Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is slightly less known as a Greek tourism sight, but that does not remove its elegance and historic atmosphere. It is the second-largest city in Greece and the center of northern Greece, locating on on the northern fringe of the Thermaic Gulf on its eastern coast and bounded by Mount Chortiatis on its southeast. It has about 380, 000 residents, having over 1 million people in whole metropolitan area.
It was founded in 315 BC by king Cassander of Macedonia, and was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire.
City has many remarkable Byzantine monuments and the largest university of the Balkans.
Recreation
Ladadika and Valaoritou districts are the centers of local nightlife with numerous restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.
Shopping
Tsimiski Street and Proxenou Koromila avenue has many luxury boutiques and fashion stores.
Ianos bookshop in Aristotelous Square sells many kind of books and art, and organize cultural events.
Something to explore
The Church of Agios Demetrios
This Orthodox sanctuary is part of the site Palaeochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki, which has been an UNESCO World Heritage since 1988.
The first church on the spot was constructed in the early 4th century AD, replacing a Roman bath. A century later, a prefect named Leontios replaced the small oratory with a larger, three-aisled basilica. Repeatedly gutted by fires, the church eventually was reconstructed as a five-aisled basilica in 629–634. This was the surviving form of the church much as it is today. The basilica is famous for six extant mosaic panels, dated to the period between the latest reconstruction and the inauguration of the Iconoclastic policies in 730.
The White Tower
White Tower is the most important landmark of Thessaloniki. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification which was mentioned around the 12th century and reconstructed by the Ottomans to fortify the city’s harbour. It served as a notorius prison during the bloody Ottoman times. Today the tower houses the museum, which is dedicated dedicated to the history of Thessaloniki throughout various periods.
Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (Manoli Andronikou Street 6) has a remarkable exhibitions concentrating to history of Macedonia from prehistory to Roman times. Its collection shows ancient pottery, mosaics and paintings as well as metal artifacts and sculptures. Here is also Café Terra Antiqua and a gift shop.
Aristotelous Square
This biggest square of the city is a real social heart and it has many couzy cafés and bistros lining on it. The square is used for many cultural events, such as festivals and the annual Christmas and carnival celebrations. The Olympion Theatre cinema on the right side of the square is site of the annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
How to get around in Thessaloniki
City’s public transportation is served by buses. Tickets for the buses can be bought on the bus, at a periptero (kiosk), which are located all around the city, and at an OASTH info point. OASTH services operate from 5 a.m. until right after midnight, while some lines have expanded timetables until 1 a.m. Line 78N to the airport, operates 24 hours and passes through Egnatia street. Ticket prices and timetables are visible here, there is also an excellent app about timetables available for IOS and Android.
How to get in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki has Macedonia International Airport 15 km southeast of the city center. Information about its airlines and destinations is visible here.
Buses 78,78A and 78N goes to the central passenger railway station of Thessaloniki (Monastiriou street 28) from the airport.
Regional train service TrainOSE connects the city to other major Greek cities. Its timetables are visible here. One should be aware of following discounts: Children (ages 4-12) get a 50% discount Youth under 26 and elderly over 65 get a 25% discount (not available on InterCity trains to Athens). Disabled people and their escort get a 50% discount. Groups get a 30%-50% discount.
Thessaloniki is connected via the intercity KTEL bus network. Its timetables are visible here.
Top 5 in Thessaloniki
- The White Tower with its museum
- Pubbing in Valaoritou
- The Church of Agios Demetrios
- Archaeological Museum
- Shopping in Tsimiski Street
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: Wikipedia Commons with the CC licence / Tilemahos Efthimiadis, Marsyas, RekishiEJ, Alexander Klink
