If you own or manage an Airbnb in Thessaloniki, you probably wonder what guests really think about their stay. Star ratings tell you part of the story — but the real insights are hidden in the written reviews.
We analyzed 6,180 English-language reviews from Thessaloniki Airbnb listings, all written between 2019 and 2025. Here’s what guests actually say.
The good news first
Thessaloniki scores well overall. 86.2% of reviews are positive, 12.2% mixed, and only 1.6% negative. Guests genuinely love the city — and it shows in what they write.
The single most mentioned praise is location. “Great location”, “Perfect location”, “Central location” — these phrases appear hundreds of times. Thessaloniki’s walkable center, the waterfront, and proximity to restaurants and nightlife are consistent highlights.
Cleanliness is the second most praised quality. “Very clean”, “Super clean”, “Spotless” — guests notice and appreciate when properties are well maintained.
Host quality also stands out. “Great host”, “Very helpful host”, “Great communication” — Thessaloniki hosts are consistently praised for being responsive and welcoming.
What guests complain about
When guests do have complaints, five themes come up again and again.
1. Size — the biggest issue
The most common complaint by far is space. “Smaller than expected”, “Small apartment”, “Very small space”, “Bathroom very small” — these phrases appear across dozens of reviews. Guests feel that photos and descriptions often promise more space than the property actually delivers.
If you manage a small property, this is your biggest risk. Be honest in your listing about the size. Guests who know what to expect don’t complain about it.
2. Noise
“Noisy at night”, “Busy street noise”, “Some street noise” — noise is the second most common complaint. Thessaloniki is a lively city, and properties on busy streets or near bars and restaurants attract this feedback regularly.
Good blackout curtains and earplugs as a welcome amenity can make a real difference.
3. Parking
“Hard to find parking”, “Difficult to find parking” — this appears surprisingly often. Thessaloniki’s center has limited parking, and guests arriving by car struggle.
A simple tip in your welcome message about nearby parking options can prevent this complaint entirely.
4. Cleanliness — specifically the bathroom
Overall cleanliness scores well in Thessaloniki. But when guests complain, it’s almost always about the bathroom. “Could be cleaner”, “Bathroom could be cleaner” — the bathroom is the room guests judge most harshly.
A deep clean before every check-in, with extra attention to the bathroom, eliminates most of these complaints.
5. No hot water
“No hot water” appears 4 times in our sample — a small number, but significant. A cold shower ruins a stay. Regular boiler maintenance is non-negotiable.
What this means for Thessaloniki hosts
The data tells a clear story. Guests in Thessaloniki are generally happy — but the hosts who stand out are the ones who:
- Are honest about the size of their property
- Keep the bathroom spotless
- Give parking tips in their welcome message
- Maintain their boiler regularly
- Choose properties on quieter streets, or manage noise expectations upfront
Thessaloniki has everything guests want — location, food, culture, nightlife. Your job as a host is to not get in the way of that experience.
About this analysis
This article is based on 6,180 English-language Airbnb reviews from Thessaloniki properties, collected from Inside Airbnb and analyzed using AI sentiment analysis. Reviews cover the period 2019–2025.
Greek BnB Data provides insights for property owners and investors across Greece. Brothers Consulting manages short-term rental properties in Thessaloniki and Porto Heli.