Thessaloniki – Pearl of the Aegean

Published: 10 October 2024, 09:16

Whether history lover, gourmet, night owl or fan of Greece, Thessaloniki is a versatile destination with something for all tastes. If you want to experience the real Greece, this is the place to visit. Thessaloniki, also known as Salonika, is Greece’s second largest city. Boasting a history spanning more than 2,300 years, the port city on the Aegean Sea has been an important centre of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman culture through the centuries. Monuments and churches from different eras have been well-maintained to this day.

The city in northern Greece is famous for its excellent Greek cuisine, which is best enjoyed in traditional taverns. Those who still have energy left can party the night away in the famous bars and clubs in the Ladadika and Valaoritou quarters. Strollers will love the extensive promenade and the spacious squares in the city centre.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: + one hour
  • Population: 350,000
  • Official language: Greek
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Thessaloniki – A wealth of history and exquisite views

The picture shows an impressive Orthodox church in the typical Byzantine design with a large dome, several smaller towers and red-tiled roofs. Also captured are the densely built-up city in the background and a mountain range on the horizon.
The Church of Saint Paul is an Orthodox church dedicated to the Apostle Paul. It offers exquisite views of Thessaloniki. © Lambros Kazan/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a flag flying atop a huge, cylindrical stone structure surrounded by lush greenery and trees. Modern buildings and the waterfront can be seen in the background.
The city’s landmark, the White Tower, which dates from the 15th century, is an Ottoman-period monument that offers a magnificent view of the sea. © Lambros Kazan/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a historic brick triumphal arch, which has stone columns and is adorned with reliefs. It is located in an urban setting with modern buildings and trees in the background.
A throwback to Roman times: The arch of Galerius in the city centre is a triumphal arch built in the 4th century to honour the Roman Emperor Galerius. © boris17/stock.adobe.com
The photo shows a brick Byzantine church with large, ornate windows and a bell tower. There is a large square in front of the church with plants and a few people.
Icon of the 4th century: The Orthodox Hagios Demetrios Basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful interior mosaics. © Sergii Figernyi/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a large, open square flanked by elegant, white buildings with arcades. In the middle of the square, there are well-kept green areas with flowerbeds, palm trees and walkways. People can be seen in the background milling around the square. The sky is clear and blue.
Important square and meeting place: Platia Aristotelous is surrounded by impressive neoclassical buildings. There are numerous cafés and restaurants here. © Mistervlad/stock.adobe.com

Gate to Halkidiki – Greece’s most beautiful fingers

Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos: These are the names of what are probably Greece’s most beautiful fingers. They belong to the unusually shaped peninsula of Halkidiki, which has three prominent headlands and are popular for their breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear water, fragrant pine forests and remote monasteries. With a coastline of approximately 520 kilometres, the three fingers have the longest shoreline on the Greek mainland. Bathers, sun-worshippers and water sports fans will find fabulous conditions here. Each of the three fingers has its own character: The flat peninsula of Kassandra, the mountainous Sithonia and lastly the monastic republic of Athos with its imposing monasteries around the legendary mountain of the same name. Thessaloniki is only about an hour’s drive from the peninsula’s first beaches, making it easy to plan day trips or longer stays in Halkidiki from the city.

Halkidiki - Beaches, the scent of pine and realm of the gods

The aerial view shows an elongated headland completely covered with sand, jutting out into the shallow, turquoise sea. A green, forested landscape with rolling hills can be seen in the background.
Caribbean? No, Kassandra, the first finger of Halkidiki: If you want to relax on sandy beaches and swim in the turquoise sea, this is the place for you. © Daniel Turbasa/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a quiet bay with a small, picturesque village. Several houses with red-tiled roofs line the coast next to the clear water where a few boats are moored. A Greek flag flies in the foreground and rocky sections of coast can be seen.
Sithonia, the middle finger and considered the heart of untouched nature, is a paradise for peace as well as adventurers. Small fishing villages invite you to linger. © bobifil/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows an aerial view of a coastal landscape with several small bays and clear turquoise water. The coast is covered by green vegetation.
The coast of Sithonia can be easily explored from the water. A boat tour around Diaporos, a small group of islands with turquoise bays, is particularly beautiful. © Miro Nenchev/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows an impressive monastery built on a steep cliff directly by the sea. The monastery buildings are tightly nestled together, seemingly growing out of the rock. The monastery is surrounded by lush green vegetation and the sea in the foreground is calm and deep blue.
The Gregoriou Monastery, founded in the 14th century, is one of the 20 Orthodox monasteries in the monastic republic of Athos and is known for its strict monastic life. © Yakov/stock.adobe.com
The photo shows an imposing monastery built on a steep rock high above the sea. It is surrounded by densely forested hills. The coastline extends in the background and on the right-hand side of the picture.
The Simonopetra Monastery is one of the most spectacular monasteries on the Holy Mountain of Athos. It is perched on a rock approximately 330 metres above sea level. © Angel Yordanov/stock.adobe.com

Thessaloniki from BER

Airplane about to touch down on the runway

Aegean Airlines

Ryanair

Piktogramm Info-i

Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (SKG)

Five travel tips for …

1. A morning jog or walk along the promenade

2. Breakfast with Borek and Greek yoghurt in the old quarter of Ladadika

3. Sightseeing programme: White Tower and Archaeological Museum

4. Late lunch at the traditional Modiano market

5. Sunset to Eptapyrgio, a fortress in upper town

1. Agia Triada: Long beach with clear water and a few taverns

2. Nea Moudania: Popular beach with good facilities and restaurants

3. Possidi Beach: A beautiful sandy beach on the west coast of Kassandra

4. Sani Beach: Famous for its luxury resorts and ideal as a day trip destination

5. Kallithea: A perfect beach for families and ideal for swimming

1. Starters: tzatziki (yogurt dip), saganaki (fried cheese) and fava

2. Main course: Moussaka (casserole with minced meat)

3. Classic salad: Greek salad with feta cheese

4. Sweet dessert: baklava, galaktoboureko and loukoumades

5. For those feeling a little peckish: mezedes (Greek tapas)

Picture Source title:
© EdNurg/stock.adobe.com

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