Thessaloniki Travel Guide

Thessaloniki (Greek: Θεσσαλονίκη) is the capital of Macedonia, and with one million inhabitants (2025), the second largest city in Greece. It is a city with a continuous 3,000-year history, preserving relics of its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past and of its formerly dominant Jewish population. Its Byzantine churches, in particular, are included in UNESCO's world heritage list.

Thessaloniki is an important rail hub within Greece and it is quite easy to travel here by passenger trains.Hellenic Trainoperates up to six daily trains fromAthensviaLarissa. The journey used to take 4 hours, but after a huge flood that destroyed the central part of the line in 2023, it now takes around 5 hours. Restoration and improvement works are on the way and by 2025 the journey will again take 4 hours, possibly even lower. Additionally, there are trains fromAlexandroupoliviaKomotini,Xanth

Thessaloniki has asingle metro linewith 13 stations that runs from the New Railway Station across the city centre and the southern and eastern suburbs to Nea Elvetia. The trains run from 05:30 to 00:30 except on Fridays and Saturdays when the last trains are at 02:00. Thestandard fare is €0.60(which is purchased only with cash inside the stations).

Thessaloniki is generally a very safe city but watch your pockets and travel documents as there may bepickpockets, especially in buses during rush hour.

There are many hotels in the area a few blocks north of Aristotelous. Some of these are a bit upmarket, but if business is slack it is worth shopping around - they might give you a good discount rather than turn you away.