Thessaloniki is only a few hours away from Skiathos

Here’s why combining both destinations makes your Greek holiday complete.

One of the most beautiful things about a holiday in Greece is how easily you can shift between completely different worlds. Skiathos offers pine forests, turquoise bays and laid-back island life… while Thessaloniki brings culture, history, shopping, food, and the energy of a vibrant city.

Thanks to the ferry connection between the two, it’s now easier than ever to combine both experiences in one unforgettable trip.

Two sides of Greece, one effortless journey

The ferry from Skiathos to Thessaloniki operates several times a week during high season and allows you to pair:

• Skiathos → beaches, nature, peace

• Thessaloniki → culture, architecture, food, history

Skiathos helps you unwind.

Thessaloniki helps you explore.

Together, they give you the full Greek experience — a combination many travellers fall in love with.

As the capital of Macedonia and Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki offers more than enough reasons to spend a night or a few days before or after your island escape.

A city layered with history

As you arrive in Thessaloniki, the first landmark you’ll notice is the White Tower, once part of the city’s fortifications and now home to a museum.

Thessaloniki’s past has been turbulent.

A fire in 1917 destroyed much of the city, but the treasures that survived tell an incredible story:

• Hagia Sophia (8th century) — golden mosaics and Byzantine splendour

• Early Christian and Byzantine monuments — many UNESCO-listed

• Church of Saint Dimitrios — the city’s largest church, decorated with breathtaking mosaics

The city’s layers include Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Jewish influences — all visible in its streets, architecture and atmosphere.

Fun fact: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey, was born here. His childhood home is now a museum.

Shopping, strolling & sweets

Thessaloniki is a paradise for anyone who enjoys shopping or discovering local treasures:

• high-end boutiques on Tsimiski

• big shopping centres

• traditional markets like Modiano and Kapani

• vintage shops and second-hand bookstores in Navarino (Dimitriou Gounari Street)

And then there’s the smell…

The city is famous for its bakeries and patisseries — expect aromas of syrup, warm phyllo and butter drifting through the streets.

When the sun sets: Ladadika

When evening arrives, make your way to Ladadika, once Thessaloniki’s red-light district and now one of its most charming neighbourhoods.

Just a few minutes from the port and Aristotle Square, you’ll find:

• colourful tavernas

• wine bars

• bistros

• pubs

• restaurants with outdoor seating

It’s vibrant, inviting and full of character — a wonderful mix of old and new.

Want to extend your stay? Visit Meteora.

If you’re spending more than one day in Thessaloniki, consider a trip to Meteora, one of Greece’s most extraordinary landscapes.

Since the ferry between Skiathos and Thessaloniki takes around three hours each way, this is not a daytrip from Skiathos — but a perfect addition if you’re already staying in the city.

From Thessaloniki, you can reach Meteora by train or bus.

Here you’ll find:

• monasteries perched on towering rocks

• priceless icons and frescoes

• views that feel “suspended in the air”

It’s no surprise Meteora appears in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.

Practical information

To combine both destinations smoothly:

• Start your trip in Thessaloniki, then ferry to Skiathos. Easy connection from Germany (Düsseldorf) for example with SkyExpress

• or end your holiday in Thessaloniki after your island stay

• or stay several nights in the city before heading to Meteora

Ferry timetables change by season, so check Ferryhopper for real-time info.

(We do not book ferry tickets but are happy to advise guests on schedules and routes.)

If you’d like to stay near Thessaloniki, there’s also a highly rated 5-star family hotel just 50 minutes from the city.

Prefer nature over city life? Combine Skiathos with Evia.

For guests who prefer quiet destinations to urban ones:

Evia (Euboea), the second-largest island in Greece, is a beautiful alternative.

Close to Skiathos, it offers beaches, forests, villages, thermal springs and an authentic Greek atmosphere.

We often welcome guests who start their holiday in Thessaloniki or Evia and then continue to Skiathos — and it makes perfect sense.

After the inspiration, culture and activity of mainland Greece, Skiathos becomes the calm, sunlit exhale your holiday needs.

The perfect finale: unwinding in one of our villas

Many travellers say the real highlight of their trip begins when they step into one of our OHLIVE Villas.

Surrounded by pine trees and Aegean skies, with a terrace designed to frame the horizon, you instantly understand why Skiathos is the perfect ending — or beginning — to your Greek holiday.

Whether you choose:

• OHLIVE Villa I

• OHLIVE Villa II

• OHLIVE Villa V

• OHLIVE Beach Villa

…each villa offers its own atmosphere, all built around peace, comfort and natural beauty.

If you need advice on planning your combination trip, we’re always happy to guide you — and once you arrive on the island, we can arrange restaurant reservations, boat trips, beach bar bookings and local experiences for you.