EuroPride 2024 in Thessaloniki
Celebrate Pride in an exciting, culture-rich city.
COVID-19 caused a whole host of problems, especially when it came to travel. One consequence of the pandemic was the cancellation of EuroPride 2020 in Thessaloniki, Greece—until now. From June 21 to 29, 2024, the international LGBTI community will make its way to the Greek city for a week of celebration, partying, and participation in the big Pride parade.
What’s on during Pride Week
Naturally, the focal point is the parade that takes place on June 29, the final event of the week, with thousands of people walking through the streets of Thessaloniki to make their community visible and celebrate it in all its forms and expressions.
But the week starts on Friday, June 21 with an opening ceremony and concert. Over the following days, there will be walks, theater, film screenings, and more concerts. You can also expect many activities outside the official program at Thessaloniki’s LGBTI bars and clubs, such as Enola or Baus.
A human rights conference takes place in the days before the parade when the Pride Fair opens, a pride area that is open all day.
More information about the week can be found on the official website.
Take the opportunity to discover Thessaloniki
A relatively undiscovered gem of a city, Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city after Athens. It is considered the country’s cultural capital with festivals, such as the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, and MOMus—a group of museums focusing on modern art and photography that is largely based here.
As one of the most important centers of early Christianity, Thessaloniki has many breathtakingly beautiful churches and examples of early Christian art in the form of mosaics—naturally, this makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the Church of Osios David with one of the most beautiful mosaics in the world.
Thessaloniki has always been a mixture of cultures, and this is reflected in the city’s food scene, which has become so exciting that The Times declared Thessaloniki a new foodie destination for 2022. The legendary Olympos Naoussa restaurant, for example, recently reopened with a new menu after a major renovation.
Take a walk along the waterfront and try some koulouri, bread rings with toasted sesame seeds that have been baked since Byzantine days. Or discover Tsinari, a neighborhood with well-preserved buildings and a peaceful atmosphere. Thessaloniki is a cosmopolitan and culturally rich city, but don’t expect to be sipping drinks on the beach here. For that, you’ll need to get away from the hustle and bustle—to the beaches of Halkidiki, for example.
LGBTI-friendly accommodation in Thessaloniki
Stylish and central
The Modernist
If you are a fan of art deco, mid-century, and Danish design, then this is the hotel for you. The Modernist has decorated its rooms and facilities in a minimalist style that is both sensual and inviting. The hotel is centrally located in a beautiful 1920s building that offers relaxing common areas, as well as customized guest experiences.
Youthful and vibrant
Zeus is Loose
“Hostel” doesn’t quite do Zeus is Loose justice, as it’s more like a social hangout with both private and shared rooms. It overlooks one of Thessaloniki’s archaeologically important sites while The Nectar Distillery rooftop bar, with its stunning views, is a watering hole that attracts Thessaloniki’s young night owls.
Luxury hotel with Byzantine inspiration
MonAsty
This is one of Thessaloniki’s newer hotels and an example of how the city is attracting more and more world travelers with its combination of history and modernity. Part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott International, MonAsty welcomes guests in an environment that combines art, design, and gastronomy inspired by the city’s rich cultural heritage. Both the hotel’s design and the food at the hotel’s Botargo restaurant blend influences from the emperors and monasteries of Byzantium.
Text by Daniel Björk