The seafront, end to end
Five kilometres beside the sea, from the White Tower to the Concert Hall, without a single hill.
Distance
5 km
Duration
90 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Best time
Sunset
The Nea Paralia is Thessaloniki's most successful modern project. A five-kilometre pedestrian and cycle promenade beside the water, organised as a sequence of themed gardens, which gave the city back its sea.
It's the walk locals themselves do: running, cycling, pushing a pram, or simply walking until dark. There are no ticketed sights on it; there is the city itself in motion.
The numbered stops in route order. Tap a point for more.
The stops
- 1
White Tower
The city's symbol and the natural starting point. If you have time, go up: the museum across six floors tells Thessaloniki's story and the roof gives a panoramic view.
- 2
Archaeological & Byzantine Culture Museums
A short detour inland. The city's two leading museums stand side by side: if it rains, this is your refuge.
- 3
Alexander the Great statue
The equestrian statue on the waterfront, ringed by sarissas. A classic photo and meeting point.
- 4
Zongolopoulos' Umbrellas
The city's most photographed sculpture, standing in the water. At sunset the light passes between the umbrellas, which is why so many people gather here.
- 5
Thessaloniki Concert Hall
The southern end of the walk. Looking back from here you see the whole city stacked up the hill, with Ano Poli at the top.
Practicalities
- Completely flat and accessible along its whole length. Ideal with a pushchair or wheelchair.
- There is a separate cycle lane: stay in the pedestrian zone, the cyclists move fast.
- Each garden has its own name and theme (Garden of Sound, of the Mediterranean, of the Afternoon and others). They're worth noticing.
- You don't have to do all of it. The first two kilometres to the Umbrellas are the densest stretch.
Getting back
Buses run parallel to the seafront toward the centre. Alternatively, from the eastern stretch you can cut inland to the Panepistimio metro station.