Thessaloniki tours and tickets
Thessaloniki needs almost no booking. Museums, churches and the White Tower sell tickets at the door, and the waterfront and Ano Poli are free. Food tours and a table at a busy ouzeri on a weekend are worth a day or two of notice. Vergina and Mount Olympus are the day trips that benefit from a tour or a car.
Book these first
- Dinner at a busy ouzeri on a weekend
- a few days ahead. The well-known places fill, and the better tables go early.
- Day trips to Vergina or Mount Olympus
- a week ahead in summer. Tours run in small groups and sell out.
Nobody pays to be on this page. The Viator buttons are partner links: if you book through one, Viator may pay us a commission, at no cost to you. Where the official site sells the ticket, we link it too. How we rank
Churches and palaces
Church of Agios Dimitrios
The largest church in Greece, honouring the city's patron saint, with a crypt and mosaics. Entry is free, and the crypt has its own hours.
Which to pick. Visit in the morning, and check the crypt hours. Dress modestly, and a guide is optional.
Not needed, entry is freeVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorRotunda and Arch of Galerius
A Roman mausoleum later used as a church and a mosque, next to a triumphal arch. The Rotunda has opening hours and sometimes hosts events. The arch stands on the street outside.
Which to pick. Visit both in one go. Check the opening hours of the Rotunda, since they vary by season.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Monuments and landmarks
White Tower of Thessaloniki
A sixteenth-century tower on the waterfront, now a museum of the city's history with a view from the top. Tickets are sold at the door, and the visit takes an hour.
Which to pick. Go in the morning or at sunset. Buy at the door, and walk the promenade after.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAno Poli and the Byzantine walls
The old upper town, with lanes, wooden houses, the Trigonion Tower and the walls. It is free to walk, and the view from the top is a highlight at sunset.
Which to pick. Take a taxi up and walk down through the lanes. A guided walk adds the history and the stories of the fires.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
A museum of Macedonian finds, including gold from Derveni and Vergina, in a modern building. Tickets are sold at the door, and a visit takes two hours.
Which to pick. Buy at the door and see the gold rooms first. It is a good wet-day plan.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMuseum of Byzantine Culture
A museum of icons, mosaics, tombs and everyday objects from the Byzantine centuries, in a calm building near the White Tower. Visits take ninety minutes.
Which to pick. Visit it after the Archaeological Museum, which is a short walk away, and ask about a combined ticket. Buy at the door.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Food tours and classes
Modiano and Kapani market food tour
A guided walk through the covered markets with tastings of cheese, olives, sweets, spices and street food, ending with a sit-down meal. Tours last about three hours.
Which to pick. Join on your first morning, when the stalls are busy. It teaches you what to order for the rest of your stay.
2 to 4 days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorGreek cooking class
A hands-on class making dishes such as spanakopita, moussaka or gemista, often with a market visit first. Groups are small, and you eat what you cook.
Which to pick. Choose a morning class that ends with lunch. It suits anyone who wants to bring recipes home.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Vergina
The royal tombs of the Macedonian kings, including the tomb of Philip II, under an earth mound museum, about an hour away. The museum has gold and armor.
Which to pick. Take a tour with a guide, since public transport is slow. Go in the morning and allow two hours.
A week ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMount Olympus and Litochoro
The mountain of the gods and the village at its foot, about an hour and a half away, with trails, gorges and a monastery. Tours range from easy walks to hikes to a hut.
Which to pick. Take a guided day if you are unsure of the trails. Check the weather and bring layers.
A week ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Thessaloniki
Do I need to book museums in Thessaloniki?
No. Tickets are sold at the door, and queues are short. Check the closing days, which vary, and bring ID if you want a discount.
Is the White Tower worth entering?
Yes, for the views and the exhibits. It is small, so an hour is enough. Combine it with a walk along the promenade.
Are food tours worth it?
Yes. The markets are crowded and the menus are in Greek, so a guide makes your first days easier. It is a good first-morning activity.
Can I visit Vergina without a car?
Yes, by bus via Veria, but it is slow. A guided trip or a rental car is easier, and you can combine it with another stop.
What is the best time to climb Mount Olympus?
Late spring to early autumn, when trails are open. A guide helps with route choice. Check the weather, since conditions change fast.
What can wait until I arrive?
The museums, the churches, the White Tower and Ano Poli can all be done on the day. Book a weekend table at an ouzeri and any day trips a few days ahead.