Cruises from Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki — Greece's second-largest city and a true gem of the Northern Mediterranean. This is a city where three millennia of living history are interwoven with the street culture of the Balkans' largest student city. The capital of Greek Macedonia spreads along the shores of the Thermaic Gulf, between the sea and the mountain ranges that close the horizon to the north and west. Here Roman triumphal arches stand beside Byzantine basilicas, Ottoman mosques neighbour Sephardic synagogues, and a morning coffee on the waterfront effortlessly gives way to a seafood dinner in the tavernas of the port quarter.
For the cruise traveller, Thessaloniki is the gateway to the riches of Northern Greece. The city serves simultaneously as a homeport and a port of call for itineraries across the Eastern and Central Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea, and along the Balkan coastline. In 2024, the port of Thessaloniki welcomed approximately 30 cruise vessels and over 18,000 passengers, while 2025 brought further dynamic growth thanks to the opening of a brand-new terminal and a growing roster of cruise lines adding the city to their itineraries. 🚢
📋 Before embarking on a cruise from Thessaloniki or going ashore during a port call, here are the essentials:
🇬🇷 Country: Greece
📍 Region: Central Macedonia (administrative region)
👥 Population: approximately 319,000 residents in the city municipality (metropolitan area — over 1 million)
📐 Area: 19.3 km²
🗣️ Languages: Greek (official); English is widely spoken in tourist areas
💶 Currency: Euro (EUR)
🕐 Time zone: EET (UTC+2), summer EEST (UTC+3)
☀️ Climate: Mediterranean with continental characteristics: mild winters (+5…+10 °C) and hot summers (+28…+35 °C)
✈️ Nearest airport: Thessaloniki International Airport "Macedonia" (SKG) — 13–15 km from the city centre and cruise port
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Port of Thessaloniki / ThPA S.A. (Thessaloniki Port Authority)
🗺️ Port coordinates: 40°38′ N, 22°56′ E
🏛️ History of Thessaloniki — from Macedonian colony to the jewel of Byzantium
⏳ 2,300 years at the crossroads of civilisations
Thessaloniki is one of the few cities in Europe where an unbroken urban tradition spans more than two thousand three hundred years. The city was founded around 315–316 BC by Cassander, King of Macedonia, and named after his wife — the half-sister of Alexander the Great. From its very beginnings, the harbour on the Thermaic Gulf became a natural hub of maritime trade between the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean world.
During the Roman Empire, the city rapidly became the key junction of the Balkans: the strategic Egnatian Way (Via Egnatia) — the most important overland artery linking Rome with the East — passed directly through Thessaloniki. Here, in the 4th century AD, Emperor Galerius built a magnificent palace complex, whose remains still awe visitors in the very heart of the city today.
⚔️ From Byzantine "co-capital" to modern metropolis
Throughout the Middle Ages, Thessaloniki held a unique place within the Byzantine Empire, often referred to as "Symprotevousa" — the "co-capital". It was here, in the 9th century, that Saints Cyril and Methodius were born — the creators of the Slavic alphabet, which is used today by Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Serbs, and dozens of other nations. In 1430 the city passed under Ottoman rule and for nearly five centuries flourished as a vibrant multicultural centre where Greeks, Turks, Sephardic Jews and Slavs coexisted in harmony. In 1912 Thessaloniki was incorporated into the Greek state. A devastating fire in 1917 destroyed much of the old city, yet this very catastrophe gave urban planners the opportunity to lay out the modern grid of wide boulevards and squares that defines the city we see today. 🏙️
⚓ Port of Thessaloniki — gateway to Northern Greece
📊 Scale and structure of the port
The Port of Thessaloniki (ThPA S.A.) is a large, mixed-use port complex combining container, cargo and cruise sectors. The port's total throughput exceeds 15 million tonnes per year, making it the most important commercial port in Northern Greece and a key transit hub for the entire Balkan region. Dedicated berths for cruise vessels are provided at Piers 1 and 2 (berths 9 and 10), where the new terminal is located.
The port's strategic advantage lies in its unique geographical position: the passenger terminals are less than 2 kilometres from the city centre — Aristotelous Square. This makes it one of the few cruise ports in the world where the journey from the ship's gangway to the main city square takes no more than 15–20 minutes on foot. 🚶
🏢 The "Alexander the Great" Cruise Terminal
In November 2023, the brand-new "Alexander the Great" Cruise Terminal was officially inaugurated at Pier 2. The terminal covers a total area of 2,000 m² and is fully equipped to handle two cruise ships simultaneously, serving over 6,000 passengers and crew members per day. It operates for both transit calls and homeporting. A particular source of pride is the fact that Thessaloniki became the first port in the European Union and the Mediterranean to implement the automated Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), significantly speeding up passport control for passengers. ✨
🚢 Technical specifications and future development
The port can accommodate cruise ships up to 300 metres in length. The terminal provides 3 berthing positions and 70 coach parking slots, ensuring efficient organisation of shore excursions. In November 2025, Thessaloniki Port Authority signed a construction contract for the expansion of Pier 6: the project involves extending the quay line by 513 metres and carrying out major dredging works. The total construction budget is approximately EUR 195.6 million, with a 40-month implementation period. 🏗️
🏢 Cruise lines operating from Thessaloniki
The port of Thessaloniki is served by the world's leading cruise brands, including Celebrity Cruises (regular sailings throughout the season), MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seven Seas (Regent), Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and many others. The 2025 season opened on 4 February with the arrival of Celebrity Infinity, while the 2026 schedule already features Celebrity Infinity, Norwegian Viva, Silver Muse, Viking Vesta and Seven Seas Splendor. This rapid expansion reflects the growing interest of the world's top cruise operators in Thessaloniki as a fully-fledged homeport and port of call in the Eastern Mediterranean. 🌍
💡 Interesting facts about Thessaloniki and its port
Your acquaintance with the city will be richer if you know a few lesser-known details:
📜 Thessaloniki is the city where Slavic literacy was born. It was here, in the 9th century, that Saints Cyril and Methodius were born — the creators of the Cyrillic script, which is used today by more than 250 million people worldwide.
🏛️ Thessaloniki has 15 UNESCO monuments. The city's Palaeochristian and Byzantine monuments, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as far back as 1988, constitute one of the largest collective protected sites in Greece.
☕ Thessaloniki is considered the coffee capital of Greece. The city is celebrated as the birthplace of the frappé — a cold blended iced coffee accidentally invented in 1957 by a Nescafé representative right here, at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.
🎓 One in five residents is a student. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with over 90,000 students, is the largest university in Greece and one of the largest in all of South-Eastern Europe, giving the city a uniquely energetic, youthful atmosphere.
🏖️ Sandy beaches are just 30 minutes away. The Chalkidiki Peninsula, with its crystal-clear waters and picturesque coves, lies only 30–40 km from the port and is a favourite destination for cruise passengers with longer port calls.
🔱 The port is closer to the city centre than any other in the region. The cruise terminal is less than 2 km from the main Aristotelous Square — a distance easily covered on foot in 15–20 minutes.
⚓ The port is older than Rome. The earliest evidence of maritime trade in the Thermaic Gulf dates back to the 4th–3rd centuries BC — meaning Thessaloniki has functioned as a maritime hub for over 2,300 years.
🏆 The first EU port with the EES/ETIAS system. The Port of Thessaloniki was the first in the European Union and the Mediterranean to implement next-generation automated Schengen border control.
📍 Top attractions in Thessaloniki — must-sees for every cruise traveller
A cruise ship's stay in Thessaloniki typically lasts between 8 and 12 hours, so it pays to set your priorities in advance. Below is a brief overview of the landmark sites that define the face of the city.
🗼 The White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos) — the defining symbol of Thessaloniki, a 34-metre cylindrical tower from the 15th century standing on the waterfront. Built by Ottoman conquerors to defend the harbour and later used as a prison, today it houses a museum with an interactive exhibition on the city's history. The observation deck offers a sweeping panorama over the Thermaic Gulf and the entire city. 📸
🏛️ The Rotunda (Rotonda) — a unique monument of Early Christian architecture from the 4th century AD, erected under Emperor Galerius. This monumental circular structure, almost 30 metres tall and 24.5 metres in diameter, successively served as a Roman mausoleum, an Early Christian church and a mosque. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1988).
🏺 The Arch of Galerius (Kamara) — a triumphal arch built between 298 and 305 AD to commemorate the victory over the Persians. One of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Greece and an integral part of the Galerian Complex — also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
⛪ The Church of Saint Demetrius (Hagios Demetrios) — the largest Orthodox church in Greece (7th century), dedicated to the patron saint of the city. The vast five-aisled basilica preserves unique Early Byzantine mosaics and the relics of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki. A UNESCO-listed monument.
🕌 The Upper Town (Ano Poli) — a historic quarter enclosed within the surviving Byzantine city walls of the 14th century. Here traditional Balkan houses, narrow cobbled streets, ancient churches and the fortress of Heptapyrgion have all been preserved. The best view of the city and the sea is from right here.
🏛️ Aristotelous Square — the central square of the city and the heart of Thessaloniki's public life. Framed by elegant neoclassical arcaded buildings, it opens directly onto the waterfront and is the perfect starting point for exploring the city.
⚰️ Vergina Museum and Royal Tombs — the most compelling day-trip destination for cruise passengers. Located 75 km from the port, the underground royal tombs of the ancient Macedonian kingdom include the tomb of Philip II — the father of Alexander the Great — discovered in 1977. A golden burial casket and other extraordinary artefacts are displayed in a subterranean museum built directly over the excavation site. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🏺 Ancient Pella — 40 km from Thessaloniki lies the city where Alexander the Great was born. The remains of the Macedonian capital and its unique pebble mosaic floors from the 3rd–4th centuries BC have retained remarkable detail and artistic power.
⛰️ Mount Athos (the Holy Mountain) — a monastic republic on the eponymous mountain peninsula, 130 km from Thessaloniki. One of the holiest Orthodox sanctuaries in the world, accessible only to men holding a special permit known as a "Diamonitirion". Women can admire the monastery views from the deck of a sightseeing boat.
🏖️ Chalkidiki — the ideal day trip for those who dream of the Greek sea. The three forested and sea-bound "fingers" of this legendary peninsula are 30–50 km from the port, and the beaches of Kassandra and Sithonia rank among the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean.
✨ Why choose a cruise from Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a rare port that offers cruise travellers the perfect combination of everything.
First, the logistics are seamless: Macedonia Airport (SKG) is just 13–15 km from the port, offers direct flights to dozens of European cities and served nearly 8 million passengers in 2025. ✈️
Second, the cruise terminal sits at the very heart of the city — Aristotelous Square is less than 2 km away. No lengthy transfers, no shuttle buses: the harbour and the city are one continuous space. 🚶
Third, Thessaloniki is surrounded by an unparalleled concentration of world-class sightseeing destinations: 15 UNESCO monuments within the city itself, the royal tombs of Vergina, Ancient Pella, Chalkidiki and the Holy Mountain of Athos — all within 30 to 130 km of the quay. 🏛️
Finally, if you arrive in Thessaloniki a day or two before your cruise departs, the city more than lives up to expectations: the famous Modiano food market, a rich culture of mezze with local cheeses and delicacies, waterfront coffee houses, and the unmatched atmosphere of a city that is equally alive by day and by night. 🍷
The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group will help you select the ideal ship, itinerary and cabin, arrange airport transfers and Schengen visa assistance, and offer exclusive fares from Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and other leading brands with whom we partner as a priority agent in Ukraine. 🤝
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general guidance and is accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, itineraries and visiting conditions may change without prior notice. Please verify current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant attractions.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by professionals
How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a uniquely convenient cruise city: the port sits right in the heart of Greece's second-largest city, and from the pier to the central Aristotelous Square it is just a 15–20 minute walk. That said, getting from the airport or railway station to your specific terminal has its own nuances. Below is a step-by-step guide covering all transfer options, current prices and insider tips from the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯
📍 Where Exactly Is the Thessaloniki Cruise Port
The Port of Thessaloniki (ThPA S.A.) is a large multi-purpose complex covering 1.5 million m² and stretching 3.5 km along the waterfront. Cruise ships berth at two piers:
⚓ Pier 1 — «Macedonia» Terminal — the city's main passenger terminal, located closest to the city centre. It occupies a neoclassical building with waiting lounges, a café, free Wi-Fi, information kiosks and a taxi rank. The area around Pier 1 provides parking for over 595 vehicles, and the pier itself has become a cultural hub — home to the Museum of Photography, the Cinema Museum and the MOMus experimental arts centre.
📌 GPS address: Averof, Thessaloniki 546 26, Greece
⚓ Pier 2 — «Alexander the Great» Cruise Terminal — a brand-new 2,000 m² cruise terminal inaugurated in November 2023. It serves vessels at quays 9 and 10 and can accommodate up to 6,000 passengers and crew simultaneously. All port services are on site: port authority, customs and passport control.
📌 GPS address: Pier 2, Port of Thessaloniki, 546 25, Greece
📌 General port address: Thessaloniki Port Authority, Pier No 1, 546 25 Thessaloniki, Greece
🚶 Distance to city centre: approximately 1.5–2 km to Aristotelous Square — a 15–25 minute walk along the waterfront
🗺️ Key landmark: The White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos) — 20–30 minutes' walk from the port along the beautiful Nea Paralia seafront promenade
❗ Important: the exact terminal for your ship is always stated in your cruise voucher. Check it 48–72 hours before boarding — terminals can occasionally change due to port schedule adjustments.
✈️ From Thessaloniki «Macedonia» Airport (SKG) to the Cruise Terminal
Macedonia International Airport (SKG) is located 16–17 km from the cruise port. All international flights arrive here, including connections from Ukraine (via Warsaw, Istanbul, Vienna and other hubs). The journey takes from 25 minutes (taxi) to around 1 hour (bus + transfer).
🚕 Taxi — the fastest and most convenient option
Official Thessaloniki taxis are dark blue or light blue with yellow licence plates and a «Taxi» sign on the roof. The official taxi rank is right outside the arrivals hall, between the domestic and international zones.
• Journey time: 25–35 minutes (depending on traffic)
• Daytime fare: approximately 24–25 EUR (fixed rate to the city centre; to the port the fare is comparable)
• Night-time fare (00:00–05:00): approximately 32–35 EUR
• Payment: cash or card (confirm with the driver)
• Apps: Bolt and Uber operate in Thessaloniki and offer fixed-price rides
💡 Four Gates tip: as soon as you get in the cab, tell the driver your pier number (Pier 1 or Pier 2) and terminal name — this ensures a drop-off right at the gangway.
🚐 Private transfer — the most comfortable option
For families, groups or passengers with lots of luggage, this is the optimal choice. Your driver will meet you in arrivals with a name board, help with your bags and take you directly to the right terminal at a fixed price.
• Price: from 45 EUR for a sedan (1–3 passengers), from 75 EUR for a minivan (4–8 passengers)
• Journey time: 25–30 minutes
• Benefits: fixed price, English-speaking driver, flight monitoring, no queuing
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers for its clients — simply provide your flight number at the time of booking your cruise.
🚌 Bus — the budget option
Bus line 78 (daytime) and 78N (night-time) run from the airport to the city centre. The stop is right outside the arrivals exit.
Route:
1️⃣ Bus 78 from the airport to Aristotelous Square (Platia Aristotelous) — approximately 40–50 minutes
2️⃣ From Aristotelous Square, walk or take a short taxi to the port pier — 10–15 minutes on foot along the waterfront
Fare: approximately 2 EUR per ticket; valid for 90 minutes, allowing a transfer
Frequency: every 30–40 minutes
Hours: 24 hours (78N night service runs 22:00–04:45)
Payment: cash to the driver or at ticket machines inside the airport terminal
⚠️ Important: the bus makes many stops, so travelling with heavy luggage on boarding day is far less practical. If your flight arrives late at night or very early in the morning, take a taxi.
🚂 From Thessaloniki Railway Station to the Cruise Terminal
If you arrive by train (international or domestic routes), you will pull in at the main Thessaloniki railway station — Νέος Σιδηροδρομικός Σταθμός (New Railway Station). The station is roughly 1 km from the port, making this one of the most convenient starting points for a cruise.
🚕 Taxi: 5–10 minutes, 7–10 EUR — the fastest option when you have luggage
🚇 Metro: Thessaloniki's first metro line is now open; depending on the route, it can help you reach the waterfront, but for passengers with luggage a taxi remains more practical
🚶 On foot: 10–15 minutes from the station to the pier entrance — a genuine option if you are travelling light
💡 Tip: if you have heavy luggage, a taxi from the station is the clear winner. A few minutes and a few euros later, you will be right at the gangway.
🏙️ From Thessaloniki City Centre to the Cruise Terminal
If you have spent a night or a few days in a central hotel, the port is literally on your doorstep — one of Thessaloniki's biggest advantages as a cruise homeport.
🚕 Taxi from your hotel — 7–15 EUR depending on the neighbourhood. Fast (5–15 min), hassle-free with luggage. Bolt and Uber let you see the price before you book.
🚶 Walking from the centre — a practical and enjoyable option:
• From Aristotelous Square to Pier 1 — approximately 15 minutes along the Nea Paralia promenade
• The route follows a scenic, level seafront walkway with views across the Thermaic Gulf
• The path is flat, well-lit and safe
• Recommended with light luggage and good weather — a lovely little adventure before boarding
🚌 City bus: stops are available near the port; a single ticket costs approximately 1.80–2 EUR, but the bus is impractical with bulky luggage.
🚲 Bicycles and scooters: Bolt and other rental services operate in the city, however access to the port area by scooter may be restricted — check in advance.
🚗 By Car — Parking Near the Port
The Port of Thessaloniki operates its own car parks managed by ThPA S.A.:
🅿️ Pier 1 and Pier 2 Car Parks (ThPA S.A.) — official parking lots directly on port grounds with a combined capacity of over 595 spaces.
• GPS address: Averof, Thessaloniki 546 26 (enter through the port gates)
• Features: security staff, CCTV, conveniently positioned next to the terminals
• Rates: current prices available on the official website thpa.gr/parking-areas
🅿️ Gate 7 Car Park — a 156-space lot within the port's land zone; suitable for short-term parking when dropping passengers off.
🛣️ GPS routing: approach the port via Averof or Salaminos streets — both lead directly to the passenger terminals. Set your navigation to: Averof, Thessaloniki 546 26.
♿ Accessibility for Passengers with Reduced Mobility
The Port of Thessaloniki is fully accessible for passengers with limited mobility:
✅ Both terminals are equipped with lifts, escalators and ramps
✅ The Nea Paralia promenade is flat, wide and step-free — suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs
✅ City buses have low floors and designated wheelchair spaces
✅ Bolt and Uber allow you to request a vehicle with adequate space for a wheelchair
✅ Assistance staff are available at each terminal for boarding — inform your cruise company of your requirements in advance
✅ ThPA passenger department phone: +30 2310 593 160
⏰ When to Arrive at the Cruise Terminal
Most cruise lines open check-in desks 3–4 hours before the ship's departure. Recommended arrival times:
🕐 MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Celestyal Cruises: 3–3.5 hours before departure
🕐 Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian: at your assigned check-in time (typically 30-minute windows)
🕐 Silversea, Seabourn (luxury segment): any time after the terminal opens
❗ Boarding deadline: typically 60–90 minutes before departure — arriving late means watching the ship sail without you. All Four Gates Group vouchers include the exact boarding time for your specific cruise.
💡 Expert Tips from Four Gates Group
After years of working with Thessaloniki, our cruise specialists have put together a set of tips to save you time, money and stress:
🌅 Arrive the day before your cruise. Even a two-hour flight delay can cost you the entire voyage — the ship will not wait. Thessaloniki is well worth an overnight stay: exceptional food, a vibrant nightlife scene and a stunning waterfront.
💼 Book your transfer in advance. On peak boarding days, the airport taxi queue can take 20–30 minutes. A pre-booked transfer means a guaranteed price and zero waiting time.
🗺️ Make the most of the port's central location. If boarding is not until the afternoon, leave your luggage at the hotel and explore on foot: the White Tower, Aristotelous Square and the Modiano and Kapani markets are all 15–20 minutes' walk from the port.
💶 Carry some cash. Although cards are widely accepted, small kiosks, some taxis and incidental expenses are easier to handle with 15–20 EUR in coins and small notes.
🚫 Don't mix up the terminals. Pier 1 («Macedonia») and Pier 2 («Alexander the Great») are in different parts of the port. Always confirm the exact terminal from your cruise voucher before leaving for the port.
📱 Download apps in advance: Bolt (taxi), Google Maps with an offline Thessaloniki map, Google Translate with the Greek language pack — not all port signage has an English translation.
🏨 Choose a hotel near the waterfront or in the city centre (Aristotelous, Ladadika, Ano Poli). From there the port is 10–20 minutes on foot or 5–10 minutes by taxi — convenient both before and after your cruise.
☕ Don't rush to the terminal five hours early. The comfort level in terminal waiting areas is moderate at best. It is far more enjoyable to spend that time over a coffee on the promenade or at one of the restaurants near the port.
📞 Thessaloniki Cruise Terminal Contacts
Port of Thessaloniki — ThPA S.A. (general information): +30 2310 325 800
ThPA — passenger department / cruises: +30 2310 593 160
ThPA — additional contact: +30 2310 530 404
Official port website: thpa.gr
Thessaloniki tourism information: thessaloniki.travel
Macedonia Airport (SKG): skg-airport.gr
Greek emergency services: 112
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients): +38 097 653 05 53
Getting to your cruise in Thessaloniki is one of the simplest logistics in the entire Mediterranean: the port is in the city centre, transfer options are plentiful, and the walk from the terminal to the nearest sights is genuinely a pleasure. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group support our clients at every step — from choosing the best flight to Thessaloniki to arranging a private transfer with a name board in arrivals. Get in touch with our manager and your Thessaloniki cruise will start without a moment's stress. 🛳️✨
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for reference purposes and is current at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please verify the latest details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant organisations.
Thessaloniki Sights & Attractions: A Complete Guide for Cruise Passengers
Thessaloniki is a city where every stone remembers Alexander the Great, the Apostle Paul and Byzantine emperors. Greece's second-largest city conceals 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than 50 museums and churches, a vibrant waterfront promenade and an unrivalled food scene that Greeks themselves consider the finest in the country. For a cruise passenger with 8–12 hours ashore, Thessaloniki is a genuine gift: the cruise terminal sits less than 2 km from the city centre, and most of the main attractions are within walking distance. Below you will find a tried-and-tested guide to the key sights with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours and precise directions on how to reach each one from the cruise port "Alexander the Great" (Pier 2). 🎯
🗼 1. The White Tower (Λευκός Πύργος / Lefkos Pyrgos)
💡 Interesting facts & background:
The White Tower is not merely the symbol of Thessaloniki and the city's foremost landmark — it is a compact encyclopaedia of the city's fortunes. Built in the 15th century under the Ottoman Empire on the site of an older wall, the tower served many purposes: sea fortress, arsenal, prison and place of execution. The brutal killings earned it the grim nickname "Bloody Tower" — until, in the 19th century, a prisoner whitewashed its walls in exchange for a pardon. The name "White" has stuck ever since. 🏰
🔹 The tower stands 34 metres tall with walls up to 5 metres thick — a classic example of Ottoman defensive architecture.
🔹 Inside, a permanent multimedia exhibition traces 2,300 years of Thessaloniki's history — from the city's foundation by King Cassander in 316 BC to the present day.
🔹 From the observation platform at the top, visitors enjoy a panorama of the Thermaic Gulf, the waterfront and, on a clear day, the summit of Mount Olympus. 🌊
🔹 The White Tower appears on every tourist poster in Greece and serves as the official emblem of the city of Thessaloniki.
🔹 Every evening the tower is illuminated, making it the most romantic photo spot along the Nea Paralia waterfront.
📜 History:
The first tower on this site appeared in the 14th century as part of the city's coastal defence system. The present structure was built in the first half of the 15th century after the Ottoman Empire captured Thessaloniki in 1430. The tower served as the terminal point of a long defensive wall that once enclosed the city from the sea. Between 1826 and 1878, it housed prisoners and was the site of executions — earning it the name "Bloody Tower".
After Thessaloniki joined Greece in 1912, most Ottoman fortifications were demolished. The tower was preserved and converted into a museum, which opened in 1983. A major renovation in 2006–2008 gave it its present appearance. Today it is the city's most visited tourist attraction.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• On foot (best option): 15–20 minutes along the Nea Paralia waterfront. A leisurely stroll by the sea is a wonderful way to experience the city. Address: Λευκός Πύργος, Nikis Avenue
• Taxi: 5–7 minutes, EUR 6–8
• Bus: Line No. 5 or No. 6 from the stop near the port → stop Lefkos Pyrgos. Fare EUR 0.60–0.90
💶 Prices & opening hours:
• Adults (summer, April–October): EUR 6
• Adults (winter, November–March): EUR 3
• Concession ticket (students and non-EU pensioners): EUR 3
• Free: EU citizens under 25 (with ID)
• Opening hours (summer): daily 8:00–20:00
• Opening hours (winter): daily 8:30–15:30
⚠️ Tip: arrive early — before 10:00 there are virtually no queues. Last admission is 20 minutes before closing. Most state museums in Greece are closed on Tuesdays.
🏛️ 2. The Rotunda & Arch of Galerius (Ρωτόντα / Rotonda & Καμάρα / Kamara)
💡 Interesting facts & background:
The Rotunda is one of the oldest and most imposing monuments in Thessaloniki, over 1,700 years old. This cylindrical giant, with walls up to 6 metres thick, has lived many lives: Roman mausoleum, early Christian church, mosque with a minaret — and it now functions as a museum and place of worship. It is so exceptional that it is considerably older than the Colosseum and a contemporary of the first Ecumenical Councils. 🏛️
🔹 Inside, 4th–5th-century mosaics survive — among the oldest and most precious in the entire Eastern Mediterranean. The gold backgrounds and vivid colours have not faded in 1,600 years.
🔹 The minaret outside is the only one preserved in Thessaloniki after 1912, deliberately left as a witness to the city's five-century Ottoman past.
🔹 The Rotunda is one of the 15 UNESCO sites of Thessaloniki, inscribed as "Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika" in 1988.
🔹 Just 100 metres away stands the Arch of Galerius (Kamara): a triumphal arch erected to celebrate victory over Persia in 305 AD. The sculptural reliefs on its piers depict battles and ceremonies in meticulous detail — a genuine stone newspaper of the late Roman era. Entry to the arch is free. 🎖️
🔹 Between the Rotunda and the arch ran a long processional road to the Palace of Galerius — today one of Thessaloniki's main commercial streets.
📜 History:
Around 306 AD, the Roman Emperor Galerius began building a grand complex: palace, hippodrome, mausoleum. The Rotunda was intended as his tomb, but after Galerius died suddenly in 311 AD the plan changed. By the 5th century the building had been converted into the first Christian church in Thessaloniki, dedicated to Saint George.
In 1591 the Ottomans added a minaret and turned the Rotunda into the Sulu-Ce mosque. After the city became part of Greece it reverted to being an Orthodox church, and from 1978 it has served as a museum. In 1988 UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• On foot: 25–30 minutes via Aristotelous Square. Address: Dimitriou Gounari Street (near Venizelos metro station)
• Taxi: 8–10 minutes, EUR 8–10
• Metro: from the stop near the port → station Venizelos → 5 min on foot. EUR 0.90
💶 Prices & opening hours:
• Rotunda (museum entry): EUR 6 (adults), EUR 3 (concession)
• Arch of Galerius (Kamara): free, open 24 hours
• Rotunda opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 8:30–15:30 (verify in season)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: the Rotunda and the Arch are right next to each other — visit both in 60–90 minutes. A combined ticket (White Tower + Rotunda + Archaeological Museum + Museum of Byzantine Culture) was priced at EUR 15 and valid for 3 days — verify current availability on site.
⛪ 3. Basilica of Saint Demetrios (Άγιος Δημήτριος / Agios Dimitrios)
💡 Interesting facts & background:
The Church of Saint Demetrios is the largest and holiest basilica in Greece, dedicated to the patron saint of Thessaloniki, and one of the finest examples of early Christian architecture in the world. It was built in the 5th century on the site where, according to tradition, a young Roman officer named Demetrios was imprisoned and executed for confessing Christianity around 306 AD. ✝️
🔹 The unique 7th–8th-century mosaics on the basilica's piers survived the fire of 1917, which destroyed a large part of the city. They are considered among the most precious in Greece.
🔹 Beneath the church floor lies a crypt containing the remains of an ancient Roman bath where, according to legend, Saint Demetrios was held. Entry to the crypt is separate from the church.
🔹 The feast day of Saint Demetrios — 26 October — is one of Thessaloniki's most important religious celebrations: the city fills with pilgrims from across Orthodox Greece and the Balkans. 🕊️
🔹 The church is both a UNESCO World Heritage site and an active Orthodox basilica: services are held daily.
🔹 During the Second Balkan War, thousands of citizens sheltered here — the walls of the basilica carry memories of the city's darkest and brightest moments.
📜 History:
The first church on this site was built in the 4th century. In the 5th century, the Prefect of Illyricum, Leontios, who was said to have been healed of a serious illness through prayers to Demetrios, erected a large three-aisled basilica. Throughout the Middle Ages the church burned, was destroyed and rebuilt, yet never ceased to draw pilgrims.
In 1492–1493, major fires and a change of rulers turned the basilica into the Kasympaşa mosque. It remained so until 1912, when it was returned to the Orthodox faithful. The last major restoration was completed in 1948 after the destruction of World War II.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• On foot: 25–30 minutes through the city centre. Address: Agios Dimitrios 97
• Taxi: 8–10 minutes, EUR 8–10
• Metro: station Venizelos → 8 minutes on foot
💶 Prices & opening hours:
• Basilica entry: free (donations welcome)
• Crypt: free
• Opening hours: daily 8:00–20:00 (tourist visits restricted during services)
👗 Dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered. Scarves and wrap skirts are available at the entrance for those not appropriately dressed.
🏰 4. Ano Poli – the Upper Town (Άνω Πόλη / Ano Poli) & Byzantine Walls
💡 Interesting facts & background:
Ano Poli — the Upper Town — is the only part of Thessaloniki that survived the Great Fire of 1917, which destroyed more than half of the city's built fabric. Here you will find a tight network of cobbled lanes, traditional Ottoman and Macedonian houses with timber upper storeys and overhanging balconies. Climbing up here is like stepping into an entirely different era. 🕰️
🔹 The Byzantine Walls, stretching over 8 km, have enclosed Ano Poli since the 4th to the 15th centuries. Built, rebuilt and reinforced over 1,000 years, they are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
🔹 The Trigonion Tower is one of the best-preserved towers along the walls, offering a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the city and the bay. On a clear day, Mount Olympus is visible. 🏔️
🔹 The Heptapyrgion (Yedi Kule, "Seven Towers Fortress") is a medieval fortress at the hilltop that served as a prison until 1988. Greek poets and revolutionaries were held here, and their inscriptions still survive on the walls.
🔹 Hidden in the lanes of Ano Poli stands the Vlatades Monastery — the only active Orthodox monastery in Thessaloniki, founded in the 14th century. 🕌
🔹 Every evening dozens of tavernas and mezedopolia — small Greek tapas bars — open their doors, where locals gather over wine and meze.
📜 History:
The first walls around the city were built by King Cassander when he founded Thessaloniki in 316 BC. Byzantine emperors extended and strengthened them throughout the Middle Ages. When Murad II captured the city in 1430, he preserved most of the walls and towers. Ottoman Ano Poli filled with Muslim quarters, hammams and mosques — traces of which survive to this day.
After the fire of 1917, the city was rebuilt according to the plan of French architect Ernest Hébrard, but Ano Poli with its ancient lanes was left untouched. Today it is the most atmospheric and authentic district of Thessaloniki, where tourists are few and local life follows its own rhythms.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• Taxi: 15–18 minutes, EUR 12–15 to the foot of Ano Poli
• Bus: Line No. 23 or No. 22 from the city centre → terminus in the upper part of Ano Poli. EUR 0.90
• On foot from the centre: 30–40 minutes uphill — comfortable footwear is essential!
💶 Prices & opening hours:
• Ano Poli (walking the district): free
• Byzantine Walls (exterior): free, open 24 hours
• Trigonion Tower (exterior & panorama): free
• Heptapyrgion (interior museum): EUR 4–6 (verify on site)
• Vlatades Monastery: free, open to visitors at certain hours
💡 Tip: best visited in the morning before the heat sets in — the climb takes effort, but the view is well worth it.
🌊 5. Aristotelous Square & the Nea Paralia Waterfront (Πλατεία Αριστοτέλους & Νέα Παραλία)
💡 Interesting facts & background:
Aristotelous Square is the heart of modern Thessaloniki and one of the most beautiful squares in the Mediterranean. Designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard after the fire of 1917, it forms a wide boulevard running from the city all the way down to the bay — as if the city has poured itself into the sea. Everyone you meet is talking here, every other person is drinking coffee, and every first is taking a photo. 📸
🔹 The Nea Paralia waterfront stretches 3.5 km along the Thermaic Gulf — one of the longest and most beautiful pedestrian waterfronts in Greece.
🔹 The waterfront is home to the famous "Umbrellas" sculpture (Ομπρέλες) by Giorgos Zongolopoulos — a chaotic, chiming forest of coloured umbrellas that has become a symbol of modern Thessaloniki and a favourite photo spot. ☂️
🔹 The "Sound Garden" (Κήπος Ήχων) and themed gardens along the waterfront are contemporary art installations where visitors can rest in the shade.
🔹 Near the White Tower stands an equestrian statue of Alexander the Great — one of the most photographed spots in the city. 🐴
🔹 Thessaloniki is the gastronomic capital of Greece: locals say that Athenian restaurants cannot compete with their own. The most popular snacks are bougatsa (flaky pastry with custard or cheese) and koulouri (sesame-seed bread rings).
📜 History:
Before the devastating fire of 5 August 1917, the site of today's Aristotelous Square was packed with the tightly built quarters of a medieval city. The fire, ignited in a kitchen and fanned by strong wind, raged for 32 hours and destroyed more than 9,500 buildings, leaving 70,000 people homeless. The Greek government invited a French team of architects led by Hébrard to carry out the reconstruction: they designed wide boulevards and open public spaces. The Nea Paralia waterfront was reconstructed and landscaped in the 2000s, turning it into a modern public space.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• On foot (most convenient): 10–15 minutes along the waterfront to Aristotelous Square
• Taxi: 5 minutes, EUR 5–7
💶 Prices:
• Aristotelous Square: free
• Nea Paralia waterfront: free, open 24 hours
• Coffee at a café on the square: EUR 2.50–4.50
• Bougatsa (one serving): EUR 2–3.50
⚠️ Tip: a morning koulouri (sesame-seed bread ring) from a street vendor costs EUR 0.50–1 and makes the perfect breakfast on your waterfront stroll.
🏺 6. Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Θεσσαλονίκης)
💡 Interesting facts & background:
One of the most important and richest archaeological museums in Greece, it holds genuine treasures — quite literally. Here you can see gold jewellery, weapons and vessels of the Macedonian kings, mosaics from the age of Alexander and millennia-old artefacts unearthed beneath the very streets of Thessaloniki. 🏺
🔹 The principal gallery, "The Gold of Macedon", is a truly breathtaking display: golden wreaths, diadems, coins and jewellery from ancient Macedonian necropoleis.
🔹 The unique mosaic "Abduction of Persephone" (4th century BC) is one of the finest examples of ancient Greek monumental art.
🔹 Abundant finds from the necropoleis of Sindos and Aeni — golden vessels, jewellery and burial goods of 4th–5th-century BC aristocrats.
🔹 Collecting the museum's holdings began as far back as 1912: every construction project in the city that turned up artefacts has enriched the collection ever since. 🔑
🔹 The museum is located close to the White Tower — an easy combination in a single visit.
📜 History:
The museum was founded in 1962 in a building designed by architect Patroklos Karantinos. Following a 2023 restructuring, it acquired the status of an independent public-law entity and sets its own ticket prices. The permanent collection numbers more than 100,000 items — from prehistoric artefacts to late-antique art.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• On foot: 20–25 minutes along the waterfront. Address: Manoli Andronikou 6
• Taxi: 7–10 minutes, EUR 7–10
💶 Prices & opening hours:
• Adults: EUR 10
• Concession: EUR 5
• Free: EU citizens under 25, first and third Sunday of the month (November–March), 18 May (International Museum Day), 28 October (National Holiday)
• Opening hours: April–October daily 9:00–17:00; November–March 9:00–17:00 (closed Tuesdays)
✝️ 7. Museum of Byzantine Culture (Μουσείο Βυζαντινού Πολιτισμού)
💡 Interesting facts & background:
The Museum of Byzantine Culture is a winner of the Council of Europe Museum Prize (2005) as the best museum on the continent. It is housed in an elegant building designed by architect Kyriakos Krokos and explores the thousand-year Byzantine world through more than 2,000 original artefacts displayed in 11 themed galleries. ✨
🔹 The collection covers all aspects of Byzantine everyday life: from burial rituals and domestic interiors to religious art and frescoes.
🔹 Unique frescoes from excavated churches, relocated and restored right inside the museum galleries, create the feeling of standing inside an ancient temple.
🔹 The gallery "From Paganism to Christianity" shows vividly how Thessaloniki became the second most important city of the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople.
🔹 The museum is adjacent to the Archaeological Museum — a convenient combined visit covering 2,500 years of uninterrupted Thessaloniki civilisation. 📚
📜 History:
The museum opened in 1994 in a purpose-built 3,430 m² building. The collection is enriched primarily through rescue excavations on construction sites in Thessaloniki and Macedonia. Since gaining independent status in 2023, the museum has been actively refreshing its permanent display and mounting international temporary exhibitions.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• On foot: 20–25 minutes. Address: Stratou 2 (next to the Archaeological Museum)
• Taxi: 7–10 minutes, EUR 7–10
💶 Prices & opening hours:
• Adults: EUR 8 (approximate — verify at mbp.gr)
• Free: EU citizens under 25, certain public holidays
• Opening hours: April–October daily 9:00–16:00 (closed Tuesdays — verify current seasonal schedule)
💡 Tip: a four-museum combined ticket (EUR 15, valid 3 days) may be better value if you plan to visit several attractions — verify availability at the ticket desk.
👑 8. Day Trip: Vergina & Pella — "The Star of Macedonia"
💡 Interesting facts & background:
If you want to experience the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century, head to Vergina. In 1977 Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos excavated the royal necropolis of ancient Aigai and unearthed the intact tomb of King Philip II of Macedon — the father of Alexander the Great. The find overturned our understanding of ancient Macedonia. 🌟
🔹 In the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina), the original finds are on display: a golden larnax containing the bones of Philip II, a golden cremation wreath, bronze weapons, silver vessels and a queen's diadem — all in situ, directly above the excavated tombs.
🔹 The sixteen-rayed star on the golden larnax — the Star of Vergina — has become a symbol of Macedonia recognised around the world. ⭐
🔹 Nearby lies Ancient Pella (40 km from Thessaloniki), the capital of the Macedonian kingdom and birthplace of Alexander the Great. Pella's museum holds stunning 4th-century BC floor mosaics, considered among the finest in the ancient world.
🔹 Vergina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
📜 History:
Aigai was the first capital of the Macedonian kingdom, where Macedonian kings were buried. The city existed from the 10th to the 4th century BC but yielded its capital status to Pella under Archelaus I. Even afterwards, kings were required to be buried at Aigai — otherwise, according to prophecy, the dynasty would perish. Philip II's tomb lay hidden for millennia beneath a large mound called the Great Tumulus, until Andronikos identified it as a royal necropolis.
🚢 Getting there from the "Alexander the Great" Cruise Port:
• Taxi / private tour (best option): Vergina is 70–80 km from the port, approximately 60 minutes' drive. Return taxi fare ~EUR 100–130. Private guided tour from EUR 150–200 per person (depending on group size)
• Organised group tour: from EUR 45–70 per person (Vergina only) or EUR 65–90 (Vergina + Pella). Departure from Aristotelous Square at 8:00–9:00. Full-day duration ~9–10 hours
• ⚠️ Cruise passengers are strongly advised to take a private tour with a guaranteed return to the ship. Public transport to Vergina is infrequent and may cause you to miss the ship.
💶 Prices & opening hours:
• Museum of the Royal Tombs of Vergina: EUR 12 (adults), EUR 6 (concession), free for children under 18. Daily 8:00–20:00 (summer), 8:00–15:30 (winter)
• Pella Museum: EUR 8 (adults). Tuesday–Sunday 8:30–15:30
⚠️ IMPORTANT for cruise passengers: Vergina + Pella together require at least 9–10 hours from leaving the port. If your port call is shorter than 10 hours, choose Vergina only.
🎨 9. Other Attractions Worth Seeing
• 🕌 Alaca Imaret Mosque (Alaca Imaret Camii, 15th century) — one of the finest surviving Ottoman buildings in Thessaloniki, executed in a beautiful striped style. Free admission.
• 🏛️ Ancient Agora (Ρωμαϊκή Αγορά) — a large excavated Roman forum dating from the 1st–4th centuries, right in the city centre. Part of the site is open for viewing free of charge.
• 📸 MOMus Museum of Photography (MOMus-Μουσείο Φωτογραφίας) — a contemporary museum in an old port warehouse, featuring excellent temporary exhibitions by Greek and international photographers. EUR 4.
• 🕍 Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki (Εβραϊκό Μουσείο Θεσσαλονίκης) — dedicated to Thessaloniki as one of the most important Jewish cities of the Mediterranean (until 1943, 50% of the population were Sephardic Jews). EUR 6.
• 🍽️ Modiano and Kapani Markets — a covered market and an open-air bazaar in the city centre: spices, fresh fish, cheeses, olives and wine from across Greece. Free entry, Mon–Sat 7:00–15:00.
• ☕ Ladadika District (Λαδάδικα) — a former oil-merchants' bazaar, now a neighbourhood of bars, restaurants and tavernas. The best place for lunch or dinner.
• 🚡 Cable car to Mount Chortiatis (in warm weather) — panoramic views over the city and the bay from above.
🗺️ Three Self-Guided Itineraries for 9 Hours in Thessaloniki
A cruise stop in Thessaloniki typically lasts 8–12 hours. The city is ideal for independent exploration: the port sits right next to the centre, and most attractions are within walking distance. Below are three options depending on your budget and preferences.
🥉 Itinerary No. 1. Budget — up to EUR 20 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Approximate budget: EUR 10–20 + food
🕘 09:00 — Leave the "Alexander the Great" cruise terminal
Walk east along the waterfront.
🕘 09:15–10:00 — Nea Paralia Waterfront
A free stroll: the "Umbrellas" sculpture, the statue of Alexander the Great, a koulouri on the go.
🕙 10:00–11:00 — White Tower
Entry EUR 6. Multimedia exhibition and panoramic views from the top.
🕚 11:00–12:30 — Aristotelous Square & Kapani Market
Coffee on the square (EUR 2.50–3), free walk through the covered market, fresh produce and spices.
🕧 12:30–14:00 — Basilica of Saint Demetrios & Crypt
Free. The city's most important church with unique mosaics and an underground crypt.
🕑 14:00–15:00 — Lunch in Ladadika
A three-course set menu at a local taverna — EUR 12–16.
🕝 15:00–16:00 — Rotunda & Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
Arch — free. Rotunda — EUR 6. Both together — 45–60 minutes.
🕟 16:00–17:00 — Walk back to the port
25 minutes along the waterfront back to the terminal.
💰 Cost breakdown:
• White Tower: EUR 6
• Rotunda: EUR 6
• Coffee + koulouri: EUR 3–4
• Lunch: EUR 12–16
💸 TOTAL: EUR 27–32 per person (excluding transport)
🥈 Itinerary No. 2. Optimal — EUR 50–70 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Approximate budget: EUR 60 + food
🕘 08:30 — Leave the port, taxi to the White Tower
EUR 6–8. Arrive right at opening time (8:00).
🕘 08:30–09:30 — White Tower (EUR 6)
No crowds first thing in the morning.
🕙 09:30–10:30 — Archaeological Museum (EUR 10)
The "Gold of Macedon" gallery — not to be missed! 5 minutes' walk from the tower.
🕚 10:30–11:30 — Rotunda & Arch of Galerius (EUR 6 + free)
Taxi from the museum — EUR 5.
🕦 11:30–12:30 — Basilica of Saint Demetrios (free)
5 minutes' walk from the Rotunda.
🕐 12:30–14:00 — Lunch at a taverna in Ladadika or Ano Poli
EUR 15–25 for a main course with a drink.
🕝 14:00–16:00 — Ano Poli & Trigonion Tower
Taxi to the foot of the hill (EUR 12) → walk uphill. Panoramic views, narrow lanes, tavernas.
🕓 16:00–17:00 — Return to port (taxi EUR 12)
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Taxis (2 journeys): EUR 18–20
• White Tower: EUR 6
• Rotunda: EUR 6
• Archaeological Museum: EUR 10
• Lunch: EUR 15–25
💸 TOTAL: EUR 55–67 per person
💡 If you swap the Archaeological Museum for the Museum of Byzantine Culture (EUR 8), you will gain a fuller picture of medieval Thessaloniki.
🥇 Itinerary No. 3. Premium — private guided tour from EUR 300 per person
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Approximate budget: EUR 300–500 + admission tickets
🏆 What is included:
• ✅ Private driver meeting you with a name board at the foot of the gangway
• ✅ Comfortable car / minivan for the full day
• ✅ Licensed guide — English-speaking or in your preferred language
• ✅ Priority entry to attractions — no queuing
• ✅ Optional day trip to Vergina (Royal Tombs of Philip II)
• ✅ Restaurant reservation
• ✅ Flexible itinerary — adjusted on the fly
To book, contact your cruise manager or reach us through any convenient channel:
Phone numbers:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell): +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar): +380 97 653 05 53
Write to us by e-mail
Contact us
🕘 08:30 — Meet driver and guide at the terminal
🕘 09:00–10:30 — White Tower & waterfront with guide
Private tour: a detailed account of each era of the city's history.
🕚 10:45–12:00 — Rotunda, Arch of Galerius & Basilica of Saint Demetrios
Transfer by car (5 min). Private guided tour of each site.
🕧 12:15–13:30 — Lunch at a Greek restaurant
For example, a taverna in Ladadika or a restaurant with views over the bay. EUR 30–50 per person.
🕝 13:45–15:30 — Ano Poli with guide
Private walking tour: Trigonion Tower, Heptapyrgion, Vlatades Monastery, hidden churches.
🕞 15:45–16:30 — Shopping at Modiano / Kapani markets or jewellery shops in the centre
🕟 17:00 — Return to port in comfortable car
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private guide (9 hrs): from EUR 200–250
• Driver with car (9 hrs): from EUR 150–200
• Admission tickets: EUR 28–40
• Lunch at a restaurant: from EUR 30–50
💸 TOTAL: from EUR 408 per person (for a group of 2+, the guide and driver costs are shared)
🤝 Four Gates Group organises private tours of Thessaloniki with licensed guides, transfer from the gangway and a guaranteed return to the ship. Contact your cruise specialist — and your day in Thessaloniki will be perfectly tailored to your tastes. 🛳️✨
⚠️ Important to know before going ashore
🕐 "All aboard" rule: you must be back on the ship 60 minutes before departure. If you are late, the ship will not wait — and reaching it at the next port will be entirely at your own expense.
🪪 Documents: carry a photocopy of your passport + your Ship Card.
💶 Cash: keep EUR 50–100 in cash — markets, tavernas and small shops often do not accept cards.
👟 Clothing: comfortable shoes — the climb to Ano Poli is steep. For churches — covered shoulders and knees.
🚕 Taxis: all taxis in Greece use a meter. Make sure the meter is switched on immediately after you get in. Thessaloniki Taxi: +30 2310 551 525.
📱 Internet: free Wi-Fi on Aristotelous Square and in most cafés. Download an offline Google Maps map for navigation.
🔐 Safety: Thessaloniki is a relatively safe city, but keep an eye on your belongings at markets and on the metro.
☀️ Sun protection: summer temperatures can reach +35 °C. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential.
🚫 Sundays: most shops are closed (except in tourist areas and supermarkets). Museums and attractions are largely open. Check schedules before heading out.
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general guidance and is accurate as of the date of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please consult a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or check the official websites of the relevant attractions.