Travel Advice

24 hours in Thessaloniki

Share itinerary

OUR TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN THESSALONIKI

Now that you’ve booked your MTB tour in Greece with us you need to begin planning your travel to Thessaloniki, and the start point of your Mountains and Myths adventure.

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second city and a major port, situated on the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. It is a young and vibrant city, characterised by its very social nature and total devotion to café culture. There are more than 5,000 cafés in the city, and it can be difficult to know which ones to go for, which is part of the reason that we’ve created this guide to spending 24 hours in Thessaloniki; to ensure you make the most of the lively city before setting off on your mountain bike adventure with us in Greece!

 

MORNING

To kick off your 24 hours in Thessaloniki and get your blood flowing you should take a walk, or maybe even a jog, down to the sea front of Thessaloniki – as early in the morning as you can bear! There you will have the chance to see the White Tower, which is the trademark monument of the city of Thessaloniki, and the Umbrellas sculpture.

Morning is also a good time to wander round the markets and backstreets of the city, admiring the array of local produce and the vibrant street art.

Afterwards, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a special blend of espresso coffee at one of the countless coffee shops in this café-loving city. 

 

AFTERNOON

In the afternoon you can visit one of the numerous historical sites of Thessaloniki, one of the most important cities of the ancient Macedonian and Eastern Roman Empire.

Museums, churches, ancient markets, monuments, sculptures… there’s so much rich history here and exploring some of these sites will give you an understanding of the evolution of Thessaloniki.

Here are some of the most important monuments worth visiting:

  • Church of Agios Georgios (Rotunda) a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
  • Arch of Galerius “Kamara”
  • Archaeological Museum of Ancient (Roman) Forum, Thessaloniki
  • Museum in the Crypt of the Church of St Dimitrios
  • Byzantine Walls of Thessaloniki

Amidst your historical journey you will probably want to re-fuel, and we recommend Mourga, which offers great seafood and veg dishes.

EVENING

As you will know by now, Thessaloniki is an incredibly sociable city, and getting together around the table is what this city is all about. We suggest having a power nap before you embark on your evening in Thessaloniki!

Head to Charoupi for a Greek-style dinner of meze and a cocktail. But remember that you have to ride your bike on new trails for the next week, so don’t be seduced by the Thessaloniki nightlife and go too big before your tour. The atmosphere alone can be intoxicating, but everything in moderation, including Thessaloniki!

5 LOCAL PHRASES

‘Malaka’; Literally is a curse, but no one uses it as one. Meanings: Dude / man

‘Naí’; Greek for ‘yes’

‘Klein Mein’; ‘Not so good’

‘Efcharisto’; Thank you in Greek. If that troubles you ‘thanks’ would work just fine.

‘Yamas’; Literally translates from greeks as ‘for our health’. A common drinking toast

See all stories

Continue reading

Related stories