Thessaloniki is the capital of Central Macedonia and the second-largest city in Greece, a port on the Thermaic Gulf with more than 2,300 years of history. Roman and early Christian monuments inscribed by UNESCO, a Byzantine hilltop quarter, a seafront promenade anchored by the White Tower and some of the best food markets and mezedes tavernas in the country sit within walking distance of each other.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Thessaloniki.
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- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Beach bars and tavernas
- Showers
- Lifeguard on organised sections
- Waterfront promenade
Perea Beach (Kochyli and Plateia Mnimis)
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- Pebble and sand shoreline
- Beach bars and tavernas
- Showers
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Facilities for visitors with disabilities at the PIKPA section
Agia Triada Beach (PIKPA)
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- Harbour tavernas and cafes
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Showers
- Sailing and sunset cruises from the harbour
Nea Michaniona Beach (Tourmpali)
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- Cafes and tavernas
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Showers
Nea Epivates Beach
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- Long sandy beach of about 11 km
- Water-sports bases (windsurf, kayak, SUP)
- Beach bars
- Free open sections
Epanomi Beach
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- Beachfront cafes and tavernas
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Showers
- Marina nearby
Nea Kallikratia Beach (Halkidiki gateway)
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Thessaloniki memorable.
Swimming
Windsurfing and kitesurfing
Sea kayaking
Sunset sailing
Seafront dining
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
The realistic swimming window is June to mid-September; the gulf reaches about 24-26 C in July and August.
On-beach facilities
Perea and Nea Michaniona have promenades, tavernas, showers and paid sunbeds; Epanomi has wind-sport bases and open free sections.
Water Quality
The Thermaic Gulf east shore has had Blue Flag sections (Perea, Agia Triada, Nea Michaniona, Nea Epivates in 2024), but the inner gulf near the city port is not used for swimming. Check Blue Flag status at blueflag.gr and bathing-water results before swimming.
Transport
No metro serves the beaches. Suburban KTEL and OASTH buses and taxis run from the city; a taxi to Perea is about EUR 25-35 (USD 29-40).
Safety
Wind can raise waves on the gulf in spring and winter; lifeguards are present only on organised beaches.
Money
Sunbed and umbrella sets usually cost EUR 5-15 (USD 6-17) per day; cards are accepted at most beach bars, but carry cash for small kiosks.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.