Thessaloniki has a beautiful waterfront but nowhere to swim. However, just across the Thermaic Gulf are the beach communities of Peraia and Neoi Epivates, popular with locals and foreigners alike. It’s not Halkidiki, but nice enough if you just need a day to unwind from the city and don’t have a car. Getting to them by bus, though, can be a bit slow, especially if traffic is bad. Luckily, there are two ferry companies (Karavakia & Poseidon Waterways) that shuttle bathers between Thessaloniki and the beaches daily. Poseidon Waterways also continues on slightly farther to Agia Triada.
You can take either ferry from the White Tower or the Port of Thessaloniki at the end of the pier just past the Kitchen Bar (a lovely place to have a freddo espresso while you wait).
On weekends and holidays, I recommend taking the ferry from the White Tower as this is where most passengers board, and the boat can fill up fast, leaving no room for those waiting at the port. (You also get a wonderful view of the city.)
The trip costs €5 and takes about 50 minutes. Below is the complete schedule for both ferry companies:
From White Tower / Port of Thessaloniki
10:50 – Poseidon Waterways
10:00 – Karavakia
12:30 – Karavakia
13:40 – Poseidon Waterways
15:00 – Karavakia
17:00 – Poseidon Waterways
17:30 – Karavakia
19:50 – Poseidon Waterways
20:00 – Karavakia
From Neoi Epivates / Peraia
10:00 – Poseidon Waterways (Agia Triada 9:30)
12:30 – Poseidon Waterways (Agia Triada 12:15)
11:15 – Karavakia
13:45 – Karavakia
14:45 – Poseidon Waterways
16:15 – Karavakia
18:30 – Poseidon Waterways (Agia Triada 18:15)
18:45 – Karavakia
21:15 – Karavakia
What month does the ferry stop going to the beaches from thessaloniki
The current schedule should be accurate through September. They may have limited service in the winter months. I think it depends on demand. I will update the schedule if there are any changes.