Athens to Thessaloniki Train

Athens to Thessaloniki by train

Get ready for a Greek adventure

Ready to explore the beautiful country of Greece? Trains from Athens to Thessaloniki leave 2 times a day, and cost an average of £35.70. The first departure is at , and the last sets out at . The journey will take approximately 4 hrs 53 mins.

Around Greece by train

You'll find fast and slow services available to get you from Athens to Thessaloniki. Although there'll be a difference in journey time, both trains have more or less the same amenities. Don't expect wifi: it may be available in certain areas, but it is likely to cut out during the long, rural stretches that make up most of the journey.

Snacks and refreshments are available onboard, and there's also a restaurant car where you can sit down for a proper meal. The menu, which changes regularly, serves seasonal Greek fare. If you follow a special diet, play it safe and bring your own food. You might find that onboard options that fit your needs are limited.

The journey itself follows an enchanting route through the Greek interior. This country is known for its rolling hills, many of them alive with olive trees and other crops. It's a charming train journey and at certain places, it's possible to see the distant Mount Olympus, where Zeus and his pantheon are said to have lived in the glory days of Ancient Greece.

Welcome to Thessaloniki

With a population of a little over one million, Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece. It has a large train station in the center of town, located in the Xirokrini quarter. Inside the station, you'll find a shopping center, restaurants, cafes, and other amenities.

The Thessaloniki Metro is still under construction but will provide a high-speed link between the train station and other parts of the city. Until then, there are plenty of city buses and taxis which will help you get to your destination. If you're traveling outside of the city itself, the Proastiakos Thessaloniki service runs trains through the suburbs and beyond to nearby towns.

Exploring Thessaloniki's heritage

Although Thessaloniki is Greece's second city, it's still something of a hidden gem, with most travelers preferring to stick to Athens and the islands. This city is definitely worth a visit, though. Thessaloniki has a rich heritage, with several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alexander the Great was born in the nearby town of Pella, and Thessaloniki was a key location in both the Greek and Roman Empires, as well as the second-largest city in the Byzantine Empire.

The White Tower of Thessaloniki has become an emblem of the city. This Byzantine fortification sits beside the waters of the eastern harbor. Inside, a spiral staircase takes you to the top, where you can enjoy some great views.

Remarkably well-preserved, the Roman Rotunda dates back to the 4th century AD. This domed building has served as a pagan temple, Christian church, and an Ottoman mosque, and has beautiful mosaics inside.

One of the best examples of Byzantine architecture can be found in the Hagia Sophia, modeled after the better-known monument in Constantinople (now Istanbul). Inside, you can see a 9th century mosaic of the Ascension of Jesus.

An intriguing and unusual piece of history can be found in the Atatürk Museum. The founder of modern Turkey was born here, and the building was later turned into a museum to celebrate his life. It's full of items that belonged to Atatürk and his family, and was given as a gift to the Turkish state; today, the building is part of the Turkish consulate.

Thessaloniki's best museums

Any city with such an exciting past should have several museums - and you'll find some true gems in Thessaloniki. Here are a few of the best:

• Archaeological Museum: Head here for ancient history, with exhibits from as far back as the 4th century BC. The best of Thessaloniki's Hellenic and Roman heritage is celebrated in this museum.
• Museum of Byzantine Culture: This museum traces the history of the Byzantine Empire, from its foundation in the 4th century to its downfall in the 15th. Wooden icons, jewelry, mosaics, and wall paintings all tell the fascinating story of this once-mighty empire.
• Thessaloniki Science Centre Technology Museum: It's not all ancient history here. This museum covers some technological advances made by the Ancient Greeks but moves forward to the modern era, with a large exhibition of cars. Its theater shows high-definition 3D films about space and the planets.
• Jewish Museum: Thessaloniki was once home to a thriving community of Sephardic Jews, who were expelled from Catholic Spain in the 15th century and sought refuge in the more tolerant Ottoman Empire. This museum tells their story, including their rich cultural and technological contributions to the city; sadly, the community was decimated by the Holocaust, and the museum offers a sensitive tribute to the lives that were lost.

The cuisine of Thessaloniki

Greece is famous for its delicious, fresh gastronomy, and Thessaloniki is no exception. Spanakopita, Greece's well-known spinach pie, comes from this city and is a common breakfast or starter. Many other dishes feature feta in a starring role or showcase local lamb in a variety of preparations.

Fancy a snack? Grab a koulouri Thessaloniki from a street vendor. These sesame bagels are served plain or with a variety of fillings, from feta cheese to marmalade. Coffee drinkers shouldn't leave without trying frappe - the famous iced coffee was invented right here in Thessaloniki!