Thessaloniki Old Town Walking Tour: Mythology & Botany

Greek myths are still alive in the plants growing between the cobblestones of Upper Town.

A small-group walking tour of Thessaloniki's Old Town (Ano Poli) lasting around 3 hours, led by a local guide through Byzantine landmarks, the Ancient Wall and hidden alleyways. The guide connects Greek mythology to local plants and teaches traditional herbal remedies, closing with a homemade herbal drink. No steep climbs; suitable for most ages and fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Thessaloniki Old Town and Views

• Start walk at panoramic city viewpoint
• Visit Vlatadon Monastery UNESCO church
• Explore ancient city landmarks in Upper Town
• Discover Ano Poli neighborhood
• Walk cobbled alleys and city walls
• Learn Greek myths and local plants
• Savor homemade Greek herbal refreshment
• Receive travel tips for Thessaloniki

The Experience

Ano Poli — Thessaloniki's oldest neighborhood — sits on a hillside above the modern city, and the walk starts at a panoramic viewpoint that frames where you're headed. From there the route moves through cobbled alleys and squares, passing the Vlatadon Monastery (a UNESCO-listed Byzantine church with another sweeping city view) and walking sections of the Ancient Wall that once enclosed the upper town. The guide points out landmarks as they appear, but the real focus is the connection between the mythology woven into local culture and the plants you actually see growing there — how a particular herb shows up in both ancient stories and in the folk remedies people still use in Thessaloniki kitchens.

The walk is built for people without a car or deep knowledge of the neighborhood. No difficult uphill sections mean the pace stays manageable for most ages, and the route itself is designed to feel like discovery rather than a checklist — you're moving through an open-air museum where the streets themselves are the exhibit. The guide speaks English or Greek and keeps groups small, so questions get answered and the rhythm stays conversational rather than rushed.

At the end, you get a homemade Greek herbal refreshment — the kind made from plants you've just learned about on the walk. The tour also includes practical tips for making the most of the rest of your time in Thessaloniki. If you prefer to skip the mythology and botany focus, you can customize the walk to simply explore the neighborhood on foot with the guide.

What’s included

• Local guide leading a small group through the Old Town.
• homemade Greek herbal refreshment.
• tips for exploring the rest of Thessaloniki.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by ArkNatura

Is this one for you?Start from a public-transport-accessible viewpoint in the upper town, so you can reach the meeting point directly without a car.

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Top questions

What is the Ancient Wall and where do you walk it on this tour?

The Ancient Wall once enclosed Thessaloniki's upper town, and sections of it still stand in Ano Poli. The walking tour passes by these remains as part of the route through the neighborhood, showing how the old fortifications shaped the layout of the streets and alleyways you walk through.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No, the tour does not include hotel pickup. You meet the guide at a famous viewpoint in the upper town where the walk begins; public transportation options are available nearby to reach the starting point.

Can children go on this walking tour?

Yes, children are welcome from age 6 and up. The walk has no steep climbs and is designed to suit most fitness levels, so the pace works for families.

What does the herbal refreshment include?

The tour ends with a homemade Greek herbal drink made from plants discussed during the walk — it connects what you've learned about local botany and folk remedies to something you actually taste.

How much walking is involved, and are there breaks?

The tour lasts around 3 hours total and covers Thessaloniki's oldest neighborhood on foot through alleyways, squares and past landmarks. There are no difficult uphill sections, and the pace is set for small groups, so the walk is manageable for most ages and fitness levels.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide leads the tour in English or Greek, depending on the group.