The best things to do in Thessaloniki with kids

If you’re planning a family city break in Greece, you’re more likely to look at Athens than the country’s second city – but with plenty of great things to do in Thessaloniki with kids, it’s well worth visiting.

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The starting point for a visit to Halkidiki, it’s easy to combine some time in the city with a break by the beaches of Halkidiki’s peninsula – the Kassandra peninsula is one of the easiest to reach, although the second prong, Sithonia has plenty to tempt families as well.

Smaller than the often sprawling centre of Athens, it’s easy to explore Thessaloniki with kids as well – outside the hottest summer months, it’s very walkable with a lovely waterfront, shady square and the sort of chilled-out buzz you’d expect from a university city. Here’s what to put on your wishlist.

Thessaloniki Waterfront

The waterfront is the most family-friendly area of Thessaloniki and the perfect spot for an afternoon stroll with kids of all ages. 

The lively embankment area is lined with plenty of cafés, snack bars, and ice cream parlours. Street performers add to the vibrant atmosphere, while little ones can burn off some energy at one of the many public gardens and playgrounds.

You can also hire a bicycle from the BikeIT stall next to Makedonia Palace Hotel and cycle along the long stretch of waterfront. The rental company has a great range of adult and children’s bikes, mini go-karts, kid’s scooters, and multi-person buggies available to rent by the hour.

Or if you’re travelling with older kids and prefer a guided experience, this e-bike tour of Thessaloniki takes you around the city as well as the waterfront area.

Arabella Cruise (Pirate Ship)

While down at the waterfront, don’t miss the chance to head out onto the water on Arabella, a traditional wooden naval ship that runs short 30 minute cruises around the gulf.

The boat is kitted out like a real-life pirate ship, with skeletons and skull and crossbones, and is manned by a crew of friendly costumed pirates. The boat ride is free as long as you buy a drink from the on-board bar (soft drinks available for kids).

The earlier cruises are better for families as the evening departures can get a little rowdy – it’s a floating bar after all!

You’ll find other boat tours leaving from the same area near the White Tower, whether you simply want to check out the unusual boats, or compare the different Thessaloniki boat trips on offer

Hop on hop off bus

If you’re visiting Thessaloniki with younger kids, or looking to avoid walking in the heat of the summer, a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Thessaloniki is a great option, with a couple of choices to pick from.

City Sightseeing has one-day tickets, so you can also use it to get around the city, along with taking in some of the key sights, including the White Tower, plus some of its churches. The bus also stops at the Archaeological Museum, the Ano Poli castle, the port and more.

There’s an audio guide and buses run every half-hour (except during the middle of winter), starting from The White Tower. If you get off at Aristotelous Square, keep an eye out for the statue of Aristotle – rubbing his toe will apparently bring you luck in exams!

Or the Thessaloniki Sightseeing bus passes some other key sites (also starting at the White Tower) with audio commentary, and seven more stops along the way. Runs every 30 minutes.

Food walking tour of Thessaloniki

Get a taste of authentic Greece on a food walking tour of Thessaloniki, stopping at local markets as well as more unmissable spots through the city.

See one of the oldest traditional coffee houses in Greece, you can taste a traditional Greek breakfast of bougatsa (cream-filled pastry sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon) and exploring Louloudadika, plus there’s the chance to see herbs and spices as well as meat and cheese on sale.

If you’d like to do more cooking and eating than exploring and tasting, try a home cooking experience, making tzatziki (simple but always far more delicious homemade) and dolmades, as well as salad and spanakopita. Then sit down to eat along with a glass of local wine, or local spirits such as tsipouro

Spend a day at a nearby beach

Being a coastal city, there are plenty of great beaches close to Thessaloniki where you can enjoy a relaxing day of sea, sun, and sand.

Most beaches in the region are family-friendly, with long stretches of golden sand, calm shallow waters, and plenty of amenities.

Perea and Agia Triada are two of the closest beaches to Thessaloniki. Both are well organised, with no shortage of sunbeds, restaurants, and bars along the coast. 

Potamos is a bigger and prettier option to the south, with lots of space to spread out on the wide stretch of sand. Or if you’re willing to travel a little further, Asprovalta Beach is a picturesque beach to the east of Thessaloniki that’s perfect for a beach day.

You’ll find buses which run along the coast, especially during peak season, or expect to pay around 35 Euros + each way for a taxi.

NOESIS Science Center and Technology Museum

Located in the outer Termi district, NOESIS Science Center and Technology Museum makes a great day out in Thessaloniki for families with kids who love science.

The exciting science centre features a digital planetarium, a huge 3D cosmotheatre, and motion simulators (kids 7+ only). Wireless headphones allow you to watch their range of educational films in English and Greek.

There’s also a fantastic family-friendly museum with several permanent and temporary exhibitions, including an entire area dedicated to ancient Greek technology.

One of the big highlights for kids has to be the museum’s technopark, which has over 40 interactive exhibitions and hands-on science experiments to engage younger minds. 

Dino Park Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki’s Dino Park is a huge 4-acre educational park on the outskirts of the city where you can walk among life-sized models of dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures. Perfect for dino-obsessed little ones!

It’s not only dinosaurs you’ll find here though. Kids can also discover extinct mammals from Greece’s history, learn about the Ice Age at the Mammoths Museum, and even help excavate a prehistoric cave to uncover the story of human evolution. 

Within the complex, you’ll also find the unusual Human Body Museum, where you can journey through the body of a pregnant woman (well, a giant model of one) to learn about biology and anatomy. You’ll need to buy a joint ticket to visit both attractions.

On top of all of this, the large park also has a cafe, swimming pool, kid’s playground, and botanical gardens to enjoy. 

Skip this: If you’ve got kids who love animals, you might be tempted to spot some more modern creatures at Thessaloniki Zoo. However, it’s become very run down over recent years, with the current inhabitants limited to goats and a few birds – definitely not worth visiting.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is one of the largest museums in the country, with thousands of ancient artefacts and exhibits showcasing the history of Northern Greece (previously Ancient Macedonia).

The exhibitions offer a glimpse into the lives of our ancient ancestors, with everything from pottery and mosaics to funerary altars and amazing 2,000+ year old Macedonian tombs. 

The museum may be a little boring for small children, but it’s a fun and educational way to spend a couple of hours with older kids and teens. 

The displays are translated into English and the information is simple and easy to digest. Touchscreen displays, interactive videos, and multimedia games also help bring history to life.

Children’s Museum of Thessaloniki

The Children’s Museum of Thessaloniki is a fun and interactive museum designed especially for kids aged between 4 and 12 years. 

The small museum focuses on the topic of childhood throughout time. It features a traditional classroom filled with school items from the past, including old desks, textbooks, typewriters, and school bags. There’s also a collection of historic toys, dolls, and board games.

The exhibits encourage kids to learn through play, with hands-on activities, educational games, and role-play. The museum also runs storytelling sessions and children’s workshops, but unfortunately, these are only in Greek.

The White Tower

The symbol of Thessaloniki, you’ll spot the White Tower looming like a chess piece at the end of the city’s waterfront, so it’s easy to combine with a stroll by the water or a cruise aboard the pirate ship.

But the interior of the tower, which has previously been a fortress and prison, has now been converted into a museum telling the history of Thessaloniki, with exhibits on each floor covering different aspects of the city.

There are no signs in English but there’s free WiFi and QR codes to access an audio guide as you go – realistically, I’d say it’s better for older kids as we found the audio guide to be informative but not desperately entertaining. If you listen to the whole thing, it takes a while to get through the visit too.

Some displays are pretty self-explanatory though, and there are some great views (and welcome breeze!) from the top level of the tower, with a little cafe as well. Entry costs 6 Euros for adults during peak season (otherwise 3 Euros), free for kids under 18 (and up to 25 if you’re an EU citizen).

Waterland

If you’re visiting Thessaloniki during the hot summer months and need somewhere for the whole family to cool down, make sure to check out Waterland, the biggest waterpark in Greece.  

Located close to Thessaloniki airport, the large aquapark has a great range of pools, slides, and fun water activities for all ages. 

Toddlers and small children will love the dedicated children’s pool and fun Pirates Island, while those seeking something more adventurous can cruise along the Crazy River, reach dizzying speeds on the Simvoli Slides, and take on Europe’s biggest wave pool.

When you’re ready to relax, you’ll find plenty of sun loungers scattered throughout the park, perfect for soaking up the sun. Several restaurants and cafes offer meals and snacks to keep you sustained throughout the day.

Magic Park

Another fun place to visit in Thessaloniki with kids is the Magic Park, a family-friendly amusement park in the south of the city. 

The park has plenty of fun fairground rides, including carousels, bumper cars, a log flume, a ghost train, and a 25-meter-tall Ferris Wheel. There’s a dedicated play area for babies and toddlers, while teens can enjoy a more adrenaline-pumping experience on the huge roller coaster or 4G swing.

With classic amusement games like hook the duck, ring toss, and horse races too, there’s something for the entire family.

To visit the park, you’ll need to buy a day ticket which includes unlimited rides on all attractions (other than the skill games).

Ziogas Western City

Located around a 40 minute drive from the city centre, Ziogas Western City makes a great family day out from Thessaloniki. The unusual attraction features a makeshift Wild West town where kids can learn to be cowboys for the day.

The ranch’s main activity is horse riding, with options ranging from a short 10-20 minute ride around the town to an all-day trek through the area’s beautuful countryside (previous riding experience required for this). Smaller ponies are available for younger children.

In the town itself, you can also enjoy a small petting zoo, archery and shooting ranges, several scenic hiking routes, and an authentic western-style saloon. 

For more tips on family trips to Greece, check out my guide to Greece with kids

Selfie Museum

The Thessaloniki Selfie Museum bills itself as the first Selfie Funhouse in Greece, and it’s a great place to spend a fun hour and come away with some hilarious photo souvenirs.

There are 30 different installations, including the chance to dive into a ball pit with 5,000 white balls, lose yourself in an infinity mirror museum, dance under a disco ball and get a virtual new hair salon, as well as playing around with a whole string of props, all captured for posterity (and social media).

Tickets entitle you to 60 minutes inside. Buy tickets with free cancellation here.

Museum of Illusions

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to escape the heat (or a rare rainy day in Thessaloniki with kids), or just fancy something a bit fun to break up the sightseeting, the city’s Museum of Illusions is great fun for families.

With 40 separate visual and interactive illusions, you can defy the laws of gravity, shrink or trick your eyes as you wander round – plus there are plenty of opportunities for some great family photos.

Right by the port, it’s very straightforward to get to and equally easy to kill an hour. Buy tickets with free cancellation here.

Day trips from Thessaloniki with kids

While there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the city, it’s easy to plan in a few days out while you’re staying in Thessaloniki with kids.

Visit Vergina

The royal capital of Macedonia, Vergina is a fascinating place for a day trip from Thessaloniki if you have kids who love history.

You can find royal tombs as well as a museum with artefacts from the time of Alexander the Great, including an urn with the cremated remains of Phillip II, Alexander’s father.

While it’s easy to visit independently, including buses running from Thessaloniki, you’ll also find plenty of tours to Vergina, which are an easy way to explore for families. This day trip to Vergina includes a stop at the archaeological museum of Pella (lunch and entry tickets not included), or this similar private tour to Pella and the Aigai royal tombs is a good option with kids.

Alternatively, this half-day tour to Vergina also stops at Veria, which has links to Biblical history, including associations with St Paul.

Canyoning in Mount Olympus National Park

For a day trip from Thessaloniki with a difference, head to Mount Olympus National Park for a chance to try your hand at canyoning in an adventure that needs no previous experience.

Suitable for age 10+, there’s a short hike to the canyon entrance, before you get some tips on jumping, sliding and abseiling, before spending the day testing out your new skills among the mountain waterfalls, including a chance to swim in some of the pools.

Halkidiki Blue Lagoon Cruise

The Halkidiki peninsulas are only around an hour’s drive from Thessaloniki, with some lovely boat trips out into the clear blue waters of the Aegean.

This full-day boat tour includes bus transfers from the city, as well as the eight-hour boat cruise, including lunch. Cruising through the Gulf of Mount Athos, you’ll see Ammouliani Island on the boat trip (and dolphins if you’re lucky) before making a brief stop to explore on land.

There’s also a stop at Banana Beach for lunch and time to relax, before heading to the Halkidiki Blue Lagoon to admire the calm turquoise waters there.

Suitable for all ages – although once you factor in the travel, it’s an 11-hour day, so better with slightly older kids than toddlers and babies!

Explore Halkidiki

From the pretty villages to the gorgeous beaches, one day in Halkidiki isn’t really enough – but if you’ve only got time for a taste, make the most of it on a day trip from Thessaloniki.

This eight-hour private tour of Kassandra (the first peninsula) takes you to Hanioti beach, as well as time to explore picturesque Afytos and Nea Fokea (plus you can tailor your itinerary as long it’s still the same length, if you want to spend more or less time in a particular area).

Or if you’d rather explore the second prong of the trident, this small group day trip to Sithonia takes a little longer but includes stops at Karydi Beach and Fava Beach, plus Kavourotrypes Beach (or Kalamitsi Beach), plus time to explore Sarti, Porto Koufo and Neos Marmaras.

If you want a longer stay in Halkidiki, check out my Cora hotel review of a stay with kids

Where to stay in Thessaloniki with kids

You won’t be short of places to stay in Thessaloniki with kids, with a whole string of hotels in the centre of the city.

If you’re visiting with older kids and teens, our base at the stylish MonAsty hotel (where we were invited to stay for review for my day job) was perfect. It’s only around 15 minutes from the White Tower, less than 10 minutes to Aristotelous square as well as to the waterfront.

There are a whole string of cafes, bars and restaurants (plus places to get an ice cream) within walking distance, as well as the hotel’s own restaurants. Check out the little rooftop pool, open from around 11am to 6pm, with rooftop bar Ennea next to it – a great place for a cocktail/mocktail as the sun sets, as well as snacks served until late (try the bao buns!)

Add in a little balcony off the rooms, huge beds, gorgeous Phytomer toiletries in the bathroom and Nespresso machines, and it’s a great taste of luxury to return to between exploring. Keep an eye out for the artworks inspired by silks traded along the Silk Route in centuries gone by.

Book rooms at MonAsty hotel with free cancellation on booking.com

If you’re travelling with younger kids and looking to self-cater, there are some great family-friendly apartments in Thessaloniki. Plum Guide vets all the properties listed on their site, as well as outlining the pros and cons, and whether they’re suitable for babies as well as older kids.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Main image/Aristotle/White Tower interior + views/MonAsty Hotel copyright MummyTravels, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos

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