Top 5 things to do in Thessaloniki
1. Walk in the open markets and get to know what locals shop!
A walk in the center of Thessaloniki through the open markets will stay in your memory for ever! And that because although Thessaloniki is a modern European city, retains a strong sense of its history, and was always a major commercial center! The open markets of Modiano, Kapani, Chalkeon and the Ladadika area have retain a mystery from the past with small paved alleys, small shops that sell traditional products, antiques, spices, fresh fruits and products, cloths and flowers!
Explore the markets of a modern European city with a vibrant and lingering history. Wander through markets selling everything from flowers to food, jewellery and antiques, mix with locals, learn how they shop and learn about the traditional products. Walk through laneways steeped in history, see amazing sights and shop to your heart’s content!
Join our “Hidden Markets of Thessaloniki” city walking tour and walk with our escort in the beautiful open markets of Thessaloniki!
2. Taste the different tastes of Thessaloniki
One of the things that locals are proud about is the extraordinary food! Over the years Thessaloniki accepted people from cities with completely different culinary cultures and that made the city center of flavours around Mediterranean, Balkan and Easter countries. Thus, the combination of the cultures with the desire of the locals to always offer high quality of food will give you an amazing journey in flavours. Taste Greek coffee and learn all about its history. Sample of koulouri and bougatsa, which both of them have their origins in Byzantine times. Visit open-air markets, confectionaries and ouzeris, and be left with no doubt that this city knows how to impress.
Take the morning to get to know the original “Tastes of Thessaloniki” on a walking tour through the city.
3. Walk in the promenade
The coastal line, Paralia, in Thessaloniki offers to the visitors as well as to the citizens especially during the sun shine days an amazing walk. The coastal line stars form the east site of the city where the port “limani” is, and finished to Thessaloniki’s west site where the Concept City Hall is located. Whoever takes a walk in the promenade at the end of the day will gain beautiful and relaxing moments. During a walk, from the east to west, the first monument that will meet is the White Tower. The White Tower is the symbol of Thessaloniki and do not miss to walk upstairs to the roof where the view from that high will reward you! Next stop is the Status of Alexander the Great. Just further down guests will meet the beautiful New Coastal Line, Nea Paralia, which is separated in different sectors of theme gardens, as for instance garden of roses and the garden of sounds. The final stop is the Concept Hall of Thessaloniki which is located at the end of the coastal line.
4. Enjoy the night life of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is also famous among the rest city’s in Greece also for the night life. Due to the fact there are many Universities, hundreds of students create an amazing atmosphere every night, seven days the week. Every bar in this city is formed and is ready to accept each type of character. Everyone can find the style that is looking for, in order to enjoy the night life. Except the rock, chill out and modern bars that visitors can found in every country, in Thessaloniki travelers have the chance to explore the traditional way that Greek citizens have fun during the night. Thus for those how are more alternative Bit Pazar area is the most suitable for you. Bars for young people are scattered in center of the city at Valaoritou Street, Aristotelous square and at Paralia, along the coast line. Greek traditional taverns for those who feel hungry and want to taste Greek food can be found at Athonos square or otherwise Mikro Kapani as well as at Tsinari area which is located in the old city. Restaurants for those who are looking for high quality food and clubs can easily be found at Ladadika area. Finally, for visitors who want to have fun all night till the first morning hours of the next day they can go in a club or in Mpouzoukia. Thessaloniki is one of the best Greek cities in Mpouzoukia which are the unique Greek way to enjoy the night life. Both of them (clubs and mpouzoukia) are located near to the airport area during the summer period (east site of the city) and to the west site of the city, at Vilka area during the winter period.
5. Walk in the alleys of the upper city and the city walls
An amazing experience for the visitors is to “travel” into the alleys of the upper (old) city of Thessaloniki. In just few minutes walk everyone can be transfered away the traffic of Thessaloniki’s center to a quiet and peaceful place. The graphic scenery and the traditional buildings will “travel” you back in time, far away from the modern city! Thessaloniki is listed as UNESCO heritage site due to plenty of churches and monuments which were build from Byzantine and Post-Byzantine times and many of them are emerge among the narrow streets. Guests can start their walk from the impressive Agios Dimitrios (Saint Demetrios-Άγιος Δημήτριος) church which is the patron Sainr of Thessaloniki. Some of the churches which travelers can find during the walk are Prophitis Ilias (Prophet Elias- Προφήτης Ηλίας), Osios David- Latomou Monastery (Όσιος Δαβίδ- Μονή Λατόμου), Agia Ekaterini (Saint Kathrin -Αγία Αικατερίνη), Nikolaos Orfanos Νικόλαος ο Ορφανός and Moni Vlatadon (Μοναστήρι Βλατάδων).
Do not forget to take with you plenty of water and just … enjoy the walk!
Travelers, who wish to learn more about the history of Thessaloniki, can join one of our guided tours. Our professional licensed guide can lead you to the Ottoman Thessaloniki tour, the Jewish Thessaloniki tour or to the Byzantine Thessaloniki tour. Of course we could always plan a tour according to your needs.
