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We understand the feeling that no place feels like home. Home is where you know exactly which supermarket has your favorite diaper brand, where to grab your baby's usual formula, and which pharmacy to call at 2am.
Traveling to a new country with little ones, where you don't speak the language, the doctor doesn't know your child's history, and you're not sure where the nearest pharmacy is, can feel daunting.
That's exactly why we wrote this guide: to help you feel prepared and confident before you even land.
Supermarkets you can rely on
Thessaloniki and Halkidiki are well stocked with familiar international brands like Pampers, Nestlé, and Unilever. Our go-to supermarkets for baby essentials are:
- Masoutis
- AB Vassilopoulos (pronounced as Alpha Vita)
- Sklavenitis
- Lidl
Pharmacies on every corner
Pharmacies are everywhere across Thessaloniki and Halkidiki. In our hometown of Peraia alone, you'll find five (!) on the main street. Most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, and outside those hours (siestas, nights, Sundays, and holidays) there's always a duty pharmacy open nearby.
Pharmacists here are well trained and happy to help. You'll find excellent sunscreens, mosquito repellents and after-bite creams, Sudocrem, vitamin D and other supplements, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and pretty much anything else you might need.
Pediatricians and children's healthcare
Nothing makes a parent more anxious than the "what if" my child gets
- a fever
- an ear infection
- takes a little tumble while we're away from our usual doctor?
The good news: there is healthcare in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, and getting help for your child here is easier than you might expect.
Many pediatricians in the wider Thessaloniki area speak English, especially in tourist-friendly areas. Your hotel or Airbnb host can usually recommend a trusted local pediatrician, and pharmacists are a great first stop for advice on minor issues like fevers, rashes, or upset tummies.
Public hospitals with pediatric care. Thessaloniki is home to public hospitals with dedicated pediatric departments, including Ippokrateio General Hospital and Papageorgiou General Hospital, both equipped to handle children's health needs from routine concerns to emergencies.
If you'd prefer a private hospital, you can visit the Interbalkan Medical Center (Diavalkaniko), located on the road toward the airport, has its own dedicated Pediatric Clinic alongside its emergency department.
For anything urgent, dial 166 for EKAB, Greece's national ambulance and emergency medical service and they'll direct you to the nearest appropriate hospital, public or private.
Our tip: save the number of a local pediatrician and your nearest hospital (public or private). It takes two minutes and means one less thing to worry about for the rest of your trip.