Here's a Thessaloniki quirk nobody warns you about: two full-size pirate ships are moored on the waterfront. One of them, the Black Pearl, is free to board — you pay only for a drink; its historic sister ship, the Arabella, runs a similar loop for a low-cost ticket (around €7 for adults). They cast off roughly every 90 minutes, sail a loop of the Thermaic Gulf, and hand the city back to you from the water. It's among the cheapest, silliest, and best-value things on the seafront, and it's a fine way to see the White Tower and the skyline from the angle the postcards use. Here's how the boats work, plus the longer sunset cruises if you want something calmer.
The quick version
Two experiences share the same water: the free pirate-boat bars, and booked sunset cruises.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| The pirate boats | Arabella & Black Pearl — themed floating bars |
| Cost | Black Pearl free to board (buy a drink); Arabella ~€7 adult / €4 under-12 |
| Trip | ~30-minute loop of the gulf, departures roughly every 90 min |
| Departs | The waterfront by the White Tower / Nikis promenade |
| Also | Booked Thermaic Gulf sunset cruises (from ~€30) |
| Best for | Families, first evenings, a cheap city-from-the-sea view |
For the Black Pearl there's no ticket or booking to stress about — you turn up, walk the gangway, order a drink, and sail; the Arabella sells a low-cost ticket for its cruise.
The pirate boats
The two galleons are a local institution. Each makes a roughly 30-minute circuit of the bay — out past the waterfront, toward the commercial port, and back — with the whole promenade, the White Tower and Mount Olympus across the water sliding past. They run through the day and into the night, music playing, roughly every 90 minutes.
- Arabella — the more characterful of the two, and the one with real history. Built on the island of Samos in 1935, she served as a Navy minesweeper in the Second World War and later as a fishing boat; she's recognised by the Greek Ministry of Culture as a "traditional ship" and a floating monument. Pirate-themed, with a wonderfully over-the-top deck. Her own site lists a low-cost cruise ticket — around €7 for adults, €4 for under-12s, under-3s free (prices can change; check the ship's site).
- Black Pearl — the Pirates of the Caribbean fantasy made real: a black-hulled galleon with masts, rigging and a golden mermaid figurehead (the ship in the photo above), moored on the central waterfront. This is the free-to-board one — you pay only for a drink at the bar.
They're the perfect low-stakes outing — great with kids, ideal for a first evening while you get your bearings, and one of the best free things to do in the city.
Sunset and longer cruises
If you'd rather a calmer, booked trip than a bar on the water, several operators run Thermaic Gulf sunset cruises — a longer sail (usually with a drink included) timed for the light dropping behind the gulf, with the city glowing on one side and Olympus on the other. Seeing Thessaloniki from the water at dusk reframes the whole place. Prices start around €30; browse the current options on our activities page. For where to catch the sundown from dry land, see our best sunset spots.
Practical tips
- Where to board: the ships moor along the central waterfront near the White Tower and the Nikis promenade — you'll see the masts. Walk the waterfront and you can't miss them.
- What it costs: the Black Pearl is free to board — you just buy at least one drink, priced like a normal café; the Arabella charges a small cruise ticket (around €7 for adults). Onboard drinks are extra on both.
- Timing: no reservations needed — just turn up; the boats run on a rough timetable, departing roughly every 90 minutes (fewer sailings in winter). For current times and prices, or to book a private or sunset cruise, check the ships' own sites, Arabella and Black Pearl.
- Good to know: it's a bar boat, so it's lively rather than scenic-quiet — go for the fun and the views, not for peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the pirate boats in Thessaloniki free?
The Black Pearl is free to board — you only pay for a drink at the on-board bar. Its sister ship, the Arabella, now sells a low-cost cruise ticket instead (around €7 for adults, €4 for under-12s, under-3s free, per its official site; prices can change). Either way it's cheap: each makes a roughly 30-minute loop of the Thermaic Gulf through the day and evening, giving you a short cruise and a view of the city from the water.
Where do the Thessaloniki boat trips leave from?
The pirate-ship bars moor on the central waterfront near the White Tower, along the Nikis promenade — you'll spot the masts from the seafront. There's no ticket office; you just walk the gangway when the ship is boarding. Organised sunset cruises depart from the same waterfront area.
How long is the pirate boat trip?
About 30 minutes for a loop of the bay — out along the waterfront toward the port and back. Booked sunset cruises run longer, usually around an hour or more, timed for sundown.
Are the boat trips good for kids?
Very — the pirate theme, the free boarding and the short trip make them one of the most family-friendly things on the Thessaloniki waterfront. See our Thessaloniki for families guide for more kid-friendly ideas.
