We all know about Aristotle’s Square in Thessaloniki, but in the center of Thessaloniki there are a few more squares worth visiting, even more so than Aristotle’s Square, because they are more authentic.

One of our favorites is Athonos Square and it is located right next to Aristotle’s Square. The square itself is small and has a fountain and a tree with a few benches, and is nothing special, but the surrounding streets are absolutely worth a visit.

The square is one of the most picturesque and authentic places in the city. It is unique for its pleasant, local atmosphere and numerous taverns, cafes, and shops offering traditional Greek products and souvenirs.

Characteristics and ambiance

Athonos Square still preserves the charm of old Thessaloniki and here you will not only encounter tourists but also local residents. Greeks come to the square to shop, because there are excellent shops selling fruits, vegetables, and products from Greek farmers. The narrow streets full of small shops, covered with vines, bougainvillea, and other plants, and paved with stone. Numerous tables of taverns are shaded where you can enjoy food and drinks.

This is a must-stop for a break from exploring the city, and it is located right in the center.

Athonos Square offers a unique experience, as it combines modern and traditional life of Thessaloniki, and provides a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

Taverns and gastronomic offer

There are many taverns and restaurants on the square, serving specialties of Greek cuisine. Here you can try homemade gyros and souvlaki, meat skewers at the Katsamaka tavern (try kontosouvli - pork skewer), and there are also fish restaurants with a fish market where you can choose the fish you want them to prepare for you.

Apart from food, here you can find local specialties such as ouzo, homemade wine, and tsipouro. Evenings at Athonos Square are often accompanied by live music in some taverns, which adds to the overall atmosphere.

There is also an old-fashioned pastry shop on the square where you can try traditional Greek sweets.

Shops and shopping

Athonos Square is also known for its diverse shops selling local products - olive oil, spices, teas, traditional Greek sweets, honey, souvenirs, and handicrafts.

In addition to souvenir shops, there are also stores with fresh produce, such as fish and vegetables, which are popular among local residents.

There are also several shops where you can buy handmade wooden and reed products.

Our favorite shop on Athonos Square is Harilaos which offers high-quality products from Greek producers, and is particularly known for nuts of exceptional quality, dried fruits, homemade tahini, and tsoureki. Thessalonians have been shopping here for decades for such products. We always buy macadamia nuts here, which we claim are the most beautiful and freshest. We usually take roasted and salted, but the unsalted ones are also excellent. This shop has a huge turnover, there is always a queue, so everything is always very fresh, and their packaging is of high quality so they stay fresh for many days after traveling.

Surroundings of Athonos Square

Athonos Square is located near other important markets in Thessaloniki, such as Kapani and Modiano Market. These markets were once the center of the commercial life in Thessaloniki.

Modiano Market has been renovated, so it is no longer authentic and now resembles large shopping centers with classic food stores, but it is worth a visit.

Kapani, although now mostly a tourist attraction, is still a place where locals shop mainly for meat, fish, and spices.

Working hours and tips

The working hours of taverns and shops at Athonos Square may vary depending on the season and the day of the week, but usually most shops are open during the day, with breaks from 1-2 pm to 5 pm, while taverns and restaurants are open in the evening.

If you want to experience the authenticity of this place and shop at the shops, we recommend visiting before 2 pm. If you want to enjoy the evening atmosphere, we recommend visiting in the evening when the taverns are the main attractions. Some of them have live music. The evenings are especially lively during the weekends.

Watch our video about the Athonos square HERE.

You can read much more about Thessaloniki in our articles here:
Weekend in Thessaloniki
Parking in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki Guide
One day in Thessaloniki

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