Thessaloniki
Relaxed waterfront city with a big student population and some of Greece's best food.
Greece › Thessaloniki
Digimad score
7.5
Very good
Best for Food + Students
About
Thessaloniki is Greece's second city and its most laid-back: a long seafront promenade, Byzantine churches, Ottoman baths and a food scene Greeks themselves travel for. With a large student population, it is young, lively and cheaper than Athens. The centre is compact and practical for daily errands; Ano Poli, the old upper town, offers views and quiet streets in exchange for steep climbs. Winters are colder than in the south.
Thessaloniki at a glance
Internet
Good fibre and VDSL coverage in the centre, and reliable mobile data. Coworking spaces are fewer than in Athens but well connected.
Monthly budget
$1,500/mo comfortable, $1,000 lean
Best months
Apr, May, Jun, Sep
Community
Medium nomad density, fair English
Key points
Lower costs than Athens and a lively student atmosphere
A long seafront promenade and a compact centre
Some of the best food in Greece, from bougatsa to meze
Districts of Thessaloniki
The centre around Aristotelous Square and Ladadika is lively and practical. Ano Poli has character and views but steep streets, and Kalamaria, to the south-east, is residential and close to the sea.
Cost of living
USD
Lean
$1,000/mo
Shared housing, local food
Comfortable
$1,500/mo
Private one-bed, coworking
Premium
$2,500/mo
Central, frequent dining
Local currency
EUR
Rents are lower than in Athens and daily life is affordable, with excellent value at tavernas and bakeries.
Internet & connectivity
Fixed line
Not verified
Mobile
Not verified
eSIM
Supported
Reliability
GoodPublic Wi-Fi
FairPower stability
GoodGood fibre and VDSL coverage in the centre, and reliable mobile data. Coworking spaces are fewer than in Athens but well connected.
Nomad community
Nomad density
MediumEnglish
FairMeeting people
A friendly community of students, remote workers and young professionals, with coworking events and language exchanges.
Younger people speak good English, and the large student population makes it easy to meet people.
Safety
Emergency 112
At night
GoodSolo female
GoodPetty crime
GoodCommon scams
Pickpockets at busy squares and on buses, and taxi drivers taking long routes
Thessaloniki is safe and relaxed. Watch your belongings on crowded buses and at nightlife areas late at night.
Healthcare
Pharmacies
GoodPublic system
Residents registered with EOPYY use public hospitals such as AHEPA. Visitors usually go private.
Private care
Private clinics and hospitals in the city offer quick appointments and English-speaking doctors.
Insurance
Choose a policy that covers private hospitals in Thessaloniki.
Getting around
Walkability
GoodPublic transport
FairAirports
- SKGThessaloniki Airport
The new metro line opened in late 2024 and buses cover the city. The centre is walkable, and the airport is around half an hour away.
Climate & seasons
Mediterranean
Hot summers and colder winters than southern Greece, with occasional strong north winds (the vardaris). Heating matters from November to March.
All ratings
Watch out for
Colder winters and fewer international flights than Athens