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Thessaloniki · Greece

White Tower of Thessaloniki

Known locally as Λευκός Πύργος

Landmark Ottoman tower on Thessaloniki's waterfront, now housing an exhibition on the city's history.

Plan a trip here Website / visitor information
White Tower of Thessaloniki Annatsach · CC BY-SA 4.0
Typical visit
1 hour 30 minutes
Setting
Mixed
Region
Central Macedonia
Last checked
8 Aug 2026

Why visit

Landmark Ottoman tower on Thessaloniki's waterfront, now housing an exhibition on the city's history. The present tower was built in the Ottoman period, probably in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, as part of the city's coastal defences. It later served as a prison and became the emblem of modern Thessaloniki after the waterfront walls were removed. The visit is strongest when you focus on city-history exhibition, spiral interior route and waterfront panorama.

What you will see

  • City-history exhibition.
  • Spiral interior route.
  • Waterfront panorama.

History

The present tower was built in the Ottoman period, probably in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, as part of the city's coastal defences. It later served as a prison and became the emblem of modern Thessaloniki after the waterfront walls were removed.

Photographs

White Tower of Thessaloniki

Annatsach · CC BY-SA 4.0 · full attribution on the image credits page.

Visitor tips

  1. 1

    Prioritise City-history exhibition if you have less time than the full suggested visit.

  2. 2

    Leave enough time for Spiral interior route rather than treating White Tower of Thessaloniki as a quick photo stop.

About Central Macedonia

Thessaloniki monuments, ancient Macedonian capitals, Mount Olympus, waterfalls and Mount Athos.

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Combine it with

More to see around Thessaloniki

All of Thessaloniki
Museum of Byzantine Culture Thessaloniki · Greece Major museum of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, with mosaics, frescoes, icons, sculpture and everyday objects. Rotunda and Galerius Complex Thessaloniki · Greece Late Roman imperial monuments in central Thessaloniki, including the Rotunda and nearby Arch of Galerius. Archaeological Site of Aigai (Vergina) Vergina · Greece Royal centre of ancient Macedon, famous for monumental tombs and rich grave goods linked to the dynasty of Philip II. Archaeological Site of Pella Pella · Greece Ruins of the later capital of ancient Macedon, known for grand houses, pebble mosaics and an adjacent museum. Mount Athos Karyes · Greece Autonomous Orthodox monastic peninsula containing historic monasteries, forests and sacred landscapes under strict visitor rules. Edessa Waterfalls Edessa · Greece Urban waterfall park where streams plunge from the edge of the Edessa plateau into the plain below.

Already worked out

Ready-made trips through Thessaloniki

All ready-made trips
Thessaloniki and Ancient Macedonia — 7 Days 7 days · 8 stops · Moderate pace A northern-Greece route from Thessaloniki through the ancient Macedonian capitals, Edessa and Mount Olympus, finishing with a carefully planned Mount Athos visit or coastal perspective. Mainland Greece Grand Tour — 14 Days 14 days · 19 stops · Moderate pace A two-week mainland introduction moving from Athens to Delphi, Meteora and Macedonia before looping through the Peloponnese and back toward Athens.