<img class="alignnone wp-image-75481 size-full" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/67997/Thessaloniki-Guide-main.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /><h2>Thessaloniki | Θεσσαλονίκη</h2>Greece's second largest city and home to the second largest port on the Aegean Sea. Thessaloniki is the capital of the Macedonia region of Greece and is home to over 300,000 people.Founded in 315 BC and named after a half-sister Alexander the Great, the city later became the capital of all Roman provinces on the peninsula. Thessaloniki was the second most important city of the Byzantine empire, and it was occupied by the Venetians, Ottomans, and the Nazis.Today, Thessaloniki is considered the cultural centre of Greece and is one of the largest student centres in Europe. Due to its port, heavy industry is also prevalent in the area. Tourists are drawn to its classical sights, laid-back lifestyle and excellent wine and dining choices.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Rights in Greece</h2>For gay rights in Greece, visit our <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/essential-guide-to-athens/">Gay Athens City Guide page</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Scene</h2>Thessaloniki's gay scene is similar in style to Athens' however it is on a significantly smaller scale. Although the lesbian scene is particularly prevalent in Thessaloniki, there is a <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/thessaloniki-gay-cruise-clubs/">gay cruise club</a> and a <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/thessaloniki-gay-saunas/">gay sauna</a> that cater specifically for men.The city is a welcoming destination, though could be considered conservative when compared to other coastal hotspots like Tel Aviv or Barcelona. Since 2012, Thessaloniki has hosted an LGBT Pride celebration every June.&nbsp;<h2>Getting to Thessaloniki</h2>By planeThe Thessaloniki International Airport "Macedonia" (SKG) is 13km south of the city centre and is the main airport of Northern Greece. It is well-connected to destinations in Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East by scheduled flights and charter connections.Connections to the city centre are available 24 hours a day by buses 78/78A/78N. Bus 78 runs every 15-30 minutes during the day whereas 78N runs every half hour at night. Tickets cost €2 and exact change must be used if buying on the bus. Journeys are around 40 minutes.Taxis are available at the terminal but are difficult to flag at peak times. To avoid frustration it is best to book reserve travel in advance. Journey times should be in the region of 15 minutes and expect to pay around €15-20.By boatThessaloniki passenger terminal is a common location for tourists visiting the nearby area of Chalkidiki in the summer months. There are good ferry connections to the Greek islands so this is a good place to end an island hopping holiday.By trainThe central station is located in the west of the city centre. Due to Greece's mountainous terrain, journey times by while are quite long when you compare the actual distance involved (it takes over 5 hours to get to Athens). There are sleeper connections to other states in the Balkans.By busThe KTEL bus network connects Thessaloniki with all corners of Greece. Although journeys can be long the buses are modern, air-conditioned and relatively cheap. There are longer services to and from neighbouring Albania, Serbia, Macedonia and Bulgaria.&nbsp;<h2>Getting around Thessaloniki</h2>On footThessaloniki's main sights can be easily traversed in half an hour, so walking is probably the best way to take in the sights. In summer, the heat can get quite oppressive so public transport does offer some shelter from the sun.By busOASTH operates the buses in the city and it offers varied services from 5am until around 1am. There is a good app with all bus information. Tickets are cheap with prices starting at €1 per journey (+10 cents if bought from the driver). Tickets must be validated upon travel.There is a special tourist bus (number 50) operated by OASTH which takes you to the main sights from the White Tower. Journeys cost €2 and take roughly 50 minutes. They have an English-speaking tour guide who also hands out maps.&nbsp;<h2>Where to Stay in Thessaloniki</h2>For our list of recommended hotels, please visit our <a href="https://www.travelgayhotels.com/Place/Thessaloniki.htm">Gay Thessaloniki Hotels page</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Things to See &amp; Do</h2>The White Tower - the only surviving tower on the seafront and the iconic image of the city. The White Tower is an Ottoman reconstruction of a fortification originally built by the Byzantines. It was notorious as a prison and the location of executions during the Ottoman era.Agios Demetrios - a stunning Byzantine church built in the 7th Century. It is UNESCO-protected and one of the largest in the city.Jewish Museum - prior to World War 2, Thessaloniki had a thriving Jewish community - it was known as the Mother of Jerusalem. In 1943, almost the entirity of it's mainly Sephardic Jewish population were deported to the death camps and you can find out more about this here.Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum - here you can find artefacts from pre-historic times up the days of the Romans. As you would expect from a museum in Greece, the exhibits are impressive.Bey Hamam - restored Ottoman bath house that is also used as an exhibition space. One of the best preseved examples of Ottoman architecture in the city.Central Food Market - a bustling street market that is an assault on the senses! Here you will find hundreds of vendors selling everything from freshly prepared meat to flowers.&nbsp;<h2>When to Visit</h2>Thessaloniki has a Mediterranean climate, which means that summers are hot and dry while winters are cooler and rainy. The best time to visit weather wise is spring or early autumn when the weather is not so oppressively hot and the city isn't swarmed with tourists.Throughout the year, there are festivals and events to entertain visitors of all tastes. In November, there is the international film festival which attracts A-List guests. The International Trade Fair in September attracts high-flyers to the city and was also the birthplace of the frappe.&nbsp;<h2>Money</h2>Greece is part of the Eurozone. Cash dispensers are widely available, although many charge a fee if you use a foreign card. Credit &amp; debit cards are widely accepted. Foreign exchange booths are easy to find. Exchange rates are not particularly competitive.

Gay Thessaloniki · City Guide

First trip to Thessaloniki? Then our gay Thessaloniki city guide page can help you get from A to Z.

Greece becomes the first orthodox country to legalize same-sex marriage. The country’s Parliament also extended equal parental rights to same-sex couples, including clearing the way for them to adopt children.

The ability for same-sex couples to legally adopt a child.

Law 4538/2018 grants the right for couples to foster children. Individuals can adopt normally.

The Civil Union act also equalized the age of consent at 15

The difference between legal age of consent for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.

Article 347 of the Greek Criminal Code; which provides for a higher age of consent of 17, for seducing a male person if the male partner is over 18 and for lesbians and both male/female heterosexuals (regardless of close-in-age or not) and for only close-

In January 10, 2022 the Greek Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris, and the Deputy Minister of Health, Mina Gaga signed the determination of the content of the "Blood Donor History". In the new form, sexual orientation is disconnected from the criteria that must be met by prospective blood donors.

The ability for MSMs (men who have sex with men) to donate blood or tissue for organ transplants. A deferral period refers to a waiting time before a man can donate after having sex.

In order to donate blood, blood donors had to fill out a form called "Blood Donor History”, issued by the National Blood Donation Center, which stated that donating blood is prohibited for “anyone who had been in a homosexual relationship since 1977”

In Greece, there are no laws restricting to discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Censorship or prohibition of discussing, promoting, or teaching LGBTQ+ topics in media, schools, and in the general public.

To change one's legal gender in Greece, the legal requirement is only a court order. Non-binary people are to choose male or female. Forced divorce was also required if the person was married, before same-sex marriage was legal in Greece.

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

The amendment, introduced in the context of the bill on the "Personal Doctor", introduces a ban on so-called "treatments or conversion practices", ie methods aimed at changing or suppressing the sexual orientation, the gender identity or expression of an LGBT+ individual. 
 The amendment, however, does not include adults who, as stated in Parliament, can undergo conversion therapy with their consent. There is also no mention of people practicing these therapies other than specialists, leaving a legal loophole for spiritual leaders and priests. The LGBT+ organizations protested and demanded the inclusion of all the above

Legal status of conducting sexual orientation changing therapy ("ex-gay" therapy)

In May 10, 2022 the Greek Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris submitted an amendment to the bill for the “personal doctor”, based on article 1 of which institutes the prohibition of practical conversions to vulnerable individuals by professionals. With the term "professionals" the amendment defines those who receive remuneration to proceed with such "treatments", leaving a legal gap in practices e.g. of the Church, such as exorcism or other covert practices, which do not involve remuneration. Also, the term "vulnerable" means minors or those who are under legal assistance. 
 At the same time, the provision prohibits professionals from inviting, promoting or advertising conversion practices performed by themselves or other third parties, professionals or not. 
 Violation of the law in addition to the prescribed disciplinary and administrative sanctions, will be punished with imprisonment and a fine, while the repeated commission of the above act constitutes an aggravating circumstance.

Conversion Therapies for LGBT people are held openly in Greece with the tolerance of the state as well as the responsible associations of mental health specialists. Research on this issue indicates that such therapies involve spiritual or religious leaders, alternative healers (homeopaths, energy therapists, etc.) as well as health and mental health professionals. 
 Today, while some psychologists continue to use therapies such as disgust, the most commonly used techniques include a variety of behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and other practices that seek to change or reduce a person's same-sex attraction or gender identity. Lesser known but still active practices are beatings, sexual violence - even rape -, isolation, deprivation of food, electroshock, administration of drugs and other drugs, psychological violence, as well as exorcisms or other sessions. 
 The church is also promoting these therapies through the church-funded omofylofilia.gr site.

The marriage equality bill changed the 4443/2016 
 law, extending the prohibition of discrimination to social protection, social benefits, education and access to the availability and provision of goods and services protections (including housing), enshrining full legal coverage against discrimination.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Law 4443/2016 offered protection against discrimination only in the work and employment sectors.

Many instances of discriminations against LGBT individuals are illegal. The only case where discrimination is not illegal is if it is done by public domain (of which the church is one.)

In December 9, 2016 the Hellenic Parliament passed the law 4443/2016, which added as 'suspicious' criteria of discrimination "color", "ethnic origin", "pedigree", "chronic disease", "marital status", "social status", "gender identity" and "gender characteristics", while the term “genetic orientation”, which was used in law 3304/2005, was corrected to sexual orientation. The concept of multiple discrimination was also standardized

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, harassment, etc.

The Community/Union legislation (directive 2000/78) prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workspace. Later on it was transferred to the Greek legal order, with law 3304/2005, almost verbatim. The greek translation of the directive and the greek law referred to sexual orientation as “genetic orientation”.

Medical and psychological support designed to help individuals transition to the gender they identify with, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and surgeries.

In Greece, homosexuality was a criminal offence up until 1951. "Incest against nature" (between men) was punished under Article 347 of the Penal Code. This article was abolished with an amendment that was voted on December 23, 2015

Consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex.

Homosexuality in Greece became legal in 1951 by the new Penal Code, but some discrimination in laws against homosexuals was valid until recently (article 347 of the Penal Code).

Law 4443/2016 includes housing on the list of services that discrimination is prohibited. Although not mentioned directly, the law, later on, explains what direct discrimination can be.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity when applying for housing or discrimination by landlords / property owners.

On July 19th, 2022, the Greek Parliament approved a bill that banned surgeries on intersex people under the age of 15 that “seek to ensure that a child ascribes to traditional notions of male and female.” 

Medical interventions performed on intersex infants to alter their genital appearance to conform to typical male or female standards, often without the informed consent of the child who is too young to participate in the decision-making process.

On February 16th, 2024, the Hellenic Parliament voted with 173 votes (76 against and 46 abstentions), on legalizing same-sex marriage, becoming the first orthodox country to do so.

Marriage and marriage recognition between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity.

On December 23rd, 2015, the Hellenic Parliament voted with 193 votes (56 against and 51 abstentions), on the law on extending the cohabitation agreement (civil unions) to same-sex couples.

Cohabitation agreement, corresponding to civil union, was instituted in Greece, in November 26, 2008, only available to opposite-sex couples. In April 2006, former President of the PA.SO.K. party, George Papandreou proposed to Parliament the recognition of unmarried same-sex or heterosexual couples.  However, the project was not accepted by the LGBT organizations as it was considered that it would not have any benefit in their rights, since it prohibited the adoption of children.

The ability for homosexuals to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.

Gender-neutral names can be used on IDs and birth certificates, following the case of Jason-Antigone Dane, but one can only legally identify as male or female

Legal recognition of non-binary, genderqueer, or third gender identities.

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Yunanistan'da bir feribot rezervasyonu yapmak nispeten basittir ve Mikonos ve Santorini gibi adalar arasında ulaşım kolaydır.

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Thessaloniki Pride 2024

Selanik'te eşcinsel gurur festivali.

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