Issues to do in Thessaloniki

August 28, 2023

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Hear about issues to do in Thessaloniki, Greece, because the Beginner Traveler talks to Carol from Ambrosia Journey in regards to the metropolis that was for hundreds of years the most important metropolis in Greece and continues to be Greece’s second-largest metropolis.

Carol says, “Thessaloniki is wonderful. It’s fascinating. It’s a metropolis filled with historical past. It’s a gorgeous metropolis, nice meals, great locations to go to round Thessaloniki. I would favor it greater than Athens as a result of Athens is chaotic whereas Thessaloniki is far more walkable, a giant metropolis with a small-town really feel.”

Carol says we want a minimal of three days within the metropolis earlier than exploring additional afield. She begins us alongside the waterfront as we stroll from Aristotelous Sq. to the White Tower of Thessaloniki. Like a lot of the town, the White Tower comes from the Byzantine interval, when the town was the second largest metropolis within the Byzantine Empire. In the course of the time of Ottoman rule, the White Tower grew to become a infamous jail.

Town goes again to 315 BC, simply 8 years after the dying of Alexander the Nice, and was named for his half-sister. It was a serious metropolis in Roman occasions and is featured in 2 of the letters of the Apostle Paul (I & II Thessalonians). From Roman occasions, you possibly can see the stays of a victory arch, a hippodrome, and a discussion board.

The higher city is crammed with Byzantine church buildings. The Partitions of Thessaloniki, the church buildings, monasteries, and Byzantine baths are all a part of a UNESCO World Heritage web site. Carol says for those who see just one space of the town, it must be the higher city. She notably recommends the church buildings of Saint Nikolaos the Orphan and of Saint Demetrius, who’s the town’s patron saint. Demetrius was martyred within the metropolis in 306 AD. She additionally recommends the monasteries of Vlatadon and Latomou.

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

There are some fascinating museums in Thessaloniki, together with the birthplace of Attaturk, the Jewish Museum, the Byzantine museum, and the archeological museum.

From the time of Ottoman rule, you possibly can go to the Pasha’s Gardens and the Bey Hamam. It’s also possible to nonetheless see the Ottoman affect within the meals of the area. There are a selection of small eating places which have menus based mostly round both the drink Tsipouro or the drink Ouzo. Carol recommends a plate of Mousaka or Hunkar Begendi in addition to a go to to the colourful metropolis markets.

For facet journeys, Carol recommends Mt Olympus, which isn’t that far-off, or a go to to one of many 3 legs of the Chalkidiki Peninsula. Right here you will discover busy seashore resorts, quiet seaside cities, and even Historic Mt Athos, which you have to be a person to go to. Go to the ruins of Roman Philippi or the wine area of Naoussa.

Thessaloniki would be the Greek Metropolis that hasn’t been in your itinerary however must be.

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