Your stay — Blue bottle
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Thessaloniki.
The Property — Blue bottle
The Blue Bottle is a no-nonsense 3-star on Egnatia Street, a ten-minute walk from the White Tower. Its lobby is modest, tiled and functional, with a small reception desk and a lift that works. The rooms are clean and basic – laminate floors, white walls, air-conditioning – and the USP is location and price: you step out the door and you’re in the thick of Aristotelous Square and the waterfront. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a base, not a resort.
Chronicles of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki was founded around 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedon and named after his wife, Alexander the Great’s half-sister. It became a major Roman trade hub and, later, the second city of the Byzantine Empire, leaving a UNESCO-listed palaeochristian and Byzantine heritage. Ottoman rule added minarets and hammams, while the catastrophic 1917 fire cleared the city centre for a European-style grid by French architect Ernest Hébrard. Today, it’s Greece’s vibrant, youthful cultural capital, known for its festivals, street food and left-leaning, cosmopolitan spirit.
Best Time to Visit
Full Thessaloniki guide →Best months
May, September, October: warm (20-28°C), low humidity, minimal rain, and the city is lively without August tourist jams.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: fierce heat (often 35°C+), packed waterfront, cruises and festivals like the July Dimitria events. Hotel prices double; book well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: rooms can be 20-30% cheaper, cafes are quieter, and you can still sit outside comfortably. June is warm but not the peak.
Weather & packing
Summer in Thessaloniki can be thick with humidity from the Thermaic Gulf, and sudden afternoon thunderstorms are common. Pack a lightweight rain vest and a reusable water bottle for the city’s public fountains.
Live City Briefing — Thessaloniki
- The city's pedestrianisation of the waterfront promenade is complete, making it easy to walk from the port to the White Tower without traffic hassle.
- Several new craft beer bars and all-day cafes have opened on Navarinou Square, a ten-minute walk from Blue Bottle, adding to the lively food scene.
- The Thessaloniki Metro (Line 1) is still under construction with no firm opening date; expect roadworks around the city centre, especially near the main train station.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Blue bottle, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the back courtyard, away from the street. These upper floors get the least street noise from Thessaloniki's busy traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those facing the street — night-time traffic and delivery trucks can be loud until late.
Best views
A rear-facing room on the 5th floor may offer a partial view over the city rooftops, but no sea or landmark view is likely. Front rooms look onto the street and upper floors get some natural light.
Quietest floors
Floors 4–5
🔊 Noise notes
The address on a central Thessaloniki street means constant traffic and pedestrian noise until late. The ground-floor entrance and lift can produce slamming sounds. Ask for a room away from ice-machine or cleaning-storage areas if you have light sleep.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, ask the reception about nearby public parking — the hotel likely has no dedicated lot. 2. Request a room serviced early in the morning if you sleep in, or late if you want quiet past 10am.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Blue bottle
free for all guests, max 50Mbps download, no login needed – simple accept button
one lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
no physical newspapers; digital newsstand via PressReader code given at check-in (weekdays only; weekend access blocked)
check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00; early bag drop always free; late check-out until 14:00 costs €30 (subject to availability)
free for day of arrival and departure; left luggage room open 08:00–22:00
step-free entrance at side door (intercom bell); lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms in standard rooms
no on-site parking; valet not available; nearest public car park is P1 Ladadika (50m) at €12 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment required at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Ι.Ν. Αγίου Ιωάννου του Ελεήμονος (462 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Ιερό Μετόχι Αγίου Χαραλάμπους (914 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Αγίασμα Αγίας Ζώνης (936 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Παναγία Ελεούσα (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Attica — 994 m · ~12 min walk
Εθνική Χαρτοθήκη — 776 m · ~10 min walk
Ροΐδη — 558 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 492 m · ~6 min walk
Μάττα — 103 m · ~1 min walk
4all — 111 m · ~1 min walk
ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ — 296 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at the airport and central tourist spots due to poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in most shops, restaurants, and taxis; contactless and mobile payments common. Keep small cash for markets and street vendors.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good, and a few euros for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek coffee (frappé or freddo) at a local kafeneio: around €2-3.
A gyros or souvlaki pita from a takeaway: about €3-4.
A main course at a traditional taverna (e.g., moussaka or grilled meat): roughly €8-12.
Ladadika area and the waterfront promenade are full of cheap souvlaki, koulouri (sesame bread rings), and bougatsa (phyllo pie) stalls.
Super markets like AB Vassilopoulos, Masoutis, and Sklavenitis are common.
For budget clothes, head to the Tsimiski Street high-street chains or the Modiano and Kapani markets for local wares.
A single bus ticket is €1.10; a 24-hour pass costs €4. To/from the airport, take bus line X1 or N1 (€2) rather than taxis (€20+).
Drink at a kafeneio rather than a bar; eat at street-food stalls for lunch; use public buses or walk instead of taxis.
Good to know — Thessaloniki
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Thessaloniki, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Blue bottle
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 492 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Μάττα — 103 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Platia Eleftherias (near hotel) → City centre connections
💡 Hotel Olympia is steps from Egnatia street, a main bus axis. Routes 3, 5, and 12 run east–west. Validate your ticket on board—inspectors do check. Buy a pack of 10 tickets from any kiosk to save.
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) → Ionos Dragoumi stop (5-min walk to Hotel Olympia)
💡 Buy a ticket at the airport kiosk (cash only). The bus drops you near the train station; from there, walk 5 mins east along Egnatia. Cheapest option, but no night service.
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) → Hotel Olympia (Egnatia 25, city centre)
💡 Use the official taxi queue outside arrivals; avoid drivers who approach you inside. Confirm the fare to city centre before getting in—€25 is standard. For return trips, your hotel can call a reliable cab.
Hotel Olympia → Any city destination (e.g., Ano Poli, port)
💡 Short hops cost €5–7. Use the 'Beat' app for digital booking and fare estimate—avoids language hassle. For the old town (Ano Poli), ask the driver to go via Syngrou; it’s quicker than the steep steps.
About Thessaloniki
Wikipedia ↗
Thessaloniki (; Greek: Θεσσαλονίκη [θesaloˈnici] ; also known by various spellings and names) is the second-largest city in Greece. It is the largest city of Northern Greece, with slightly over one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, the capital of the geographic region of Macedonia, the a...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Blue bottle?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the back courtyard, away from the street. These upper floors get the least street noise from Thessaloniki's busy traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Blue bottle?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those facing the street — night-time traffic and delivery trucks can be loud until late.
Is Blue bottle noisy?
The address on a central Thessaloniki street means constant traffic and pedestrian noise until late. The ground-floor entrance and lift can produce slamming sounds. Ask for a room away from ice-machine or cleaning-storage areas if you have light sleep.
Which rooms have the best views at Blue bottle?
A rear-facing room on the 5th floor may offer a partial view over the city rooftops, but no sea or landmark view is likely. Front rooms look onto the street and upper floors get some natural light.
What are insider tips for staying at Blue bottle?
1. If arriving by car, ask the reception about nearby public parking — the hotel likely has no dedicated lot. 2. Request a room serviced early in the morning if you sleep in, or late if you want quiet past 10am.
What time is check-in at Blue bottle?
Check-in at Blue bottle is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Blue bottle have Wi-Fi?
free for all guests, max 50Mbps download, no login needed – simple accept button
Is there a city or tourist tax at Blue bottle?
€1.50 per room per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Blue bottle?
A gyros or souvlaki pita from a takeaway: about €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Blue bottle?
A single bus ticket is €1.10; a 24-hour pass costs €4. To/from the airport, take bus line X1 or N1 (€2) rather than taxis (€20+).
When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki?
May, September, October: warm (20-28°C), low humidity, minimal rain, and the city is lively without August tourist jams.
Top Attractions in Thessaloniki
💡 Grab a coffee from a kiosk and sit on the steps facing the sea. Early mornings are quiet for photos; evenings are lively with street performers.
💡 Start at the Eptapyrgio fortress (free) for the best view of the city. Wear comfortable shoes—steep hills and uneven paths.
💡 Buy the combo ticket (€3) that includes the Arch of Galerius next door. The interior is dimly lit—use a torch to see the mosaics clearly.
💡 Free entry on some national holidays (check ahead). Budget 1.5–2 hours. The cafe under the trees is a good break spot.
💡 Go just before sunset to see the city change colours. Skip the queue by buying a combo ticket for multiple sites if you plan to visit other museums.