots in Thessaloniki
1-Filikis Eterias Street
Welcome to the best Instagrammable spot in Thessaloniki. This beautiful street is one of our favorite spots in the city and not by accident. Its special feature is that it has the White Tower as the background with the frame of a lovely street with charming cafés at the end of the street. This narrow alley offers a different perspective of Thessaloniki’s landmark.
2-The White Tower
The White Tower (Lefkos Pirgos in Greek) is the landmark of Thessaloniki and one of the most photographed spots. It is also one of the main tourist attractions. There is an indoor museum and on the top floor you can enjoy stunning panoramic views. The surrounding area makes the White Tower even more special and photogenic, providing plenty of options to take beautiful photos. Keep in mind that the best time to capture it is early in the morning. At this time of day, the light is soft and there are no people around to spoil the photos. If you visit during the day, chances are it will be packed.
3-The Umbrellas
The Umbrellas is another amazing spot to visit in Thessaloniki. Just a few steps from the White Tower, you will find yourself in front of this beautiful artwork. It is designed by the Greek sculptor, George Zongolopoulos. As you can guess, it is one of the most popular places, since it is located in the heart of the city center. It looks even more impressive at night with the lights. So, if you are like us and want to take beautiful shots without crowds, then get there as early as possible, ideally at sunrise or before 9am. After that time, the whole area gets very crowded.
4-Nea Paralia
It is a must-see for every visitor. Nea Paralia (or Promenade) is the renewed seaside of Thessaloniki and an ideal place for a walk, jogging, listening to street musicians or just sitting on a bench to enjoy the sunset. It is one of the most vibrant spots where the locals enjoy their city. You can see the White Tower, the statue of Alexander The Great, The Umbrellas & Thessaloniki’s Music Hall while enjoying stunning views of the horizon. But again, the best time to visit it is definitely at the sunset where the pastel colors of the sky reflect on the sea and make everything look fantastic. Although it is a very special moment of the day, it is almost impossible not to be crowded. Thus, prefer to go at sunrise (to get the pastel colors) or generally early in the morning before 9am.
Another nearby places to visit : Halkidiki
Thessaloniki is close to the ultimate summer destination in Greece called “Halkidiki”. That is why you should add it to your itinerary ! You can easily spend 3-4 days in Thessaloniki and the rest of your time you can go to Halkidiki which consists of 3 unique peninsulas. Each one of them has something special to offer. There are daily public buses (KTEL) that connect Thessaloniki with every point of Halkidiki. The best way to explore and fully enjoy Halkidiki is definitely by car. However, if you are short on time or you want to take a day trip to any part of Halkidiki, we advise you to book organized tours. The most exciting thing in Halkidiki is its dreamy beaches. So, going on a cruise that starts directly from Thessaloniki is very convenient.
Final Thoughts
You cannot visiting Thessaloniki without falling in love with its vibrant life, amazing coastline and charming center. Just give yourself enough time to stroll around and explore it properly. You will find many photogenic corners, especially in the city center. However, we cannot recommend enough to add Halkidiki to your itinerary. Its stunning beaches and picturesque villages are truly worth a visit. After this trip, your camera and hearts will be full of unforgettable moments !
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