Here’s our Anti-Tourist Guide to Thessaloniki to help you make the most of your trip while feeling like a local

Ditch the typical sightseeing spots and get a feeling of what it’s like to live in the city of saints. With its Mediterranean charm and a UNESCO World Heritage historic center, you’ll find something to do all year round. Even in winter, the sun is usually shining, and temperatures rarely drop below 5 °C. Follow this anti-tourist guide to Thessaloniki to experience the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere while exploring its many cafes, clubs, and beaches nearby.

Let’s find answers to the most important questions about traveling to Thessaloniki to have the most amazing experience there!

How many days should I save to visit Thessaloniki?

Tricky question! You could really spend weeks discovering all the art, churches, and museums in Thessaloniki, like in many European cities. However, if you are backpacking or Interrailing and your travel time is limited, two to three days are usually enough to cover the must-see spots.

Now that this is covered, our next question is…

What are the main highlights of Thessaloniki?

a) Melting pot of cultures 

Did you know Thessaloniki was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire and is therefore home to many Byzantine churches and monuments? Ottoman and Roman influences are also strongly present as well. It’s impossible for a history buff to leave this city off their itinerary. But also anyone eager to soak up the extraordinary vibe of Greece’s second-largest city will be rewarded.

• Museum of Byzantine Culture: 11 galleries present aspects of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine era. The perfect opportunity to learn about history in the place where it happened. 
• Catacombs of Saint John: Go back in time without spending a penny. While the Agia Sophia is one of the main attractions, this ancient monastery right next to it is a true anti-tourist spot in Thessaloniki. Five meters below the street level, this green oasis in the city center leaves people speechless. As far as your eye can see: artifacts from another time and a temple. Inside, stairs will lead you even deeper, and history unfolds before your eyes. The catacombs and tunnels connected entire Thessaloniki centuries ago, and up until this day, researchers still haven’t fully uncovered its secrets.
• Ano Poli – Taverna Igglis: Music drifts through the streets, you’ve just savored some of the best moussaka you’ve ever tasted, and suddenly you’re caught in the contrasts: classic yet youthful, relaxed yet upbeat. Much of the Ottoman and Byzantine eras are very well preserved, and I recommend you just stroll around and take in as much as possible! Stay until the sun sets for the most romantic way to call it a day.

b) Culinary capital 

Once a melting pot for Greeks, Turks, Jews, and Armenians, Thessaloniki’s culinary scene is a journey through time, culture, and geographic regions. Today’s cuisine is an explosion of flavors, with traditions that remain visible—often with a modern twist.

• Check out our Cheap Eats guide to discover restaurants that satisfy both your taste buds and your wallet.  
• Το Μπακάλ – where the past meets the present: Another great option for a stylish yet affordable dinner is this urban tavern. It offers flavors that highlight Greek tradition through creative touches and local products, inviting guests to a unique taste and cultural experience.

• YAYA KALLITHEA: What a shame it would be if you missed Frappe and Freddo Espresso on your trip to Greece. Thank goodness I found this cute, adorable coffee shop with high-quality coffee for low prices. It’s THE place to hang out and calm down. 

Thessaloniki’s anti-tourist vibrant cultural life

Thessaloniki is home to Greece’s largest university, and thus the city shines with its energetic residents. If you’re lucky enough (which should be no problem if you’re staying on track with our anti-tourist guide to Thessaloniki), you’ll catch some of this energy! 

a) Festivals 

Thessaloniki is home to several festivals all year round. I highly recommend checking the festival dates—if you’re in town, don’t miss them.

• Piano Festival 
• Short Film Festival 
• Thessaloniki Animation Festival
• Architecture Conventions 
• Beer festival
• Street Food Festival
• Many more 

b) Nightlife 

• Bord de l’eau: Good for a casual meet-up for drinks and good music.
• Ladidika: This quarter awakes in the late afternoon and allows you to party until dawn. Bars, clubs, and discos line up one after the other.
• Klio Cruise Bar: To be honest, this is everything but “anti-tourist” in Thessaloniki. But it’s also too good to not include. Basically it’s a bar on a boat that embarks on a 30-minute journey with you on it. You don’t even have to pay anything; you only have to spend a minimum of 5€ at their bar. Picture yourself with a refreshing drink in hand, watching the orange sky—it’s an unforgettable experience.

Quick getaways for a day trip in Thessaloniki

If you spent more than just a few days in Thessaloniki and are able to rent a car, you are in for a treat. Get away from the bustling city life and find your zen after all the sightseeing. There are hundreds of beautiful turquoise beaches in Halkidiki that will leave you speechless. Just to name a few:

• Sani beach 
• Kavourotrypes beach 
• Lagomandra beach 

Bonus tip:

Thessaloniki is an important transportation hub in Greece, and it’s easy to get from A to B. Whether you’re planning your following trip or where to go next, we have a gift for you. Famous Hostels is on a journey to promote sustainable tourism, pushing train and bus travel as opposed to flying.

For that, we partnered with Flixbus & Eurail and created a calculator that compares your carbon emissions if you are traveling by train or bus versus plane and converts it into a direct discount at over 54 hostels in Europe.

Discounts go from 5% to 20% based on the distance you go.

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