Thessaloniki is much more than the second city of Greece: this port city was for 2500 years a crossroads between East and West, to the point of being erected as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans". Younger than Athens, the capital of Macedonia knows how to reinvent and modernize, especially since it was European Capital of Culture in 1997.
To discover
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From the old town to the 3.5 km long waterfront, Thessaloniki can be discovered through churches, archaeological sites and monuments, such as the statue of Alexander the Great. The stay will be perfect by extending it to enjoy the charms of the Aegean Sea, for example lounging on the beaches of Halkidiki.
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Discover the White Tower and stroll by the sea
The White Tower bears witness to the city's glorious Byzantine past. Tatiana
It is while walking on the seafront of Thessaloniki that we take the pulse of the city. You can admire the statue of Alexander the Great on horseback, take a picture of a surprising sculpture symbolizing umbrellas, and marvel at the imposing White Tower that testifies to the glorious Byzantine past of the city. At the end of the day, we sit on the terrace of a café to admire the sun kissing the horizon.
PANORAMIC TOUR OF THESSALONIKI
Walking through the old town of Ano Poli
The old town of Thessaloniki, protected by ramparts. Nelaka
From the seafront, you climb towards Ano Poli, the old town surrounded by ramparts. We take pleasure in strolling through a tangle of streets with authentic charm where we discover, among others, the Sainte-Catherine church and the Trigoniou tower, on which the majestic Heptapyrgion seems to watch.
BOOK A GUIDED TOUR
Make a stop at the Vlatades Monastery
The Vlatades Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. EFESENKO
Take advantage of the discovery of the old town to visit the Vlatades Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the mid-fourteenth century on the site where the apostle Paul taught during his stay in Thessaloniki, it is distinguished by the striking panorama it offers over the city, especially at sunset.
VISIT THESSALONIKI BY TOURIST BUS
Discover the Agora of Thessaloniki
The Agora is the social and religious center of Roman Thessaloniki. Miljan Živković
We descend to the lower part of the city to discover the Agora, social and religious center of Roman Thessaloniki. Built in two phases, in the middle of the second and third centuries AD, it includes a large rectangular square, the ground floor of the double underground cryptic gallery, the odeon, the mint, as well as the circular baths.
Further west, you can admire the Arc de Galère and the Rotunda, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
VISIT TO METEORA FROM THESSALONIKI
Discover the church Agios Demetrios
Agios Demetrios is one of the most important early Christian churches in Thessaloniki. lambros kazanLambros Kazan
A few steps from the Agora, we take the time to visit Agios Demetrios, one of the most important early Christian churches in Thessaloniki.
Built in the early fourth century and also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its architecture is characterized by five naves with narthex and transept, while its interior is superbly decorated with paintings, mosaics and marble.
LUNCH OR DINNER ON THE OTE TOWER
Visit the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture
The collections of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki contain artifacts describing the daily life and habits of ancient societies. ANTON_IVANOV
Head west of the city to discover the history of Macedonian civilization, from the dawn of prehistory to late antiquity, visiting the Archaeological Museum.
Its collections contain artifacts depicting the daily life and habits of ancient societies. On the way out, cross the road to visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture, whose eleven galleries present the different aspects of Byzantine and post-Byzantine culture through authentic objects and audiovisual supports.
BOOK YOUR TRANSFERS IN THESSALONIKI
Admire the Hagia Sophia Church in Thessaloniki
The interior of the Hagia Sophia Church in Thessaloniki. EnginKorkmaz
A few minutes' walk is enough to reach the Hagia Sophia, whose magnificent wall paintings of the eleventh century and sculptural decoration, considered masterpieces of Byzantine art, have earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, like many buildings in the city. Built at the end of the seventh century, its architecture marked by a dome and an ambulatory evokes the eponymous church in Istanbul.
Taste local delicacies in the covered markets
We stroll between the stalls decorated with fruits, vegetables, fish and spices in the various markets of the city. Posinote
Not far from there, we let ourselves be tempted by a gourmet break in the markets of Kapani, Modiano and Athonos, very close to each other. In these lively places, you can stroll between the stalls adorned with fruits, vegetables, fish and spices before sitting down at a tavern to enjoy delicious keftédakia, soutzoukakia and other local specialties.
TAKE A CULINARY TOUR
Stroll among the ruins of Pella and Aigai
The archaeological site of Pella is located northwest of Thessaloniki. Lefteris Papaulakis
We leave Thessaloniki heading northwest to discover the archaeological site of Pella, ancient capital of the Macedonian state from the end of the fifth century to the beginning of the fourth century BC. We walk between the ruins of the city and admire the sublime mosaics and the marble head of Alexander the Great exhibited in the museum.
We take the road to the archaeological site of Aigai, heart of the ancient kingdom. Visit the museum to contemplate the tombs of Macedonian kings and exceptional murals.
BOOK AN EXCURSION TO PELLA
Sunbathing on the beaches of Halkidiki
South of Thessaloniki, you can escape to the beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters. Piotr Wawrzyniuk
South of Thessaloniki, you can escape to the beautiful beaches of Halkidiki with a plethora of choices. This region split between three beautiful peninsulas (Kassandra, Athos and Sithonia) offers hundreds of km of coastline very popular with the Greeks, and waters of a brilliant green / turquoise. The spots of Kallithea, Kalogria, Lagomandra or Ammoulani are particularly famous.
CRUISE ON THE BEACHES OF HALKIDIKI