The city of Thessaloniki is perfect for families. It offers the opportunity to make unique memories and enjoy hands-on experiences. Here are the best things to do in Thessaloniki with kids!
Is Thessaloniki good with kids?
Thessaloniki is a family-friendly city because it has an incredible waterfront, amusement parks, and an exciting history. Kids will love the zoo and the beaches nearby, while parents can appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and the exciting history of the city.
Why You Should Visit Thessaloniki with the Family
Thessaloniki is a mix of many cultures. Its roots go back to Ancient Greece with Alexander the Great. You will also find mega-structures such as the Walls of Thessaloniki, which were built in the Middle Ages, Roman influences, like the magnificent Galerius Arch, and plenty of beautiful Ottoman-influenced architecture. The most famous monument of Thessaloniki is The White Tower.
The seafront location of the city offers opportunities for a stroll on the pier, where you can enjoy the variety of vibrant people and colors. Wherever you are in the city, the sea is never far away!
Family-friendly convenient pavements and sidewalks along the coastline and inside the town offer easy access to these historical sites as well as to the city’s museums. But Thessaloniki is a modern city too. It mixes history and modernity very well.
Things to do in Thessaloniki with kids
Thessaloniki is great for a city break as well as a longer stay. You can also combine visiting the city with your vacation in Halkidiki. Depending on your location in Halkidikiki, you can opt for one or two overnight stays in the city (your airport for Halkidiki is Thessaloniki international airport). You can also decide to drive for a day to the city from your holiday destination in Halkidiki. This second option is only feasible from the first peninsula resorts. In this article we have listed the 10 best things to do in the city for kids.
10 Fun Activities with kids:
1.Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is located downtown and is easily accessible. You can go on foot, by taxi or by bus. The museum exhibits represent the history of Thessaloniki and neighboring cities. The museum is divided into departments based on the chronology of the items inside, from Neolithic and Classical eras to the Roman era. Kids will discover the ways ancient people lived and worked, and discover handmade ceramic, stone, or metal tools and mosaics and murals. The museum is best for children from 8 years old. To see the museum in full, you will need just one morning or afternoon.
2. The White Tower
The White Tower is the most famous monument of Thessaloniki and a must-visit for Thessaloniki with kids. The tower is located at the waterfront and is a landmark for the city. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification, known to have been mentioned around the 12th century. During Ottoman rule, the White tower became a notorious prison. But in 1912, as Greece gained control over the city, the White Tower was substantially remodeled and its exterior was whitewashed.
3. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
There is a hop-on-hop-off bus in Thessaloniki with a stop outside the Archaeological museum. It is a fun way to explore the historic destinations of Thessaloniki with unlimited access to the route for 24-hours. Summer is great with the open-top deck to see all the key sights along the way. These are the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, the ‘Ano Poli’ (Upper Town), the port, the White Tower of Thessaloniki and the historic Makedonia Palace Hotel.
Click here for information and for booking your Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour tickets.
4. Waterland Thessaloniki
Waterland is a great day out on a hot day if you don’t want to spend time driving to the beaches. This water theme park is located on the outskirts of the city and offers multiple pools and slides. Enjoy a day of water fun with lunch and snacks near the city! You can buy skip-the-line tickets on the website.
Click here for more information and to book your tickets with self-guided audio tour
5. Magic Park Thessaloniki
Magic Park Thessaloniki is a beautiful and safe entertainment park next to the Mediterranean Cosmos shopping mall. There is a ferris wheel, a carousel, bumping cars, slides through the water, ghost rides, and more. Thrill seekers will enjoy the rollercoasters and adrenaline-evoking rides with names such as Tagada and Crazy Dance. There is plenty to do for young kids too. The Babyland section is specially designed for little ones. Tickets can be purchased on the website.
6. OTE Tower Thessaloniki
The OTE Tower Thessaloniki is a fun activity for older children and teens who are not afraid of heights. The OTE Tower is Thessaloniki’s tallest building and offers amazing views of the city and sea as the tower rotates 360 degrees every hour. From there, you can spot major landmarks from above and have a meal or drink.
Click here for more information and to book your tickets for OTE Tower Thessaloniki
7. Kapani Market
The open air Kapani Market is the oldest market place in Thessaloniki. It’s located at the heart of the city center and displays shops from fish and meat to vegetables, fruits, drinks, olives, sweets, nuts, spices, and outdoor shops selling lingerie, flowers, clothes and shoes. It is a lively scenery with unique colors, scents and people that kids will enjoy. The market is also a great place to try local delicacies and explore the traditional food of Thessaloniki such as the famous Thessaloniki koulouri.
Click here for more information about visiting the Kapani Market as part of a food tour
8. Thessaloniki City Zoo
Located at one of the highest points of Thessaloniki, the small city zoo is a fun activity for the entire family. You will see a wide variety of animals, many are the main species of Greece. Inside the zoo, there is a small museum of natural history and a reptile house.
9. Dinosaur Park
The Thessaloniki Dinosaur Park features a Mammoth Museum, the Evolution Cave, Water Life Park, the Mammal Park, and much more. Hours of entertainment await and are a nice break for the city and the beaches! Have a look at the website photos (only in Greek) and buy your tickets online.
10. Mediterranean Cosmos
Mediterranean Cosmos is the biggest mall in Thessaloniki. Great for a rainy day (or a heat wave!) in the city. Besides its endless retail shops, it boasts an 11-screen multiplex cinema, and playground, along with coffee houses, restaurants, bars, a supermarket, and more. To maximize family fun, visit the amusement park right across the mall, or the Go-Kart pit.
Day Trip to Vergina
If you like history, a day trip to the Archaeological site of Vergina should not be missed when in Thessaloniki kids. The Vergina Museum contains some of the most remarkable ancient tomb discoveries in history related to Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, and Alexander IV, the famous conqueror’s son.
Click here for more information and to book a guided tour to Vergina or click here for skip-the-line-tickets with audio tour
How many days are enough for Thessaloniki?
If you want to visit the highlights of the city, one day is enough for Thessaloniki. Ideally, two days is great if you want to keep a relaxed pace with the kids.
Where to stay in Thessaloniki with the family?
Thessaloniki is a compact city and most hotels are within walking distance of the most important attractions. Here you will find a list of the 10 best family hotels in Thessaloniki:
Beaches close to Thessaloniki
There are several beautiful beaches located close to the city of Thessaloniki, such as Agia Triada, Angelohori, Asporvalta, and Galaksis. Because most of these beaches are linked to shallow water zones and sandy beaches, they are a good choice for a leisurely afternoon for families with young kids.
Halkidiki near Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is an excellent base for exploring Halkidiki, the region in North Greece famous for its amazing beaches and tropical waters. There are three peninsulas on Halkidiki. The first two are magnificent family destinations. The third is the Atos peninsula, home to ancient churches and the famous secluded Atos monasteries. The beaches of Halkidiki are a great vacation destination for families with young kids.
Read more: Halkidiki with Kids: The 10 best beaches for Families
If you love to explore more cities of Greece, have a look at Things to do in Athens with children, discover the city of Ioannina in the Epirus region or visit Volos with kids.
