Thessaloniki was the last stop of our seven-day Italy route, after we took the ferry from Italy to Greece. A night in Greece is pleasant and makes the ride home easier. Because we can reach the Alexandroupoli side as a day trip from Istanbul, we chose to end the tour in Thessaloniki.
What is Thessaloniki known for?
Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece, with more than a million people, on the Gulf of Thessaloniki in the north of the country. It is named after Thessalonike, the half-sister of Alexander the Great, and it was part of the Ottoman Empire for many years. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born here, which makes it especially meaningful for visitors from Turkey. Its Early Christian and Byzantine monuments are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the White Tower on the waterfront is the symbol of the city.
What can you do in Thessaloniki in one day?
It is a big city, but you can do most things along the seafront, and that turned out to be enough:
- Walk the long seafront and see the famous umbrellas
- Visit the White Tower
- Sit in the cafés and restaurants lining the road facing the sea
- Shop on Tsimiski Street, one of the best-known streets
- Take photos in Aristotelous Square
Where did we eat?
We had our aperitivo at Tribeca Thessaloniki and dinner at Palati, where booking is recommended. We finished with a night walk.
Is Thessaloniki close to Istanbul?
If you have a visa, you can easily go from Istanbul for two days. We visited in January 2023 as well and found the city lively even at the end of the season. The New Year celebrations last longer here.
At the end of a long tour, ride in stages, take breaks and check documents, insurance and visa before crossing borders.
Rider Healthcare makes a long-trip sachet pack for before, during and after riding, and Galata Healthcare offers a mineral and vitamin sachet. Educated Moto Riders organises motorcycle tours and trips for those who prefer a group.
Read the full story in Turkish with photos and videos: Selanik Gezi Rehberi.