White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos)
Thessaloniki, Macedonia, 546 21
Looming over the waterfront, Thessaloniki’s 15th-century White Tower (Lefkós Pýrgos) is one of the city’s most famous attractions and the star of sightseeing tours. This imposing tower was originally built by the Ottomans as part of the city’s fortifications and was later used by Turkish invaders for public executions.
The basics
The White Tower sits at the southern end of the seafront promenade of Nikis Avenue, easily reached by hop-on-hop-off bus, walking tours of the city, and boat tours along the coastline. Tour the inside of the tower, where multimedia displays trace the history of Thessaloniki, then head up to the viewing platform on the tower roof for a sweeping panorama over the city and Thermaic Gulf.
Things to know before you go
An audio guide dedicated to the permanent exhibition inside the tower is included in the price of admission.
The rooftop overlook offers one of the best views in Thessaloniki but can only be reached via stairs.
To see Thessaloniki’s top sights, purchase the three-day pass that includes admission to the White Tower, Museum of Byzantine Culture, Archaeological Museum, and the Rotunda.
There are no restrooms or other services inside the tower.
The upper levels of the tower are not accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Instead, there is a virtual tour of the museum on the accessible ground floor.
How to get there
The White Tower is easy to reach on foot as part of a city walking tour, via a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, or from the nearby harbor as a stop during a boat tour. It soars above the waterfront along the Nikis Avenue promenade about a ten-minute walk from the Thessaloniki train station and ferry port.
When to get there
The tower can be admired from the outside by land or sea 24 hours a day since it's lit up at night; it’s particularly photogenic in the golden light of sunset. The interior exhibition and rooftop terrace are open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from the morning to mid-afternoon.
Top attractions near the White Tower
Many of Thessaloniki’s A-list attractions are located near the White Tower and can be visited on a single walking tour. Top city sights include the grand Aristotelous Square, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, and the Church and Crypt of Agios Dimitrios, with its seventh-century mosaics, ancient crypt, and archaeological museum.
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