The journey from the southern border of Bulgaria to the Greek city of Thessaloniki takes only two hours. The name of the Bulgarian checkpoint is Kulata, the Greek one is Promahonas. The document collection point has its own peculiarity: stamps from both countries are affixed at the same time. To travel across the border you will need a Schengen visa (or a passport allowing visa-free entry). It is necessary to present Bulgarian residence permit/permanent residence cards (for those who have them). You will also need to show documents for the car. No additional documents are required for cars with blue license plates. Before your trip, it’s worth checking whether Greece is covered by your car insurance. On the way there is one section of the toll road costing 2 €, payment can be made in cash or by card.
On weekdays there is practically no queue at the border
Parking and traffic in the city
It is almost impossible to park for free in the central part of Thessaloniki. Therefore, there is a large number of paid underground parking lots. The cost of the first hour is 3–5 €, subsequent hours are 0.50–1 €/hour. The cost of daily parking is ~20 €.
The One Salonica Outlet mall has a large free 24-hour parking lot. This option is suitable for those who are willing to walk to the center, as this parking lot is a 30-minute walk away. Car traffic on the city streets is quite chaotic: Greeks often ignore red lights, cut off, and do not use turn signals. Scooter drivers and pedestrians crossing the road further complicate traffic.
Attractions
Sightseeing in the summer can be quite a burdensome task, as already in June the air temperature reaches +38 °C. The streets are very stuffy, despite the fact that the city is located on the coast. The main types of attractions are the ruins of buildings of the old city, temples, monuments, and museums.
The White Tower, the “calling card” of the city and the starting point of tourist routes, is located on the embankment. The cost of climbing the tower is 4€. Then you can walk along the embankment or immerse yourself in the city bustle of the central streets.
The monument to Alexander the Great (and his faithful horse Bucephalos), perhaps the most popular monument in Thessaloniki, is located on the embankment near the White Tower. Nearby you can see the unusual installation “Umbrellas Zongopoulos”. The art object is named after the famous Greek sculptor. In general, it is worth noting that the city has a very large number of monuments, both ancient and modern.
Time has added a creamy tint to the White Tower
Ruins
The city of Thessaloniki is actually an open-air museum; in the central part you can find ancient ruins at almost every turn. However, most archaeological sites unfortunately leave a feeling of ruins. Surrounded closely by modern urban buildings, sometimes even decorated with graffiti, archaeological relics are doomed to slow destruction. Some, however, see in this an intricate atmosphere of intertwining antiquity and modernity. Many objects do not have fences, so everyone is allowed to touch the Greek heritage.
Museums
- Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art (8:00 - 20:00). Cost 8 €
- Museum of Byzantine Culture (9:00 - 16:00). Cost 4 €
- Thessaloniki Military Museum (9:00 - 17:00). Cost 4 €.
- Museum of the struggle for Macedonia (9:00 - 14:00). Cost 2 €.
- Attaturk Museum (10:00 - 17:00). Free
- Archaeological Museum (8:00 - 20:00). Cost 8 €.
Part of the Archaeological Museum's exhibition is on display outside (sarcophagi, busts, statues) for free admission. Photography is allowed in museums. The exhibition is presented in Greek with English translation.
Location of museums on the map
Temples
The most outstanding examples of religious monuments:
- Church of Saint Dimitrios. Free
- Church of Agia Sofia. Free
- Monastery of St. Theodora / Monastery of St. Theodora. Free
- Rotunda of St. George / Rotunda or Agios Georgios church. Cost 4 €.
Temples are open from 7.00 to 18.30, break from 13.00 to 17.00.
Church of St. Demetrius Hagia Sophia Rotunda of St. George
Location of temples on the map
Cafes and restaurants
It can be said without exaggeration that the central part of the city is a huge restaurant. Fast food and expensive establishments are mixed together. The number of gastronomic destinations is amazing. Mediterranean, Italian, French, vegetarian, Mexican, Chinese cuisine, pastry shops, pizzerias, sushi bars... Tables are located even on narrow sidewalks. People eat and drink everywhere. Popular international chains include McDonald's, Starbucks, Friday's, the Greek coffee shop chain Coffee Island, and ChillBox.
Shopping and supermarkets
Several stores of famous brands are located on the central street “Tsimiski”, which runs along the embankment: H&M, Benetton, Pull&Bear, Mango, Zara, Bershka, Oysho, Tommy Hilfiger. Shopping centers Mediterranean Cosmos, BIG shopping, One Salonica Outlet Mall are located on the outskirts of the city. Large supermarket chains LIdl, Сarrefour, Μασούτης (Masutis) are also located in the distance, small grocery stores can be found in the center on almost every street. Food prices are twice as high as in Bulgaria. Sunday is a day off; shopping centers, banks and many supermarkets are closed.
Hotels and accommodation costs
| Hotel class | Cost | Examples |
| Lux | 300/350 lev |
Electra Palace Thessaloniki ★★★★★ (central location, breakfast, parking) |
| Medium | 150/250 lv |
Plaza Hotel, Philian Hotels and Resorts ★★★ (central location, breakfast) |
| Economy | 50/100 lev |
Emporikon ★★ (central location) |
The price is for a double room in the city center per night
IKEA in Thessaloniki
At the exit from the city, not far from the airport, there is an Ikea building. The range of goods is practically no different from the Bulgarian version, the layout is a little more confusing, parking is free, prices are the same as in Bulgaria, only in euros. From 9.00 to 10.30 am, the Ikea Cafe offers breakfast for 1 € (omelet, mushrooms, potato cutlet, bun), including coffee or fresh juice. The assortment of main dishes includes Greek salad, pizza, hamburger, and vegan food. Store opening hours are 10.00 - 21.00. Sunday, of course, is a day off.
Delicious coffee, large selection of pastries
Airport
The Greek airport called Macedonia, which has most likely misled travelers more than once, is located 20 minutes from the city center. The first 20 minutes of parking are free. The airport has cafes and waiting rooms; unfortunately, there are no luggage storage facilities. The cost of a trip to the city by taxi is 60 €, by city bus No. 78 - 1 €.
Nearest beach
Thessaloniki is a port, therefore, within the city, the water is not clean enough for swimming. The nearest beach is a 30-minute drive from the center, in the town of Perea, there are several bars, sun loungers and umbrellas. The surf brings algae and plastic debris, workers are cleaning the beach, but sometimes they fail.
Bonus
Green electric scooters, scattered throughout the city and attracting the attention of tourists, can be rented for just 1 €. The cost of 1 minute of travel is 0.16 €. You only need a bank card and internet access.
Electric scooter Lime Application screen Barcode scanning
- Scan the barcode on the steering wheel.
- Download the Lime application (available in Russian).
- Enter your bank card details for payment.
- The scooter will greet you with a sound when turned on: you can start your ride.
- Use the application to complete the rental.
- Travel time and cost are displayed in the application.
Renting a taxi through Uber does not work in Thessaloniki; green electric scooters can become an alternative transportation solution for tourists.