Things to do in Thessaloniki

Listen to about things to do in Thessaloniki, Greece, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Carol from Ambrosia Travel about the town that was for centuries the biggest city in Greece and is nevertheless Greece’s second-major city.

Carol suggests, “Thessaloniki is amazing. It is interesting. It’s a metropolis complete of record. It is a lovely town, terrific foodstuff, amazing sites to pay a visit to close to Thessaloniki.  I may well favor it extra than Athens since Athens is chaotic while Thessaloniki is a lot far more walkable, a significant metropolis with a smaller-town truly feel.”

Carol states we require a minimal of 3 days in the city just before checking out even more afield. She commences us together the waterfront as we stroll from Aristotelous Square to the White Tower of Thessaloniki. Like substantially of the metropolis, the White Tower will come from the Byzantine period, when the metropolis was the 2nd most significant town in the Byzantine Empire. Through the time of Ottoman rule, the White Tower became a notorious jail. 

The town goes back to 315 BC, just 8 several years after the dying of Alexander the Good, and was named for his half-sister. It was a important town in Roman situations and is highlighted in 2 of the letters of the Apostle Paul (I & II Thessalonians). From Roman occasions, you can see the remains of a victory arch, a hippodrome, and a forum.

The upper city is crammed with Byzantine church buildings. The Walls of Thessaloniki, the church buildings, monasteries, and Byzantine baths are all part of a UNESCO World Heritage internet site. Carol claims if you see only 1 spot of the city, it should be the higher city. She especially recommends the churches of Saint Nikolaos the Orphan and of Saint Demetrius, who is the city’s patron saint. Demetrius was martyred in the city in  306 Advert. She also suggests the monasteries of Vlatadon and Latomou.

Some of the finest views of the town are from the Trigonio (Triangle) tower.

There are some intriguing museums in Thessaloniki, such as the birthplace of Attaturk, the Jewish Museum, the Byzantine museum, and the archeological museum.

From the time of Ottoman rule, you can visit the Pasha’s Gardens and the Bey Hamam. You can also however see the Ottoman influence in the food of the region. There are a quantity of small restaurants that have menus based about possibly the consume Tsipouro or the drink Ouzo. Carol suggests a plate of Mousaka or Hunkar Begendi as properly as a go to to the colorful metropolis marketplaces.

For aspect outings, Carol recommends Mt Olympus, which is not that significantly absent, or a check out to a person of the 3 legs of the Chalkidiki Peninsula. Right here you can uncover busy beach resorts, quiet seaside cities, or even Historic Mt Athos, which you must be a person to pay a visit to. Pay a visit to the ruins of Roman Philippi or the wine region of Naoussa.

Thessaloniki may well be the Greek Town that hasn’t been on your itinerary but really should be. 

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Exhibit Notes

AmbrosiaTravel
Thessaloniki
Aristotelous Sq.
White Tower of Thessaloniki
Athonos Sq.
Demetrius of Thessaloniki
Church of Hosios David
Church of Saint Nicholas Orphanos
Hagios Demetrios
Vlatades Monastery
Moni Lazariston
Bey Hamam
Alaca Imaret Mosque
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Atatürk Museum (Thessaloniki)
10 Stops In Jewish Thessaloniki – Greece Is
Heptapyrgion (Thessaloniki)
Pasha Gardens
Mourga – Restaurant
Tsipouro
Ouzo
Rakı
Moussaka
Hunkar Begendi
Mourbeti – Cafe
Bougatsa Giannis – Cafe
Museum of Byzantine Society
Archeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
Modiano Industry
Kapani Market place
The Blue Cup – Cafe
Taverna Rembetika Ladadika
Chalkidiki Peninsula
Mount Athos
Ammouliani
Sithonia
Philippi
Vergina
Naousa
Naoussa Wine
Mount Olympus
Platamon Castle

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Picture by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay