Greece’s second largest city is better known for its historical and cultural attractions than for being a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts or an ideal children’s holiday destination. The city does not disappoint in either of these areas, however, with attractions such as Waterland, Magic Park and the Thessaloniki Zoo pulling family visitors in large number. The beaches, meanwhile, are great for water sports or relaxation.

Beaches
The waters of the beaches along the immediate coastline of the city are reported to be fairly polluted, so visitors looking to enjoy the benefits of both sand and sea are best heading to nearby Aretsou, Perea, Nei Epivates, Agia Triada or Nea, where crystal-clear waters and golden sands await. The coastal scenery at these locations is renowned for its significant beauty.

Magic Park
Opening for business in the evenings only, Magic Park is a family-friendly attraction offering traditional fairground rides such as roller coasters, bumper cars, waltzers and a log flume. It’s a modest entertainment centre by all account but still well worth a trip if you have little ones in tow.

Thessaloniki Zoo
This free attraction can be found at the summit of Kedrinou Hill in the Forest of 1000 Trees. The zoo and its accompanying gardens provide plenty of interesting sights for visitors both young and old, though the latter may find some of the steep walkways problematic. Housed in the zoo are both indigenous species and others collected from around the world. The bird and reptile houses are often favourites with younger visitors.

Trekking
In the mountainous areas surrounding the city there are some excellent trekking routes available, with terrain to suit those of all abilities. It’s possible to book trekking trips but these are often several days long and involve travel to other destinations. Accomplished trekkers can rent a car and head out to the mountains unaccompanied, provided they are equipped with a map, a compass and other essential items.

Waterland
Watery fun for all the family is on offer at the 150-acre large Waterland theme park, situated in Tagarades, a few kilometres away from Thessaloniki Airport. The park has plenty of attractions with favourites including Tarzan, Crazy River and Pirates Island. The park is set in pretty gardens in which visitors can enjoy a pleasant stroll after they’ve towelled off and changed. 
Phone: +30 23920 72025 6; www.waterland.gr/mainen.html

Culture abounds in Thessaloniki, from the historic buildings dotted all around the city, to the excellent collection of fascinating museums on offer. Old buildings and monuments offer a glimpse of the city’s past. However, it’s the wealth of historical information on offer at the museums that gives visitors a real insight into what has built this great city. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture are popularly considered must-sees.

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Part of the city’s cultural attractions since 1962, the Archaeological Museum features an extensive collection of artefacts, among which are a sizable number of objects of prehistoric origin found in northern Greece. Also of note is the section dedicated to artefacts found in the Macedonian town of Vergina and those exhibiting items of Roman origin. 
Phone: +30 2310 830538

Birthplace of Ataturk
This 19th-century house is the building in which Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Ataturk, was born and spent some of his formative years. Now converted into a museum, the house has displays of some of Ataturk’s personal belongings and school-related documents as well as a variety of photographs of him taken in various different eras of his life. The house also features many of its original furnishings in the various rooms found across its three floors. 
Phone: +30 2310 248 452

Jewish History Museum
This modest but impressive museum tells the story of life over the ages for members of the city’s Jewish community. Examining the community’s contributions to the city, the museum looks at how its members introduced the first printing press and later established the first proper newspaper, which was known as El Lunar and debuted in 1865. Other displays detail how the community grew and prospered during the Ottoman era. 
Phone: +30 2310 250 407; www.jmth.gr

Museum of Ancient Greek, Byzantine, and Post Byzantine Musical Instruments
An old three-storey house provides the setting for this small but superb museum that focuses on the most popular musical instruments used throughout major eras in Greek history. On display are photographs of instruments and reproductions of instruments from yesteryear, as well as a variety of musical manuscripts and related documents. 
Phone: +30 2310 238 391

Museum of Byzantine Culture
Considered one of the country’s finest Byzantine-themed museums (together with Athens’ Byzantine and Christian Museum), Thessalonik’s Museum of Byzantine Culture is home to a collection of artefacts that trace the Byzantine culture from its earliest days to its demise in the mid-1400s. Exhibits attempts to show the influences that the Byzantine Empire had and continue to have on the culture of Greece. Art and everyday items, such as cooking vessels and implements, are among the objects on display. 
Phone: +30 2310 868 570

Local cuisine is typical of that found across the central Macedonia region of Greece and makes use of abundant fresh produce, such as fish and seafood, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. If eating out and looking for an appetiser worth trying, then the spicy cheese spread known as tyrokafteri is a good choice, or the salad known as horiatiki. For main meals, try the mussel stew known as mydia yiachni, the cheese pie known as kichi kozanis or the cuttlefish in wine dish known as soupies krasates.

The city has numerous eateries spread across its length and as a general rule, the best ones in terms of authentic local cuisine are those in the lower to midrange price brackets. The ouzeris in the downtown area offer some of the tastiest Greek-Macedonian food in the city and are very reasonably priced while the simple tavernas in Athonos Square offer equally tasty and budget-friendly fare. For something a bit more upmarket, visitors should try the old warehouse area, known as Ladadika, which is close to the port.

Shopping opportunities in the city are abundant, despite the centre being relatively small. Tsimiski Street is the main shopping street and where visitors will find a selection of retailers typical of a high street. Popular international brand named goods and domestically made products share equal space in this busy retail area.

More of the same, but under a single roof, can be found at the city’s Mediterranean Cosmos Mall, a large indoor shopping centre with an upmarket luxury ambience. For handmade goods, arts and crafts, and less mainstream purchases, Kissouras and Chalkeo streets are the best places to head to. The city’s expansive covered market, meanwhile, is the place to go to find everything from local edible delicacies to cheap clothing. It’s also the place to soak up authentic local culture.