Thessaloniki
City in Greece
Thessaloniki is a city in Greece with a population of about 310,000. It is located 303 km from Athens. Visitors travel here to see its collection of UNESCO-listed sites, including the White Tower and various historic churches.
What to see
The city contains numerous UNESCO-listed Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments. These include the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda, the Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Acheiropoietos, and Hagios Demetrios. The Walls of Thessaloniki are also part of this protected group. The White Tower of Thessaloniki serves as another prominent landmark. These sites represent the city's historical architecture.
When to go
The city experiences hot summers, with daily highs reaching 30 °C in July and August. These months have the lowest rainfall, with 27 mm to 28 mm over 4 to 5 days, making them suitable for outdoor exploration. Spring and autumn provide milder temperatures, ranging from 13 °C in March to 26 °C in September. Visitors may prefer these seasons for more moderate weather. Winters are cold, with highs of 9 °C to 10 °C in January, February, and December. Rainfall is highest during the winter months, peaking at 65 mm in December and 62 mm in November, which may affect travel plans during this time.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport, located 14 km from the city. Travelers arriving in Greece can reach the city from the airport or by traveling 303 km from Athens.
Top sights in Thessaloniki
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 30 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 9 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 9 |
| Average low, °C | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 7 | 3 |
| Rainfall, mm | 41 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 52 | 38 | 28 | 27 | 33 | 53 | 62 | 65 |
| Rainy days | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 7 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Thessaloniki (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Alaca Imaret Mosque
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
- Atatürk Museum
- Bey Hamam
- Byzantine Bath
- Church of Hosios David
- Church of Panagia Chalkeon
- Church of the Saviour, Thessaloniki
- Hamza Bey Mosque
- Heptapyrgion
- Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
- Museum for the Macedonian Struggle
- Museum of Byzantine Culture
- Vlatades Monastery