In the courtyard of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the open-air exhibition “Field - House - Garden - Grave” displays antiquities from Thessaloniki’s heyday in the 2nd to 4th centuries AD. The same museum displays the Derveni Papyrus, which is considered the oldest surviving book in Europe. The exhibition and the papyrus offer two specific starting points for a visit: an era in the city’s history and an exceptionally significant surviving book.

Archaeology and Byzantine Culture

The Museum of Byzantine Culture focuses on a different subject. Its permanent exhibition comprises 11 galleries covering everyday life, worship, burial customs, architecture, art, and trade and business. The authentic exhibits come mainly from Thessaloniki and also from Macedonia. This offers different ways to explore the past: at the Archaeological Museum, the open-air exhibition and the Derveni Papyrus shape the account of antiquity presented here; the Museum of Byzantine Culture explores its themes across several galleries. If you are planning the cultural part of your trip, you can decide whether to focus on individual exhibits or on a broader range of aspects of life.

History and Walks

The White Tower was built in its present form in the 15th century as part of the modernization of Thessaloniki’s fortifications, replacing an older Byzantine tower. Its construction history offers a specific historical point of reference. Independently of this, the historic center reflects more than 2,000 years as a crossroads of different cultures and has numerous cultural attractions.

A walk through Ano Poli passes houses and villas in the Macedonian architectural style, cobbled lanes, traditional cafés and tavernas. It ends at an elevated viewpoint overlooking the sunset. Vlatadon Monastery is also along the way and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This makes for a different focus in your day’s plans than a museum visit: the emphasis here is on architecture, lanes and the view at the end of the walk.

Bit Bazaar and Culinary Influences

Bit Bazaar is a central square in Thessaloniki with seven arcades and antique dealers. In the evening, it is home to tavernas, mezedopoleia and bars. The historic center also has its own culinary character: its flavors are shaped by influences from the East, France and the Balkans. This lets you combine culture and history with a focus on food and evening activities, without turning these themes into a fixed itinerary.

Plan Your Stay and Hotel Search

For a short stay, it helps to choose the main focus of your plans first: the galleries and exhibits, a walk through Ano Poli or an evening at Bit Bazaar. This choice brings the different sides of Thessaloniki into focus and gives you a specific starting point for your search for hotels in Thessaloniki. Then tailor your comparison to your own plans and requirements. That way, you can decide not just by looking at a list of attractions, but by considering which experiences you want to define your stay.

Discover more destinations: Thérmi, Stavrós, Peraía, Panórama, Asproválta, Analipsi, Epanomi, Vrasna, Peristerona, Apollonia, Vasilika, Sindos, Agios Athanasios, Thessaloniki, Neapoli, Kalamaria, Pentalofos, Polichni, Chalkidona, Ano Stavros, Stavroupoli, Agios Pavlos, Oreokastro, Tagarades, Nea Michaniona, Rentina, Ambelokipi, Trilofos, Diavata, Chrysavgi, Loutra Volvis, Nea Kerasia, Thermaikos, Agia Triada, Lagyna, Perivolaki, Angelochori, Agios Antonios

For the broader travel overview: Central Macedonia.