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Thessaloniki

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Destination facts

country flag

Where is located

How to get there

Car, Airplane, Bus, Train

Local public transportation

Bus, Metro

Time Zone

(GMT+2:00) Europe/Athens (Eastern European Time)
Local Time in Destination: 07:42

Elevation

0m

Top 5 landmarks

  • Lefkos Pirgos (White Tower)
    Kastra
  • Aristotelous Square
  • Ladadika
    Nea Paralia

Personal Rating

Food: 10 / 10
Nightlife: 10 / 10
Landmarks: 8 / 10
Activities: 8 / 10
Mobility: 7 / 10

Weather in Thessaloniki

Welcome to a trip in the most iconic city in the Balkans: Thessaloniki

Most of tourists when they are talking about Greece, they are talking about Athens and the islands. There is though a city in the north Greece, in the Greek Region of Makedonia, with the name Thessaloniki or Saloniki that is more than just a city in the north. Thessaloniki is a connection between West and East, modern and tradition. A contemporary and conservative city the same time.
Welcome to a trip in Salonika!

History of Thessaloniki

The history of Thessaloniki begins in the year 315 BC. The city was founded by king Kassandros, King of the Greek Kingdom of Macedonia, about 32 years after the die of the Alexander the Great. Before the foundation of Thessaloniki, Pella was the capital of the Kingdom. The town of Pella however could not accomodate the needs of the Kingdom as Pella didnt have and sea access. Therefore Kassandros founded the city of Thessaloniki that has direct access to the sea and could better be connected commercially with the other Greek cities.

During the Roman period, Thessaloniki is occupied from the Romans in the year 168 BC. Romans occupants also recognize the importance and the strategic position of Thessaloniki. The city transforms in an important military and economic center of the area. In addition the construction of the road Via Egnatia (Egnatia Road) at 146BC, which the modern version of the Road also goes through the same areas boosts even more the growth of the city.

In the 4th Century, during the Period of the Byzantine Empire, the Capital of the Roman Empire is moved  from Rome to Konstantinopel (heute Instabul, Modern Greek Konstantinoupoli). Thessaloniki is now co-capital of the Byzantin Empire.

The city goes from that period to a period of many ups and downs and until today the city is struggling to find its pace to the modern era. With more than one million population in the Metropolitan Area of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki is the second biggest city of Greece.

What to do there

With a 1 Million people population there are a lot of things that you can see in Thessaloniki.

Starting from the West Side of the old City of Thessaloniki in Vardaris square (or Plateia Dimokratias – Democracy Square with its official name) you can walk the Dodekanisou street, then Salaminos Street and you are reaching the harbour of Thessaloniki.

Take a turn the left and enjoy a nice walk in the Leoforos Nikis (Victory Avenue) until you reach the Lefkos Pirgos (White Tower).

After that you can walk the Ethnikis Aminis Steet until you reach Tsimiski Street. Tsimiski Steet is the shopping Street of Thessaloniki with all the known brands in Europe also in Thessaloniki available.

Grab a coffee for energy and continue your walk until you reach Aristotelous Square, the main Square of Thessaloniki with many shops, coffee houses and eating points.

In the evening you can enjoy nice and traditional Food in the Ladadika Area or visit the Kastra (City Walls) of Thessaloniki in the North part of the old City.

What to eat there

Well what we can say about the food in Thessaloniki… Is the food actually that makes Thessaloniki so special, or Thessaloniki that makes food so special… You can find this answer only if you visit the city.

Bougatsa: The most traditional Food of Thessaloniki is of course “bougatsa”. Bougatsa is a dessert made with the most creamy custard wrapped in golden brown crispy phyllo, sprinkled with melted butter and garnished with icing sugar and cinammon. There are also other variants like cheese or meat. Give it a try, it really worths it.

Gyros: Yes, I think everyone has once taste Gyros but if you go to Thessaloniki and taste the Gyros there you will be landed in complete other world. Give it a try as well.

Frappe: Frappe is an instant cold ice coffee. Thessaloniki is the homeland of Frappe since the story of this famous coffee begun here. Thessaloniki is the city with the most coffee houses in Greece in relation to the population.

Where to stay there

Thessaloniki offers a wide range of Hotels, Hostels, Rooms to Let and Apartments. From 2 Star Hotels to 5 Star Hotels everyone can find something for the Budget that has available.

The most iconic Hotel of the city is the “Thessaloniki Makedonia Palace” a 5 Stars hotel. Strategic located between the city center and the east part of the city and the airport hotels one of the best hotels in the city.

In the other hand if you are low in budget there are some offers under 100 Euro per night in the city center like Astoria Hotel, El Greco Hotel and City Plaza Apartments & Rooms.

Book your hotel now

How to get there

Something that the city really strungles the last years is the development of the mobilility / transportation infastructure. The Thessaloniki “Makedonia” Airport is located about 13km south east of Thessaloniki. There are many and frequent connections with the most European Countries. Thessaloniki has since November 2024 its own metro network besides with an extensive Bus network.

International Train Service is also very limited in Thessaloniki, and generally in Greece.

The best way to reach Thessaloniki is by car. Thessaloniki is connected with the Egnatia Highway, which is part of the European Route E90 that begins in Portugal and ends in Turkey.

Arrivals inside the last hour in Thessaloniki Airport

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