Car Rental at Thessaloniki Airport

Airport travel guide

The second-largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki is a fascinating historical destination. Inhabited for over 3,000 years, it has seen the rise and fall of many classical civilizations that have left behind rich architecture and numerous artifacts. In addition to that, it is also a proud maritime city and is surrounded by plenty of coastline, mountains, and wilderness. These are some of the most interesting attractions in and around Thessaloniki:

• Arch of Galerius and Rotunda. Dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, the Rotunda was built by the Roman Emperor Galerius. Initially a pagan site, the impressive structure was later turned into a church, then a mosque, then a church again, always remaining one of the symbols of the city. 
• Museums. Befitting a city of its size and stature, Thessaloniki is home to many fun, high-quality museums. There are many museums primarily concerned with the city’s past such as the Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum, Folklore and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia and Thrace, and Museum of Ancient Greek and Byzantine Musical Instruments. Others are more niche, but just as interesting — these include two museums of contemporary art, the Museum of Photography, Museum of Science, and the Museum of Cinematography. Every visitor can find something for themselves.
• Kerkini Lake National Park. Located near the borders of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Lake Kerkini is a protected wetland area and an important refuge for flora and fauna. The lake is a great bird watching area as its inhabitants include flamingos, pelicans, hawks, falcons, and hundreds of other species; there is also a herd of water buffalos. Visitors can explore the park in a canoe, on horseback, or by following one of its hiking trails. Lake Kerkini is a 90-minute drive north of Thessaloniki and can thus be visited on a day-trip, but there are also many guesthouses around the national park. Other scenic areas near Thessaloniki include Axios-Loudias National Park and plenty of beaches.
• The White Tower of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki’s White Tower is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It dates back to the 15th century and today, it contains a small photography exhibition that show Thessaloniki through the decades. From the top, you can enjoy unparalleled views over the city and the Thermaic Gulf that are particularly magical at sunset. The tower wasn’t always such a romantic setting though. During the Ottoman occupation, it operated as a prison, a garrison and a torture chamber. It was even given the terrifying nickname “the tower of blood”!  
• Peraia. It can get very hot in Thessaloniki during the summer months. If you want to escape from the congested city to the coast, you can drive or ride the taxi ferry to the beach town of Peraia. The coastal town offers serviced beaches with all the amenities. Most of the beachfront restaurants will let you rent a sunbed and an umbrella for the day as long as you spend a few euros on food and drinks. There are also quiet, undisturbed sections of coastline where you can simply lay your towels on the white sand and relax. Peraia may not be quite as stunning as Halkidiki or the Greek islands. However, it still boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming in. 
• Modiano market. This covered marketplace is one of the oldest in Thessaloniki and has been in operation for more than 80 years. If you spend any amount of time in Greece you will notice that people prefer to shop at traditional farmers' markets like this one instead of supermarkets. Why? Because doing so enables them to get better quality produce at lower prices, all while supporting small local businesses. The colorful displays of perfectly polished fruits and vegetables and fragrant flowers are a photographer’s dream. The market makes for a great people-watching opportunity. If you are staying in self-catered accommodation in Thessaloniki, it is also a good place to pick up ingredients for dinner. 
• Greek coffee culture. If there were to be a national sport of Greece, going out for coffee would be it. Coffee shops sit on virtually every street corner in Thessaloniki. Head to Leof. Nikis to have coffee and pastries by the sea. There is an abundance of coffee shops here to choose from. However, Achilleion (Leof. Nikis 37) and BLANC gastrobar (Leof. Nikis 9) are local favorites. The “Greek” way to enjoy a coffee is to order a freddo. A freddo espresso is a shot of strong espresso poured over ice with sugar. To make a freddo cappuccino, frothed ice cold milk is added.
• Ladadika. The cobbled streets of Ladadika make up Thessaloniki’s main nightlife district. Here, you will find an abundance of traditional tavernas, bouzoukias, bars and clubs. During the Ottoman era, this was actually a marketplace. The neighborhood’s location close to the port made it a convenient place to trade, particularly products made with olive oil. (Ladadika literally translates to mean “with oil”.)
• Mount Olympus National Park. Centered around the highest peak in Greece and the dwelling of the Ancient Hellenic gods, this national park is one of the most beautiful in all of Northern Greece. Known for its dramatic peaks, but equally for a very rich animal and bird life, the preserve is home to such species as the booted eagle and Balkan chamois (up until the Classical Greek period, the area was also inhabited by lions). Mount Olympus National Park is 108 km (67 miles) south of Thessaloniki, a trip that takes just over 90 minutes by car.
• Chalkidiki. One of the most popular destinations to visit after seeing Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki is the collective name for the three long and narrow ‘fingers’, or peninsulas, stretching deep into the sea. The western finger, Kassanda, as well as the central one, Sithonia, have a combined coastline of about 500 km (310 miles), making them one of the most popular holiday areas in the country. The drive from Thessaloniki takes only about an hour.

Top international routes

• Athens
• Munich
• Larnaca
• Heraklion
• Frankfurt
• Dusseldorf
• Stuttgart
• Berlin
• Bucharest
• Zurich

Main airlines

Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, Ellinair, Jet2.com, Astra Airlines, and easyJet

Terminals

The single airport terminal has three floors. It serves all domestic and international flights.

Location

Thessaloniki Airport is about 13 km (8.1 mi) south of the city center. Motorways 67, A24, and Leof. Stratou are the main roads connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $5 per day
• Medium cars - from $8 per day
• SUVs - from $16 per day
• Station wagons - from $25 per day
• Vans - from $39 per day
• Convertibles - from $52 per day
• Large cars - from $16 per day
• Premium cars - from $64 per day

Car rental desks

You’ll find most inside the airport terminal.

Services and facilities

You’ll find a few shops and a duty-free outlet for passengers leaving the EU, as well as restaurants and bars. There are also ATMs, two lounges, an on-site hotel, a children’s play area, medical center, and post office. The left luggage office is open 24/7. Thessaloniki Airport is fully equipped for passengers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Shell, located at Leof. Georgikis Scholis, Pilea Chortiatis 555 35, can be reached in about ten minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other gas stations near Thessaloniki Airport and on the way to the city.

Popular one-way rentals

• Athens (533 km / 331 mi)
• Volos (238 km / 148 mi)
• Ioannina (292 km / 181 mi)
• Crete (895 km / 556 mi)
• Sofia (313 km / 194 mi)
• Skopelos (320 km / 199 mi)
• Kyllini (573 km / 356 mi)