Thessaloniki.
Flight from TLV
2h 23m
Best season
אפר–אוק
Avg temp
21°
Currency
€ EUR · 1=₪3.52
Time zone
זהה לתל אביב, למעט תקופות קצרות סביב החלפת השעון
Language
יוונית; אנגלית נפוצה באזורי התיירות
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום, בכפוף לכללי שנגן ולדרכון תקף
Safety
יעד בטוח יחסית; מומלץ להיזהר מכייסים במרכז, בתחבורה הציבורית ובשווקים, ולהתרחק מהפגנות
Overview
🇬🇷Thessaloniki
🇬🇷Greece
Thessaloniki is an easy, flavorful city break for Israelis, with direct flights from Tel Aviv, a long waterfront promenade and a compact, walkable center. Start at Aristotelous Square and the White Tower, shop along Tsimiski Street or at Mediterranean Cosmos, then climb to Ano Poli for sweeping views across the city and gulf. Evenings revolve around the tavernas of Ladadika, the bars of Valaoritou and Regency Casino Thessaloniki near the airport. The city's profound Jewish heritage, including the Monastirioton Synagogue and Jewish Museum, adds particular meaning for Israeli visitors.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Thessaloniki
Each area and who it suits best.
Aristotelous Square & Nikis Waterfront
This is Thessaloniki's elegant heart, with the cafés of Aristotelous Square, sunset walks along Leoforos Nikis, and the White Tower within walking distance. Electra Palace Thessaloniki is the square's signature hotel, while Makedonia Palace offers five-star waterfront comfort. Rates are relatively high, and rooms facing the square or promenade can be noisy late at night.
Ladadika & Valaoritou
The lanes of Ladadika are packed with tavernas, bars, and music around Katouni and Egyptou, while Valaoritou draws a younger crowd to late-night clubs and bars. Hotels such as The Met Hotel and ON Residence sit near the port area, each with a different style. It is ideal for going out without a taxi, but street noise, traffic, and a party atmosphere come with the location.
Agia Sofia, Tsimiski & Navarinou
The area between the Church of Agia Sofia, pedestrianized Iktinou, and Navarinou Square combines shopping on Tsimiski Street with cafés, the ruins of Galerius' Palace, and convenient metro access. Hotels such as Daios Luxury Living and Teight Hotel place guests between the retail center and the waterfront. It is busy by day and difficult for parking, though usually calmer at night than Ladadika.
Ano Poli
The Upper Town is a Thessaloniki of stone lanes, Ottoman houses, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Trigonion Walls, with an excellent sunset panorama. Small guesthouses and apartments around Olympiados Street feel residential and less touristy. Prices are often lower than on the waterfront, but the hills are steep and full-service hotels are scarce, so families with strollers and anyone with limited mobility will rely on taxis.
Kalamaria & Aretsou
Kalamaria feels more local and spacious, with the Nea Paralia promenade, Aretsou Marina, and restaurants around Sofouli and Plastira. Athlos Hotel and local apartments generally offer more room and easier parking than central properties. There is no particularly good urban swimming beach here, and reaching Aristotelous takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Perea & Agia Triada
Perea and Agia Triada sit on the eastern side of the gulf, offering sandy beaches, sunbeds, and tavernas along Aktis, making them a practical choice for combining city and sea. Golden Star City Resort is directly on Perea Beach, and seasonal boats connect the area with central Thessaloniki. Accommodation is good value, but outside boat season the trip downtown can take 35 to 50 minutes, and winter is extremely sleepy.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Thessaloniki
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
11°
3°
Cool
פבר
12°
4°
Cool
מרץ
16°
7°
Recommended
אפר
19°
10°
Recommended
מאי
23°
14°
Excellent
יונ
31°
20°
Excellent
יול
34°
23°
Hot
אוג
32°
22°
Hot
ספט
27°
18°
Excellent
אוק
22°
13°
Excellent
נוב
16°
8°
Recommended
דצמ
12°
5°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: מאי · יונ · ספט · אוק
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): אפר · מאי · יונ · ספט · אוק. Israelis arrive mainly during Passover, the Jewish autumn holidays and summer, drawn by the short flights and easy combination with Halkidiki's beaches. May, June, September and October offer the best balance of pleasant weather, shopping and sightseeing without oppressive heat or heavy crowds.
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Thessaloniki · Open-Meteo
This week in Thessaloniki
Measured in Thessaloniki
19°
Sunny
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Things to do
Things to do in Thessaloniki
On the map
Thessaloniki on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Thessaloniki itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Aristotelous, the markets, and the waterfront
Begin at Aristotelous Square and continue to Modiano and Kapani markets before 11:00, when the stalls are active and the lanes remain manageable. Browse Tsimiski Street for chains such as Zara and Massimo Dutti and the Attica department store, then walk along Leoforos Nikis to the White Tower. For lunch, choose fish that meets your own kosher standards, vegetarian dishes, or sealed food, and in the evening have a drink at the Electra Palace rooftop overlooking the square. Finish with sunset near the Alexander the Great statue and Zongolopoulos' Umbrellas.
- 2
Day 2
Roman and Jewish Thessaloniki
Start at the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda before tour groups arrive, then continue to the palace ruins at Navarinou Square and the Church of Agia Sofia. Allow at least 90 minutes for the Jewish Museum on Agiou Mina Street, which tells the story of the Sephardic community and the Holocaust; verify opening hours and carry a passport for security. Continue to the Holocaust Memorial at Eleftherias Square and visit Yad Lezikaron Synagogue only if entry has been arranged in advance. In the evening, choose a wine bar around Iktinou or go out in Ladadika, selecting drinks and food in line with your kosher practice.
- 3
Day 3
Ano Poli, the walls, and sunset
Take a taxi up to Portara or Trigonion Tower to avoid the climb, beginning with the panorama over the Thermaic Gulf. Walk downhill through the lanes of Ano Poli, Vlatadon Monastery, and the Church of Hosios David, pausing by small courtyards and Ottoman houses. Continue to the Church of Agios Dimitrios and its crypt, followed by the Roman Forum. Return to the walls for sunset or have coffee in the neighborhood, then take a taxi downtown rather than descending on foot after dark.
- 4
Day 4
Vergina and Pella
Collect a rental car in the morning and leave by 08:00 for Aigai at Vergina, around an hour away, to arrive before organized coach groups. Visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs and the newer Polycentric Museum, home to remarkable finds associated with Philip II's era. Continue to Pella, the ancient Macedonian capital, for its mosaics and archaeological museum; kosher-observant travelers should buy picnic supplies from a supermarket in advance. Return to Thessaloniki before the evening rush and spend a relaxed evening by the port.
- 5
Day 5
Beach day in Perea or Halkidiki
For an easy summer outing, take a seasonal Karavakia boat from the White Tower or port to Perea, secure a sunbed before 10:30, and walk along the shore toward Neoi Epivates. For clearer water and prettier coves, leave early by car for the Kassandra peninsula in Halkidiki, choosing beaches around Kalithea, Afytos, or Sani, roughly one to one and a half hours each way. Bring sealed food or a kosher picnic, as beach restaurants should not be assumed to meet kosher requirements. Outside swimming season, replace this with Edessa's waterfalls and the thermal pools at Loutra Pozar.
- 6
Day 6
Museums, Kalamaria, and a final evening
Spend the morning at the Archaeological Museum and Museum of Byzantine Culture, located close together near the White Tower; arrive at opening time for quieter galleries. Continue along Nea Paralia past the Umbrellas and themed gardens, or rent a bicycle for the flat waterfront section. In the afternoon, head to Kalamaria and the Aretsou promenade for coffee by the marina in a local district few tourists visit. Return to Ladadika for atmosphere or Aristotelous Square for a calmer farewell, allowing time to pick up packaged bougatsa only if it meets your kosher requirements.
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Budget
How much does Thessaloniki cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Round-trip flight from TLV
₪500-1,300 (holidays: ₪1,700+)
4–5-night package
₪1,700-3,600 per person
Mid-range hotel nightly
₪330-620 per room
Five-star hotel nightly
₪650-1,250 per room
Restaurant meal
₪65-125 per person
Local beer
₪15-25
Coffee
₪8-16
Short taxi ride
₪20-40
Rental car daily
₪130-280 (before fuel)
Perea boat ride
₪25-45 one way
Daily budget
₪300-600 per person
Family, five nights
₪8,500-15,500 for four
Good to know
Good to know before Thessaloniki
Getting around
From the airport
Thessaloniki Airport, SKG, is about 15 km from the city center. An official taxi to Aristotelous or Ladadika usually takes 25 to 35 minutes and costs roughly ₪80-110 by day, slightly more at night; Kalamaria or Perea is generally closer and costs about ₪50-80. The 1X daytime and 1N nighttime Airport Express buses run through the center to the railway station in around 45 to 60 minutes and cost about ₪8 per person. There is no direct airport train; taxis can be requested through FREE NOW, while a pre-booked private transfer generally costs ₪110-180 per vehicle.
Need a car?
A car is unnecessary for a three-to-five-day city break: the center is relatively flat, most sights are walkable, and the metro links the railway station, Venizelou, Agia Sofia, Sintrivani, and eastern districts. Families can manage with the metro and taxis, while nightlife groups avoid the problem of parking after an evening out. Rent a car only for excursion days to Halkidiki, Pozar Baths, Edessa, Vergina, or Meteora, ideally collecting it on the morning you leave town.
Tips
Use FREE NOW to track the driver and keep a record of the ride; Uber operates locally through licensed taxis rather than inexpensive private cars. Central Thessaloniki has many one-way streets and controlled parking zones, so a hotel with parking can matter more than a small difference in room rate. In summer, check Karavakia boat schedules between the port or White Tower and Perea or Neoi Epivates, as frequency depends on season and weather.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
Chabad Thessaloniki operates in the central area where most Israeli visitors stay and arranges prayers and prepaid, pre-registered Shabbat and holiday meals; its venue and schedule can change, so confirm directly before arrival. The Jewish community's main active synagogue is Yad Lezikaron at 26 Vasileos Irakleiou Street, near Modiano Market, and entry generally requires advance coordination and security screening. Do not assume there will be a daily minyan or a large kosher shop without specific confirmation.
Kosher food
Certified kosher options in the city are limited and change over time: Chabad meals are the safest solution for Shabbat, and kosher catering may occasionally be available through the community or a local provider, but certification and availability must be checked in advance. Larger Masoutis, AB Vassilopoulos, and Sklavenitis supermarkets carry packaged products with international kosher symbols, tuna, pasta, bread, fruit, and vegetables, though not every branch has a dedicated Jewish section. Many observant Israeli travelers choose an apartment with a kitchen, bring basic supplies from Israel, and arrange Shabbat meals before flying.
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Travel insurance
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Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
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You get
351.8
1 EUR
₪3.52
100 EUR
₪351.8
1,000 EUR
₪3,518
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Thessaloniki 🇬🇷
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום, בכפוף לכללי שנגן ולדרכון תקף
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Thessaloniki
- 💳Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keep €30 to €50 in cash for Kapani Market stalls, short taxi rides and tips, and always choose to be charged in euros rather than accepting terminal conversion to shekels.
- ✈️From SKG Airport, bus 01X runs to the center by day and 01N at night, while a taxi to Aristotelous Square usually costs about ₪90 to ₪130 depending on traffic and time.
- 📍For a first city break, stay between Aristotelous Square, Tsimiski Street and Nikis waterfront; Ladadika suits nightlife lovers but can be noisy, while beautiful Ano Poli is awkward with a stroller or heavy luggage.
- 🚇Thessaloniki’s metro is useful along the central corridor but does not reach Ano Poli or the swimming beaches, so combine it with FREE NOW taxis and avoid renting a car solely for the city center.
- 🕰️Visit the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki close to opening time and verify its schedule in advance, as hours change seasonally and may be reduced on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.
- 🎰Bring your original passport and wear smart casual clothing at Regency Casino Thessaloniki near the airport, and on weekends arrange the return taxi in advance rather than relying on a passing cab late at night.
- 🍸Bars around Valaoritou and Ladadika only become lively after 23:00, and American-style tipping is unnecessary: round up the bill or leave 5% to 10% for good service.
- ✡️Kosher-observant travelers should contact Chabad Thessaloniki before flying and preorder meals, since a kosher restaurant is not available at all hours and most local bougatsa shops and bakeries have no supervision.
- 🌦️In summer, carry a hat and water for the climb through Ano Poli; from November to March, pack a rain jacket and grippy shoes because the stone lanes near the city walls become slippery.
- 📱A European eSIM is convenient for a short weekend, but for a longer stay compare local COSMOTE or Vodafone packages and download Thessaloniki on Google Maps plus the FREE NOW app before arrival.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"To me, Thessaloniki feels like a city that knows how to enjoy life without trying too hard: long coffees by the sea, excellent food at approachable prices, and evenings that begin in Ladadika and end well after midnight. I always send travelers to the view from Trigonion Tower in Ano Poli just before sunset, followed by a walk down toward the waterfront and the White Tower as the lights come on. Israelis fall for it because it is close, accessible and wonderfully informal, yet between Modiano Market, Tsimiski Street and a warm slice of local bougatsa, it has real character."
Loves
My favorite local secret is Potamos Beach in Epanomi, with shallow water, relaxed beach bars and the outline of a shipwreck just offshore. Leave Thessaloniki early on a weekday between June and September and stay through the afternoon, before the road back becomes congested.
Skip
Do not automatically choose the first restaurant on Aristotelous Square just for the view, as several places charge a location premium for fairly average food. Walk a few minutes farther toward Modiano Market, Bit Bazaar or the streets behind Ladadika.
Boutique pick
At 9:00 I would begin with bougatsa and Greek coffee, continue through Kapani and Modiano markets, and enter the Jewish Museum at 11:30 to understand the city’s profound Sephardic story. At 14:00 we would head up to Ano Poli, wander beside the walls and catch sunset from Trigonion Tower. Dinner in Ladadika starts at 20:30, followed by a drink around Valaoritou Street and a late walk along Nikis waterfront past the illuminated White Tower.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Thessaloniki
"We reached the Trigonion Walls in Ano Poli for sunset, and the view across Thessaloniki became the highlight of our trip. Later we sat at Kitchen Bar by the port overlooking the lights and felt we had found the perfect couples’ weekend destination."
Noa and Ido, Tel Aviv
Couple · 3 nights · May
"The children loved the planetarium and demonstrations at NOESIS, while we enjoyed several hours without hearing that they were bored. The next day we climbed the White Tower together and rented a family bike along Thessaloniki’s waterfront."
Michal and Uri, Modi'in
Family with children · 4 nights · August
"We started the night among the bars of Valaoritou Street and stayed out late without needing a taxi between venues. The following evening we visited Regency Casino Thessaloniki, which was more polished and impressive than we expected."
Daniel, Roi and Shahar, Rishon LeZion
Friends · 3 nights · September
"The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki was moving and thoughtfully presented, especially the stories of the Sephardic community and the prewar city. We continued to Modiano Market, tasted warm bougatsa and bought spices and olives to take home."
Rachel and Yossi, Haifa
Older couple · 4 nights · October
FAQ
Common questions about Thessaloniki
Do Israelis need a visa for Thessaloniki?
Israeli passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist visit to Thessaloniki or Greece of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, although Schengen entry rules and a valid passport apply. Once ETIAS becomes operational, travelers will need to complete an online authorization before departure.
Are there direct flights from Tel Aviv to Thessaloniki, and how long is the flight?
Direct flights from Tel Aviv to Thessaloniki operate during active travel periods, with a typical flight time of about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes; frequency varies by season and operational conditions. SKG Airport is roughly a 25 to 35-minute drive from the city center.
When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki, and when is peak season?
April to June and September to October offer the most pleasant weather in Thessaloniki for walking along the waterfront, exploring Ano Poli and visiting the markets. July and August are the Israeli peak, especially for trips combined with Halkidiki, but the city is hotter and busier.
How many days do you need in Thessaloniki?
Three nights are enough for a rewarding Thessaloniki city break covering the White Tower, Ladadika, Ano Poli, Modiano Market and the Jewish Museum. Choose four or five nights if you want a day at Potamos Beach in Epanomi, the royal tombs at Vergina or an overnight stay in Halkidiki.
How do you get around Thessaloniki, and is a rental car necessary?
Central Thessaloniki is highly walkable, while the metro links key points such as Aristotelous Square, Venizelou and the railway station, supplemented by buses and reasonably priced taxis. A car is inconvenient in the city because of traffic and parking, but useful for Halkidiki, Epanomi, Edessa or Vergina.
How much does a vacation in Thessaloniki cost?
A three to four-night trip to Thessaloniki typically costs around ₪2,000 to ₪4,000 per person sharing a double room, including direct flights, a good central hotel, food and local transport, but excluding shopping and casino spending. Popular weekends and July-August dates can push the total above ₪4,500.
Is Thessaloniki safe for Israeli travelers?
Thessaloniki is generally a comfortable and relatively safe destination, though pickpockets can operate on buses and around Aristotelous Square, Tsimiski Street and crowded markets. Israeli visitors should avoid displaying prominent symbols near demonstrations and check current Israeli travel advisories before departure.
What are the must-see attractions in Thessaloniki?
A first visit to Thessaloniki should include the waterfront and White Tower, the Alexander the Great statue, sunset from the Ano Poli walls, Aristotelous Square and Modiano Market. Israeli travelers should also prioritize the Jewish Museum, Monastirioton Synagogue and Eleftherias Square, which trace the city’s remarkable Sephardic history.
What is Thessaloniki nightlife like, and is there a casino?
Thessaloniki has excellent nightlife, from drinks in Ladadika and along Valaoritou Street to late bars in the Valaoritou district and summer beach clubs on the airport road. Its main casino is Regency Casino Thessaloniki near the airport rather than downtown, with age, passport and smart-dress requirements.
Are kosher food and Chabad available in Thessaloniki, and who is the city best for?
Thessaloniki has an active Chabad presence and Jewish community that can assist with kosher meals, prayers and Shabbat, but options are limited, so arrangements and certification should be confirmed in advance. The city suits couples and groups especially well, while families enjoy NOESIS and the waterfront; pack walking shoes and summer beachwear, and combine the trip with two or three nights in Halkidiki or a day at Vergina.