Walking around is a great way to explore any city, whether you are familiar with it or not, so why would Thessaloniki differ?  Start walking, just for the sake of it, while enjoying the journey. Explore the city’s landmark, the White Tower, located on the seaside promenade. Within the tower runs a museum showcasing Thessaloniki’s history from its foundation up to 1922 as well as a charming collection concerning the city’s glorious Byzantine past. The fortified cylindrical structure (33.9m height and 22.7m diameter) was built in the 15th century during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent and was later used during the Ottoman rule as a place of execution, which was called Canli Casteli meaning “tower of blood”. The origin of its current name dates to the 19th c.

At a short distance from the Tower you can visit the Vassiliko Theatre, built in 1940, which is home to the National Theatre of Northern Greece NTNG. The three storey, recently renovated 11,000m2 building, accommodates numerous playhouses.

Head to Aristotelous, the most significant and popular square in town overlooking the Thermaic Gulf, from where you can even see Mt. Olympus when the weather is clear. Enjoy the view of stately buildings, which were built following the large fire of 1917, by Ernest Hébrard (commissioned by El. Venizelos the Greek Prime Minister) along with other Greek and foreign architects. Walk along the coast, next to Nikis Boulevard, which extends from the city port on the west to the statue of Alexander the Great on east, where you’ll come across a number of cozy cafes, bars and shops.

Stop by the Palace complex of Galerius and see the Octagon building intended to be a throne hall with its impressive mosaics, the Rotonda (containing Early Christian mosaics) and Galerius Arch (aka Kamara) built in ca. 305 A. D.

Visit the Ancient Agora (dating 3rd c. B.C. to the 5th c. A.D.) where you will see the ruins of the  market, a mint, a conservatory, the (most probably) City Archives room, public bath facilities, taverna, brothel, as well as other finds. An ancient temple and early Christian tombs ( 4th-7th c.) were revealed after excavations under Γ’ Septemvriou St.

  Get to know another aspect of the city’s history by stopping at the Byzantine Baths, near Koule Kafe square. It is a rare sample of Byzantine Baths dating back to the end of the 13th century.

Make a point of visiting the Ishak Pasha Tzami Mosque (1484), near Kassandrou St. and the Hamza Bey Tzami Mosque (aka Alkazar) (1467), located among Egnatia and Venizelou streets, which was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt in 1620. Stop by Bey Hamam (1444), on Egnatia Odos St., Pasha Hamam (1520), Pazar and Yeni Hamam.

Moreover, the city of Thessaloniki is a renowned shopping destination; the main shopping streets are Tsimiski, Ermou, Egnatia, Mitropoleos and the environs. Make sure to pass by the old fashioned food markets of Modiano and Kapani (built in 1922). Enjoy your day out among the shops housed in the market’s arcades or sit and relax in one of the charming cafes and traditional eateries (mezedopolio)!

Another fascinating market to explore is the 15th c. Bezesteni Textile Market (Venizelou and Solomou St.) where you’ll find a sheer variety of fabrics in all colors and designs.

Jaunt around Thessaloniki’s port where the customs and warehouse buildings (built in 1910) are home to the Photography and Cinema Museums but are also used as venues for the International Film Festival.

Last but not least, don’t miss the nearby Ladadika neighbourhood, the best place to soak up the vibrant nightlife scene in Thessaloniki near Aristotelous square. This is where you’ll enjoy the night out in restaurants and nightclubs in old restored buildings that were saved by the 1917 fires.

More things to see:

•  the Y.M.C.A.’s stately building (greek abbreviation  Χ.Α.Ν.Θ.),
•  the OTE tower from where you can enjoy a birds eye view of the city,
•  the Holocaust memorial on Eleftherias Square, dedicated to the Greek Jews, executed by the Nazis (1942),
•  the large number of churches and museums of the city will make your trip to Thessaloniki unforgettable!

 

Thessaloniki’s gastronomy

Α culinary paradise!

Thessaloniki’s cuisine is widely known for its quality and variety. As the formation of the overall culture of the city came under many influences, Thessaloniki’s cuisine is one of the richest in Greece. Traditional recipes as well as modern trends have created a wide range of choices.

Professionals in Thessaloniki are renowned for their courtesy and hospitality. Whether one chooses a restaurant with many stars or a traditional little taverna, or whether one wants a snack whilst enjoying a walk, they are sure to be completely satisfied. Tavernas, both large and small, whether in the city centre or in the surrounding districts, offer incomparable delights. Traditional, authentic flavours from Pontus, Asia Minor, Constantinople, excite the senses. Arab and Armenian corners enhance the culinary map with unusual tastes.
 The city’s many restaurants create original tastes against the canvas of Mediterranean cuisine. Excellent fish and seafood dishes are accompanied by the strongly-flavoured Macedonian wines. Succulent salads and imaginative desserts complete a perfect meal.
The small shops selling pies, the famous Thessaloniki cream-filled bougatsas, are very popular. Nobody can resist these sweet and savoury provocations. The famous Trigona Panoramatos, custard cream filled pastries, have become Thessaloniki’s trademark. Special reference must be made to tripe and the restaurants that cleverly prepare it. A healthful dish, it helps to moderate the effects of staying up all night. So every night, and particularly at weekends, tripe-lovers finish up at one of the specialized restaurants. It is a ritualistic habit into which the people of Thessaloniki love to initiate travellers.

Corners full of tastes and aromas

One does not need to strive to find a good taverna or restaurant in Thessaloniki. Throughout the city there are plenty of areas well known as hubs of taste and recreation. Let us introduce you to two of those:

Modiano market – the Paris of Thessaloniki
The market takes its name from the inspired architect Eli Modiano. It was built in 1922, with obvious architectural references to the corresponding covered markets in Paris. It lies within the block bordered by Aristotelous, Ermou, Komninon and Vasileos Irakleiou Streets. It is a complex of five arcades with a pedimented facade and a glass roof. It houses small shops selling mainly food, as well as ouzeries offering countless tastes.

There is probably no description that can portray the colour, the stunned feeling that time has stopped dead and the quaintness of this ‘world’ that is the Modiano market. It must be noted that whilst it is a working market where one can find fish, meat, fresh vegetables and fruit, spices and herbs, it is included in tourist guides as one of Thessaloniki’s sights. This is the heart of the old city which though is still beating strongly.

Ladadika – eternal Thessaloniki
The Ladadika quarter was one of the most important commercial districts in Thessaloniki. For many decades the quarter housed food stores mainly selling wholesale goods. The area was unharmed by the famous fire of 1917. It resembles a small state within the city with a Byzantine stamp. Small, cobbled alleys, mysterious dead-end streets and charming facades make up one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the city.

The area was restored at the end of the 1970s. The old shops were turned into tavernas, restaurants and bars. Every night the quarter is inundated with people who love good food and the feel of old Thessaloniki.

FUN FACT

King Philip II of Macedonia , to celebrate his daughter’s birthday, which coincided with the victory of his troops in 353 BC, between the Macedonian army and the Thessalian Alliance at the important battle of Crocius Field in Thessaly against the Phocians , he is said to have named his newborn daughter «Thessalonica» , from Thessalon + Niki.