Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki, is loved by travellers from across the globe, and it’s not difficult to understand why. With a fascinating history dating back over 2,300 years, with a whopping 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in its borders, its landscapes undoubtedly leave visitors enchanted and intrigued.
Not to forget the city’s spirited culture, with vibrant streets filled with eateries selling delectable Greek cuisine, a buzzing nightlife with clubs and bars that spring to life come nightfall, and a creative street art scene.
Whether you’re on a short weekend break or a longer getaway, you’ll have ample opportunity to experience the best of the above. But, you may be asking before you jet off on your Greek city break: Where is the best area to stay in Thessaloniki? You’re in luck, as in this article we’ve shared where to stay in Thessaloniki to make the most of your trip.
If you’re considering where to stay in Thessaloniki for the first time, staying in its centre means you get to be in on the action at all times, and always experience what life is truly like to live in the city. Home to Thessaloniki’s business, commercial, and entertainment districts, it’s really where everything is happening.
Not to mention you’re never far from the many historic and cultural Thessaloniki attractions. Some of travellers’ favourites include Thessaloniki’s most raved about shopping street – Tsimiski, or the Byzantine Bath of Thessalonica, which dates back to the 12th century and is a now modern-day window into the past. For the perfect end to any day, consider meandering along the city’s 5km waterfront and soak in gorgeous seafront views.
When it comes to finding apartments and hotels in Thessaloniki’s city centre, you’re not short of choice. But, to make it easier, we’ve plucked out a few favourites to suit everyone’s budgets:
To save your pennies for experiences while you’re visiting Thessaloniki, first-time travellers to the city should stay at 72AD Suites. Nestled in the heart of Thessaloniki’s centre, the property’s prime position lies only 300 metres from the Church of Agios, and only 101km from the iconic Aristotelous Square.
The stylish suites, which are bed and breakfast, including a private bathroom, coffee machine, and modern furnishings. Whether for couples, families, or groups of friends, this is a fantastic option when considering where to stay in Thessaloniki that won’t break the bank.
Balancing affordability with offering a luxury experience to travellers, The Maroon Bottle Luxury Suites is an aparthotel with a 24-hour front desk and lift situated in the centre of Thessaloniki, offering comfortable and stylish accommodation to all visitors.
The property is known for its fabulous breakfasts with fruit, warm dishes, and fresh pastries, and offers facilities to guests in their private rooms including a minibar and coffee machine, with some rooms even having their own private balcony with city views. You’re never far from Thessaloniki’s attractions here, as the Church of Agios Dimitrios and Aristotelous Square are only a short walk from the aparthotel!
One of the most sophisticated hotels in Thessaloniki, if you want to receive celebrity treatment, you should stay at Makedonia Palace, known for its world-class service.
Situated right beside Thessaloniki’s seafront, therefore boasting magnificent seaside views, the hotel is opulently decorated and its restaurants offer an exceptional dining experience (some even with sea views.) All rooms feature balconies with either seafront or city views and free lavish amenities, and popular on-site facilities include the Hamman baths and fitness centre.
So, if you’re considering where to stay in Thessaloniki for a taste of luxury, this is it!
Offering a more residential experience to visitors in Thessaloniki, Kalamaria is a very safe part of the city that dates back as far as the prehistoric era. Now, it is a firm-favourite family-friendly area of Thessaloniki that families with members of all ages will be fond of.
The residential hub has grown in recent years to be a vibrant and thriving part of the city. Bordered by the coast, it has several lovely beaches just on its doorstep, which are ideal for families who would appreciate a beach day or two to simply relax and play.
Kalamaria’s close proximity to the airport in Thessaloniki makes it a more than convenient option for families visiting the city, and popular Thessaloniki attractions and family-friendly sights are also within arm’s reach. This includes the Thermis Dam, where families can connect with nature and beautiful Greek wildlife, which has a playground and a café too. Also, the Thessaloniki Science Center and Museum of Technology is well worth a visit, home to a planetarium dome and motion simulator theatre that both kids and adults will be amazed by!
Unsure of the best hotels in Thessaloniki’s Kalamaria suburb? Check out our recommendations below:
Offered by Prima Lodging, Comfort Apartment in Kalamaria offers families who want their holiday budgets to stretch further a comfortable yet affordable stay.
The sleek accommodations feature their own private balconies in the city’s peaceful suburb, free parking, and a kitchen with an oven and toaster. The accommodation also has its own private entrance, and there’s a minimarket on-site for families needing last minute essentials during their stay! Guests will find sights like Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum only 5.1km away, and the Arch of Galerius only 6.1 km away.
Seafront Luxury President Suite, offered by Aegean Sunset, boasts luxury at a more affordable price point, situated in the heart of Kalamaria. With a balcony, 2 bedrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge and even a washing machine, this is the ideal accommodation for families unsure of where to stay in Thessaloniki’s Kalamaria suburb.
Popular Thessaloniki attractions are within easy reach, including the Thessaloniki Science Centre being 4.9km away and the Archaeological Museum only 8.2km away. Families give the property a 9.2 star rating when they stay with kids, meaning this should make your list of top places to stay in Thessaloniki.
For a taste of luxury life in Kalamaria, Champagne Sea View Apartments is where to stay in Thessaloniki. Home to deluxe apartments that are the perfect size to accommodate families, all properties are fully air-conditioned for maximum comfort, and have a balcony. The apartments’ location is equidistant from many of the the best Thessaloniki attractions, including the Science Centre and Technology Museum and the Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre.
Families will appreciate the fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and oven, as well as two bathrooms, and a paid airport shuttle service available for added convenience!
A neighbourhood frozen in time in Thessaloniki, Ano Poli is a beautiful area – also known as the upper town – that perfectly encapsulates what life would have been like living in the city over 100 years ago.
The reason the neighbourhood has preserved its old-age charm so perfectly is because it escaped the Great Thessaloniki Fire, which engulfed over two thirds of the city in 1917. Home to beautiful cobblestone streets, monasteries, and churches which are nestled in the city’s Byzantine-era walls, if you’re contemplating where to stay in Thessaloniki to fully get to grips with the history of Greece’s second-largest city, you’ve come to the right place.
Some of the most important Thessaloniki attractions and best-known landmarks lie within the neighbourhood of Ano Poli, including the Church of St. Nicholas Orphanos – a 14th-century Byzantine church – and the Eptapyrgio Fortress – an Ottoman and Byzantine-era fortress.
If you consider where to stay in Thessaloniki and land on Ano Poli as the perfect choice for you, here are a few accommodations to choose from:
Nestled within Ano Poli’s neighbourhood, Sweet Home Ano Poli is a highly-rated apartment only a short 500m walk from the Church of Agios Dimitrios. The spacious and comfortable property features its own balcony for guests to relax on when they’re not exploring the city, and a fully-equipped kitchen with oven and dining area.
For those with a little more budget for accommodation during their visit to Thessaloniki, Urban View Apartment is a private space for guests to retreat to when they’re ready for some downtime during their city break.
The large living space features a fantastic terrace with magnificent views over the Ano Poli neighbourhood, with 2-bedrooms hosting up to 4 guests – ideal for couples, friends, or a small family. There is also a fully-equipped kitchen for when guests don’t want to eat out, and the Church of Agios lies only 1.1km away.
Boasting affordable luxury, AYA Luxury Home is a simple yet stylish apartment featuring free parking – a perk for those who have a rental car and want to easily explore beyond Thessaloniki’s city centre area.
With its lovely view of the Ano Poli residential neighbourhood, the property is only a 19-minute walk away from Aristotelous Square, has its own terrace, and has a fully equipped kitchen complete with oven, washing machine, and microwave.
A part of Thessaloniki that comes to life as the sun goes down, Ladadika is a much-loved area of the city nestled on a section of its waterfront that has a buzzing nightlife scene. So, for party goers and social butterflies considering where to stay in Thessaloniki, Ladadika is likely the place for you.
Its old houses and buildings have been restored over the course of history, after the Great Fire of 1917 hit the neighbourhood hard, but now, it is one of the most lively parts of the city, hence why it’s developed its reputation as a popular nightlife destination.
With plenty of independent bars and traditional tavernas that inhabit its colourful old buildings, you can pull up a chair inside these characterful establishments – or outside on the city’s cobbled streets – and raise a glass with the locals as you revel in the neighbourhoods bustling atmosphere.
Ready for a night out in Ladadika? Before you arrive, you’ll need to have booked a place to stay, and we’re here to help with our suggestions of apartments and hotels in Thessaloniki below:
Colors Ladadika is a beautiful accommodation with minimally decorated rooms within walking distance of many of Ladadika’s best tavernas, bars, and eateries. Select rooms have their own private balcony, but all have a living area, mini fridge, and even mood lighting to get ready for your night on the town.
Guests can also make the most of room service and luggage storage at the property, as well as the seafront being only a few steps from the hotel.
Situated close to Thessaloniki’s seafront, Porto Sea View Apartments – Tsimiski 78 is a wonderful option if you’ve concluded that where to stay in Thessaloniki is Ladadika. The property has private apartments with convenient household amenities like a coffee machine, oven, toaster, and microwave.
The apartment even boasts a balcony with city views and has three bedrooms, perfect for couples or larger groups looking to be within close proximity of Thessaloniki’s best nightlife hotspot.
If you’re on the lookout for one of the best boutique hotels in Thessaloniki that doesn’t skimp on luxuries, S Hotel Boutique Thessaloniki offers suites where you’ll enjoy celebrity treatment during your stay, with concierge services, a restaurant, and a bar.
The 5-star accommodation is truly indulgent, and its 24-hour front desk is always on hand to look after its guests. Each room has a terrace with a gorgeous city view, a coffee machine, and breakfast is available each day with à la carte, buffet, and American options.
If you’re wanting to discover Greece’s second largest city, which has bags of character, charm, history, and culture, we hope this article has offered you the inspiration you need about where to stay in Thessaloniki. Whether you’re a nightlife lover, a history buff, or a family wanting to please all ages, we hope you enjoy your stay in this gorgeous city!
Has a holiday in Greece caught your eye? We’d recommend reading our Essential Greece Guide for a better understanding of the very best places to go and things to do in one of Europe’s top holiday destinations.
Thessaloniki is absolutely a walkable city. The city’s compact size makes it all the more convenient to walk between neighbourhoods and explore its many sights in a short space of time. To walk from one end to the other of the city centre, you’re looking at no more than 30 minutes. That’s why Thessaloniki is a fantastic city to visit for a short weekend break or a longer getaway!
We wouldn’t be writing this article if we thought otherwise! Thessaloniki is absolutely a wonderful city to visit, and one of Greece’s most culturally and historically rich. With something to satisfy every type of traveller, whether you love nightlife, gastronomy, beaches, or history and culture, we’d certainly recommend taking a trip to Thessaloniki.
Compared to Greece’s capital, Thessaloniki is a more affordable city break in the country, and is cheaper compared to other European city destinations. However, the city is comfortable for a range of budgets, whether you’re looking to have a stay in Thessaloniki on the cheap, or splash out on an expensive getaway, there are ample eateries, accommodations, and things to do to satisfy everyone’s needs!
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we can earn a small commission when our visitors click on them. This helps us to keep our content free and accessible for everyone, but you’ll never be charged for engaging with them.
© 2009-2025 – BACKPACKERBOY
WEBSITE DESIGN BY SEO TRAVEL
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we can earn a small commission when our visitors click on them. This helps us to keep our content free and accessible for everyone, but you’ll never be charged for engaging with them.
Top Tips for South American Travel 