A city with early Christian churches from the 4th century — and an hour's drive further, the three fingers of Halkidiki with pine forests reaching down to the water.
Direct flight from Bolzano to Thessaloniki (1h 45min) + hotel + 25-minute transfer. Greece's second-largest city combines a city break with the three peninsulas of Halkidiki to the south.
- Direct flight from Bolzano
- Best price guarantee
- EU-protected package holiday
- Just 25 minutes' transfer on arrival
What can you reach from Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki combines a lively city with the beaches of Halkidiki, which begin around an hour's drive to the south.
Thessaloniki has around one million people in its metropolitan area, making it Greece's second-largest city, and lies on the Thermaic Gulf. It was a Byzantine metropolis and later shaped by the Ottomans; several early Christian and Byzantine buildings are on the UNESCO World Heritage list — including the Rotunda, Hagios Demetrios and the churches of Ano Poli. The city is different from Athens: less monumental, but denser and — for many Greeks — culinarily more interesting.
The landmark is the White Tower on the waterfront, alongside the seafront promenade and the old town Ano Poli climbing the hillside — where Ottoman wooden houses and parts of the city wall still stand. Thessaloniki is regarded as the culinary capital of Greece — the food scene from tavernas to modern kitchens is stronger than in Athens, with Balkan and Ottoman influences.
South of the city begins Halkidiki with its three peninsulas. Kassandra to the west is the best-developed and fastest to reach; Sithonia in the middle is quieter and scenically more beautiful, with pine forests reaching down to the water. The third finger is Mount Athos — an autonomous monastic republic, accessible only to Orthodox men with special permits. That leaves two peninsulas for beach holidays, both with clear water, pine forests and quiet bays alongside the more built-up towns.
What can you reach from Thessaloniki?
From Thessaloniki, city and beach combine well. The city fills two days; Halkidiki begins around an hour's drive to the south. Kassandra is the more developed peninsula, Sithonia the quieter one with more beautiful bays.
Thessaloniki
Several UNESCO-listed Byzantine buildings
Halkidiki
Pine forests reach down to the water, particularly on Sithonia
Which flights are available from Bolzano to Thessaloniki?
SkyAlps flies direct from Bolzano to Thessaloniki (summer only) — flight time 1h 45min. All prices are per person and include return flights plus nights at the booked hotel.
When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki and Halkidiki?
The season runs from May to October. For the city, May and October are the most pleasant, because it's not too hot for walking. For Halkidiki, June and September are ideal: warm sea, bearable temperatures and fewer people. July and August bring heat and crowds — especially in August, when it's peak season for Greeks as well. From November to April SkyAlps does not fly the route.
Frequently asked questions
Kassandra, the western finger, is the best-developed, has the most hotels and is the fastest to reach — good if you want variety and a short drive.
Sithonia, in the middle, is quieter, more mountainous and scenically more beautiful, with many small bays under pine forests; hotels are fewer, and distances longer. Mount Athos in the east is not accessible for tourists — only Orthodox men can enter with a special permit, and boat tours from the coast merely pass along the shore. Rule of thumb: first visit or families → Kassandra; second visit or quiet-seekers → Sithonia.
Ready for your Thessaloniki beach holiday?
Direct flight from Bolzano to Thessaloniki, a hotel in the city or on Halkidiki and the transfer – all in one booking. Book online now, securely, flexibly and at the best price.