Thessaloniki Travel Guide

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Thessaloniki
The White Tower in Thessaloniki © GNTO
Greece's second largest city was the realm of Alexander the Great and named after his sister, Thessaloniki, when it was founded in 316 BC. The capital of Macedonia in the north, it sits in a bowl framed by low hills, facing a bay on the Gulf Thermaikos. Despite being one of the oldest cities in Europe, today Thessaloniki is lively and modern, and with its with wide avenues, parks and squares, is thought to be much more attractive than Athens.

The main squares are Platia Elefterias and Platia Aristotelous, both on the waterfront and alive with cafes and restaurants, children playing or people just strolling. Thessaloniki, having been under Ottoman rule for long periods in its history, has been left a legacy of numerous Byzantine churches, and museums housing Byzantine art and artefacts. The city also has a heritage of early Christian communities, particularly the renowned monasteries of nearby Mount Athos; and a rich Jewish tradition, evident in the synagogues and Jewish Museum.

In 1917, most of the city was destroyed in a massive fire, and rebuilt later. This is not a high-rise city, though, because the area is prone to earthquakes and regulations have been imposed preventing the building of skyscrapers. This means that residents and visitors alike can enjoy the seaside situation of Thessaloniki, with views aplenty from the city streets.

There is much to see and do in Thessaloniki besides the ruins, including visits to the Turkish Baths, central market, and cafes and restaurants of Aristotelous Square. Thessaloniki also has a vibrant nightlife, with a number of lively bars and clubs.




Attractions

Church of Saint Penteleimon © www.saloniki.org

Churches of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki has numerous beautiful churches, large and small, dating from various eras, most notably Byzantine. Most are sited in the Upper City area, which is a warren of quaint, narrow cobbled streets and has become a fashionable quarter favoured by local city slickers. Some...  see full details



Roman Forum © Marsyas

Roman Forum

Close to one of the city's main bus terminals in Dikasterion Square lies the archaeological site of the ancient Greek agora or marketplace, which was later expanded to become a Roman forum on two levels. The forum was the heart of the ancient...  see full details



White Tower © www.saloniki.org

The White Tower

The city's most famous landmark, the White Tower was originally built as part of the city walls. It now stands, no longer white but still imposing, on the seaside promenade south of the Archaeological Museum, having been restored and offering panoramic views of the...  see full details



Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum © Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum

Regarded as one of the finest museums in Europe, Thessaloniki's Archaeology Museum near the famous White Tower and opposite the city's international fairgrounds, houses a huge collection including the incredible treasures of the tomb of Alexander the Great's father, Phillip of Macedon, which was...  see full details



Excursions


Mount Athos

Only men are welcome to make a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, the secretive 'Shangri-La' on a rugged promontory about 80 miles (129km) south east of Thessaloniki, where it is possible to step back in time and mingle with hundreds of monks, from more...  see full details

Mount Olympus

Towering above ancient Dion, about 48 miles (77km) south of Thessaloniki is Greece's highest mountain, Mount Olympus, home to the famed Gods of Greek mythology. The mountain is rich in tree and plant life, supporting more than 1,700 species, some very rare. The main...  see full details

Vergina

Vergina, known in ancient times as Aigai, is the most important of a cluster of three archaeological sites in the area connected with Philip, father of Alexander the Great. Vergina is where Philip built a massive palace and a theatre, and where he...  see full details
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