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On any trip to Thessaloniki your first port of call should be the famous White Tower, landmark of the city. It’s dated to the 15th century and was a sea fort before being converted into a prison. Now it’s a museum and has great views across the city and sea.

The nearby Museum of Byzantine Culture is a showcase of Byzantine civilisation in a city that was once second only to Constantinople in that glittering medieval empire. All sorts of ancient artefacts are also on display at the Archaeological Museum, which features interesting objects from the prehistoric to Roman periods. It’s a small museum which you can easily get around in an afternoon and see everything.

The most famous Byzantine church in Thessaloniki is the Agios Dimitrios Basilica, where St Demetrius was martyred. The architecture is spectacular and you shouldn’t miss the tour of the catacombs by torchlight. The Hagia Sophia church is also well worth a visit as one of the city's oldest churches and a regonised UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The Roman Emperor Galerius built the Rotunda, also known as Agios Georgios, which was later converted into a church and then into a mosque when Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire. 

A great place for a stroll and a coffee on your trip to Thessaloniki is Aristotelous Square, the city’s central square that has a handy information kiosk at its centre. 

Markets play an important role in Mediterranean culture, and the best and busiest ones here are the Modiano and Kapani markets, just west of the main square. Here you can pick up all sorts of spices, fresh produce and household items, and enjoy a traditional lunch in the tavernas.

One of the biggest attractions of Thessaloniki is its beautiful sandy beach. You can take a long, relaxing walk from Thessaloniki Concert Hall to Pier 1, 5km away, dropping in to the cafés and eateries that line the promenade. If you are up for a quick trip outside the city's walls, a one-hour car ride will take you to the picturesque sandy beaches and luxury hotels and resorts in Chalkidiki.

The city’s main entertainment district is Ladadika, now packed with classy venues and smart restaurants. It’s a great place to have lunch or dinner followed by a walk along the winding streets.

The only residential quarter of Thessaloniki to have survived the devastating fire of 1917 intact is Ano Poli, which is famous for its maze of alleyways, old-fashioned two-storey houses and absence of traffic. It has a traditional Greek village ambience and you can get good views of the city from the city's Trigoniou Tower, which is also known as the Artillery or Chain Tower.

At the crossroads of East and West for millennia, Thessaloniki’s cuisine has been influenced by many diverse cultures. Mediterranean flavours combined with spices from the East permeate the dishes here, and fresh fish and seafood are especially popular. Traditional taverns can be found right across the city, serving local specialties such as souvlaki and mpougatsa pie, a delicious sweet pie served with cinnamon and sugar.

In the atmospheric little souvlaki shops you should try the great range of pie fillings, from potato to meat and cheese. Samali, another local dish, is a great favourite, made with almonds and semolina, and the Turkish influence can be seen in cazan dipi and other Ottoman offerings.

When travelling to Thessaloniki for shopping you’ll find yourself in a real bazaar of markets, shops and stores to suit every taste and budget. Just about every street is lined with shops selling everything from artworks to antiques, and many are packed with the latest Italian shoes and other designer goods.

Start with Tsimiski Street, the city’s main commercial thoroughfare, and browse through music stores, cosmetic outlets and famous brand names as well as many smaller independent shops, or head to Proxenou Koromila or Mitropoleos streets for a spot of high-end an designer brands shopping.