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Home/ Student Life/Life in Thessaloniki
The city · the campus · the day-to-day

Studying in a city that
has been studied for 2,300 years.

Founded in 315 BC by King Cassander and named after the sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki is Greece's second city — a vibrant, walkable, affordable, and unmistakably Mediterranean place to spend the eighteen months of the MSc.

The city

Thessaloniki, by the numbers.

1M+
Inhabitants
The second-largest city in Greece, located in the country's North.
100,000
Students
≈ 10% of the city's population — the local economy revolves around higher education.
15
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Byzantine churches, the White Tower, the Rotunda, the city walls and the Heptapyrgion fortress.
5 km
Waterfront promenade
A favourite habit of the city's inhabitants — walked, jogged, or cycled at any hour.
Around 15 – 30% lower in prices than Athens and many other Western European cities.
Living

An affordable place to study
and live well.

Thessaloniki is an affordable city for students. Well-organised, modern student halls for international students charge from approximately €350 per month, with utility bills and internet included.

Living costs become very manageable when considering that our students enjoy a special arrangement of just €4 per day for three full meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — at the University restaurant, even on weekends. The restaurant is run by a highly esteemed private catering company, offering a wide range of options on a daily basis, including vegetarian.

Thessaloniki also enjoys a comfortable Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers, making it a very liveable city year-round.

Campus & commuting

Five minutes' walk to everything that matters.

The University of Macedonia sits in the heart of Thessaloniki — close to the city's main commercial, administrative, and waterfront districts. Public transport is comprehensive and inexpensive, and most students rely mainly on pedestrian access from accommodation within a 5–10 minute walking radius.

Metro

The campus is directly served by a nearby underground (metro) station, with the entrance only a few metres from the University's main gate.

Bus (OASTH)

Multiple bus routes stop directly outside the University. Single-trip tickets are priced at approximately €0.30. The official OASTH mobile app provides real-time arrivals and journey planning.

Airport (SKG)

Thessaloniki International Airport is well-connected by major airlines and located approximately 20 km from the city centre, reaching global destinations directly or via short stops.

OASTH routes serving the university area

Indicative bus lines.

RouteDirection
7Agios Ioannis – University
10Charilaou – N.S.S.
11Pylaia – N.S.S.
14 / 14AAno Toumba – Genesis – N.S.S.
17Triandria – N.S.S.
27Stavroupoli – University
28AEfkarpia – Sykies – Ano Poli – University
31Voulgari – KTEL
37Kriopigi – N.S.S.
58Dikastiria – Panorama – Hortiatis
2KIKEA – KTEL (Intercity Bus Station)
83Lagadas – Thessaloniki
X1KTEL – Airport
Sandy beaches, ski resorts, and mountain treks all within a short drive.
Entertainment & beyond

A vibrant nightlife —
and an entire region to explore.

Thessaloniki is particularly popular among Greek students for its entertainment options: vibrant nightlife, great variety, and — crucially — safety. Prices are very reasonable when compared with the rest of Europe.

Beyond the city, the beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters of Chalkidiki are an easy drive away, as are nearby ski resorts and mountain trails. Combined with the city's festivals, rich culture, and renowned gastronomy, these all contribute to Thessaloniki's reputation as one of Greece's most desirable places to live and study.

For more on the city, visit thessaloniki.travel — the official digital gateway maintained by the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization, with information on cultural landmarks, gastronomy, accommodation, and visitor services.

Practical matters

Coming from outside Greece?

Read the dedicated section for international students — visa, AFM, AMKA, bank account, and study-permit renewal — all explained step by step.