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Tips & Tricks

Money

Greece is a member of the Eurozone and the euro (€) is the official currency. All major credit cards are widely accepted although some establishments do not accept American Express and Diners. Foreign currency can be exchanged in any bank or in a private currency exchange office. You will need to show your passport to exchange money. Banks and other public financial institutions serve customers on weekdays, from 8:30, am till 14:30 (14:00 on Fridays), on public holidays the banks are closed.

Bars and restaurants do not charge service; so do leave a tip for the staff, especially if you are pleased with the service. The amount you tip depends on the check and, usually but not necessarily, can be anywhere between 5% and 15%.

Wondering about the prices or everyday items? The following list might help:
A single ticket for public transport (buses) costs €1, a single ticket from and to Thessaloniki Airport “Macedonia” costs €2. Tickets can be bought at the outlets of OASTH (Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki city) and the kiosks found all around the city. You can also buy a ticket from an automatic vendor inside the bus, with slightly higher fares – keep in mind that the automatic vendor doesn’t give back change.

Museum tickets cost between €3 and €12 and cinema tickets cost between €7 and €13. You can buy a sandwich from €2.5 and a small bottle of water for €0.5. Coffee to go costs from €1.50 and at a café costs between €3.5 and €5. For a beer, at a bar, you will pay between €3.50 and €5.

Weather

With approximately 300 days of sunshine a year, you can enjoy your stay in Thessaloniki all year round. Nevertheless, winter can be a bit cold and sometimes snow can occur in the plains around and even in the city. During winter months there is an average of one day out of three with freezing nights.
During the month of May and October, you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). On average, the warmest months are June, July, and August and the coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 9°C (48°F). November is the rainiest month and should be avoided unless you are a big fan of rain.

Opening hours and Holidays

The opening hours of the market are not pre-determined. Generally, local shops and stores serve customers from 9 am till 9 pm on weekdays and 9 am till 6 pm on Saturdays. During the daytime, some stores have a lunch break especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and open after 5 pm. Many private shops and stores keep to individual working schedule, which can be changed according to the season of the year.
Restaurants and taverns are practically open all day long and serve customers until late at night (11pm).

New Year’s Day	1 January
Epiphany	6 January
Orthodox Shrove Monday	March
Independence Day	25 March
Orthodox Good Friday	April
Orthodox Easter Monday	April
Labour Day	1 May
Orthodox Whit Monday	June
Assumption	15 August
Ag. Dimitrios Day (only in Thessaloniki)	26 October
Ochi Day (national holiday)	28 October
Christmas Day	25 December
Boxing Day	26 December

Etiquette, Useful Tips

Always have in mind that local drivers do not strictly keep to the road traffic regulations. As a pedestrian you should be careful when crossing a road, there can be cars, motorcycles, and bicycles jumping red lights. Be also on high alert for random motorcycles riding along the pavement.

In order to cruise the city, you can choose either a public bus or a taxi. The taxi service features rather attractive prices. It will be the most profitable way to explore the city for groups of up to 4 persons. A taxi can be called by phone or by BEAT mobility services app or can be taken from a specialized parking lot. Another popular way is to just catch one in the street. Tickets for public buses can be bought at the outlets of OASTH (Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki city) and the kiosks found all around the city. You can also buy a ticket from an automatic vendor inside the bus with slightly higher fares –keep in mind that the automatic vendor doesn’t give back change.

You do not need to learn some Greek before you come to Thessaloniki, a “hello” (yia sas) or “thank you” (efharisto) are welcome. Greeks speak English and often several other languages, too. Greeks also speak loudly with gestures, waving with arms around. It doesn’t mean they are quarreling or trying to hit one another. It keeps the conversation alive.

You will probably see the sign “please do not throw paper in the toilet” plastered over every bathroom in the city. It’s a kind and serious request. Thessaloniki is a very old city and its sewage system is quite as old.

If you’re planning to visit any churches or monasteries you should avoid wearing hot pants or crop tops. Hot pants are suitable for a trip to the beach or to walk around the city. Also, stay away from high heels or uncomfortable shoes when visiting the slippery narrow pedestrian roads of Upper City or any ancient monuments.

Safety

Thessaloniki is considered to be a peaceful and quiet destination. However, tourists should exercise simple caution. One should not leave personal things unwatched under any circumstances. Currency should be exchanged only in official financial institutions. When going to explore the city tourists should not keep great sums of money and other valuables by themselves which can attract the attention of pickpockets.

Useful Apps and Info Points

Thessaloniki is considered to be a peaceful and quiet destination. However simple caution is necessary.

• Do not leave personal things unwatched under any circumstances. You should also avoid leaving your phone lying around on café tables, or it might be snatched.
• Currency should be exchanged only in official financial institutions.
• When going to explore the city, you should not carry great sums of money and other valuables with you to not attract attention of pickpockets.
• If you see open drug use in some areas (especially in the western part of the city or in parks) ignore them and they will generally ignore you.
• Avoid the center of the city on days when strikes and demonstrations are planned, you could get stuck in traffic or unnecessarily find yourself in the middle of light or heavier riots.

Useful numbers

• European Emergency Number 112
• Police 100
• Tourist Police (+30) 2310554874
• Fire Department 199
• Ambulance 166

Info Points

The opening hours of the info kiosks are daily from 10.00 am – 18.00 pm. During the summer months, the kiosks extend their opening hours till 21.00 pm (Monday to Friday). The Info kiosk at Aristotelous Square does not operate during the Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Oct.-Nov) and Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (Feb-Mar).

• Thessaloniki Tourist Information Center, Aristotelous square
  tel +30 2310 229070
• Thessaloniki Tourist Information Center next to Royal Theater
  tel +30 2310 231473