Thessaloniki Cruise Port
Thessaloniki, Greece · Mediterranean
Cruise ships dock at Pier 2 - Alexander the Great Cruise Terminal, Thessaloniki.
Plan my port daysA central, walkable cruise port on the edge of Thessaloniki; the Ladadika district is minutes from the gate, and the White Tower, the Roman and Byzantine sights and the seafront promenade are all reachable on foot.
At a glance
Port summary
Cruise ships berth at the Port of Thessaloniki, most now at the new Alexander the Great cruise terminal on Pier 2, a short walk from the Ladadika old-warehouse district and about 15 minutes on foot to Aristotelous Square and the heart of the city. From there the White Tower, the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius, the Roman Forum and the great church of Agios Dimitrios are all walkable, with the Ano Poli (Upper Town) and its Byzantine walls a steep climb or short taxi above. Bigger day trips - the royal tombs at Vergina, Mount Olympus or the Halkidiki beaches - need a car or organised transport, so keep an eye on your all-aboard time.
Cruise docks
Pier 2 - Alexander the Great Cruise Terminal
The main cruise berth in Thessaloniki, at the new Alexander the Great passenger terminal on Pier 2 (opened November 2023). A short, flat walk from the Ladadika district and about 15 minutes on foot to Aristotelous Square and the seafront.
Latitude: 40.634708, Longitude: 22.931031
See dock on port map →Pier 1 - Passenger Terminal
The older passenger station at Pier 1, closest to the Ladadika district and the city gate. Still used by some cruise calls and coastal passenger boats; exact berth assignment varies by ship and day.
Latitude: 40.6352, Longitude: 22.933
See dock on port map →Getting to Thessaloniki
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards work for almost everything, but carry 30-50 euro in small notes for markets, kiosks, small tavernas and some taxis.
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Inside the Mediterranean collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Thessaloniki cruise day.
Typical weather
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Excursions compared
3 comparedThessaloniki panoramic city highlights tour
≈ 3 h · sold by 6 cruise lines
Cruise line
€80$89
Do it yourself
€34$38
Save ≈ €46Save ≈ $51 (57% off)
The cruise terminal is on the edge of the centre, so this whole tour is a DIY walk with one short taxi. From Pier 2 it is about 15 minutes on foot to Aristotelous Square; the Roman Forum, Agios Dimitrios, the Rotunda and the Arch of Galerius are all within a further 15-20 minutes of each other on flat streets. The White Tower (entry ~€6) sits at the east end of the seafront, and the only climb - the Ano Poli walls - is a ~€8 taxi up and an easy walk down. Rotunda entry is ~€6; Agios Dimitrios and the Arch are free.
See the DIY plan →
Vergina Royal Tombs of ancient Aigai
≈ 4.5 h · sold by 5 cruise lines
Cruise line
€95$106
Do it yourself
€60$67
Save ≈ €35Save ≈ $39 (37% off)
Vergina is about 75 km (a 75-90 minute drive) west of the port and there is no cruise-friendly public-transport route (the KTEL bus to Veria plus a slow local connection is too tight for a ship day). The realistic DIY is a pre-booked small-group minivan tour or a private taxi/transfer arranged the day before - a shared minivan works out around €20 per person each way. Museum entry is about €12 and is walk-up (no timed tickets), but the driving time is the whole risk, so build a wide buffer.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
13 plansThessaloniki Highlights, Your Own Way
The Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman greatest hits on one flat central loop - no coach, no flag to follow.
The Complete Byzantine & Roman Day
A long, unhurried loop through the UNESCO churches, the upper town and the city's two great museums.
Up Through the Walls: Ano Poli on Foot
A proper leg-stretch into the timber-house upper town, its hidden mosaics, monastery and Byzantine ramparts.
Thessaloniki for Free
A full, honest day of Roman ruins, a UNESCO church, upper-town ramparts and the seafront - without paying a single entry.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Thessaloniki?
- Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Thessaloniki, Greece. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Thessaloniki?
- Yes. Thessaloniki is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Thessaloniki centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Local bus, Shuttle bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Thessaloniki?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Thessaloniki independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Thessaloniki and are cards accepted?
- Thessaloniki uses the Euro. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Thessaloniki cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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