I took the national railway from Athens to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city.
The ticket was purchased directly at Athens station—slightly cheaper than booking online—at €43. Not exactly cheap, but manageable.
The train had reserved seating with seat numbers printed on the ticket. There’s a luggage rack, but it fills up quickly, so I ended up lifting my large suitcase onto the overhead shelf—plenty of space up there.
The ride from Athens to Thessaloniki takes about five hours, making for a slow but scenic rail journey across the Greek countryside.
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Arrival in Thessaloniki & My Stay
From the station, I walked to my accommodation: Zeus is Loose Hostel.
Out of all the places I’ve stayed during my nomad life, this was easily one of the most comfortable.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos, but the spacious common area, spotless beds, and clean bathrooms left a strong impression. At night, the rooftop turns into a bar, which makes it a great place to socialize.
Backpackers and digital nomads love this hostel, and I can highly recommend it for anyone staying in Thessaloniki!
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A Day Trip to Meteora
The main reason I came to Thessaloniki was to finally visit Meteora on a day tour I found via GetYourGuide.
I first saw Meteora in a UNESCO World Heritage book back in my student days. The surreal photos of monasteries perched on towering rocks stuck with me, and I promised myself I’d visit one day. This trip was the chance to make that dream real.
From Thessaloniki, it’s about a three-hour bus ride. As the bus drew closer, the sight of giant stone pillars rising from the earth made the anticipation grow.
What is Meteora?
Something I only learned on this trip: Meteora isn’t a single spot, but an entire region of giant rock formations topped with monasteries.
Visiting them all takes quite some time, so most day tours focus on just two or three.
The name Meteora comes from the Greek word meaning “suspended in the air”—a fitting description for these monasteries, which look like fortresses floating in the sky.
St. Stephen’s Monastery
Our first stop was St. Stephen’s Monastery. Entry costs €5 (cash only), so it’s best to withdraw cash in advance. Each monastery has its own entrance fee.
At the gate, a friendly cat came to greet visitors.
Nearby, a stall was selling what they called “monastery beer.” For some reason it was a dark beer, but sipping it while enjoying the view was unforgettable.
Varlaam Monastery
Next, we visited Varlaam Monastery. The views here were outstanding, and inside there were many historic artifacts on display.
It’s also one of the best spots to view other monasteries from a distance—perfect for taking those classic Meteora photos.
Lunch & Return
After touring the monasteries, our guide brought us to a local restaurant.
Touristy pricing, sure, but not outrageous. I treated myself to a Mediterranean-style steak with red wine for €27. Generous portions, delicious flavor—absolutely worth it.
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We then hopped back on the bus for the three-hour ride to Thessaloniki, wrapping up a very full and satisfying day.
Everyday Life in Thessaloniki
During my stay, I mostly worked from the hostel’s common area. At night, I’d grab a gyro and a beer to-go and enjoy a quiet meal back at the hostel—introvert mode activated.
Prices here are a bit higher than Athens, with gyros averaging around €5.
My favorite spot was Gyro – Γύρω στα Λαδάδικα: cheap, fast, and reliable. I went there so many times that by the end, I was actually sick of gyros!
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Souvenirs & City Walks
For souvenirs, I picked up some local coffee and olive oil—perfect size, lovely packaging, and great for gifts.
Whenever I hit a work block, I’d take a walk around the city. Thessaloniki has a calm, port-town atmosphere, and simply strolling around helped reset my mind.
Takeaways
- Athens to Thessaloniki: ~5 hours by train, slightly cheaper to buy tickets at the station.
- Accommodation: Zeus is Loose Hostel is fantastic for digital nomads.
- Meteora: a UNESCO site of “sky monasteries”—a must-see, even on a day trip.
- Bring cash for monastery entry fees (€5 each).
- Thessaloniki prices are a bit higher, but gyros are still the best budget meal.
- Coffee and olive oil make excellent souvenirs.
Next stop: Sofia, Bulgaria—stay tuned!
