What you should know before hiring a car in Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki city centre | ||
| Makedonia Airport (SKG): 9 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Thessaloniki: practical information
Where to rent a car in Thessaloniki
Planning a trip to Greece? If you’ve already been to Athens, why not head north, to Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece? Having a rental car while on holidays in Thessaloniki is great, especially if you have some day trips planned to the coast or inland to other Greek destinations. You can rent a car from Thessaloniki Airport.
There are also Thessaloniki car hires located throughout the city. Try Ride and Drive, Pop’s Car Rental Greece, Thessaloniki Car Rental, HolidaysCAR car rental and Thessaloniki Airport Car Rentals.
Driving in Thessaloniki: parking and other tips
Driving in Thessaloniki is pretty either. The city centre is bounded by the sea and a good rule to remember is if the street goes downhill, it will eventually lead to the sea. Streets are generally either parallel or vertical to the sea.
Parking in Thessaloniki can be a burden, particularly in the urban area, if you are set on finding a free spot on the street. Save yourself the time and hassle and use of the city’s car parks which cost €4 for 3 hours… pretty reasonable if you ask us!
Road trips from Thessaloniki: what to do, what to see
Chalkidiki
This beautiful set of finger peninsulas is home to some 500 kilometres of beach and is a favourite destination for tourists and locals alike in the summer months. Some of the oldest mosaics ever found in Greece were discovered in Olynthos and the small mountain villages are not to be missed like Arnea, Taxiarhis and Agios Prodromos.
Pella
Pella is just a short drive from Thessaloniki and is famous for being the birthplace of Alexander the Great. It was the ancient Macedonian capital during the time of Alexander the Great and today is the perfect historic day out while you enjoy your holidays in Thessaloniki.
Prespa and Doirani Lakes
If you’re looking for a day trip or weekend getaway a little further afield, then head to Prespa and Doirani Lakes near the borders with Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. It’s around a 3 hours drive from Thessaloniki. The national parks offer a unique view of the Balkan landscape.