Thessaloniki vs Athens – Which City Should You Visit?

Athens and Thessaloniki are the two largest cities in Greece. But they couldn’t be farther apart. Trying to visit both of these Greek cities in one trip is a little challenging unless you’ve got plenty of time or spring for flights.

So which destination should you choose when it’s Thessaloniki vs Athens?

Let me first say, you won’t regret visiting either city. Both Athens and Thessaloniki have a lot to do for visitors and make great starting points for planning a trip to Greece. I’ve spent roughly a week in each city now and see the appeal for both. Here’s what to consider when choosing Thessaloniki or Athens for your visit.

Why visit Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the gateway to the country’s north. It may not be the most famous place to go in Greece, but it’s still a thriving tourist destination and a great city break option.

Culture and history are the main draws for visitors and they’re a key reason why I think Thessaloniki is worth visiting.

Walk around Thessaloniki and you get hints of all the different chapters of history, from ancient to medieval and much more recent. The city’s iconic White Tower is one of the city’s medieval landmarks, but there are many places where you can explore the city’s Byzantine past, such as the Trigoniou Tower and the Museum of Byzantine Civilization.

Churches and museums make up several spots of the main things to do in the city, offering great insights into the city’s identity. But I also found that the architecture around Thessaloniki is quite unique, for instance around Aristotelous Square.

One thing people forget to consider is that there’s a lot to see in this part of Greece. From Thessaloniki, you can visit some unforgettable destinations, such as Halkidiki, Mt Olympus, and Kavala.

Various budget airlines fly to Thessaloniki from across Europe, while buses come in from Istanbul and Bulgaria.

• Medieval landmarks throughout the city
• Home to ancient churches and ruins
• Great base for exploring the quieter parts of Greece
• Cheap flights make Thessaloniki easy to visit

Why visit Athens

Athens is the capital of modern and ancient Greece and is located at the heart of this southeast European nation. It’s one of the oldest cities in Europe and is a textbook tourist destination thanks to its living history.

Seeing the remains of its ancient civilization is one of the main reasons people come to Athens. The Parthenon at the Acropolis is one of the world’s most famous historical sites and the nearby Acropolis Museum with relics from the site is one of the best museums I’ve been to.

But there’s so much more to Athens than this one landmark. Ancient ruins such as the Odeon, the Temple of Hephaestus and the Temple of Olympian Zeus are all just as impressive and interesting to visit.

Athens also has attractions that aren’t thousands of years old. Walk the scenic streets of Plaka, step into Monastiraki Square or climb up Lycabettus Hill for its views and you’ll see. Over in Syntagma Square, there’s the changing of the guard, while the greenery of the Athens National Garden provides a nice change of pace.

You can fly into Athens International Airport, mostly from Europe and the Middle East, or cruise into the port at Piraeus from any number of islands.

• A classic tourist destination with ancient sites
• Interesting inner city neighbourhoods to explore
• Offers a mix of attractions to keep things fresh
• Well-connected with the Aegean Islands

Which is better to visit, Athens or Thessaloniki?

Before I recommend which city to visit, consider one thing. Both Athens and Thessaloniki clearly have a lot to offer and will entertain visitors for however long they visit. So don’t stress too much about making the wrong choice.

But yes, my pick of the two cities would be to go to Athens.

While both cities have deep history and culture to explore, few cities in Europe can compete with the historical sites in Athens. Even just working your way through its highlights takes days, but then you also have various viewpoints, neighbourhoods, and more to explore.

Also, from a practical perspective, Athens is generally easier to get to and works better with visiting Greece’s islands, something many tourists want to do. Not that Thessaloniki is hard to reach, it’s just not as convenient if that’s how your itinerary is looking.

If you’ve been to both cities in Greece, which do you recommend, Thessaloniki or Athens? Are there other benefits or drawbacks to these destinations that you think should sway people’s decisions? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.