Practical Info
Everything you need to know before you go -- money, safety, connectivity, and local customs.
Money & Costs
Thessaloniki offers excellent value for a major European city. Eating, drinking, and getting around all cost noticeably less than in western Europe.
Currency
Euro (€)
Cards
Widely accepted
ATMs
Plentiful
Tipping
Modest, optional
Greece has gone almost cashless — contactless cards and phones work nearly everywhere, including on the metro and city buses, where cash is no longer accepted on board. Carry a little cash only for street kiosks (periptera), the markets, and the odd traditional taverna.
Tipping is appreciated but never obligatory. In tavernas and restaurants, round up or leave around 10% for good service; drop your coins in the jar at a café. Round up taxi fares, and at hotels reckon on roughly €1 a bag for the porter and €1 a day for housekeeping. Tip in cash — it rarely makes it onto the card.
Budget
€40–60
Hostel/guesthouse, street food, public transport, free sights.
Mid-range
€80–140
Hotel, taverna meals, the odd guided tour, plenty of coffee.
Luxury
€200+
Boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours, the full city in style.
Typical Prices
Essential Services
The EU-wide emergency number 112 works from any phone, free of charge and even without a local SIM card.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| European emergency (all services) | 112 |
| Police | 100 |
| Ambulance (EKAB) | 166 |
| Fire service | 199 |
| Tourist Police | 1571 |
| Coast Guard | 108 |
Dial 112 for any emergency -- police, ambulance, or fire. Operators typically speak English as well as Greek.
Electricity
Greece runs on the standard European system, so most visitors from the continent need no adapter at all.
Plug Type
Sockets take the European two-round-pin plugs, types C and F. Travellers from the UK or US will need a simple adapter.
Voltage
The supply is 230V at 50Hz. Most modern phone and laptop chargers handle this automatically -- just check the label.
Charging on the Go
Cafes across the centre offer power sockets and free WiFi, making it easy to top up devices over a coffee between sights.
Communication
Staying connected in Thessaloniki is easy, with strong coverage across the city and reliable WiFi almost everywhere.
WiFi
Most hotels, restaurants, and cafes offer free WiFi, and speeds in the city are good. Coverage is reliable across the centre and waterfront.
SIM Cards
Local providers such as Cosmote, Vodafone, and Nova sell prepaid tourist SIMs from shops around the city. Bring your passport for registration.
For less hassle, use an eSIM — Saily is our top pick for Greece (instant QR activation on arrival, no shop visit, no passport hassle, transparent pricing).
EU Roaming
Greece is in the EU, so travellers with an EU SIM can use their home allowance under "roam like at home" rules at no extra cost. Visitors from elsewhere should check their carrier's rates or grab a local SIM or eSIM.
Safety Tips
Thessaloniki is a safe, welcoming city. These tips cover the practical details worth knowing before you arrive.
Tap Water
Tap water in Thessaloniki is safe to drink. Bring a refillable bottle -- cafes and restaurants will happily top it up, and it saves both money and plastic.
Sun Protection
UV is strong from June to September. Pack high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and water, and avoid long stretches in the midday sun, especially along the open waterfront.
City Awareness
Thessaloniki is a safe, walkable city. As in any busy centre, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded markets and on packed buses, and be road-aware when crossing.
Emergencies
The EU-wide emergency number 112 works from any phone, free of charge and even without a SIM card, connecting you to police, ambulance, or fire services.
Seasonal Guide
When you visit shapes your experience. Here's what to expect through the year.
| Season | Months | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Season | July - August | 30-35C, dry and hot | Busy | Highest | Hot and lively, with festivals and a buzzing waterfront. Midday heat is intense -- plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings. |
| Best Months | May - June, September - October | 20-28C, mostly sunny | Moderate | Lower | The ideal window for most visitors. Warm, comfortable days, fewer crowds, and pleasant evenings for dining out and strolling the seafront. |
| Off Season | November - April | 5-15C, rainy spells | Quiet | Lowest | Cooler and wetter, but the city stays fully alive year-round thanks to its students and cultural scene. Great for museums, cafes, and food. |
Public Holidays & Closures
On public holidays most shops, banks, and offices close, and museum and monument hours are cut back or suspended — check ahead before you plan a visit around one.
| When | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day |
| 6 January | Epiphany |
| Movable (Feb–Mar) | Clean Monday — start of Orthodox Lent |
| 25 March | Independence Day |
| Movable (Apr–May) | Orthodox Good Friday & Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Labour Day |
| Movable (50 days after Easter) | Whit Monday |
| 15 August | Assumption of the Virgin |
| 26 October | Agios Dimitrios — Thessaloniki only (patron saint & Liberation Day) |
| 28 October | Ohi Day |
| 25–26 December | Christmas |
The widest closures fall around Orthodox Easter and 15 August, when much of the city pauses. 26 October is unique to Thessaloniki — the patron saint's feast and the city's Liberation Day, with citywide closures and a parade.
On the upside, state-run museums and monuments are free to enter on a few set days a year: every first Sunday from November to March, plus 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, and the last weekend of September.
Useful Phrases
Greek is the local language, and English is widely spoken in the city. Still, a few words in Greek are always appreciated.
| English | Greek | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Γειά σας | Yassas |
| Good morning | Καλημέρα | Kalimera |
| Good evening | Καλησπέρα | Kalispera |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ | Efharisto |
| Please / You're welcome | Παρακαλώ | Parakalo |
| Yes | Ναι | Ne |
| No | Όχι | Ohi |
| Excuse me / sorry | Συγγνώμη | Signomi |
| How much is it? | Πόσο κάνει; | Poso kani? |
| The bill, please | Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ | Ton logariasmo, parakalo |
| Cheers! | Γεια μας | Yamas |
| Do you speak English? | Μιλάτε αγγλικά; | Milate anglika? |
| Delicious! | Νόστιμο | Nostimo |