Thessaloniki Municipality announces plan for 4,000 new parking spaces

The Municipality of Thessaloniki has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address urban parking shortages by creating approximately 4,000 new parking spaces. Mayor Stelios Angeloudis described the initiative as a ‘realistic and implementable plan’ aimed at reducing citizen frustration and improving urban mobility.

The strategy includes several key pillars: the conversion of municipal and public plots—such as the former Pharmaki camp and the former Naval Command of Northern Greece—into parking areas capable of accommodating over 2,000 vehicles. Additionally, the plan involves the pilot installation of automated multi-story parking systems (carousel type) to secure 228 spaces, and the creation of underground parking facilities at the Nea Elvetia Metro terminal (750 spaces) and in the Toumba area (450 spaces).

To optimize existing road space, the municipality will implement diagonal parking on selected streets, which is expected to increase capacity by 30%. The plan also includes 900 spaces dedicated to bicycles and light electric vehicles (LEVs) in the city center. Long-term goals focus on shifting the city's mobility model toward better public transportation and integrated metropolitan planning to discourage car use in the historic center.