The Thessaloniki Metro, inaugurated on November 30, 2024, represents a transformative milestone for Greece’s second-largest city. Conceived in 2003 to alleviate traffic congestion and modernize urban mobility, construction began in 2006 with an initial completion target of 2012. However, the project faced significant delays due to financial crises, technical challenges, and extensive archaeological discoveries beneath the city​

As construction progressed, archaeologists uncovered invaluable artifacts, including sections of the Roman Decumanus Maximus road, Byzantine markets, and Christian-era structures. These findings necessitated redesigns of key stations, such as Venizelou and Aghia Sofia, to integrate and preserve the historical treasures. This dual-focus project, blending transportation innovation with cultural preservation, became one of Greece’s largest and most intricate excavation efforts, costing over €200 million​

Revived by over €1 billion EU funding, the metro system now spans 9.6 kilometers, featuring 13 stations and 18 automated trains. It is expected to serve over 315,000 passengers daily, reducing road traffic by 60,000 vehicles and cutting CO₂ emissions by 212 tons per day. Its unique “archaeo-metro” design highlights Thessaloniki’s 2,300-year history while offering a state-of-the-art transportation solution​

Though transformative, the metro’s initial network is limited, with future extensions planned to reach the airport and other areas. After nearly two decades, the Thessaloniki Metro stands as a testament to the city’s resilience, combining modern infrastructure with a celebration of its ancient heritage​