How to Spend 2 Days in Thessaloniki

With two days in Thessaloniki, you'll not only have enough time to see ancient attractions such as the White Tower and the Church of Agios Dimitrios, but you'll also get a chance to immerse yourself in the city's culinary culture. Here's how.

Day 1: Historic Highlights

Morning: Start your day with a trip out to the archaeological site of Vergina, once the ancient capital of Macedonia. Here, you'll find numerous burial mounds, some of which date back to the 11th century BC. Don’t miss the Tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon exploring the Church and Crypt of Agios Dimitrios, with its seventh-century mosaics, before heading to the Roman Forum. Wrap your afternoon up at the White Tower, home to a museum that details Thessaloniki's history.

Night: As night falls and temperatures begin to drop, head out to explore the city on a bike tour. Tours typically stop at major monuments such as the Monument of Alexander the Great and the Alexander the Great Garden.

Day 2: Culinary Delights

Morning: Spend your second morning discovering the culinary culture of Thessaloniki. A good way to do this is by heading out to the Kapani and Modiano markets, but you may prefer to join a food tour in order to overcome the language barrier.

Afternoon: Take your culinary prowess to the next level during a cooking class. You'll learn the fundamentals of Greek cooking and get the chance to create—and indulge in—traditional dishes, as well as taking back your favorite recipes to try at home.

Night: When night falls, make your way to the Ladadika District for dinner and drinks. This neighborhood is characterized by cobbled streets and lively bars and restaurants, many of which offer Greek-style mezzes (selection of small dishes). After dinner, dance the night away at a nearby bar.