Late winter
Thessaloniki in February
Still cold, but Carnival warms the city and the first sunny days appear on the seafront.
Temperature
12° / 4°
Rain
Moderate
Crowds
Low
Swimming
No
The weather
Slightly milder than January: average highs around 12 °C, lows near 4 °C. The first clear, sunny days appear, when the seafront fills with people in coats holding coffees.
What's on
Carnival dominates. The exact dates shift each year because they follow Easter. Neighbourhoods organise parades, schools dress up and bars run themed parties. Across wider Macedonia, archaic customs with bells and masks survive from Dionysian rites.
What to do
This is the month for tsipouro and mezedes in warm meze houses, for the covered Modiano and Kapani markets, and for museums. If you catch a sunny weekend, the walk along the Nea Paralia to the "Umbrellas" is one of the year's best: no heat, no crowds.
What to pack
Warm layers: days can start freezing and end mild.