Yes, Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” (SKG) has designated outdoor smoking areas at both entrances of its single terminal, before security. The main one is by the departures entrance on the upper level; a second sits on the arrivals level near the exit doors and taxi rank. Light up as you arrive at the terminal or step out of baggage reclaim — the airside gates are smoke-free.
Where You Can Smoke at SKG (Landside)
Thessaloniki is a compact, single-building airport, so the outdoor smoking areas are quick to reach from the kerbside without any long walks.
- Departures, upper level — a designated outdoor smoking area sits by the main terminal entrance where taxis and buses drop off. Finish your cigarette here before you walk in to check-in and security.
- Arrivals, ground level — a second outdoor area is near the exit doors and the taxi rank, ideal on landing before you head into the city or wait for a transfer.
- Both areas are marked with signage and free to use. In Thessaloniki’s Mediterranean climate they stay comfortable for most of the year.
Inside the Terminal and Airside
Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the building under Greece’s indoor-smoking ban.
- No smoking rooms. The old airside smoking room by Gate 5 was dismantled during the Fraport Greece terminal expansion completed in 2021, when the space was converted to retail. No indoor replacement was built.
- Gates and departures hall are smoke-free. Once you pass security there is no way back to the outdoor areas without re-clearing the checkpoint, so smoke before you go through.
- Lounges are non-smoking. The airside lounges do not have a smoking terrace, so lounge access does not solve a layover cigarette here.
Smoking During a Layover or Transit
SKG has no airside smoking area, so a transit smoker must exit through arrivals to the landside outdoor areas and then re-clear security to return to the gates. Allow time for the screening queue if you plan to do this between flights. Travellers who need airside indoor smoking during a Greek connection are better served by Athens.
Summary: Smoking at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
| Area | Smoking allowed? | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Departures entrance (upper level) | Yes — outdoor | Kerbside by the main terminal doors |
| Arrivals exit (ground level) | Yes — outdoor | Near the exit doors and taxi rank |
| Departures hall / check-in | No | Indoor, smoke-free |
| Gates / airside | No | No smoking area after security |
| Airside lounges | No | Non-smoking |
If you are connecting through the capital, the smoking areas at Athens Airport (ATH) include enclosed indoor lounges after security; at Thessaloniki, smoking is outdoors and landside only.
For Greece airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general information, see our Greece smoking guide.