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Museums of Thessaloniki

Macedonia and Thrace

The Greek city of Thessaloniki in Macedonia has an array of wonderful museums and art galleries, and here's twelve of the best, listed in alphabetical order. There are plenty more, too, including a children's museum, a radio museum, a water museum, and a war museum.

View over Thessaloniki in GreeceThessaloniki

Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Website for the Archaeological Museum in Thessaloniki in Greece

This is one of the best archaeological museums outside of Athens as Thessaloniki and the area around it is filled with marvellous archaeological sites from which some wonderful treasures have been recovered.


Ataturk Museum

Ataturk Museum in Thessaloniki in Greece

Kemal Ataturk, credited as the founder of modern Turkey, was born in this house in Thessaloniki which is maintained as a museum to tell his story, including many of the personal items from his youth and a chance to see the room in which he was born.


Folklife and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia-Thrace

Website for the Folklife and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia-Thrace in Thessaloniki in Greece

Since it was founded in 1957 this museum has amassed 20,000 items telling the story of everyday life in Macedonia and Thrace. There are numerous traditional costumes, plus embroidery, textiles, musical instruments, marionettes and much else besides.


Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki

Website for the Jewish Museum in Thessaloniki in Greece

The Jewish community in Thessaloniki goes back to at least the 15th century and this museum and study centre tells the fascinating history of that community ranging from tombstones to household items. There are plenty of photographs, along with the heart-breaking story of how the city lost 49,000 Jewish citizens during the Holocaust.


Read about Thessaloniki, UNESCO's City of Gastronomy

Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art

Distinct from the State Museum of Contemporary Art, this museum that was founded in 1979 houses its own collection of about 2,000 works by both Greek and international artists showcased in changing displays.


Municipal Art Gallery

Municipal Art Gallery in Thessaloniki in Greece

This is the place to come if you want to see works by contemporary artists from Thessaloniki itself, although it also represents artists from around Greece and there's an extensive collection on Greek engraving.


Museum of Byzantine Culture

Website of the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki in Greece

This excellent museum has almost 3,000 exhibits displaying the culture of the remarkable Byzantine Empire, including icons, murals, mosaics, clothing, tombs, religious artifacts and personal items too.


Museum for the Macedonian Struggle

Website of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in Thessaloniki in Greece

The creation and development of Macedonia is another fascinating aspect of Thessaloniki's history, and reveals why it's still such a passionate subject for the people of the area, and indeed the whole of Greece.

 

National Bank Cultural Foundation and Cultural Center

Website of the National Bank Cultural Foundation and Cultural Center in Thessaloniki in Greece

This has only a small core collection but it's a major space for hosting changing exhibitions so always check the website or check locally to find out what's on.


Olympic Museum of Thessaloniki

Website of the Olympic Museum of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki in Greece

This began life as a sports museum but in 2008 it was renamed to focus on the events of the Olympic Games and Paralympics. Here you can see equipment from the games over the years, outfits worn by competitors and even Olympics medals and torches.

 

State Museum of Contemporary Art

Website of the State Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki in Greece

The museum's collection goes back to the start of the 20th century and from those years it has a huge number of pieces from the Russian Avant-Garde art movement, though its displays extend to the present-day with works by current Greek artists. There's also a separate building in the port area, the Thessaloniki Centre of Contemporary Art, which shows temporary exhibitions.


Thessaloniki Cinema Museum & Cinematheque

Website of the Thessaloniki Cinema Museum and Cinematheque in Thessaloniki in Greece

Thessaloniki has hosted a major film festival since 1960 and this museum was created in 1997 when the city was European Capital of Culture in order to build on that film tradition and connections. 

Where to Stay in Thessaloniki

Other Macedonia pages

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  • The archaeological site of Vergina in Macedonia is famous for the royal tombs which were the burial place of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.

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  • The Prespa Lakes in northwest Greece is one of the most beautiful parts of Greece with abundant wildlife and also many ancient churches.

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  • The churches of Thessaloniki are remarkable and include UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, Byzantine masterpieces, and a church dating from the 5th century.

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    Philippi is an ancient archaeological site near Kavala in East Macedonia and Thrace and is famous for being the place where the apostle St Paul was imprisoned.

  • Pella in Macedonia is famous for its mosaics and was also the birthplace of both King Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great.

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  • The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

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  • Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and is in the Mount Olympus National Park in Macedonia, with Litochoro being the best base.

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    Mount Athos

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    Dion

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