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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Trigona Panorama
Cream-filled phyllo cones from Elenidis in Panorama, sold in vacuum packs that travel well.
Price: EUR 2-3 each; boxes EUR 10-20 (USD 11.50-23)
Where: Elenidis (Panorama) and central branches on Tsimiski
Tsoureki and sweets
Sweet braided bread and boxed sweets from long-established patisseries.
Price: EUR 6-12 (USD 6.90-13.80)
Where: Terkenlis (Tsimiski and Aristotelous, since 1948)
Halva, loukoumi and glyka
Sesame halva, rose and mastic loukoumi and spoon sweets in gift packaging.
Price: EUR 5-15 (USD 5.75-17.25)
Where: Haralampos Confectionery on Tsimiski; Kapani Market
Olive oil, herbs and spices
Greek olives, mountain tea, oregano and spice blends sold by weight.
Price: EUR 3-20 (USD 3.45-23)
Where: Kapani Market, Modiano Market
Tsipouro and mastiha
Local grape spirit and mastic liqueur; pack in checked baggage.
Price: EUR 10-25 per 500 ml (USD 11.50-28.75)
Where: Modiano Market, specialist liquor shops on Tsimiski
Evil-eye jewellery and handmade accessories
Handmade jewellery and evil-eye charms from small design studios.
Price: EUR 8-60 (USD 9.20-69)
Where: Bord de l'Eau (Egnatia), Ano Poli craft shops
Vintage and antiques
Small antiques, records, furniture and vintage clothing.
Price: EUR 5-200 (USD 5.75-230)
Where: Bit Bazaar
Greek-made gifts
Local design gifts, prints, postcards and magnets.
Price: EUR 3-40 (USD 3.45-46)
Where: From Thessaloniki (Dimitriou Gounari), Tilt! (Ano Poli)
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Modiano Market
1930 covered market renovated and reopened in December 2022: cheese, charcuterie, fish, produce, tavernas and bars
Where: Between Ermou and Vasileos Irakliou streets, city centre
Hours: Produce and delicatessen stalls from about 08:30, closed Sun; restaurants and bars inside stay open into the evening (hours vary by stall)
Kapani Market (Agora Vlali)
The city's oldest open market: vegetables, fruit, spices, olives, fish, meat, sweets and loukoumi
Where: Between Aristotelous Square, Ladadika and the Jewish quarter, off Vlali street
Hours: Mon, Thu, Sat 08:00-16:00; Tue, Wed, Fri 08:00-21:00; closed Sun (unofficial listing; individual stalls vary)
Bit Bazaar (Bit Pazar)
Antiques, small furniture, vintage clothes and records; tavernas with live rebetiko in the evening
Where: Old flea-market quarter near the Roman Forum, north of Egnatia
Hours: Daily about 10:00-19:00 for shops (one expat guide; stalls vary); bars and tavernas open in the evening
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Tsimiski Street
Mitropoleos Street
Proxenou Koromila Street
Egnatia Street
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Mediterranean Cosmos
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-20:00; shops closed Sun (restaurants and cafes open); closed on national holidays
One Salonica Outlet Mall
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-20:00; shops closed Sun (cafes and restaurants open)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Shop and mall prices are fixed; haggling is unusual in chains, boutiques and malls.
Light bargaining is accepted at Bit Bazaar and with antique dealers; ask for a better price when buying several items.
In Kapani and Modiano, prices are per kilo; confirm the weight before the stallholder wraps it.
Shops in sales (January and July) mark reductions on the tag; extra discounts at the till are rare.
Tourist-oriented souvenir stands may quote more than markets; compare two or three before buying.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Currency: Euro (EUR). Fixed reference rate used in this guide: 1 EUR = 1.15 USD.
Vat: Standard Greek VAT is 24 percent, included in shelf prices.
Tax Free: Non-EU residents aged 18+ can reclaim VAT on goods taken out of the EU. The minimum is EUR 50 (USD 57.50) per receipt at one participating shop. Ask for the tax-free form at purchase and show a passport. Goods must leave the EU within three months, unused and in luggage; customs must stamp the form before a refund is processed. Food and alcohol are generally excluded. Providers deduct a commission, so the net refund is lower than the VAT paid.
Import Allowance: Travellers arriving from outside the EU may bring non-commercial goods worth up to EUR 430 (USD 494.50) by air or sea and EUR 300 (USD 345) by land, duty-free. Widely published alcohol limits: 1 litre of spirits over 22 percent or 2 litres under 22 percent, plus 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer. Check customs rules before travel.
Sunday Trading: Sunday is a non-trading day in most shops. Malls open Monday to Saturday only; in December shops may open on up to three Sundays before Christmas.
Eu Travellers: Travellers moving between EU states carry goods for personal use without limits.