Dear travelers,
Picture this: you’re just 2.5 hours south of Skopje or on a quick flight from Zagreb, and suddenly you find yourself sipping coffee by the sea. Welcome to Thessaloniki, the perfect launchpad for your Greek weekend and even better, a jump-off to the sunny beaches of Chalkidiki.
I’ll walk you through the perfect way to spend a weekend in Thessaloniki and if you find yourself falling for the Greek sunshine, I’ve got tips for a longer summer escape in beautiful Chalkidiki.
How to Spend Your Time in Thessaloniki (Without Missing the Good Stuff)
Waking up in Thessaloniki is a whole vibe: cafés slowly filling up, locals chatting over freddo espresso, the smell of bougatsa (a creamy custard-filled pastry dusted with powdered sugar). I recommend grabbing breakfast from a small local bakery and enjoying it on a bench by the seafront. It’s the kind of peaceful moment that makes you forget emails exist.
Start with the Classics
Feel the pulse of the city at the White Tower, Thessaloniki’s iconic symbol and the perfect first stop.
Take a walk along the waterfront and strike a pose at the iconic Umbrellas sculpture; it’s basically begging for an Instagram moment.
Walk Down Tsimiski Street
Think of it as Thessaloniki’s Champs-Élysées, a lively mix of shopping and street life.
Promenade Along the Seafront
Sunset here feels cinematic: sea breeze, street performers, cafés spilling onto the walkway.
Wander along Nikis Avenue, the heart of the waterfront.
Monuments That Tell Stories
- Sure, the White Tower gets all the attention and fair enough, it’s iconic, but Ano Poli (the Upper Town) is where Thessaloniki whispers its secrets. Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, tiny Orthodox chapels where locals still light candles…
- Climb to the Heptapyrgion Fortress for one of the most breathtaking panoramic views. You can see the city below, and if the sky’s clear, even the silhouette of Mount Olympus in the distance. Zeus, are you watching?
Eat & Drink: Thessaloniki Style
Street Food Spotlight: Real Greek Gyros
Forget kebab (no, it’s not the same): Greek gyros = pita-wrapped pork or chicken, fresh tzatziki, onions, tomato.
Brunch/Lunch at Kitchen Bar by the Port
Food, and people-watching, plus the harbor view. One of those places you pick because it looks cool.
Tapas-Style Meze in Ladadika
Brick alleys, jazz, twinkle lights – this area once traded olive oil, now trades great food and vibes.
My favorite was a meze tavern where we shared salad, grilled fish, cheese‑honey combos, and more ouzo and wine than I care to admit.
Cocktails at Pelosof
End your night with drinks, city lights, and an energy that proves Thessaloniki plays as hard after dark as it does during the day.
Summer in Chalkidiki: It’s Not Just a Vacation, It’s a Ritual
For many Macedonians (myself included), Chalkidiki isn’t just a summer getaway – it’s a tradition. Like Slovenians with Croatia, we load up the car, argue about who forgot the sunscreen, and roll down toward the coast. By the time we reach Kalithea, we’ve already stopped for snacks at a gas station, fought over music playlists, and started planning our first beach cocktail.
Understanding the Three “Legs” of Chalkidiki
Kassandra: The party peninsula (Kalithea, Pefkochori), full of energy.
Sithonia: Calmer, lush, with scenic bays and hidden coves.
Mount Athos: Spiritual hub with monasteries, strictly men-only and permit-required.
My Favorite Chalkidiki Stops
Kalithea: Lively beaches, buzzing nightlife, and home to Eden Club.
Afitos: A charming hill village, stone roads, sea below.
Nea Moudania: A larger town with grocery stores, sunset walks.
Pefkochori: Family-friendly, great tavernas right on the water.
Possidi: Azure waters, stunning views.
Nea Skioni: Quiet, chill, ideal for a peaceful holiday stretch.
What makes Chalkidiki so special isn’t just the stunning beaches, but the rhythm of life there. You wake up, walk barefoot to the sea, grab a quick frappé, and spend your days oscillating between swimming, eating, and relaxing. Rinse, repeat. Honestly? It’s therapeutic.
Local Hotspots & Tips
Eden Club: Don’t skip it—it’s THE summer rave. Bonus: In winter, it migrates to Thessaloniki, so you can always catch it.
Tiki Cocktail Bar: perfect for cocktails and watching the stars over the Aegean Sea.
Must-Try Greek Dishes Everywhere
Souvlaki: The king of Greek food – simple, juicy, grilled meat.
Cheese with honey: It sounds weird until you try it, then suddenly, it’s your new obsession.
Greek salad: Fresh tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, brined olives, thick feta, slicked with olive oil.
Seafood & Ouzo: Calamari, sardines, and fish caught that day, paired with ouzo, is divine.
Travel Tips & Logistics
Getting to Thessaloniki
By car: ~2.5–3 hrs from Skopje.
By plane: direct from Zagreb (Ryanair)
Transferring to Chalkidiki
Definitely rent a car if possible. It gives you freedom to chase sunsets and beaches and yes, you might survive a few aggressive Greek drivers.
If you want to skip gas and gear-shifts, local buses run on main routes, but they don’t hit hidden beaches.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 (Friday Afternoon / Evening)
Arrive via Skopje or fly in from Zagreb.
Drop bags, head straight to Kitchen Bar for a late lunch.
Sunset walk on the promenade, photo at the Umbrellas.
Dinner in Ladadika + cocktails at Pelosof.
Day 2 (Full Saturday)
Morning: Tsimiski stroll, White Tower visit.
Lunch: gyros.
Afternoon: Ano Poli walk, Byzantine churches, views.
Evening: dinner + meze in Ladadika.
Day 3 (Sunday: Chalkidiki adventure)
Early departure to Kalithea (drive ~1 hour).
Beach time + Tiki Bar cocktails.
Explore Afitos in the afternoon.
Dinner at a seaside seafood taverna.
Optional: night at Eden Club or return to Thessaloniki.
Why not start planning today? Whether you’re flying from Zagreb or road-tripping from Skopje, Chalkidiki and Thessaloniki are closer than you think. First stop: gyros or cocktails?
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
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