Is Thessaloniki worth visiting?

Absolutely — Greece's food capital, friendlier and cheaper than Athens.

How do I get from Thessaloniki to Skopje?

Direct bus, 5 h, €22. Multiple departures daily.

Thessaloniki Travel Essentials — Emergency, Safety & Things to Do

🚨 Emergency help in Thessaloniki

Tap to call. EU 112 routes to the right service in any Balkan country.

Thessaloniki is younger and cheaper than Athens. Long student population, Greece's best street food, and the natural land border into Skopje, Sofia or Halkidiki beaches.

Thessaloniki on the map

Nearby emergency services

🏥 Hospitals

AHEPA University Hospital
Stilponos Kyriakidi 1
📞 +30 2310 993 111 📍 Maps

🚓 Police stations

Tourist Police
Dodekanissou 4
📞 +30 2310 554 871 📍 Maps

💊 Pharmacies

Pharmacy Tsimiski
Tsimiski 43 — Call 1434 for rotating 24/7 pharmacy
📍 Maps

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Currency in Thessaloniki

Currency

Euro

Code / Symbol

EUR · €

Rate

Direct

· Cheaper than Athens.
· Cards everywhere modern.

What to eat in Thessaloniki

Bougatsa
Phyllo pie with custard, cheese or mince — Bougatsa Bantis since 1969.
Gyros
Cheaper and more generous than Athens — Derlicatessen on Tsimiski.
Koulouri Thessalonikis
Sesame bread rings sold from street carts every morning.
Tsipouro
Local pomace brandy served with meze — best at Ladadika.

Is Thessaloniki safe? Travel safety tips

Generally safe

Lower crime than Athens. Standard caution at the Vardar railway station area.

Beach valuables

Halkidiki beaches: never leave bags unattended.

Top things to do in Thessaloniki

White Tower
Landmark
Symbol of the city — Byzantine museum inside. €4.
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Ano Poli (Upper Town)
Quarter
Cobbled hill above the city, Ottoman houses, panoramic views.
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Rotunda
Roman
AD 300 mausoleum, later a church and a mosque.
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Modiano Market
Quarter
Restored covered market with cafés and meze bars.
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Mount Olympus
Day trip
Home of the gods — 1.5 h south, day-hikes from Litochoro.
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Useful Thessaloniki info

Best time to visit

April–June, September–October.

Public transport

OASTH buses €1, 24-h ticket €4. Walkable promenade.

Airport

Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) — 17 km. Bus 78/78N €2 to centre.

Plug & voltage

Type C/F, 230V

· Buses to Skopje 5 h (€22), Sofia 4 h (€20), Athens 5.5 h (€35).
· Frequent KTEL buses to Halkidiki beaches.

Get out of Thessaloniki

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Thessaloniki travel essentials