In the city center, a 20 to 30 minute walk will take you to most attractions, restaurants, and shops. The city offers a beautiful waterfront promenade leading to the iconic White Tower. If you walk a bit further, you`ll be at the Archaelogical Museum of Thessaloniki. Hilly streets can make walking a challenge but it is possible to explore the old city. Thessaloniki is much more compact than Athens and follows a more regular plan of streets. The slightly slower pace and less congested streets combine to make this a good destination for pedestrians.

If you want a guided experience on foot, there are many of companies offering guided tours to choose from.

There is little reason to have a car in Thessaloniki. Traffic is terrible and legal parking sports are hard to come by. One of the burdens about having a car is finding a parking place in the Thessaloniki Urban Area, so be prepared to either spend a lot of time looking for a space, or pay for space in the parking facilities, with prices starting from about €4 for 3 hr. Traffic congestion is a problem, largely due to double-parked cars. Although having a car is convenient if you decide to go on excursions into northern Greece. Keep in mind that if you take a day trip, you`ll spend at least an hour getting out of the city.

You`ll find there are a number of outdoor municipal parking areas (free of charge) where you can park your vehicle and then use means of public transport or walk to the city center. In addition, you can park in the designated street parking areas in the city center and use the street parking meters which charge by the hour in order to obtain a parking ticket where required. Another, more expensive solution, is the plenty of private garages that you can easily find anywhere around Thessaloniki`s center.

The city`s bus company is called OASTH and runs a total of 80 different bus lines, which are the only public transportation within the city. Maps of the bus routes are available on OASTH`s website (www.oasth.gr). Bus services usually operate from 05:00 until just after midnight.

Bus number 50 ("cultural line") follows a figure-of-8 route past all the major tourist sights. There is an English speaking guide aboard, who provides you with maps and information. The whole route takes 50 min, and it departs every hour on the hour from the White Tower. The connection to the airport is provided by bus 78, which runs as 78N in the night (the only night bus line in the city).

Tickets can be bought at OASTH`s ticket outlets and on the buses. Certain types of tickets are also available at various other sales points. There are five types of tickets available:

-One journey ticket: €1.00 from OASTH's ticket outlets or other selling points, €1.10 on the bus; valid for one journey on all lines except 50, 78 and 78N.

-Two journey ticket: €1.20 from OASTH's ticket outlets or other selling points, €1.30 on the bus; valid for two journeys on all lines except 50, 78 and 78N, the second journey starting within 70 minutes of the first.

-Three journey ticket: €1.50 from OASTH's ticket outlets or on the bus; valid for three journeys on all lines except 50, 78 and 78N, the third journey starting within 90 minutes of the first.

-Four journey ticket: €2.00 from OASTH's ticket outlets or on the bus; valid for four journeys on all lines except 50, 78 and 78N, the fourth journey starting within 120 minutes of the first.

-Airport line (78/78N) / Cultural line (50) ticket: €2.00 from OASTH's ticket outlets or on the bus; valid only on lines 50, 78 and 78N.

Students, persons aged over 65, and persons with over 67% disability get a 50% discount if they have the documents required by OASTH to prove it. Accompanied children under the age of six ride for free.

Note: prices and information above was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the compies in question before planning your trip.

It`s possible to take ferries and boats from Thessaloniki to a number of Aegean islands (including Crete, Santorini, and Mykonos) and to the Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos). Many travel agents around Plateia Eleftherias and Aristotelous Square sell ferry tickets.

Bicycle lanes often do not exist, even on main roads. Sometimes, there are bicycle lanes on the pavement. You should always be very careful.

ThessBike is a bike sharing system with stations mainly near the center of the town. More stations located in other areas are being planned. You can either become a subscriber or pay per hour. In general, expect to pay about €1 per hour.