Things to do in Thessaloniki

Listen to about issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece, as the Newbie Traveler talks to Carol from Ambrosia Travel about the town that was for generations the major metropolis in Greece and is nonetheless Greece’s 2nd-major city.

Carol says, “Thessaloniki is remarkable. It is fascinating. It is a metropolis comprehensive of heritage. It is a wonderful town, fantastic food stuff, superb sites to check out all-around Thessaloniki.  I could possibly favor it far more than Athens due to the fact Athens is chaotic whereas Thessaloniki is substantially more walkable, a large town with a small-town sense.”

Carol states we have to have a minimal of 3 times in the town prior to discovering additional afield. She begins us alongside 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 town was the 2nd most significant town in the Byzantine Empire. In the course of the time of Ottoman rule, the White Tower turned a infamous prison. 

The town goes back to 315 BC, just 8 several years soon after the demise of Alexander the Wonderful, and was named for his 50 %-sister. It was a main town in Roman situations and is showcased in 2 of the letters of the Apostle Paul (I & II Thessalonians). From Roman occasions, you can see the stays of a victory arch, a hippodrome, and a forum.

The upper city is crammed with Byzantine churches. The Walls of Thessaloniki, the churches, monasteries, and Byzantine baths are all portion of a UNESCO Environment Heritage web-site. Carol claims if you see only just one area of the town, it must be the higher town. She especially suggests the church buildings 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 recommends the monasteries of Vlatadon and Latomou.

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

There are some intriguing museums in Thessaloniki, which include 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 nevertheless see the Ottoman impact in the foodstuff of the area. There are a variety of smaller eating places that have menus centered all around both the drink Tsipouro or the consume Ouzo. Carol recommends a plate of Mousaka or Hunkar Begendi as perfectly as a visit to the colourful metropolis markets.

For aspect journeys, Carol endorses Mt Olympus, which is not that much away, or a stop by to one of the 3 legs of the Chalkidiki Peninsula. Here you can come across hectic seaside resorts, peaceful seaside towns, or even Historic Mt Athos, which you will have to be a guy to pay a visit to. Check out the ruins of Roman Philippi or the wine region of Naoussa.

Thessaloniki may perhaps be the Greek Metropolis that has not been on your itinerary but should be. 

subscribe: rss feed | Apple podcasts

right click below to down load (mp3)

Sponsor

Zocdoc is a No cost application that shows you medical doctors who are affected person-reviewed, get your insurance policy, and are readily available when you need to have them. Go to zocdoc.com/traveler to obtain the application now.

Exhibit Notes

AmbrosiaTravel
Thessaloniki
Aristotelous Square
White Tower of Thessaloniki
Athonos Square
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 – Cafe
Tsipouro
Ouzo
Rakı
Moussaka
Hunkar Begendi
Mourbeti – Restaurant
Bougatsa Giannis – Cafe
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Archeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
Modiano Marketplace
Kapani Industry
The Blue Cup – Restaurant
Taverna Rembetika Ladadika
Chalkidiki Peninsula
Mount Athos
Ammouliani
Sithonia
Philippi
Vergina
Naousa
Naoussa Wine
Mount Olympus
Platamon Castle

Local community

Please consider our listener survey

Beginner Traveler Trips

Graphic by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay