One Day in Thessaloniki, Greece: The Perfect Itinerary

After spending one day in Thessaloniki, Greece, we’re here to share exactly everything we did in this fascinating seaside city. Justin and I took a Greece and Greek Isles cruise with Celestyal Cruises, the Idyllic Aegean itinerary, which included a stop at the Thessaloniki cruise port.

While we admittedly didn’t know much about this second-largest city in Greece before sailing there, we’re so glad that we spent the day in Thessaloniki. It truly left us wanting more and I can’t wait to return in the future. When you think of Greece, Athens likely comes to mind right away, but you might end up enjoying Thessaloniki even more.

By comparison, Thessaloniki is a more relaxed and laidback Greek city with something for everyone. Ancient ruins coexist with modern infrastructure, explore historic and modern museums, discover intriguing public art and sculptures on Thessaloniki’s waterfront, and experience the exceptional restaurant and nightlife scene.

Many cultures collide in Thessaloniki and it’s thought to be the culture capital of Greece. There are many architectural styles, like Byzantine, neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and others. There’s a fusion of Ottoman, Balkan and Mediterranean traditions.

This capital city of Central Macedonia is extremely walkable, so it’s possible to walk from one attraction to the next. It’s also a lively university city with well over 100,000 university students. In fact, one out of every 10 residents attends university in Thessaloniki, and it’s a popular and hospitable choice for international students.

We arrived to the Thessaloniki port by cruise ship with Celestyal Cruises. If you aren’t traveling by boat, it’s easy to fly to the Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (SKG). Here’s where you can search for cheap flights to Thessaloniki.

It’s also possible to travel by train around Greece. You can book individual train tickets or consider booking a Greece rail pass if you intend on visiting a few destinations.

Another option is to book a rental car. A car rental is perfect for those looking to explore at their own pace. We love to rent cars when we travel because it offers the most flexibility, plus we can get to those attractions that are difficult to reach by public transportation.

Justin and I love using Discover Cars because they’re reliable, have great customer service, and you can compare rates among many companies to find the best option. Book your rental car here.

One Day in Thessaloniki: The Waterfront

On this one day in Thessaloniki itinerary, we’ll start by wandering around Thessaloniki’s waterfront. There are a few important monuments and sculptures, plus it’s a great place to go for a stroll. From the port of Thessaloniki to the concert hall, the waterfront path and pier is about 5km long.

We noticed a variety of buildings and architectural styles as we walked around, plus many restaurant patios facing the water. This is the kind of place where you can walk for a while, stop for food and drink, and continue on your way at a relaxed pace. You can walk or bike here, though we enjoyed our walk to slowly admire the city.

There are a grand total of 13 green spaces on the waterfront with plenty of park benches, works of public art, and gardens. Each garden has a special theme and characteristic as a nod to the Mediterranean gardens that once existed here in the past.

Here’s a full listing of the gardens, in case you’d like to see them all: Garden of Alexander, Garden of the Afternoon Sun, Garden of the Sand, Garden of the Shadow, Garden of the Seasons, Garden of Odysseas Fokas, Garden of Mediterranean, Garden of the Sculptors, Garden of Sound, Garden of Roses, Garden of Memory, Garden of Water and Garden of Music.

The White Tower

The White Tower of Thessaloniki dates back to the 15th century after the fall of the city to the Ottomans in 1430. The present day tower replaced a tower that was part of Byzantine fortifications. During this period of Ottoman rule, the tower was a prison and the site of many executions.

While the tower went through many different names, at one point in time it was known as the “Tower of Blood”. However, in 1883, Sultan Abdul Hamid II ordered that the tower be painted white and thus it was known as the new name, “The White Tower”. The Ottoman Empire was changing and no longer wanted to be associated with its violent past.

There is a permanent exhibition inside the tower on Thessaloniki’s history through to the present day. It’s a great first stop on this one day in Thessaloniki itinerary to familiarize yourself with the city’s past and present. Then, you can go up to the top of the tower for beautiful city and waterfront views.

Alexander the Great Monument

The first themed garden is the Garden of Alexander. It’s home to a bronze statue of the world renowned commander and the king of the Macedonians, Alexander the Great. The sculpture portrays him riding his favorite horse, Bucephalus, and it is an impressive 6 metres (20 feet) tall.

Beside the monument, there is a low wall with an embossment of the Battle of Issus in 333 B.C. This is where Alexander the Great and his army defeated King Darius III and conquered the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. There are also pointed spears with five shields, each with engraved images of a lion, a snake, an ox, a falcon and Medusa.

The Umbrellas Sculpture

In front of the Garden of the Afternoon Sun, don’t miss seeing the artwork called “Umbrellas” by sculptor, George Zogkolopoulos. The umbrellas are slightly tilted, 13 meters tall, and extend up into the sky.

It’s a rather popular spot for photographs as this work of public art is a bit interactive. There are many places to stand and hold one of the umbrellas with a view of the waterfront in the background. This is one of the most photographed places in Thessaloniki.

One Day in Thessaloniki: Palace of Galerius

After you’ve wandered around the waterfront, it’s time to continue your walk towards the Thessaloniki city center. Thessaloniki is like a living museum as there are ancient ruins all over the place. As we walked down a street lined with modern buildings and street art, there were old crumbling stone structures in the middle of it all. Who knows how many more ancient buildings have yet to be excavated?

The Palace of Galerius is part of the Galerian Complex, the most important group of ancient monuments in Thessaloniki. Its construction started in the late 3rd century-early 4th century AD by Caesar Galerius of the Roman Empire. Many emperors stayed in Thessaloniki as a stopping off point between Rome and Constantinople.

While some valuable parts of the Palace of Galerius are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, you can observe some ruins of the Palace of Galerius from street level. Aside from the ruins themselves, I also enjoyed seeing some cute cats sleeping among the ruins. Thessaloniki is a great destination for cat lovers as they seem to be roaming around everywhere!

Thessaloniki in a Day: Arch of Galerius

Here’s another fascinating monument to visit during your day in Thessaloniki. The Arch of Galerius, also known as “Kamera”, is an early 4th-century AD monument. It was built to showcase and commemorate Galerius’ victory over the Persians. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The structure once consisted of eight pillars forming a triple arched gateway with the largest one in the middle. There were brick and marble pillars sculpted with scenes of the Romans fighting the Persians. Nowadays, only three pillars have survived with some of the original marble sculptures.

Both the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda are prime examples of early Byzantine art and architecture. The Rotunda is just down the way from the Arch of Galerius, and it’s one of the earliest Christian monuments in the Eastern Roman Empire (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

24 Hours in Thessaloniki: The Rotunda

The Rotunda of Galerius, or the Rotunda of St. George (simply known as The Rotunda), is a circular structure topped with a dome, built around 306 AD. It’s thought that Galerius wanted the Rotunda to be his mausoleum. However, Galerius was never buried here and the Rotunda was vacant for many decades.

In the late 4th century, the Rotunda was converted into a church along with some additions and beautiful mosaics. It was a church for over 1200 years until Thessaloniki’s fall to the Ottomans. In 1590, it was transformed into a mosque and a minaret was added to it. Then, in 1912, the Greeks turned the Rotunda back into a church, but left the minaret standing.

In present day, the Rotunda is a historic monument and might even be the oldest Christian church in the world. If you’re spending one day in Thessaloniki, I suggest viewing the Palace of Galerius, the Arch of Galerius, and then the Rotunda as they’re all really close to one another. To enter the Rotunda, you’ll need to pay a small entrance fee. It’s open every day of the week except Tuesday.

Admire the Street Art and Public Art

There are some works of public art that I’ve already mentioned, like the ones you’ll find at the gardens on the waterfront and the Umbrellas sculpture. As Thessaloniki is a vibrant, youthful destination, you can bet that you’ll find plenty of street art and murals. It’s such a fascinating city where old meets new.

As you walk around the city center and beyond, you’ll surely stumble upon many colorful works of art splashed across the walls. Some are at street level and you’ll need to gaze up for others. We saw quite a few murals and it’s another wonderful thing to do when spending one day in Thessaloniki.

More Things to Do in Thessaloniki

If you find yourself with more time or you’d like to swap out one of the attractions above for something else, here are some more things to do in Thessaloniki, Greece. Some of these are fantastic additions if you find yourself with two days in Thessaloniki.

Vlatadon Monastery

Situated in Ano Poli, the Holy Patriarchal And Stavropegic Monastery Of Vlatadon In Thessaloniki (Vlatadon Monastery) is one of the oldest and most important Byzantine monuments in the city. It is the only Byzantine monastery in Thessaloniki that’s still active today, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is free to visit the monastery, and you can walk around the buildings and the property gardens. Check out the impressive frescos, historic chapel and stunning views high above the city.

Heptapyrgion of Thessaloniki

Heptapyrgion, also known by its Ottomon name, Yedi Kule, is a Byzantine and Ottoman-era fortress that sits on the acropolis of Thessaloniki. The current structure was built in the 14th century, though it was likely constructed on top of a 9th century citadel. While it served for centuries as a fortress, it was transformed into the city’s jail in the late 19th century and through until 1989.

Reconstruction efforts are underway, and it is possible to visit and tour this old fortress and prison. There may also be an exhibit or two to check out, and it’s also the location of cultural and artistic events on occasion. Like many spots in Ano Poli, you can also enjoy some spectacular panoramic scenery of Thessaloniki, too.

Pasha’s Gardens

Pasha’s Gardens are a little bit of a walk from Thessaloniki city center (30 minutes walk), but well worth the trip if you don’t mind the trek. It’s a lovely park with a mix of greenery and ancient Ottoman-era architecture. The ruined stone structures are surrounded by pine trees.

There’s also a stone fountain in the style of Gaudi and a tunnel that leads to nowhere. Though the architecture and ruins are from a time long ago, Pasha’s Gardens was established in 1904. If you’d like to see some unusual features and views of the city, walk a little off the beaten path to Pasha’s Gardens.

Vergina and Pella Day Trip

If you are spending two or three days in Thessaloniki, here’s a great day trip for you. Spend a full day visiting Vergina and Pella by Thessaloniki. This tour explores three different eras of ancient Greece and Macedonia. See the Museum of the Royal Tombs and New Museum of Aigai, Vergina.

Then, uncover the Museum and Archaeological site of Pella, the capital of the kingdom of Macedon. Walk in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. This tour is a must for history buffs. Book your day trip to Vergina and Pella.

Thessaloniki Walking Tour

Justin and I love a mix of exploring on our own and informative walking tours. This Thessaloniki walking tour involves learning about local daily life and the city’s multiculturalism.

One way that you’ll discover this is through Thessaloniki’s food and drink scene. Walk through food markets, sample local delicacies, and dive deep into the history of local cuisine like the different varieties of olives and Greek coffee. Book your Thessaloniki Walking Tour here.

Dion and Mount Olympus Day Trip

If you find yourself with a second or third day in Thessaloniki and would like to get outside the city, it’s possible to take a full day trip to Dion and Mount Olympus. First, travel to Dion Archaeological Park with its 6th century ancient ruins and museum. Next, it’s time to see Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods, to admire the mountainous scenery from Epinea Gorge.

All transportation from Thessaloniki and to the various attractions is included. Book your day trip to Dion and Mount Olympus.

Vegan Restaurants and Dining in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the UNESCO City of Gastronomy for 2021, so it’s no surprise that there’s an incredible foodie scene here. The fact that Thessaloniki is a melting pot of cultures means that there are so many different local, international and fusion restaurants. Plus, did you know that the Greek frappe was invented in Thessaloniki? As I follow a vegan diet, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite vegan eats in Thessaloniki.

Novarino Creperie

Justin and I stumbled upon Novarino Creperie when a sign that read “vegan” jumped out at me. This creperie is right across from the ruins of the Palace of Galerius, so it only made sense to order a crepe after visiting this historic site. While this is a takeout window, there is ample seating on their patio and nearby.

You will need to specify that you’d like a vegan crepe when ordering as it is a different batter. Then, be sure to ask which vegan toppings and spreads are available. When we ordered our crepe, they had a vegan nutella and a vegan “kinder bueno” topping, which was super yummy and decadent when combined.

OMG in SKG

OMG in SKG is a takeaway, fast food vegan restaurant in Thessaloniki, not too far from the Rotunda. After Justin and I visited the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, we walked just a couple of minutes for lunch at OMG in SKG. Even though it’s a takeout establishment, we sat outdoors just across from the takeout window to enjoy our meal. While there isn’t any seating, there was a little elevated curb to sit up on.

We ordered chicken burgers and an iced coffee; both were excellent and hit the spot. They also have burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, chicken wraps, smoothies, cocktails and more. We chatted to the owner, Ioanna, for quite some time as she was very sweet and passionate about serving delicious vegan food.

rOOTS

rOOTS was the only vegan restaurant in Thessaloniki that we didn’t get to try, but it’s at the top of my list for when we return. While the last two spots I mentioned were very casual, grab and go type of options, rOOTS is a sit-down restaurant in the city that I’d check out for lunch or dinner.

They offer vegan meals and Greek dishes gone vegan for those wishing to try something a little more authentic. Sample a Greek salad with vegan feta cheese, Moussaka, or vegan gyros. There are international dishes like gyoza, wild mushroom risotto and carbonara.