Fast Facts

American Express -- The office is at 19 Tsimiski (tel. 2310/239-797); hours are Monday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm and Friday from 8am to 1:30pm.

Currency Exchange & ATMs -- All banks exchange currency, as do most hotels and the central post office. The major banks along Tsimiski and Aristoteleos Square have ATMs.

Doctors & Dentists -- The U.S. Consulate (tel. 2310/266-121 or 2310/260-716) has a continually updated list of recommended doctors. In addition, most of the better hotels can reach an English-speaking doctor or dentist.

Embassies & Consulates -- The U.S. Consulate (tel. 2310/242-905 or 2310/260-716) is at 43 Tsimiski. It offers a bare minimum of services. The UK/Commonwealth Honorary Consul is at 8 Venizelou (tel. 2310/278-006 or 2310/269-984), by appointment only.

Emergencies -- The police hot line is tel. 100; for non-urgent help, call tel. 2310/863-393. For first aid, call tel. 166. For car breakdowns, call tel. 104 (the Greek Automobile Touring Club, or ELPA). Also try the tourist police, 4 Dodekanisou, near the eastern end of Tsimiski (tel. 2310/554-870 or 2310/554-871).

Hospitals & Clinics -- The main hospital is the Ippokration (tel. 2310/892-2000 or 2310/837-921) at 50 Papanastasiou; doctors who speak some English are usually available here. Two private clinics, Ahepa Hospital, 1 Kiriaki (tel. 2310/993-111), and Ayios Loukas (St. Luke's), on the road to Panorama village northeast of the city (tel. 2310/342-102 to -104), both have English-speaking doctors.

Internet Access -- Thessaloniki has many Internet cafes, including centrally located e-Global, 117 Egnatia (tel. 2310/887-711) and Meganet, 5 Plateia Navarino (tel. 2310/269-591).

Lost Property -- Call the tourist police at tel. 2310/554-870 or 2310/554-871.

Newspapers & Magazines -- English-language publications are available at several kiosks in Aristotelous Square and along Tsimiski.

Pharmacies -- Pharmacies alternate late-night hours. Lists and addresses of the ones open on a particular night can be found in the local newspapers and the windows of all pharmacies.

Police -- The 24-hour emergency number is tel. 100. The tourist police number is tel. 2310/554-870 or 2310/554-871.

Post Office -- The main post office is at 26 Aristotelous (tel. 2310/278-924). Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 8pm, Saturday from 7:30am to 2pm, and Sunday from 9am to 1:30pm.

Restrooms -- All but the smallest eateries and bars have restrooms that you can request to use without embarrassment. Carrying some tissues with you is a good idea.

Safety -- Thessaloniki is still an extremely safe city, although the influx of a rough element in recent years means that obvious tourists should exercise the usual big-city caution, especially at night. The only area absolutely to avoid is around Vardaris (Dimokratias) Square, which attracts some shady characters.

Taxis -- Radio taxis in the city center can be called at tel. 2310/517-417.