The 7 Most Beautiful Beaches in Thessaloniki (A Local’s Guide)

Thessaloniki is beautiful destination in the Northeast corner of Greece’s mainland. While Thessaloniki is worth visiting for many reasons, many don’t know that there are some beautiful beaches in Thessaloniki too!

Due to the region getting really hot during summer, locals and travelers alike are usually looking for a beach to swim, relax under the sun, and escape the city. While many visitors choose to leave Thessaloniki and drive to Halkidiki, one of Greece’s most famous peninsulas, there are also beaches in Thessaloniki that are worth visiting too!

Most of Thessaloniki’s beaches are sandy and awarded with the “Blue Flag”, an award which indicates that a beach is unique and worth visiting. Many of the people who visit these beaches are local people of Thessaloniki and most of the time, they just want to cool off and head back to the city for work!

Thessaloniki might not be famous for its beaches, but it does have some pretty good options that we want to tell you about. In this article, we’re going to guide you through the 7 most beautiful beaches near Thessaloniki.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, we may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.

Summary of the Best Beaches in Thessaloniki

Before getting too far into this article, I wanted to summarize the top 7 beaches near Thessaloniki that we will mention!

1. Neoi Epivates Beach– A quiet, sandy beach only 30 minutes from Thessaloniki with shallow and crystal-clear waters.
2. Agia Triada Beach– One of Thessaloniki’s most famous beaches, with several bars, taverns, and cafes nearby.
3. Angelochori Beach– A beautiful patch of sand in Angelochori town, without many tourists or locals even during high-season.
4. Potamos Beach– Another popular spot for locals to escape the summer heat, with many shops and restaurants in the nearby town.
5. Paralia Iraklia– A shallow beach in Nea Iraklia, with fun things to do during both day and nighttime!
6. Nea Michaniona– A quiet beach that is best for those wanting a small and quiet space for relaxing and/or meditation.
7. Sani Beach– One of the best beaches in Halkidiki, an adjacent town to Thessaloniki with many incredible beach resorts.

Map of Thessaloniki’s Beaches

Here is a map showing all of the beaches that we are going to mention in this article, so you can get an idea of where these are relative to the center of Thessaloniki.

The Best Beaches in Thessaloniki

Let’s get started with some of the hidden gems that not even all of the locals may know about! Most of the beaches in this list will be locations near Thessaloniki, but I’ll also include one beach closer to Halkidiki, that I can’t leave off the list!

1. Neoi Epivates Beach

Neoi Epivates is a small village only 30 minutes away from Thessaloniki. This small village is best known for its dense and luscious vegetation, as well as its wonderful beach! Neoi Epivates Beach is a sandy beach with shallow and crystal-clear waters, a perfect choice for families.

Some parts of the beach have local shops and restaurants, as well as beach umbrellas that you may use if dining with that beach bar. There are also spots where you can put your own umbrella, relax, and not spend a single dollar. 

This place is really accessible by car, with ample parking available. Even if you don’t have your own car, you can easily take the bus line 72 from Thessaloniki. It will take you right to the beach!

2. Agia Triada Beach

Agia Triada Beach is probably the most famous beach in Thessaloniki. Only 34 minutes by car away from the city, Agia Triada Beach is full of locals every summer day. It’s the perfect spot for a short getaway from the city, especially in the hotter months of July and August! Around the beach, there are many bars, cafes, and taverns with live music and quality food at low prices. 

If you visit Agia Triada Beach, you need to try the taverns along the beach as it’s a unique and fun experience that you can’t get quite anywhere else.

You can reach the beach by public transportation or by car. Take the bus line of 2K until you reach the IKEA station and then you can take lines 71, 72, or 76s. 

3. Angelochori Beach

Angelochori is a small village with 1000 inhabitants only 35 minutes away from Thessaloniki. Angelochori Beach is the perfect choice for those of you who are looking for a peaceful place to relax. It’s not as organized as other beaches near Thessaloniki, so just be aware of this before deciding to visit!

The only thing you’ll find next to the beach is a cafeteria-type restaurant. It’s a good destination for families, especially if you bring your own food along. 

There are taverns in the village, but because Angelochori doesn’t have much tourism, they might not be open. If you are counting on this for your beach day, call beforehand.

To get to Angelochori, take the bus lines 71Α, 72Α,72Β, and 76Β. 

4. Potamos Beach

Epanomi is another small village ~40 minutes away from the Thessaloniki’s city center. Most locals either choose Agia Triada (mentioned above) or Epanomi for their summer getaways. Epanomi has many beaches but the one I’d suggest is Potamos Beach. Potamos Beach is awarded with the “Blue Flag,” and it’s a long sandy beach with lots of shops and organized spaces. 

If you choose to visit the shops, you should make a reservation several days in advance, as the lines can get long and you may have to wait over an hour.

To get there, bus lines 70 and 77H will take you to right outside the beach. 

5. Paralia Iraklia

Paralia Iraklia is the beach in Nea Iraklia, known for its beach bars, shallow waters, and extensive golden sand. With both organized and unorganized spots, this beach is perfect for any visitor that wants to visit a more populated beach.

You should combine this beach trip with a visit to the village of Nea Iraklia during the evening. The nightlife in Nea Iraklia is a unique experience and lots of fun.

To reach Nea Iraklia by bus, you need to get bus line 2k until you reach IKEA station and then hop on bus line 69N. 

6. Nea Michaniona Beach

Nea Michaniona is a traditional village 40 minutes from Thessaloniki that many locals choose to live at permanently. It’s just that beautiful! Of course, Nea Michaniona has its own beach, which is definitely worth the visit.

Nea Michaniona Beach is mostly unorganized and the ideal choice for free-spirit people who are not wanting to have other beach amenities, and would rather have a quiet beach.

This beach has also been awarded with the “Blue Flag”! To reach Nea Mihaniona, take the bus line 72.

7. Sani Beach

Sani Beach is the only beach that we’ll mention that is not in Thessaloniki, but is close enough that it is worth visiting if you are staying in the area for multiple days! Located in beautiful Halkidiki, Sani Beach is an award wining beach in a beautiful resort. Halkidiki has countless “Blue Flag” beaches, and it’s truly a magical experience for any new visitors. 

Sani Beach is quite famous, with lots of festivals held here during the summer, including some environmental activities! There are rare species of plants and animals that can be found around Sani Beach, making this a great destination for those who love wildlife.

Unfortunately, there’s no public transportation from Thessaloniki to Sani Beach, so you will need to rent a car or take a ride share to get there. 

When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki’s beaches?

Thessaloniki’s beaches are not affected by Greece’s normal tourism patterns because they are pretty much unknown to tourists. That said, many locals will be at one of these aforementioned beaches in Thessaloniki during summer! In summer, the temperatures in Thessaloniki frequently are above 100 °F, making it almost unbearable to be in the city during this time.

Spring and early Fall are also good seasons to visit Thessaloniki’s beaches, but the water might be a little cold. But, one reason to visit the beaches during these seasons (especially in Spring), is that the beaches will be almost empty, because Greeks start their summer season in mid-June.

Summary

Now that we’ve summarized all of the best beaches in Thessaloniki, I hope one caught your eye! And, if you are looking for other beautiful beaches in Greece, I highly recommend visiting Naxos. Naxos’ beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country, with so many good options for every type of traveler!

But thankfully Greece as a whole does not have a shortage of good beaches, no matter where you go!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth going to Halkidiki for their beaches?

Yes, absolutely! Halkidiki is only 1-2 hours away by car, and the beaches here are truly some of the best in mainland Greece. There are 2 peninsula’s in Halkidiki that are open to the public (the other is a monastery for men only), each with their own set of beautiful beaches.

What are the best beaches in Halkidiki?

The best beaches in Halkidiki include Sani, Kallithea, Paleochori, and Hanioti.

Which beach on this list is the best beach to visit if I can only pick one?

This will definitely be a personal decision based on your own preferences, but my favorite beach is Agia Triada Beach. While crowded during the summer, this beach has the most going on around it, with a ton of great food options to choose from after you get hungry.