Thessaloniki 2025

Boyz weekend didn’t happen so I had to find alternative quite late. I search for cheap flights (Ryanair Discovery) from airports near by to somewhere new in Europe. I settled for Thessaloniki from Zagreb, 145€ for return ticket by Ryanair.

Thursday

On thursday I left early from office. Last things to pack and I was off to Zagreb. I drove my Twingo. Mother and sister came along. Mam would continue with cousine from Zagreb and sister drove back home.

Road to airport Pleso was crowded few times; exiting Ljubljana, close to Novo mesto and around Zagreb. We needed more then 2 hours to airport.

After cigarette it was time for security. I came 1.5 hourse before flight. I tought it was 1 hour before boarding. But after delay it was 2 hours, just recieved an email, no info at airport.

We waited in tunnel for half an hour, one lady got pissed and I layed down, ate homemade sandwich. Flight was with Lauda on A320, got seat 6c, enough leg space, not clean, minor turbolence at landing.

With bus I moved to city, wrong ticket, 0.6€ instead 2€. On short walk to Stay Hybrid hostel (25€; great location, 24/7 reception, bad matrases, shabby equipment, no towel) I bought beer for 2.3 at kiosk.

After checkin I walked to port and had a beer at Kitchen bar, fancy 4.9€ for a small beer. Some fireworks. Found another bar (HYPE Limani) with craft beer, 4.5, nymph and one with salt water. On my way back stop for gyros and beer, 7.8€. I was in bed at 2:30.

Friday

Not good matres, not enough sleep, shower, homemade sandwich, packing and walk to tour meeting point (in front of the Venizelos Statue) for Meteora tour (Daily tours with GetYoutGuide), 51€.

We started at 7:30, we stopped at gas station, saw mt Olympus, God rock-Theopetra, Main Observation Deck of Meteora. We arrived to first monastery, Holy Monastery of Varlaam, entrance was 5€, water 0.5€. Probaly biggest monasteryin Meteora, nice church, platform, net for lifting things, museum with manuscripts … Talked to driver.

Next monastery, Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas Anapafsas, 5€. There were some great frescos from 16th century by Theophanes Strelitzas.

It was time for lunch at Panellinio in Kalmpaka. I had papoutsakia-stufed eggplant with ground beef and beer for 15€. Croatian group left. Time to go back to Thessaloniki, with one stop on our way.

I walked to Holiday Inn, 57+15€, 5 star, ok location, good bed, average equipment, pool 0.9m.

I rested a bit before going out to meet tour group for a beer, Nicos guide, Sofia Ukrainian, Cami Italian, Luca Italian at Beer School close to Agia Sofia church (bus).

We went to beer garden, had some czech beer, two for one 6€. Interesting chat with group. Most had plans for next day. Stayed with Luca and later went on alone, beer and cigrettes at 24h shop, few more bars. Again late in bed, 5 am.

Saturday

I woke up late, ate some cookies before checking out at noon. Now I took a walk around city. On my way I passed few nice things and finished by Alexander statue on the coast.

I sat there in a bar, ate sandwich, drank frape, water and coke. As I was early I decided to walk to rented apartment. I took me almost 2 hourse. In the begining by cost, in shadow and with sea view. Later turned into residential area, it wasnt pleasant walking in strong sun, stop in bar for coke 1.5 and charging phone.

LOBBY apartment was nice for 39€. I was tired, took shower and laid down in front of TV. Later I went out for dinner, salad, fried meat balls and beef with rice plus beer, 37€. On return some more resting.

Sunday

I woke up at 6h, bathroom, packing. I took Uber to airport for 15.5€, charged to much. On airport I had time and went to lounge for free breakfast, Priority. Met there Rok and Katarina from blog Lahkih nog naokrog.

Soon it was time for flight, 75 minutes, similar as on my way to Greece, seat 30c in last row. In Zagreb I had to decide how will I get home. Decided on Pleso shuttle to city, 8€ and 30 minutes and train to Ljubljana 9€ and 2.5h.

In city I walked from bus to train station (Denis on return from Malorca), bought ticket and had extra time so I went for lunch in light rain to Batak, 28.5€. Back to station and with train to Ljubljana. I stopped at Roza slon for quick chat with Grgor before I went home with taxi, 7.7€.

Summary

In four days I spent around 550€; 200€ transport, 135€ accommodation, 65€ sights, 150 food, drinks and cigarettes.

Transportation: Flight 145€ bought week before trip. Car expense for driving to Zagreb and back 25€. Bus in Thessaloniki 0.6€ (2€). Uber in Thessaloniki 15.5€. Shuttle in Zagreb 8€. Train to Ljubljana 9€.

Accommodation: hostel 25€, Holiday Inn 5 star hotel 72€, apartment 39€.

Tour to Meteora: 51€ with driving and guid, entance to monastery 5€ each, postcard 0.5€.

Food and drinks: 2 sandwiched from home with bresaola, 2.5€ cookies, chicken sandwich 3.5€, stuffed egg plant meal 10€, 3 course dinner 30€, free meal in lounge. 0.5l water was 0.5€, 0.5l coca cola was 1.5€, frape was 1.8€. Beer was from 0€ in lounge to 10€ in night club,but usilly in shop was a bit over 2€ and in bar 4-5€.