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Jan
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Thessaloniki Holiday & Sightseeing Guide
January 11, 2008 |
A trip to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece, known as Salonica by locals. A favourite seaside destination, Thessaloniki was once a grand city of the Byzantine Empire, second only to Constantinople. The cobblestone streets and historic buildings in the Upper City are charming and the remains of the Byzantine walls are incredible. The main gateway into Thessaloniki is Macedonia International Airport.
Flights to Thessaloniki
Located less than 10 miles from the city centre, Thessaloniki International Airport (Macedonia International Airport) services over three million passengers annually. Currently, the airport can’t handle long-haul flights, but connections to most major European cities are possible from here. The airport offers good domestic connections and many visitors use it as a gateway to the rest of Greece. Taxis are the easiest way to get into the city centre from the airport, with trips taking about 30 minutes. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Thessaloniki try
Thomas Cook.
There are currently only buses available in terms of public transportation. A metro is currently under construction, but this will take until 2012 to complete. Most visitors find taxis abundant, affordable and an easy way to get around. Otherwise, arranging tours or transportation through your hotel is the best option.
[gmap map:23]
Sightseeing in Thessaloniki
There is plenty to see in Thessaloniki, both old and modern. The city is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Greece and is a stop for most Greek architecture students. The major landmarks are the White Tower, which is seen as the symbol of the city and is now home to the Museum of Byzantine Culture. The Kamara, or Arch and Tomb of Galerius, and Church of Aghios Demetrios are two other great landmarks of the city.
The Archaeological Museum should not be missed. The museum meticulously chronicles the history of Thessaloniki and displays thousands of artefacts that have been found in and around the city. The Dimitria is a three-month long festival that takes places every year between September and December showcases concerts, theatrical events, exhibitions and much more.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
As with most Greek cities, nightlife in Thessaloniki is vibrant and always changing. Many locals start their evening by taking a stroll. Start at Aristotelous square and walk towards Leoforos Nikis. This walk will take you past many bars and restaurants and is a nice precursor to nightlife in Thessaloniki. The main bars and clubs are located on the quay-side boulevard Nikis, also a good starting point. A popular evening haunt is the Regency Casino, near the airport. It is open 24-hours and offers not only gambling, but restaurants and bars as well.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Thessaloniki offers plenty of variety for shoppers. The city centre, where most of the shops are located, can easily be explored on foot. The best shopping areas are along Tsimiski, Proxenou Koromila and Pavlou Mela streets. Here you will find department stores and boutiques. Near Dikasterion square you will find some nice jewellery shops with pieces made by local artisans. These items are quite reasonable when considering the high-quality workmanship that goes into making them. There are plenty of good quality crafts to be had, most of which are made locally.
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