Words & Pictures by Shaun Troke
48hrs really isn’t a lot of time…
And, €20 really isn’t a lot of budget…
But, if you like to travel a lot, then these kind of compromises are sometimes required.
Thessaloniki is a vibrant city, which I only learned that during the short time I was there – that said, there’s still things you can do on your budget of €20 a day (remember, the €20 a day is AFTER you’ve paid for your accommodation!)
SEEING
The Tower (FREE & CHEAP!)
The White Tower is the most recognised landmark in Thessaloniki.
And, while it’s free to look at (& walk around), you also have the option of climbing the stairs to the top (for a small price!)
The Square (FREE!)
Aristotelous Square is free to see, yet the restaurants, bars & cafes aligned down the sides of the square are what will take your money. However, on sunny days, it can work out budget-friendly by grabbing a low-priced takeaway item from elsewhere, and then taking it back to the Square to enjoy some people-watching!
The Umbrellas (FREE!)
A very popular attraction that is completely free to see: The Zongolopoulos Umbrellas. These are quite impressive. Though, they seem to be for those seeking Instagram picture moments…and, at sunset, this a great place to watch the sun go down over Greece.
The Promenade (FREE!)
On a sunny day (which are plentiful in Thessaloniki!) the 45min stroll along the Promenade is a pleasure to enjoy.
From the Zongolopoulos Umbrellas all the way North Westerly to the Port of Thessaloniki, it’s a great way to take in the waterfront area of the city…
Much of Thessaloniki can be seen just from walking around…
It’s definitely an interesting city to watch the day go by!
EATING & DRINKING
In this section, I will be completely biased, and, recommend just ONE eatery: Seven2Seven
These Thessaloniki-only franchises were lovely, with delicious & healthy products on sale.
And, of the three stores I visited & ate at, the staff in each were helpful & polite, too.
While Thessaloniki isn’t an expensive place to eat & drink (compared to neighbouring Halkidiki), the Seven2Seven branches really do offer a good variety of food & beverages, all over the city, and, are all open 24hrs a day!
ON BUDGET
Like with anywhere you visit, 48hrs in Thessaloniki definitely isn’t long enough…
Even as I write this now, I think about returning, for longer.
What I learned during this brief visit is that Thessaloniki SHOULDN’T be done on a budget or visited for a short time…there’s just too many good places to see and eat & drink at, to limit yourself in this way.
Granted, I tried the low-budget option, but when I do go back, I’ll go back with more money to spend…
Though, I will still always make time & budget for a visit to a Seven2Seven (or two!)
You can find out more about Thessaloniki in our series GOING SOLO, available to watch here on YouTube!