Accessibility in Thessaloniki

This page says what is actually the case, without dressing it up. Thessaloniki has improved a great deal, but accessibility is not uniform.

What works well

The metro. It is the newest piece of infrastructure in the city and was designed for accessibility from the start: lifts at the stations, tactile guidance paths, audio and visual announcements, and trains level with the platform thanks to the platform screen doors. If you use a wheelchair, the metro is the most reliable way to cross the city.

The waterfront promenade. Five kilometres of redesigned path, flat, wide and car-free. One of the most accessible places in the city.

The major museums. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture have access provisions. Confirm with the official site before you go.

What is difficult

Ano Poli. Cobbles, steep climbs, narrow pavements. In a wheelchair most of it is effectively inaccessible.

The ancient monuments. The Rotunda, the Arch, the Ancient Agora, the Byzantine churches: many have steps, uneven floors or an entrance at a different level. Some have ramps. There is no single rule — ask case by case.

Pavements in the centre. On the main axes they are good. On smaller streets, illegal parking often makes them impassable. In practice this is the most frequent obstacle.

Practical advice

• Plan around the metro. See which stations serve what you want in the station guides, where each page lists what is within walking distance.
• Accommodation: ask specifically — door widths, a lift, a step at the entrance. Many central buildings are old, and "accessible" means different things.
• Taxis: wheelchair-accessible vehicles exist but are few. Book ahead.
• Always confirm. Accessibility information changes and works are frequent. We do not publish hours or details here that we cannot verify — check each site's official source.