For a city with such a fantastic and long waterfront promenade, it’s not surprising that there are some good beaches in Thessaloniki. The drives to the beaches are easy, and it’s also very easy to take the bus from Thessaloniki to the beach.
An afternoon at the beach is an essential Greek experience. It’s a perfect activity to include in a Thessaloniki City Break.
Beaches near Thessaloniki
1. Perea Beach Thessaloniki – the Closest of the Beaches in Thessaloniki
This seaside suburb of Thessaloniki is the closest to the city center of the beaches in Thessaloniki. Perea beach Thessaloniki is one of the nicest beaches for families. The sandy beach is fairly narrow, set beside a quiet pedestrian promenade. Small apartment buildings line the beach front. You can see Thessaloniki across the bay in the distance.
The water is shallow for a long distance out, with a soft sandy floor. It’s usually very calm. There are changing rooms, and in the daytime in the summer there’s a lifeguard.
In the evenings in summer, a few vendors arrive. Charcoal grilled corn on the cob is a popular Greek beach snack. You’ll also see fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, and other items. It makes a festive mood.
Because it’s so close to the city, Perea Beach can be very crowded on weekends. The evenings are spectacular. Many people swim well into October.
Most of the people who swim here are locals. This is a good family beach. On the parallel streets nearby, you’ll find convenience stores and places for a coffee or a bougatsa.
Where to Stay at Perea Beach, Thessaloniki
The Royal Hotel Thessaloniki overlooks the city and the sea, and is just a few minutes from both. There’s also a lovely pool.
If you want to be directly on the beach, the Golden Star City Resort is a great choice.
Most highly rated of all by guests is the chic Atlantis “Pleasure by the Sea” – also directly on the beach with stunning views.
How to Get to Perea Beach Thessaloniki by Bus
Buses for all of the beaches leave at IKEA, east of the center. You can reach IKEA on the buses 2 and 3K, which leave regularly from the center.
At Ikea, you take the bus 72, which says A.S. IKEA – N. MHXANIONA. The total trip is a little over 20 stops. It goes for some time through open countryside, then through a suburban area on the same straight road. When the bus turns comes to an area shaded with pines and turns to the right into a town, start paying closer attention. There will be three stops along this street. Then the bus will turn left and stop immediately after the turn in front of a small church at a stop called “Paralia Perea” (Perea beach). You can get off here – it’s the commercial center for the beach (make sure to press the button for the bus to stop here as the bus turns the corner).
But better still, you can go one more short stop to “Erythros Stavros.” Walk one block to the beach and you’ll find the section with the changing rooms and the lifeguard (in summer), and a quieter stretch of beach.
This is the quickest of the beaches in Thessaloniki to reach from downtown. If you are lucky with the waiting times, you can be at Perea beach in less than an hour. the 72 runs 3 to five times per hour throughout most of the day (with less frequent departures after 9 pm).
For compete bus schedules, please consult the OASTH website.
2. Neoi Epivates Beach Thessaloniki
Just 4 stops from Erythros Stavros is Neoi Epivates beach. The beach and the water are the same, but there’s a little more activity here, just in case you would like to follow up your swim with a snack at an ouzerie. If you are taking the bus, get off at the stop Neon Epivaton. This is one of the more popular beaches around Thessaloniki, and especially on the weekends.
3. Agia Triada Beach Thessaloniki
Even farther on the same bus line is the beach of Agia Triada. Here you’ll find more ouzeries and tavernas, and a wider beach. Agia Triada Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Thessaloniki as a day trip from the city. Also, Agia Triada is an inexpensive vacation destination, with hotels and rooms for tourists in addition to ouzeries, cafes, and beach bars.
Where to Stay at Agia Triada Beach
The three-star Ambassador Hotel is located on a breezy hill above the beaches, with fantastic city views and a pool.
Cabo Verde – also three stars – is directly on the beach, with a private beach area and children’s playground – a fine choice for families.
How to Get to Agia Triada Beach
Take the same bus from IKEA as for Perea beach and Neas Epivates – the 72. You get off at Agia Triada – 8 stops after Neon Epivaton. From here, you turn right and walk down just a couple of short blocks to the shore, then go left and walk with the sea on your right until you find the section of beach that suits you best.
4. Golden Beach Thessaloniki
Many people consider the beaches on the other side of the cape to be better swimming, because it faces away from the bay of Thessaloniki, just like the beaches of Halkidiki. It takes slightly longer to get there, and the waters are often more rough.
This is the closest of the Epanomi beaches. Set in a wooded area, there is a pleasant and very casual beach restaurant and cantina in the shade, with sun loungers and umbrellas for customers. There are changing rooms and a shower, but only a portable toilet.
The beach is narrow, and the waters are quite shallow, with some seaweed towards the shore. It’s generally gentle, family-friendly swimming.
How to Get to Golden Beach Thessaloniki
At IKEA, switch to the 69A IKEA -EPANOMI – PARALIA EPANOMI. Take the bus to the second to last stop – Agia Marina. There are one or two buses every hour – check here for current schedule information.
5. Epanomi Beach Thessaloniki
If you take the bus to the last stop, or just walk from Golden Beach, you’ll come to a small seaside village with more charming tavernas for a classic seaside meal experience.
Where to Stay in Epanomi
For self-catered apartments with a nice design that are right on the beach, you can stay at Akti Retzika.
6. Nea Iraklia Beach Thessaloniki
This is the furthest beach that you can get to with Thessaloniki public transportation. It’s close to the Halkidki beaches. And, because it is far from the city, the waters are like better, although sometimes more wavy. The beach is wider than the beaches on the bay of Thessaloniki.
As you walk, you’ll come to beach bars – Sunshine, then Sayonara, then Yolo. They have umbrellas, sunbeds, drinks, snacks, and music. This is more like being on vacation than having a suburban beach experience.
Where to Stay in Nea Iraklia
There are many charming private villas and serviced apartments in Nea Iraklia – check here for a complete listing.
How to Get to Nea Iraklia Beach
Only two lines go out this far from IKEA, and there are only three routes a day, so it’s a little bit of a commitment to come out here. On the other hand, consider how close you are to Halkidiki for the price of a local bus ticket.
Check here on the OASTH site for current scedule information. Lines 69N IKEA – EPANOMI NTOURAKI, and 69P/69R IKEA – EPANOMI – IEK – NTOURAKI both take you there.
Go to the last stop – over 50 stops from IKEA, so bring a beach book to read for the ride. This brings you to the edge of the tiny beach-side village of Nea Iraklia. The wider sandy beaches are just on the other side of the village – about a kilometer on foot from the bus stop.
Yes – there is a beach in Thessaloniki, in Krini – the seaside area of Kalamaria. However, you cannot officially swim here. Nonetheless, many local people, especially older people, take a dip here. There is a self-service cantina with snacks and ouzo-meze, and lots of seating right on the beach. There is also plenty of shade, and a shower. To get to the Kalamaria Beach, you take the bus 5, get off at “Plaz,” and walk down the hill.
Definitely. Thessaloniki has just the right mix of contemporary urban culture and history with easy access to nature – like these great beaches, as well as mountains, hiking, and wineries.
Thessaloniki is one of Europe’s most reasonably priced destinations. Most museums and archaeologial sires have admissions between 2 and 8 euros. Two people can have a very nice meal with wine, for 30 – 40 euros. There are also many places you can reach with public transportation, like these beaches.
It’s very close – the first leg of Halkidiki is only about 30 – 40 minutes from Thessaloniki.
