Port of Thessaloniki

Port of Thessaloniki

The port of Thessaloniki and especially the Pier 1 of the port is almost in the center of the city of Thessaloniki. Located just 5-7 minutes walk from Aristotelous Square. Thessaloniki’s port dates back to 315b.c. Certainly during all this period significant changes have been made in its facilities.

The port until 2014 was serving two main goals:
* To enable passengers to travel to the Greek Islands
* To be used as a trade port.

In 2015 was used only as a trade port and served only passengers who visited Thessaloniki via cruise ships that stop by the port for a few hours.

In the summer 2016, the port of Thessaloniki started again serving some Island destinations. This time, ‘Hellenic Seaways’ started making some routes between Thessaloniki port and Sporades Island. Because, there is high change the routes might change, if you are interested in traveling from the port of Thessaloniki to Sporades Islands it is better to visit the website of ‘Hellenic Seaways‘ and get up to date information about routes, availability and prices.

Port of Thessaloniki: History

For more that 20 years the port of Thessaloniki was accommodating dozens of ships on their way to and from the Greek Islands. The cost reduction in airfares and the increase in the price of oil made such trips unprofitable. The residents of northern Greece nowdays are choosing to go to the port of Piraeus in Athens, by airplane, train or car, and from Pireas to travel to the Greek islands. Exception to this rule is a set of Islands in the central part of Greece called ‘Sporades Islands’ that can be accessed easily also from Volos city and also the Ionian Islands from the port of Igoumenitsa. Plus, a few Islands in the northern Aegean sea like ‘Thasos’ and ‘Samothrace’ which can be easily accessed from Kavala port.

Thessaloniki Passenger Port

Thessaloniki Passenger Port

As a trade port the port of Thessaloniki is the largest in the Balkans and is a main hub for this region. It is very close to capitals like Sofia (Bulgaria), Skopje (F.Y.R.O.M.), Tirana (Albania), Pristina (Kosovo) and Belgrade (Serbia).

Thessaloniki Trade Port

Thessaloniki Trade Port

Pier 1 of the port (the one that is closest to the center) is also a benchmark for the famous Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. Also in several specially equipped warehouses of Pier 1 port the visitor can find:
Thessaloniki’s Museum of Photography
The Cinema Museum
The State Museum of Contemporary Art
– Village cinemas
– And a very popular, for its breathtaking views of the city, restaurant – cafe – bar which is called Kitchen Bar

Thus, when you visit Thessaloniki, don’t neglect to pass from the pier 1 of the port. You will be charmed by the view especially during sunset and in the evening.
Additional information for the Port of Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki Port Authority