✈️ TLV to Thessaloniki (SKG)
Greece
Thessaloniki
CitySKG
IATA1425.4 km
Distance2h 17m
Flight TimeCoordinates: 40.5197, 22.9709
Airlines:
About Thessaloniki
Weather in Thessaloniki
See
The northernmost 40.638533 22.958135 1 Byzantine Walls of the city and parts of the eastern walls are still standing, as is the city's symbol, the White Tower . The rest of the walls are in the picturesque Upper Town which offers a spectacular view over the bay, especially in the late afternoon. The city is also known as "the mother of Israel", due to the once flourishing Jewish community here, which existed from the Roman period and grew substantially after the Ottoman Empire took in Jewish refugees expelled Spain, Portugal, and Spanish territories in Italy; these Jews are known as "Sephardim". Sephardi Jews formed a significant percentage of the city's population and infrastructure until World War II, when, in spring 1943, almost all were deported by the Nazis to the extermination camp at Auschwitz, never to return. However, there are still two Synagogues, and you can see the Jewish Museum. Also interesting are the Turkish public baths Bey Hamam , the Bezesteni (Ottoman closed market for jewellery and precious materials) the Alatza Imaret (Ottoman poorhouse) and Hamza Bey Camii (both restored and used for exhibitions).
Do
Take a walk along the long seafront promenade (about 12 km altogether). Thessaloniki Cultural Tour by public bus line 50 : OASTH has launched a special “Cultural Route” (Bus No 50) to make the rich historical and cultural heritage of Thessaloniki more accessible to its citizens and visitors. The bus departs from the White Tower for a 50-minute tour around the citys main historical and cultural monuments. The tour is supported by a telematics based audio-visual material (in Greek and English), as well as by printed leaflets (also in Greek and English and soon in more foreign languages). Thessaloniki has a very active nightlife , as a 2007 New York Times article called it "Seattle of the Balkans". The very lively and youth-oriented international film festival is held in November, the International Trade Fair [dead link] in September. 40.598032 22.948653 1 Thessaloniki Concert Hall , "25 Μartiou" Str. ( near the Posidonio Athletic Centre of Thessaloniki - Kalamaria ). The venue includes a main hall of 1,400 seats, designed by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and inaugurated on 2 January 2000. The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra plays Italian Operas and works of Greek composers. Current events listed on in their website. ( updated Feb 2016 ) 40.489526 23.02273 2 Waterland . A large water park near Tagarades Hill. Free bus service starting at the city centre. ( updated Feb 2016 ) Go to the beach . There are frequent ferry services from the Port and White Tower to the sandy beaches of Peraia, Neoi Epivates (and some to Agia Triada) - expect a 40 minute trip each way. These have a range of bars and restaurants. Watch football . The city has two teams playing in the Super League, the top tier of Greek football. PAOK FC play at Toumba Stadium, capacity 29,000, 2 km southeast of city centre. Aris Thessaloniki FC play at Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, capacity 22,800, a further kilometre south. Join the amazing World Naked Bike Ride in Thessaloniki [dead link] every year in June. A celebration of Cycling, Environment, Body Freedom!
Eat
Greeks consider Thessaloniki a gourmet city - but bear in mind that this refers to the excellent local specialities and cheap-and-cheerful ouzo taverns rather than to haute cuisine or a range of foreign restaurants. The latter are best avoided in Thessaloniki. Try a crepe in one of the numerous crepe shops patronised by the student population at Gounari St, near Navarinou Sq. There are plenty of shops selling gyros . Usually there are pork and chicken gyros. This is the best calories per money option, since with less than €3 you get a meal that, although not that healthy, can keep you going for many hours. During the winter you can try roasted chestnuts (kastana in Greek) that are sold from carts. During the summer one can buy boiled or roasted corn on the cob that is sold from carts. Cost €1-2. You can try stafidopsomo , a small bread with raisins, or koulouri a donut-shaped small bread with sesame. You can find them sold in a bakery or on carts. Cost: €0.50. For breakfast you can have a bougatsa , a type of cream pie, that Thessaloniki is famous for. You can accompany it with a cacao milk or coffee. For a carnivore's treat, try soutzoukakia : minced meat pellets either grilled (at the central market or rotisseries) and topped with chilli pepper flakes, or cooked in tomato and cumin sauce (Smyrna-style). For a late night (or early morning) meal try patsas (Tripe soup). Seafood: gemista kalamarakia (stuffed squid), mydopilafo (rice with mussels) or mydia saganaki (mussels in tomato sauce). 40.590891 23.033414 1 ΚΛΕΑ Fine Bakery . Cafe with light meals and takeaway. ( updated May 2018 ) 40.586835 23.029727 2 Villa Luna . Ask to eat in the restaurant terrace - fantastic views at sunset. ( updated May 2018 )
Drink
Thessaloniki is by far the liveliest city in Northern Greece- maybe even the whole country. Most of the trendy bars at the old sea-front (Nikis Ave.) and around, many of the tavernas are either downtown or in the old city (Kastra). You can also find numerous bars and tavernas at Krini, an area in eastern Thessaloniki. If you want to check out what the whole bouzoukia scene is all about, try the clubs Pyli Axiou and Mamounia, at Vilka. You will also find a lot of night clubs, bars and restaurants in Ladadika, the neighbourhood with the old warehouses next to the port. The student area is around Kamara (the Arch of Galerius), with many cheaper cafes and bars. If you will be in town during summer, take a ride on the floating bars plying the harbour. Every 2 hr or so they leave from the White Tower area for a short evening trip (30 min) in the Gulf of Thessaloniki. They play mostly ethnic and alternative foreign music. A beer would cost you €3-7, an alcohol drink €5-10 and a coffee €2.50-5. Among the most popular places to drink a coffee or a beer are: Aristotle Sq (Aristotelous) - The most popular tourist cafés and bars lie in the central square of the city and the homonymous street. One can find quiet cafes or noisy ones usually preferred by the young. Breakfast is also served, some restaurants are also available. Nikis’ Av - The centre’s seafront avenue is full of cafeterias usually crowded around the clock, available for coffee in daytime and beer or drink at night. Proxenou Kroromila St - Parallel to the seafront Nikis avenue is Pr. Koromila street with some cafés and bars. Iktinou pedestrian - Another place in the city with cafes and bars and a couple of restaurants. A "street beer" culture has been created by locals and students. People buy beer from the kiosks and hang out on the surrounding benches. This is probably one of the most economic ways to drink some Retsina and socialize with locals. Ladadika district - At the west side of the centre lies the picturesque neighbourhood of Ladadika (meaning: oil stores). Named this way by the many stores selling oil arrived from the adjacent harbour. This district used to be notorious but has been renovated, and many stone build warehouses now host the most known nightclubs with all sorts of music including traditional Greek bouzoukia. Aretsou - Aretsou is in the southeast part of the city, in the Kalamaria District. In the seafront Plastira Av. are restaurants which change to bars during night featuring loud music and hosting many young. Karabournaki - A place in Kalamaria district hosting delicate bars, restaurants and pizzerias. All of them along Sofouli street next to the seashore. Boat bars - Quite interesting are the boats near the white tower’s seafront, which make a short trip around Thermaikos gulf where you can enjoy a late night city view. Most of them play ethnic and alternative foreign music. 40.6417 22.9203 1 Vilka ( The area around the old trains station ) - A set of high-range café, bars, restaurants, disco, ouzeris some with live music at the city’s west. Valaoritou and Syggrou - A lot of Thessaloniki's nightlife has moved here. The old industrial centre has become a place for entertainment for everybody. Many bars, clubs and cafes may remind you of Berlin, or English pubs. 40.642201 22.918604 2 Mylos Club , 56 "Andrea Georgiou" Str. , ☏ +30 231 051 0081 . Hosting concerts, events, exhibitions, music bands, famous Greek artists etc. Venue can change. Check their page on Facebook. ( updated Feb 2016 )
Stay safe
Thessaloniki is generally a very safe city but watch your pockets and travel documents as there may be pickpockets , especially in buses during rush hour. Some people may feel uncomfortable walking in the areas around the railway station at night and it's better to avoid them along with places like Dendropotamos, and Sfageia. These areas are full abandoned buildings and factories and are a hotspot for drug-use and prostitution. Police number: 100
Go next
The suburb of Panorama is well heeled and has good restaurants, and spectacular views over Thessaloniki - especially at sunset. The classic trips out of Thessaloniki are: Serres – The second largest city in Greece's Macedonia region and close to the Bulgarian towns of Melnik and Bansko and Pirin National Park . Kavala and Philippi – About 160 km east of Thessaloniki is Kavala, one of the most beautiful cities of Greece and is especially recommended to visit. The ancient site of Philippi is particularly known by Apostle Paul and the first Christian baptism in Europe. Thasos island – A green island with high mountains and wonderful beaches. You can visit the island on a day trip but its definitively worth to spent more days. There are ferry boats from Kavala harbor and Keramoti. Halkidiki Halkidikí peninsula – There are 500 km of wonderful beaches on the two first fingers of this peninsula, one of the main tourist destinations of Greece. The first "finger" from the West is called Kassandra and it's the place where many Salonicans (and tourists) spend their holidays. The second "finger" called Sithonia is the most beautiful place of Halkidiki both in landscape and beaches. In the summer, the Armenistis campground (Sithonia peninsula) stages concerts and other events. Also check out the jazz and classical concerts in Sani (Kassandra peninsula). Try to schedule your visit in summer so that you're not driving back to the city on Sunday evening. The third finger is the monastic community of Mount Athos . Mount Athos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This peninsula houses over 1,700 monks in 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries. The visit is strictly controlled and only male visitors are allowed. Tourist require a visa. But there are also sightseeing boats that offer tours around the peninsula (without landing). These do not require permits and are the only option for women who want to see Mount Athos. The boat tours start in Ouranopolis from about 10:00. Mount Olympus coast (towards Platamonas ) – A very scenic region which has fallen out of favour with the trendy set but has lost no business - it is now mainly catering to tourists from Eastern Europe. Pella – The Macedonian capital during the time of Alexander the Great. Vergina – The spectacular site of the Macedonian royal tombs. Dion – A beautiful archaeological site near Mount Olympus. Prespa and Doirani lakes – Near the borders with Albania and North Macedonia, respectively, the Prespas especially offering an austere and evocative Balkan landscape and plenty of birdwatching.