There’s a big difference between staying by the busy main square, among the bars of Ladadika or up in the quiet streets of Ano Poli. Here are my recommendations for six areas in Thessaloniki and hotels in several price ranges.

The Best Areas in Thessaloniki

• Aristotelous Square - best area for first-time visitors
• Ladadika - best area for food and nightlife
• The White Tower and the seafront - best area for sea views
• Ano Poli - best area for atmosphere and views
• Egnatia and Kapani Market - best area for budget stays and the metro
• Kalamaria - best area for families and local life

Below, I go through the six areas one by one, from the main square and the waterfront to the Old Town on the hill and the family neighbourhood by the sea, with three places to stay in each area in different price ranges.

1. Aristotelous Square - best area for first-time visitors

• Distance from Aristotelous Square: You’ll be staying on the city’s big main square, with the waterfront at one end and the busy shopping streets just around the corner.
• Transport: You can walk everywhere in the centre. Venizelou and Agias Sofias metro stations are on Egnatia, a few minutes’ walk north of the square.
• Time from Thessaloniki Airport: Around 40 to 50 minutes on the 1X airport bus and about half an hour by taxi when traffic is normal.
• Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £85 to £260 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: A safe area with lots of people around until late at night. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds on the square and on the packed café terraces.

Aristotelous Square is Thessaloniki’s answer to a grand Italian piazza, and it’s where I’d stay on a first visit. The square was designed after the great fire of 1917 and runs in a wide axis from Egnatia down to the sea, lined with matching arcaded buildings, cafés and restaurants.

From the square, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the seafront promenade, the Tsimiski shopping street and the Byzantine church of Agia Sofia, one of the many churches in the city on the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you stand down by the water on a clear day, you can see Mount Olympus on the other side of the bay.

See hotels near Aristotelous Square here.

Thessaloniki is one of Greece’s biggest university cities, and in the evening the cafés around the square are full of locals. That makes the area lively, but also a bit noisy. The Greek National Tourism Organisation’s Visit Greece has a good overview of the city’s highlights if you’d like to plan your days.

The advantage of staying here is that Ladadika, Kapani Market and the White Tower are all within a short walk. You’ll hardly ever need to take the bus or the metro, and it’s easy to get back late in the evening.

The downside is the noise. The streets around the square have a lot of traffic, and many rooms face streets with scooters and nightlife, so ask for a room away from the street if you’re a light sleeper. Prices are also a little higher here than a couple of streets further into the city.

Places to Stay near Aristotelous Square

Electra Palace Thessaloniki - best luxury hotel right on the square

Electra Palace is a five-star hotel in one of the classic arcaded buildings on Aristotelous Square itself, and it was the most expensive of my three picks here. You get an indoor pool, an outdoor pool in summer, a spa and a rooftop bar overlooking the square and the bay. Several guests mention, though, that the soundproofing between the rooms could be better.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was excellent: the room, the view, the breakfast and the rooftop bar.”

See photos and book Electra Palace Thessaloniki here.

Hipsters Hotel - best mid-range hotel with modern rooms

Hipsters Hotel is a modern three-star hotel around 500 metres north of the square, close to Egnatia and Venizelou metro station. It has a guest rating of 9.2, a 24-hour front desk and garage parking. A couple of guests mention street noise, so it’s best for you if you want a smart, central hotel without paying for the view.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Modern hotel, very clean rooms and perfect staff .”

See photos and book Hipsters Hotel here.

Le Palace Hotel - cheapest option on the Tsimiski shopping street

Le Palace Hotel is on Tsimiski, around 250 metres from Aristotelous Square, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. It’s a classic three-star hotel with a restaurant and a bar. Rooms facing the street can be noisy because of the traffic, and some guests mention that there’s only one lift.

One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Excellent location and skilled staff who were very helpful. The room was spacious and clean.”

See photos and book Le Palace Hotel here.

2. Ladadika - best area for food and nightlife

• Distance from Aristotelous Square: Around 400 metres, so you’ll walk to the square in five minutes.
• Transport: You can walk to most of the centre. Venizelou metro station is around 5 to 10 minutes’ walk away on Egnatia.
• Time from Thessaloniki Airport: Around 45 to 50 minutes on the 1X bus, which runs through the centre, or about half an hour by taxi.
• Price range: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £245 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Ladadika is safe and full of people in the evening. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds by the bars late at night at weekends.

Ladadika is a small neighbourhood of old warehouses and narrow streets right by the port. The name comes from the Greek word for olive oil, because the area was once the city’s market for oil and other goods from the ships. Today, the colourful buildings are full of tavernas, ouzeris and bars, and it’s where a lot of locals go out to eat.

I’d choose Ladadika if food is a big part of your trip. Thessaloniki is known as Greece’s food city, and here you can wander from one meze restaurant to the next. Try bougatsa for breakfast and a glass of tsipouro with small plates in the evening.

See hotels in Ladadika here.

In the evening, the streets fill up with tables, and the bars stay open until late, especially from Thursday to Saturday. That makes the neighbourhood cosy and lively, but it also means you should expect noise if your room faces one of the busy streets.

From Ladadika, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the waterfront, where you can follow the promenade all the way to the White Tower. The port is right next door, and it’s easy to get to Aristotelous Square and Kapani Market, so you’re staying centrally but still a little tucked away.

The downside is that the neighbourhood is small, and the hotels are right next to the nightlife. If you’re travelling with children or want peace and quiet in the evening, I’d rather stay by the White Tower or in Kalamaria. But if you’re here to eat well and go out, Ladadika is my first choice.

Places to Stay in Ladadika

Mediterranean Palace - best luxury hotel with a pool and spa

Mediterranean Palace is a five-star hotel on the edge of Ladadika with views towards the port, and it was the most expensive of my three picks in the neighbourhood. You get a heated indoor pool, a spa, a sauna and parking, which is rare this central. Several guests mention, though, that the furniture and beds feel a bit old-fashioned.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Cleanliness, helpful staff, a good breakfast and excellent service in the bar.”

See photos and book Mediterranean Palace here.

Noa Hotel - best mid-range hotel by the port

Noa Hotel is a four-star hotel on Navarchou Kountouriotou opposite the port, with a guest rating of 9.1 from more than 3,000 reviews. There’s a restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour front desk, and you’re only a few steps from the tavernas of Ladadika. Some guests find the rooms small.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Very friendly staff. The hotel was very clean, and the bedroom was comfortable.”

See photos and book Noa Hotel here.

Porto Sea View Apartments - cheapest option with apartments

Porto Sea View Apartments are apartments on the same street as Noa Hotel, and they were the cheapest of my three picks in Ladadika. They suit you if you’d like more space and want to plan your own day, and there’s private parking. Some guests mention noise from the neighbours.

One guest describes the apartment like this on Booking.com: “Perfect location, space, decor and cleanliness.”

See photos and book Porto Sea View Apartments here.

3. The White Tower and the seafront - best area for sea views

• Distance from Aristotelous Square: Around 1 kilometre, which you’ll walk in a quarter of an hour along the water.
• Transport: The promenade is easiest on foot. Sintrivani metro station is around 10 minutes’ walk north of the tower.
• Time from Thessaloniki Airport: About half an hour by taxi or around 40 minutes on the 1X bus.
• Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £95 to £215 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: The promenade is safe and full of people in the evening. Look out for cyclists and e-scooters on the path along the water.

The White Tower is the city’s landmark, and the area around it is the best place to stay if you want the sea and the sunset close by. The tower dates from the Ottoman era and is now a museum about the city’s history, where you can climb to the top and look out over the bay.

The tower is run by the Museum of Byzantine Culture, and opening hours are shorter in winter, so check the museum’s website before you go. The Museum of Byzantine Culture itself and the Archaeological Museum are both around 10 minutes’ walk from the tower.

See hotels near the White Tower here.

From the tower, the long Nea Paralia seafront promenade carries on for several kilometres to the east, with gardens, playgrounds and the big umbrellas sculpture out by the water. In the evening, half the city comes for a stroll here, and it’s one of the best places in Thessaloniki to watch the sun go down behind the mountains.

The neighbourhood behind the tower is calmer than Aristotelous Square and Ladadika. Several of the city’s most modern hotels are here, and it’s not far to Kamara, where the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda from Roman times stand in the middle of the city. Both were built around the year 300, and the Rotunda is one of the buildings on the UNESCO list.

The downside is that the hotels right on the water are expensive, and many of the cheaper options are apartments in ordinary residential blocks. The road along the water also has a lot of traffic, so a sea-facing room can be noisy with the windows open.

Places to Stay near the White Tower

Daios Luxury Living - best luxury hotel on the seafront

Daios Luxury Living is a five-star design hotel on Leoforos Nikis, facing the seafront promenade around 350 metres from the White Tower, and it was the most expensive of my three picks here. Many of the rooms have views over the bay, and the hotel has a restaurant, a bar and parking. Some guests find the breakfast a little limited for a five-star hotel.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was perfect: the staff, the cleaning and the service.”

See photos and book Daios Luxury Living here.

Teight Hotel - best mid-range hotel close to the tower

Teight Hotel is a four-star hotel on a side street around 400 metres from the White Tower, with a guest rating of 9.3 from more than 2,300 reviews. There’s a restaurant and a bar, and you’re close to both the promenade and the shopping streets. Some guests feel there could be more choice at breakfast.

One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “A truly exceptional hotel with fantastic, helpful staff.”

See photos and book Teight Hotel here.

Abc Hotel - cheapest option close to Kamara

Abc Hotel is a three-star hotel on Angelaki, around 600 metres from the White Tower and only a couple of hundred metres from the Arch of Galerius. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, and there’s a restaurant, a bar and parking. Guests praise the breakfast, but several mention that the furniture is old-fashioned.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The breakfast and the location were fantastic!”

See photos and book Abc Hotel here.

4. Ano Poli - best area for atmosphere and views

• Distance from Aristotelous Square: Around 1 to 1.5 kilometres, but it’s a steep climb uphill on the way back.
• Transport: There’s no metro up here. City buses run up the hill, and a taxi down to the centre is cheap.
• Time from Thessaloniki Airport: Around 35 to 40 minutes by taxi. By bus, you’ll need to change in the centre.
• Price range: € to €€. The three apartments below cost roughly £50 to £90 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: A quiet residential area. The streets are narrow and poorly lit in places, so use the torch on your phone in the evening.

Ano Poli is the city’s Old Town on the hill above the centre, and it’s the most atmospheric place to stay in Thessaloniki. The neighbourhood escaped the great fire of 1917, so you’ll still see old houses with wooden overhangs, small churches and steep cobbled streets where cats sleep on the steps.

At the top are the remains of the city’s Byzantine walls, the Heptapyrgio fortress, also known as Yedi Kule, and Vlatadon Monastery. The walls, the fortress and the monastery are all part of the joint inscription of the city’s Byzantine monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List, so you’ll be staying in the middle of some of the city’s oldest history.

See places to stay in Ano Poli here.

The best thing about Ano Poli is the view. From the Trigonion Tower and the terraces by the walls, you can look out over the whole city and the bay, and in the evening the locals come up here to watch the sunset. Between the houses are small tavernas where you’ll eat for less than down in the centre.

At the foot of Ano Poli, you’ll also find the house where Atatürk was born, next to the Turkish consulate. If you’d like to carry on east, have a look at my guide to where to stay in Istanbul.

I’d choose Ano Poli for a couple or for you if you’ve already seen Thessaloniki and want to experience a quieter side of the city. Accommodation is also cheaper here, but in my search there were almost only apartments and small guesthouses and no big hotels, so you’ll rarely get a reception desk and breakfast.

The downside is the hills. The walk down to the centre is lovely, but the way back is steep, and with a suitcase or small children it quickly gets hard work. You should also expect to take a taxi if you’re going out late in the evening, and drivers should be prepared for narrow streets and very little parking.

Places to Stay in Ano Poli

Adas Aura - Boutique Apartments in Old Town Thessaloniki - best apartments high up in Ano Poli

Adas Aura is a set of boutique apartments on Feron, high up in Ano Poli close to the walls, and it was the most expensive of my three picks in the neighbourhood. It has a guest rating of 9.6, and guests particularly praise the cleanliness and the host. It’s around 1.5 kilometres down to Aristotelous Square, and a couple of guests felt the pillows weren’t good enough.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “It was very clean, and Iraklis was very kind and helpful.”

See photos and book Adas Aura - Boutique Apartments in Old Town Thessaloniki here.

Konstantinos’s Luxury vintage apartment - best mid-range option in the lower part of Ano Poli

This apartment is in the lower part of Ano Poli, around 1 kilometre from Aristotelous Square, so you’ve got less of a climb than further up. It has a very high guest rating of 9.8, and it’s decorated in a vintage style. A couple of guests mention that you can hear the neighbours.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The host was very friendly, and everything was clean and very beautiful.”

See photos and book Konstantinos’s Luxury vintage apartment here.

Dafni - cheapest option with a terrace

Dafni is a small apartment with a terrace on Tsamadou in Ano Poli, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The guest rating is 9.4, and it suits a couple who want to stay cheaply with a local feel. Guests mention that parking is limited and that it’s a steep walk up to the house.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was fantastic! Clean, nicely decorated, and the lady was very kind!”

See photos and book Dafni here.

5. Egnatia and Kapani Market - best area for budget stays and the metro

• Distance from Aristotelous Square: Around 300 to 700 metres, so you’ll walk to the square in 5 to 10 minutes.
• Transport: Venizelou metro station is in the middle of the area on Egnatia, and from here it’s a quick ride to both the railway station and Kalamaria.
• Time from Thessaloniki Airport: Around 45 to 50 minutes on the 1X bus, which runs along Egnatia, or about half an hour by taxi.
• Price range: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £65 to £155 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Busy and safe during the day. The side streets by the market go quiet when the stalls close, and there are lots of pickpockets in the crowds on Egnatia.

Egnatia is the big street that cuts through Thessaloniki from west to east, and it follows the Roman road, the Via Egnatia. Just south of the street is Kapani Market, the city’s oldest market, where you can buy olives, fish, spices and fruit among narrow alleys and small stalls.

I’d choose this area if you want to stay centrally and cheaply. The hotels here are often a little cheaper than by Aristotelous Square, even though you’re only a couple of streets away from it, and you’ve got the metro right outside the door. It’s also the most practical place to stay if you’re arriving or moving on by train.

Many people combine Thessaloniki with Athens, and Hellenic Train runs between the two cities in around four hours. If you’re also spending a few nights in the capital, have a look at my guide to where to stay in Athens.

See hotels near Egnatia and Kapani here.

Venizelou metro station is worth a visit in its own right. While the metro was being built, archaeologists found the remains of the Byzantine main street, and they’ve been preserved and put on display in the middle of the station, where you can see them for free. North of Egnatia are the church of Agios Dimitrios, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, and the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Around the market, you’ll also find the covered Modiano market hall and several of the city’s best places for a cheap lunch. In the morning, the streets are full of locals doing their shopping, and it’s a good place to get a feel for everyday life in Thessaloniki.

The downside is that Egnatia has heavy traffic around the clock, and the area is more practical than pretty. Many of the buildings are run-down, and there’s less going on in the evening than by the port and in Ladadika. Choose a hotel on a side street, or ask for a room away from Egnatia if you want a quiet night’s sleep.

Places to Stay near Egnatia and Kapani

Antigon Urban Chic Hotel by GHH - best-value luxury hotel

Antigon Urban Chic is a five-star hotel on Antigonidon Square, a few minutes’ walk from Venizelou metro station, and it was the most expensive of my three picks here. It has a guest rating of 9.5 from more than 2,700 reviews, a bar and on-site parking, and it costs quite a bit less than the five-star hotels by the port. Some guests find the rooms small.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Perfect, 10/10. I’d recommend it and would come back!”

See photos and book Antigon Urban Chic Hotel by GHH here.

The Oscar Olympic Hotel - best mid-range hotel on Egnatia

The Oscar Olympic is a three-star hotel on Egnatia with one of the highest guest ratings in my search, 9.6 from more than 1,700 reviews. There’s a bar and a terrace, and it’s not far to either the metro or Aristotelous Square. Some guests feel the breakfast could be better.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel with very friendly staff. Clean and cosy.”

See photos and book The Oscar Olympic Hotel here.

Nea Metropolis - cheapest option close to the metro

Nea Metropolis is a three-star hotel on Sigrou, only a couple of hundred metres from Venizelou metro station, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. It’s a simple hotel with a 24-hour front desk and a guest rating of 8.6 from more than 2,700 reviews. If you’re coming by car, be aware that parking nearby is hard to find.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good location and great value for money.”

See photos and book Nea Metropolis here.

6. Kalamaria - best area for families and local life

• Distance from Aristotelous Square: Around 6 kilometres south-east of the centre.
• Transport: The metro’s branch line has stations in Kalamaria, Aretsou, Nea Krini and Mikra, so you can take the metro into the centre. City buses also run along the coast.
• Time from Thessaloniki Airport: Around 15 to 20 minutes by taxi. The 3X bus runs from the airport to Mikra metro station.
• Price range: € to €€. The three places below cost roughly £80 to £110 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Kalamaria is a quiet and safe residential area, and it’s easy to walk around with children along the water.

Kalamaria is a separate municipality just south-east of the centre, and it’s home to many of the city’s families. You don’t come here for the monuments, but for the local atmosphere, the sea and the space to relax. It’s my first choice if you’re travelling with children or want a calmer base than in the city.

The heart of the neighbourhood is the pedestrian street around Komninon, with cafés, ice cream parlours and shops where the locals stroll in the evening. Down by the water are the marina and a long promenade, and in Nea Krini and Aretsou there are fish restaurants with tables right out by the bay.

See places to stay in Kalamaria here.

There’s a small beach at Aretsou, but if you really want to swim, most people head out to Halkidiki, which is around an hour’s drive to the south-east. If you’ve hired a car, Kalamaria is a good place to stay, because you can get out of the city quickly, and parking is easier here than in the centre.

Kalamaria is also close to the airport. The 3X bus runs from the airport to Mikra metro station at the southern end of Kalamaria, and you can check the current bus routes on the airport’s own page about the buses. If you’ve got an early flight, it’s a big advantage to stay here rather than in the centre.

The downside is that you’ll need to take the metro, a bus or a taxi every time you want to go in and see the city’s sights or go out in Ladadika. Accommodation is also mostly apartments with few hotels, so you’ll rarely get the kind of service you get in the centre.

Places to Stay in Kalamaria

VIP Apt. Pezodromos Kalamarias - best apartment on the pedestrian street

This apartment is on Komninon, in the middle of Kalamaria’s pedestrian street, and it was the most expensive of my three picks in the area. You get free parking, a hot tub and a guest rating of 9.3 from more than 200 reviews, and it’s not far to either the cafés or the water. Some guests find the shower a bit cramped.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was perfect, from the spacious layout to the spotless cleanliness.”

See photos and book VIP Apt. Pezodromos Kalamarias here.

Athlos Hotel - best hotel with free parking

Athlos Hotel is a four-star hotel by the sports complex at the southern end of Nea Krini, close to the water. It’s one of the few proper hotels in Kalamaria with a restaurant, a garden and free parking, so it’s a good fit if you’re coming by car. Several guests mention that the rooms can be cold.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel is fantastic and has everything you need.”

See photos and book Athlos Hotel here.

Melon Suites - cheapest option with apartments

Melon Suites are apartments with a sun terrace in the southern part of Kalamaria, not far from the fish restaurants in Nea Krini, and they were the cheapest of the three when I searched. The guest rating is 9.4, and the apartments are a good fit for a family. A couple of guests felt the bed wasn’t very comfortable.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good location. The apartment was spotlessly clean.”

See photos and book Melon Suites here.

Where should you avoid staying in Thessaloniki?

I wouldn’t stay around Vardaris and Dimokratias Square west of the centre, even though the hotels there are often cheap. The area by the western part of the port and the railway station is dominated by heavy traffic and run-down buildings, and there’s not much to do in the evening.

Be careful, too, with hotels in suburbs such as Pylaia and Panorama up in the hills and near the airport. They can look reasonable on price, but without a car you’ll spend a long time on the bus every time you want to go into the city, and you won’t get any of the atmosphere by the port.

And I wouldn’t choose an apartment high up in Ano Poli if you’re travelling with heavy luggage or find walking difficult. The neighbourhood is beautiful, but the hills are steep, and taxis can’t always get right to the door in the narrow streets.

If it’s your first trip to Thessaloniki, I’d stay by Aristotelous Square, or in Ladadika if food and nightlife matter most. The White Tower suits you if you want the sea close by, Ano Poli is the most atmospheric and cheapest choice, Egnatia and Kapani are the easiest for the metro and the train, and Kalamaria is best for families and drivers.

If you’re heading on to Athens, I’ve written about the best things to do in Athens, and if you’re flying into the capital, I’ve also got a guide to getting from Athens Airport to the city centre.

The post Where to Stay in Thessaloniki? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.