Greece's second city, a laid-back seafront with Roman ruins, Byzantine churches and arguably the country's best food. Here's what Thessaloniki is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
April, May, September and October are best for walking the city, warm but not too hot. July and August are hot, but the beaches of Halkidiki are close. Winter is cooler and quieter, with a lively student nightlife and good prices.
The city's symbol on the seafront, with a museum inside and a view from the top.
Walk or cycle the long waterfront to the Umbrellas sculpture, best at sunset.
The old upper town of lanes and painted houses, up to the walls for views over the bay.
Roman monuments right in the middle of the modern city.
Covered markets selling olives, spices, cheese and fresh fish.
Flaky pastry filled with custard or cheese, the classic local breakfast.
Gold treasures from ancient Macedonia, home of Alexander the Great.
Yes. It's a real working city rather than a resort, with excellent, good-value food, Roman and Byzantine sights and a long seafront, and it's a good base for Halkidiki's beaches.
Three or four days covers the city and its food. Add a few beach days in Halkidiki for a full week.
Spring and autumn, around 20 to 28°C. July and August are hot, often over 32°C.
Fly into Thessaloniki airport, which has flights from across Europe, then take the bus to the centre in about 40 minutes. The new metro now runs under the city centre.
Not one you'd swim from in the city itself. The nearest good beaches are in Halkidiki, about an hour away by car or bus.
Put Thessaloniki on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.