View of Thessaloniki from the sea.

Thessaloniki is one of largest cities Greece. There are many cultural and historical monuments. The city with its surroundings is well developed economically, because thousands of tourists come here every year. This is the best entertainment place in Greece.

How to get to Thessaloniki?

The flight to Greece will not take you much time, because the distance is not too far.

Flight tickets.

• Moscow - Thessaloniki. For a ticket from Moscow, you will have to pay a little more than 8,000 rubles. Non-stop flights take about 3.5 hours.
• St. Petersburg - Thessaloniki. The price from this city is almost 2 times higher and amounts to 13,000 rubles. Flights with 1 change, travel time about 10 hours.

There are three ways to get from the airport to the city center.

1. Rent a Car . An inexpensive car FIAT Panda can be rented for 23-26 euros per day in holiday season. In not tourist season the price is 1.5–2 times cheaper.
2. Taxi. A taxi costs an average of 14-15 euros, payment by meter, at night the fare is increased. Cars are parked right outside the airport. If you are on an intercity - with prices and travel time for directions.
3. Public transport. The city can be reached by 2 buses. Ticket price 5–7 euros Number 78 goes straight through the center, runs frequently, travel time is 15–20 minutes. Number 79 runs less frequently, it can take you to the bus station, from which trains depart in different directions.

Embassy of the Russian Federation.

If suddenly you have problems in Thessaloniki, do not be upset. Here the interests of our citizens are protected by the Consulate General of Russia. The embassy is located at: Thessaloniki, Dimosthenus str., 5.

Where to stay in Thessaloniki.

5 star hotels.

• The Met Hotel. Stylish modern style hotel located in the heart of the city. The hotel has 2 restaurants, a pool bar and a lobby bar, a SPA center offering a wide range of body and face care services. On the roof of the hotel there is an outdoor swimming pool with comfortable sun loungers. Wired and wireless internet is available in public areas. Large comfortable rooms, beds with orthopedic mattresses, modern air conditioning, 24-hour room service. The price for a room for one person starts from 9100 rubles.

The Met Hotel.

• Electra Palace Thessaloniki. The hotel is built in a classic style. There is an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor rooftop swimming pool, a restaurant where free breakfasts are served in the morning according to the system. Buffet, SPA-center, fitness center and business center. Room service is available 24 hours a day, secretarial services and limousine reservations are available. There is a wonderful view from the windows of the rooms. The price for a room for one is a little less than 9000 rubles.

4 star hotels.

• Zaliki Boutique Hotel Thessaloniki. The hotel was built in Provence style. It offers 24-hour room service and a restaurant where breakfast is served. The rooms are decorated in different styles, some include buffet breakfast. The price per room starts from 4300 rubles.
• Minerva Premier. The neoclassical style hotel is located in the city center, close to the most popular attractions. Comfortable and stylish rooms with buffet breakfast. The price per room is about 3000 rubles.

3 star hotels.

• Aegeon Hotel. This modern, street-style hotel is located in the city center, close to the beach and other attractions. The hotel has a spa bath, sauna, wireless internet in public areas. Guests can make use of the ticket booking service, laundry or dry cleaning services. The hotel also has a restaurant-bar where a complimentary breakfast is served. The price per room is about 2700 rubles.
• Telioni. Hotel in the center of Thessaloniki. There is a restaurant-bar on site where buffet breakfast is served. The hotel offers room service during limited hours, and multilingual staff can help book tickets and organize tours. The average room costs 3400 rubles.

Housing for the long term.

If you are going to stay in Thessaloniki for a long time, it will be more economical to rent an apartment. There are several popular and proven sites.

It must be remembered that apartments for a long time are rented unfurnished or with a minimum set. The living room is not considered a room, that is, if it says 1 bedroom, it means a bedroom and a living room.

An apartment in a new house in the city center with 1 bedroom costs an average of 32,000 rubles per month, there is a balcony. The rental price includes utilities, Internet and TV are not included. A little further from the center, not in a new house, an apartment with 1 bedroom, a terrace and a minimum set of furniture costs about 24,000 rubles.

Weather in Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki, Greece

Air and water temperature during the day:

Month	Avg. temp, С°	Pace. water С°	Rain, days
January	+9+10	5	3
February	+10+11	6	2
March	+14+15	9	3
April	+18+20	13	2
May	+24+25	18	3
June	+28+30	23	2
July	+31+32	26	1
August	+31+32	26	1
September	+25+27	21	2
October	+19+21	15	3
November	+12+14	10	3
December	+8+10	5	3

The warmest and driest period is June, July, August. The coldest and rainiest October, November and December.

The best beaches in Thessaloniki.

Ayia Triada beach.

Ayia Triada beach, Thessaloniki.

Picturesque sandy beach near Thessaloniki. Here you can swim in the warm sea, soak up the sun on a comfortable deck chair or have a bite to eat at a local cafe. To get to this beach, you need to take bus number 2 to the IKEA station, from there take buses 72 and 76 to the village itself.

Nea Mihaniona beach.

Nea Mihaniona beach. Thessaloniki.

Fisherman's beach, here you can taste delicious and fresh fish, swim in the warm sea. The beach is clean and well-maintained, the coastline is wide, the sunset is smooth, the sand is of a rich golden hue.

Other popular beaches

• Climataria. Insanely beautiful beach, but you have to drive a long way to get to it. It is located on the Chalkidiki peninsula. White sand beach, beautiful coastline, picturesque trees. To get to it, you need to take a bus from the KTEL Macedonia station to the peninsula.
• Perea beach. The most popular beach in Thessaloniki, one of the closest to the city. Narrow coastline, yellow sand and warm sea. You can get to the beach by bus number 71, 71A, 72, 72A.
• Epanomi beach. beautiful beach south of Thessaloniki. Dark orange sand, the beach is clean and great for families. Nearby there are traditional taverns and cafes. Bus 69 runs from the IKEA station to the village.

Sights of Thessaloniki.

Arch and tomb of Galerius.

Arch and tomb of Galerius.

Tomb of Emperor Galerius, built in the 2nd-3rd century. Until the 16th century it was used as a Christian church, then until the beginning of the 20th century it was a mosque. Now the tomb is a historical museum. To get to the tomb, you need to take bus 8, 12, 31, 45 from the KTEL Makedonia stop. Entrance to the territory is free.

White Tower.

White Tower, Thessaloniki.

One of the most famous sights in the city. The tower was built by the Turks as a defensive system for the city, later prisoners were kept there. Now it's historical Museum, which contains exhibits of the Byzantine era. Admission is free, the tower is located right on the waterfront.

Aristotle Square.

Aristotle Square.

The square, built at the beginning of the last century in connection with the restoration of the city after a fire. Now there are hundreds of shops and restaurants here, this is a wonderful place for walking and meeting. The square is located at: Platia Aristotelous 2-8 Thessaloniki. You can get there by bus number 68, 69.

Basilica of Saint Demetrius.

Basilica of Saint Demetrius, Thessaloniki.

Cathedral of Saint Demetrius, who is the patron saint of Thessaloniki. According to legend, he died in the 1st century, defending the Christian faith, later in the 4th-5th century a temple was built in his honor. It completely burned down in a fire, at the end of the last century it was completely restored. The basilica is included in the UNESCO list. Entrance for tourists is free, address: Agiou Nikolaou. Bus stop far away, but easily accessible even on foot, from Aristotelous Square just 10-15 minutes on foot.

Other sights of the city.

1. City embankment. Picturesque embankment near the water. was built instead defensive walls, for tourists there are alleys, bike paths, hotels. The embankment stretches almost along the entire city.
2. Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. One of best museums Greece. Here are exhibits of many excavations. Here you can easily plunge into the history of Macedonia. The museum can be reached by bus number 3, 10, 11, 12. The entrance fee is about 300 rubles.
3. Military Museum of Thessaloniki. The museum was opened in 2000. Here are collected historical and military documents and exhibits of some fragments of the history of Greece. Address street Gr. Lampraki 4. You can get there by bus 2, 14, 15. A ticket also costs about 300 rubles.
4. Church of Panagia Chalkeon. The temple was built at the beginning of the 11th century. Now listed as a monument cultural heritage. Address: Dikasterion Square | Intersection with Egnatia. The entrance is free. You can get there by bus number 10, 11, 12.
5. OTE TV tower. The TV tower was opened in the last century. Now there is a panoramic restaurant with a picturesque view. Address: Egnatia 154. You can get there by bus number 10, 11.
6. Waterland Waterpark. The water park was built at the end of the last century and was considered the most modern in southern Europe. Here you can ride the slides, relax in the pool and dine in a cafe. Address: 5th Road - Tagarades. You can get there by park bus from Aristotelous, Syntivani, Ippokrateio Mpotsari, Martiou and Terma Voulgari stops. The ticket price is about 15 euros for adults and 10 euros for children.

Tours to Thessaloniki.

• Baseline Canyoning. A tour to the picturesque canyon, where you can swim in crystal clear water, climb the canyon, get a lot of pleasant impressions. Funny guides will help and prompt. This company offers 4 different routes, it all depends on the level of difficulty. The address where you can book the Amfitrionos 16 tour. The price varies, also depends on the level of difficulty, starting at about 100 euros.
• Thessaloniki Free Walking Tours. Hiking around town. There are two options for walking, in the center and in the upper part of the city. The tour is free, but it is customary to give a tip.
• Eat and Walk Food Day Tours. Gastronomic tour in Thessaloniki. During this tour you will visit local restaurants, shops and markets, feel the culture and learn a bit of history. A friendly guide will tell you a lot of historical information and show you unusual places. The cost is approximately 45 euros.

Restaurants and cafes in Thessaloniki.

Haute cuisine.

• Clochard. Restaurant with gourmet Greek, Mediterranean, European cuisine. The presentation of the food is very beautiful. The price for one dish is on average 10–15 euros. The restaurant is located at: 4 Proxenou Koromila Labrou.

Restaurant Clochard.

• skyline. Panoramic restaurant on the TV tower. In 40 minutes, the rotating platform makes a full circle. The restaurant serves Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. The restaurant is located at: Egnatia 154.
• Anassa. A small but very beautiful and atmospheric restaurant in the city center. The restaurant is designed in loft style, brick walls and interesting details. It serves unusually decorated dishes of Mediterranean, Greek cuisine. The restaurant is located at: 26 Sofouli Themistokli.

Moderate price.

• Pizza Please. Stylish cafe with pizza straight from the oven. Other Italian dishes are also served here. The price of a pizza is on average 5–7 euros. The restaurant is located at: 9 Stavrou Georgiou | Agia Sofias.
• Rouga. Cozy restaurant in the historical center of the city. A homely atmosphere reigns here, friendly staff will serve you quickly and efficiently, and professional chefs will serve delicious seafood and Greek dishes. The restaurant is located at: Karipi 28.

From the square of Aristotle we go out to the embankment. On the right side is the seaport. Turning left, we see the symbol of Thessaloniki - the White Tower. From the outside, not particularly outstanding, the tower keeps tragic memories. Built at the end of the 15th century by the Ottomans, it was part of the fortress walls that surrounded the city. During the Turkish yoke, the tower served as a prison and a place of torture and executions, for which it received the title of "bloody". In 1890, the tower was whitewashed by one of the prisoners in exchange for release, and since then it has been called the White Tower.
Inside the tower, on six floors connected by a spiral staircase, there are expositions telling about the rich history of Thessaloniki. Touch screens, multimedia applications allow visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the ancient city.
Almost next to the White Tower, by the sea, there is a monument to the great Alexander the Great. From here you can go on a short boat trip on a colorful, pirate-style cafe-ship, and enjoy a charming panorama of the city stretched along the bay.

Rotunda. Arch of Galerius

The Rotunda of St. George and the Arch of Galerius (Kamara) are the remaining parts of the palace complex of the Roman Emperor Galerius. The rotunda was built in 306 AD. e. like a temple dedicated to Zeus. According to another version - as the mausoleum of Galerius. At the beginning of the fifth century, the building was converted into a Christian church of the Archangels. Then the interior walls were decorated with mosaics depicting biblical scenes. Some of them have survived to this day.

In 1590, during the Ottoman yoke, the Rotunda was turned into a mosque of Sheikh Suleiman Efendi. From this period, the tomb of the sheikh and the only surviving minaret in Thessaloniki have been preserved. After the liberation of the city, the temple returns to its Christian mission and takes the name of St. George from the neighboring church. Now the Rotunda is a museum, but services are held here once a month.
The arch of Galeria was built as a triumphal arch in honor of the emperor's military victories. The columns of the arch are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the military campaigns of Galerius.

Looking up above the Rotunda, you can see the majestic towers and walls of the upper city - Ano Poli or, as the townspeople call it, Castra. The most impressive landmark of Thessaloniki, which is on the World Heritage List.
The Byzantine walls surrounding the Acropolis have been perfectly preserved to our times, and carefully preserve the atmosphere of the old city... Narrow streets with traditional buildings, shady squares with cozy cafes, vine-covered taverns under the canopy of centuries-old plane trees shelter visitors from the modern fuss. And the fascinating panorama of the city opens up forever in the memory.

On the territory of the old city there are Seven Towers - an ancient Byzantine port that served as a prison, the monastery of Vlatadon, the churches of St. David, Prophet Elijah, St. Catherine, St. Nicholas.

Museums of Thessaloniki

Opposite the monument to the great Alexander, in the depths of a shady green square, there is the largest museum of Thessaloniki and one of the best in Greece - the Archaeological Museum. The richest collection, the real pearl of which are the finds found in the royal tomb of Vergina, attracts connoisseurs of antiquities. Among them is the golden coffin of Tsar Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, the famous Vergina star, an amazing golden wreath.

On the other side of the square, another one opens its doors to visitors. major museum Thessaloniki - museum of Byzantine culture. 11 halls equipped with modern technologies present a complete picture of the culture of Byzantium. Icons, frescoes, coins, sculptures. There are about 3000 exhibits in total. A single ticket to both museums costs 8 euros.
Also in Thessaloniki, you can visit the Folklore and Ethnographic Museum of Macedonia and Thrace, located on Vasilisas Olgas Street 68. The museum presents more than 15,000 exhibits: traditional costumes, household items, textiles, weapons and tools, an interesting photo archive and a music library.

As befits a cultural capital, Thessaloniki offers its guests a variety of museums for every taste: Military, Technological, Railway, Olympic, Jewish, museums of radio, cinematography, design, photography, musical folk instruments, contemporary art.

For children, it will be very interesting and informative to visit the NOESIS center, or the Planetarium. Halls equipped with the latest technologies - a digital planetarium, a virtual reality simulator, a 3D space theater - invite you on a journey through time and galaxies. Be sure to visit the technopark. Interactive exhibits are provided for full use - you can light a light bulb while running in a wheel, or play laser beams like a harp. The center is located near the ring road, in the Fermi area.

Churches of Thessaloniki

The main Orthodox church of Thessaloniki is the Basilica of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica Myrrh-streaming, the city's ardently revered heavenly patron. The Basilica was built on the site of the martyrdom of the Saint, and in the northern nave of the Basilica is kept the shrine with his relics. There are always many visitors in the temple who come to bow to the Saint and leave a note with requests.
Another famous temple of Thessaloniki is Hagia Sophia. Built on the site of an early Christian basilica, the temple was both a Roman Catholic church and a Muslim mosque in different historical periods. Inside, beautiful mosaics from the iconoclastic period and frescoes from the 9th century have been preserved.
It will be interesting to see the churches of St. Panteleimon, Our Lady Dexias (Right), Holy Apostles, Our Lady Not Made by Hands. And if possible, it is worth visiting the convent of St. John the Evangelist, in the town of Suroti, which is 30 km from Thessaloniki, where the relics of St. Arsenius of Cappadocia and the grave of the famous Athos elder Paisios are located.

Transport in Thessaloniki

The transportation system in Thessaloniki is simple and convenient. Airport, two bus stations, sea port, railway station and city buses.
Macedonia International Airport is located 15 km from the city. A modern small building is equipped with everything necessary for the convenience of city guests. Bus 78 departs from the airport to the bus station (the route passes through the entire center) with an interval of 15 minutes (at 30 at night). A ticket costs 0.90 euros and can be purchased from a vending machine inside the bus. A taxi ride to the center will cost 15-20 euros.
Thessaloniki railway station is located almost in the center of the city, at 28 Monastiriou Street. Trains leave from here to Greek cities, to some Balkan countries and to Turkey.

Bus stations (KTEL) are divided into two directions. At 9 km, in the direction of the airfield, there is KTEL Halkidiki, serving this direction. Intercity flights to all other cities depart from another bus station - KTEL Macedonia. It is located 5 km west of the city center.
The seaport of Thessaloniki serves mainly cargo ships. Passenger Transportation are carried out in just a few directions: Limnos-Mytilini-Chios and Sporades-Volos.

Intracity bus service in Thessaloniki is very well developed. In buses, stops are displayed on the scoreboard and are announced in two languages. Almost all stops in the city also have electronic displays showing how many minutes are left before the bus arrives. Tickets can be purchased at peripter kiosks or directly on the bus. Cost - 0.9 euros, day pass - 4 euros.

It is worth noting separately the bus "cultural route". The blue bus number 50 travels to all the main attractions of Thessaloniki. The ticket is purchased only from the guide inside the bus and costs 2 euros. You can get off at any stops, calmly inspect the place you like, and then with the same ticket get on the next bus of this route and continue the trip.

Thessaloniki Hotels

In Thessaloniki you can find hotels for every taste. Luxurious five-star Electra Palace, Makedonia Palace, Daios Luxury Living, Grand Hotel Palace. Comfortable four-star City Hotel, Imperial Palace, Capsis, Egnatia Palace.
Cheaper, but no less comfortable three-star hotels Astoria, ABC, El Greco, Park Hotel, Plaza, Rotonda.
Regardless of the number of stars, a common feature of all hotels will be warm hospitality, sincere cordiality and courtesy of the staff.

Shopping in Thessaloniki

Almost the entire city center is a large shopping mall. Large shopping streets are located parallel to each other - Egnatia, Yermu, Tsimiski, Metropoleos. It's impossible to get confused.
Egnatia Street attracts with shop windows with affordable prices. At its very beginning and in the surrounding neighborhoods there are fur shops. More expensive shops on Tsimiski and Metropolios street. The large shopping and entertainment center Mediterranean Cosmos is located outside the city, towards the airport.

The cultural program in Thessaloniki is very diverse. The city constantly hosts various festivals, music and theatrical performances. And the glory of nightlife Thessaloniki thunders throughout Greece. There are a lot of young people here, because Thessaloniki is home to the largest Aristotle University in the Balkans.

Numerous cafes turn into noisy bars in the evenings. Night "bouzouki" open their doors. Traditional tunes are heard from the taverns. It seems as if the city was only doing all day long, saving up strength for night festivities.
Be sure to visit the Ladadika area, opposite the port. A colorful "crossroads" of entertainment, in which the fun does not subside until the morning.
In the village of Tagarades, 8 km from the city, there is a water park, one of the largest in Europe. In addition to water activities, there are various sports grounds, cafes, and snack bars. A ticket for adults costs 14 euros, for children - 11 euros.

Weather in Thessaloniki

The climate of Thessaloniki is Mediterranean and is characterized by high humidity. In summer, the thermometer often approaches the mark of 35 degrees. Unbearable heat can suddenly give way to short-term thunderstorms. Summer evenings refreshed by the sea breeze - best time for walking around the city. The hottest month is August.
September is a continuation of summer. Autumn begins in October, with light rains, less often - thunderstorms. November - time to get jackets and umbrellas.

Winter in Thessaloniki is quite mild. The temperature is almost always positive, on average about 7-8 degrees, rarely drops below zero. Snow is also a rare visitor to Thessaloniki. January can bring surprises in the form of -5 or +18 degrees.
Spring is very beautiful, but rather fleeting, you have to change from jackets to T-shirts right away. Frequent May thunderstorms have almost no effect on the temperature, it stays at 25 degrees.

Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη) is the second largest city in Greece after Athens, it is a Greek port and a Mediterranean port, The largest city Macedonia, the birthplace of Cyril and Methodius (the creators of the Old Slavonic alphabet), is a Greek resort city.

Thessaloniki is a beautiful city great story, which stretches for many centuries, it is called northern capital and Greece.

The foundation of the city of Thessaloniki took place during the Hellenistic period, in time it coincides with a critical phase in the history of the Macedonian Kingdom.

After the premature death of Alexander the Great, a struggle for power flares up in the kingdom in order to establish himself on the throne, the Macedonian king Cassander marries Alexander the Great's sister, Thessalonica.

Despite his cruel tempers, Cassander was a great connoisseur of culture - he founded in 315 BC. the city of Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki) and named it in honor of his wife, restored the city of Thebes, destroyed by Alexander the Great.

In the II century BC. the city was conquered by the Romans, like the rest of Greece, and it becomes the capital of Roman Macedonia.

Profitable geographical position Thessaloniki (crossing the trade route from Rome to Constantinople) during the collapse of the Roman Empire, significantly affected the cultural development and significance of the city. Thessaloniki becomes one of the main centers of Orthodoxy, the city grows rich and develops culturally. For this reason, Thessaloniki was constantly subjected to the conquest of the Goths, Avars, Arabs, Bulgarians, Latins.

In 1432, after long sieges, the city fell into the power of the Ottoman Empire and its power was gone for many years. Only a fifth of the Greek population of the city remains: many Greeks were killed during hostilities, others were sold into slavery to Muslims, some of the Greeks went to live in the mountains, someone converted to Islam. Most of the Ottoman Thessaloniki were Jews who were expelled from Spain, later joined by Jews from Portugal and Italy.

In the first year of the Greek national uprising against the Ottomans in 1821, Thessaloniki is subjected to severe repression - more than three thousand Greeks were killed, mostly children, women and the elderly.

Huge damage to the city was caused during the Second World War. In 1941, the German invaders captured Thessaloniki and subjected it to fierce bombardments. The city survived a brutal four-year occupation by the German Nazis and their accomplices - the Italian and Bulgarian fascists. The Jewish community was almost completely destroyed.

The modern city of Thessaloniki is a city with a million inhabitants that has preserved unique architectural monuments of world importance, it is the cultural and commercial center of Greece and the entire Balkan Peninsula, it has a major Mediterranean port and international Airport.

There are 3 major universities in Thessaloniki: the Aristotle University with the richest library, the Macedonian University and the Alexandria Institute of Technology.

In addition, beautiful Thessaloniki attracts millions of tourists with its extraordinary hospitality, azure sea and excellent beaches, gentle sun, excellent hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, cafes, shops for every taste.

Sights of Thessaloniki

A trip to Thessaloniki will enchant you - the city has abundance interesting places, museums, Byzantine churches.

White Tower is the most famous building of the city, it is located in the eastern part of the embankment, was built by the Turks in the 15th century as part of the city fortifications, there was also a prison and a place of torture. After the liberation of the city from the Ottoman yoke, the tower was repaired and whitewashed in order to cleanse it of blood, and thus the tower was renamed the "White Tower". Despite the fact that today the White Tower is no longer white, it retains its name and is considered a symbol of Thessaloniki. At the very top there is an observation deck on the city, inside there is a museum.

Basilica of Agiou Dimitriou- This is the largest temple in Greece, built in the center of Thessaloniki. St. Demetrius is the patron saint of the city, the temple was destroyed by a great fire in 1917 and rebuilt in 1948, it is decorated with magnificent mosaic inlay. Under the temple there is a crypt, the place where St. Demetrius was martyred and died.

Temple of Agia Sophia. Hagia Sophia was built in the 8th century as a copy of the church of the same name in Istanbul. During the Byzantine period, the Hagia Sophia was the cathedral of the city, it was built on the site of the Roman baths. The interior is decorated with magnificent mosaics and frescoes of the early Byzantine period, the most significant is the mosaic of the Ascension of the Savior.

Rotunda - This round building, which was built in 306 as a pantheon or mausoleum for the Roman emperor Galerius. In the Byzantine period, during the reign of Theodosius the Great, the Rotunda turned into a Christian temple, and during the period of Turkish rule - into a mosque. Don't miss the opportunity to admire the unique 4th century mosaics.

Other places to visit: The upper city, the arch of Galeria, the Roman Agora, stroll along the embankment and Aristotle Square, visit one of the best water parks in Greece (near the village of Tagarades, 8 km from Thessaloniki), proud museums.

You can take a sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki on a tourist train that runs every day, starting its work at 10-30 in the morning. The whole trip will take you 45 minutes, the ticket costs 4 euros, children 2 euros. During the trip, you will hear a story about the sights of Thessaloniki in English and Greek.

What to visit near Thessaloniki, read

How to get from Thessaloniki airport to the bus station, to the city center, read

Required phone numbers in Thessaloniki:

• tel. police 100
• tel. tourist police +30 2310 554871
• tel. KTEL (bus station) +30 2310 595408
• tel. port +302310593120
• tel. Archaeological Museum +30 2310830538
• tel. Byzantine Museum +30 2310688570

Thessaloniki (Greece) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Thessaloniki with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Thessaloniki (Greece)

Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki) is the second largest city in Greece, located in the north of the country in historical area Central Macedonia. It is the administrative center of the decentralized administration of Macedonia - Thrace and a large seaport. Thessaloniki - beautiful city with a pleasant cosmopolitan atmosphere, where you can find many ancient monuments, admire the ancient Byzantine churches listed as objects world heritage unesco, sit in cozy cafes and enjoy traditional Greek cuisine.

Thessaloniki are considered cultural capital Greece. The city is famous for its vibrant and vibrant cultural life. Also here is the largest university in the Balkans, which attracts a lot of young people. Thessaloniki is a city with an ancient and rich history. The appearance of the old city was shaped by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Therefore, here you can see both ancient monuments of the ancient period, and much more modern buildings.

Geography and climate

Thessaloniki is located on the northern edge of the Thermaikos Gulf (Aegean Sea) and is bounded by the Chortiatis Mountains in the southeast. The climate is subtropical. Summers are quite hot and dry with average temperatures of 25 - 27 °C. Winters are cool with rare negative temperatures. The sea temperature from July to September is 24 - 26 °C. You can swim from May to October.

Practical information

1. Population - more than 300 thousand people (agglomeration - more than 1 million people).
2. Area - 19.31 km².
3. Currency - euro.
4. Visa - Schengen.
5. The language is Greek.
6. Time - UTC +2, summer +3.
7. Thessaloniki is famous for its shopping streets. The main ones are Tsimiski and Proxenou Koromila.
8. The cuisine of Thessaloniki has an oriental character and is characterized by a large amount of spices. The Greeks consider the city one of the gastronomic capitals. This is all about local delicacies and inexpensive traditional dishes, not haute cuisine.
9. Thessaloniki is a youth city. Therefore, street food is very common here: souvlaki, gyros, crepes, roasted chestnuts. Young people often prefer the Goody's fast food chain.
10. Popular areas with many cafes and restaurants: Ladadika, Athonos, Ano Poli.

Story

Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC. Macedonian king Cassander. He named the city after his wife Thessalonica, who was the sister of Alexander the Great. In 146 BC. Thessaloniki was captured by the Romans. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city became part of Byzantium. Thessaloniki was at the crossroads of important trade routes from Constantinople to Rome and from Athens to the Black Sea region. This provided the city with rapid growth and wealth.

In the 6th-8th centuries, the Goths and Slavs tried to take Thessaloniki several times. In 904, the city was captured and sacked by Saracen pirates. Most of the inhabitants were sold into slavery. At the end of the 10th century, Thessaloniki was captured by the Bulgarians, and at the end of the 12th century, by the Normans. In 1204 the city became the capital of the Kingdom of Thessaloniki. However, already in 1246 this state was subordinated to the Nicaean Empire. In 1387 the city was captured by the Turks. The Ottomans ruled Thessaloniki until 1402, when, after their defeat in the war with Tamerlane, the city returned to Byzantium.

old byzantine walls

In 1430, the Ottoman Empire regained control of the city. During the period of Ottoman rule, Thessaloniki became one of the largest cities in Greece. At the same time, the ethnic and religious composition has changed greatly. The Greek nobility assimilated with the Turks, learned the Turkish language and converted to Islam. More than half of the population belonged to the Spanish Jews. Ladino became the main language in the city. The Greeks made up only 1/5 of the inhabitants of the city. Most of them died during the military conflicts of the Middle Ages. Many Turks also lived in the city. Here, for example, the famous Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was born.

The Greeks regained control of Thessaloniki in 1912. During World War II, the city was occupied by German troops. As a result of the outflow of the Turkish population and the genocide of Jews organized by the Nazis, Thessaloniki became completely Greek.

How to get there

Thessaloniki Airport is located 15 km southeast of the city center and is connected to the following national and international destinations: Athens, Heraklion, Corfu, Santorini, Rhodes, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Basel, London, Stockholm, Oslo, Paris, Milan, Rome, Bergamo, Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Minsk, Bucharest, Yerevan. From the airport to the city can be reached by round-the-clock buses 01X / 01N.

Trains and buses connect Thessaloniki with Athens, Sofia and Belgrade. It is easy to get there by car from Athens, Istanbul, Belgrade, Tirana, Sofia.

Attractions

The central part of Thessaloniki, located inside the Byzantine walls, forms the oldest part of the city. It is divided into two parts: the main commercial area and, in fact, the historical center. The historical core of Thessaloniki is called Ano Poli or the Upper Town and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area was largely unscathed during the devastating fire of 1917.

Ano Poli is located on top of a hill. This atmospheric quarter is characterized by steep, winding streets, several artifacts from the Roman period, and a scattering of ancient Byzantine churches. Numerous fountains from the Ottoman era are reminiscent of Turkish influence. The Odós Olympíados street connects the Upper Town with the Lower Town, as well as with the old city walls and citadel.

An interesting feature historical center Thessaloniki are sections of the old fortress walls. The first walls were erected around the city immediately after its foundation. They were further strengthened during the reign of Constantine. In the 14th-15th centuries, the Ottomans already built additional defensive structures and towers. By the 19th century, Thessaloniki was completely surrounded by powerful fortifications. Their length was 8 km. Later, the Ottoman government decided to dismantle the ancient walls that held back the growth and development of the city.

It is better to start a tour of the old fortifications from the Evangelistria cemetery to the north of the university campus. Here you can look at the massive 15th century Trigonion tower, Anna's tower with a gate leading to the citadel, on the site of an ancient acropolis.

Heptapirgion - a fortress of "seven towers", located in the very high point Upper city. It is believed that the northern towers were built at the end of the 4th century, while the five southern towers were built in the 12th century. Until the end of the 19th century, the fortress was a defensive structure, and then it was used as a prison for 100 years.

The White Tower is the most recognizable landmark of Thessaloniki, located on the picturesque waterfront. The tower was built in 1530 by the Ottomans to protect the city from the sea and was part of the city's fortifications. During the Ottoman period, there was a prison and a place of numerous tortures. Because of this, the building was called the "tower of blood." Later, it was symbolically repainted white and named the "White Tower". Today you can climb the tower and enjoy a magnificent panorama of the harbor and the city. Inside there is a collection of the museum of Byzantine culture: early Christian coins, vases, mosaics, wall paintings.

Aristotle's Square is the main square of Thessaloniki, designed in 1918 by French architect Ernest Hebrard.

Ladadika is a historic area near the port with colorful 19th century buildings and provincial Mediterranean charm.

A few blocks from Aristotle's Square are the ruins of the Roman Forum (most likely an ancient agora). The center of social and political life of ancient Thessaloniki, built in the 1st century AD. and discovered by chance, includes two Roman baths, as well as a small theater that was used for gladiatorial games.

The Arch of Galerius is an ancient Roman monument built at the end of the 3rd century AD. in honor of the victory over the Persians. This building was the main entrance to the city. The arch had four spans and a marble facade decorated with complex reliefs. Two spans and parts of the reliefs have survived to our time, which, by the way, are much better preserved than on the Arch of Constantine in Rome.

Rotunda Galeria (Church of St. George) - the most magnificent ancient monument Thessaloniki, built at the beginning of the fourth century as a mausoleum for the emperor of the same name. The Byzantine emperor Theodosius at the end of the 4th century turned the mausoleum into a Christian church. During the Ottoman period, the building was converted into a mosque. In 1912 the rotunda became a church again. The rotunda has a cylindrical domed architecture similar to the Roman Pantheon. The dome has a diameter of 24 meters, and the height of the rotunda is 30 meters. Inside the dome is decorated with magnificent mosaics.

Basilica of St. Demetrius

Basilica of St. Demetrius is the main religious building of Thessaloniki, located north of the Roman Forum. This magnificent Byzantine basilica was built in the 5th century on the site of an early Christian church near an ancient Roman bath. Fragments of the bathhouse are still visible on the north side of the building, and the remains of a Roman road can be seen in the crypt. The church was named after the city's patron Demetrius, who was imprisoned and executed here in 306. For centuries, pilgrims came from all over the Byzantine Empire to venerate the relics of the saint, which were kept in a sarcophagus in front of the iconostasis. The church has rich interior decorations. During the Ottoman period, it was converted into a mosque.

The Church of the 12 Apostles is a beautiful 14th century Byzantine brick church located on the edge of the old city, close to the Byzantine walls. During the Turkish period, the building was used as a mosque. The church boasts exquisite frescoes and mosaics from the late Byzantine period, which were discovered during restoration work in 1940. On the north side is a cistern that belonged to the former monastery.

Church of St. Sophia is one of the most important historical churches of the city. The first religious building was built in the 8th century. In the 9th-10th century, the church was decorated with expressive figured mosaics. From 1204 to 1430, the religious building had the status cathedral. During the Ottoman period, a mosque was located here. The original building was not preserved after a big fire in 1917.

Church of St. Pavla is a majestic modern church in the style of historical Byzantine architecture, built in 1922 on the site of a small chapel from the second half of the 19th century. According to legend, the church is located near the source where the Apostle Paul drank water.

Church of St. Catherine's is a late Byzantine church located in the northwestern part of the Upper City. During the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, it was converted into a mosque.

Church of St. Panteleimon - a religious building of the late Byzantine period, built in the 13-14th century. It is located in the eastern part of the old city near the arch of Galerius.

The Temple of Osios David is a small Byzantine church that was part of the monastery of Latomu. It was built at the end of the 5th century and is known for its magnificent mosaics and frescoes of the 12th - 14th centuries.

Church of St. Nicholas Orfanos is a small Byzantine church from the early 14th century, famous for its frescoes. Unlike most of the ancient churches of Thessaloniki, it was not converted into a mosque by the Turks.

Vlatadon Monastery is an ancient Byzantine monastery from the 14th century, which is considered one of the oldest and most important monuments of the Byzantine period in Thessaloniki. Known for his collection of Byzantine icons.

The Basilica of Achiropiitos is an early Christian basilica from the 5th century. It is considered one of the most striking examples of early Byzantine architecture and is known for its impressive frescoes and mosaics.

Bei Hamam is the oldest of the Ottoman baths in Thessaloniki with colorful wall paintings and marble pools. It was built in 1444 during the reign of Murad II.

Alaka Imaret Mosque is a 15th century Ottoman mosque with wall paintings and interesting relief elements.

• Museum of Byzantine Culture - covers thousands of artifacts from the early Christian and Byzantine periods: frescoes, mosaics and wall paintings, ceramics and textiles.
• Archaeological Museum - collections from the Hellenistic, Archaic, Classical and Roman periods.

The history of Thessaloniki has become a symbol of the glory and power of the great Macedonian dynasty. It is with him that such names as the Roman Emperor Galerius, the Apostle Paul, the warrior Demetrius, the brothers Cyril and Methodius are inextricably linked, who contributed not only to the history of the city and state, but also influenced the course of the history of the whole world.

The city of Thessaloniki was repeatedly destroyed due to enemy attacks and fires. Today it looks modern and young. At the same time, the ancient and Byzantine touches necessary for the appearance of the city are still present in the architecture, not allowing tourists to forget about its centuries-old history.

Thessaloniki is not only a first-class resort located on the shores of the bay, but also the main starting point for pilgrims to the Greek shrines of Mount Athos, for those wishing to visit the numerous excursions in Northern Greece and for shopaholics heading to Kastoria for the famous fur coats.

Region	Chalkidiki
Population
	4th century BC.
Population density	8 194 people/km²
Timezone	UTC+2, summer UTC+3
Postal code	53x xx, 54x xx, 55x xx, 56x xx
International dialing code

Climate and weather

The Mediterranean climate of Thessaloniki gives tourists and locals about 300 sunny days a year. The ideal months to visit here are from May to October. There is practically no rain during this period. During the holiday season, the air temperature reaches +27 °C, water - +23 °C. And in winter it is from +5 °С to +13 °С.

Nature

Thessaloniki and its suburbs will leave in the heart of every tourist a piece of their rarest beauty, rich flora, fauna and luxurious landscape. So, for example, in the area of ​​​​Lake Volvi you will be impressed by the variety of aquatic plants, trees and shrubs, as well as a large number of unique bird species: herons, storks, flamingos.

Attractions

Thessaloniki is of world importance in history and architecture, which is why the city attracts tourists so much. Even the most demanding traveler will be captivated by the local historical monuments. The symbol of Thessaloniki is the White Tower. IN archaeological museum exposition of the treasures of the tomb of King Philip II of Macedonia. In addition, the triumphal arch of Emperor Galerius, the fortress walls in the Upper City, the churches of St. Sophia and the Holy Apostles, the Aristotle University and many other attractions are a reminder of the centuries-old history of the city.

The most revered place among superstitious tourists is the monument to Aristotle in the city center. The belief says that the one who holds on to the big toe of a thinker will certainly become wiser. It is no coincidence that the philosopher's finger is rubbed to a shine!

Nutrition

Everyone knows that Greek cuisine is characterized by moderate use of spices and herbs, simple recipes, its olive oil and fresh fruits and vegetables. But Thessaloniki also has an additional Macedonian focus in cooking. Snack bars "kutuki" are the visiting card of the local cuisine.

Delices Café is located on one of the busiest streets in the city, Tsimiski, serving delicious French and Greek pastries. The best Greek coffee can only be tasted in a cafe on Komnenos Street. A cozy atmosphere will be offered by the “Room with a View” at the Olympion Theater on Aristotelous. Only Orizontes on the roof of the Electra Palace Hotel can compete with this cafe. A luxurious secular atmosphere will be presented to you by the Melia restaurant on Mitropoleos.

Accommodation

Thessaloniki hotels will be able to satisfy any wishes and whims of tourists. The city gives its guests an excellent choice so that travelers can enjoy their vacation to the fullest: for a family vacation, The Met Hotel is ideal, for romantic getaway for two - Hotel Luxembourg, the most fashionable hotel - The Excelsior, a great hotel for absolutely any kind of vacation - Domotel Les Lazaristes.

Entertainment and recreation

Every year tours to Thessaloniki are gaining more and more popularity. And this is no accident, because the tourism sector of the city is developed at its very best. high level. Gorgeous wide sandy beaches stretching all the way to the suburbs. Comfortable hotels surprise tourists with their interior and range of services. On the beaches you can not only enjoy the sea and the sun, but also outdoor activities such as diving or surfing.

The nightlife of Thessaloniki boils in nightclubs. The embankment is filled with a huge number of different bars. Any tourist in accordance with their preferences will find "the one". Among the bars available in Thessaloniki, Thermaikos, Baraza, The Miles and Saxofono stand out. In the Ladadika quarter, with its old houses, you will find the splendid Cafe Since 1915. The Vilka entertainment center awaits those who love to relax on the move. Vilka is known for several nightclubs and their different styles of music. But most popular place Thessaloniki's hangout is Vogue, with live music almost every day.

The perfect ending to entertainment would be Boat trip. On the embankment near the White Tower there are small yachts where you can ride for free, you only need to pay for a drink. And looking at the lights of the night Thessaloniki from the sea, you will be convinced that you will definitely return to this city!

Purchases

Shopping in the northern capital of Greece provides great opportunities for great shopping. Here you can find everything from simple souvenirs to famous brands. You won't have to look for a field for maneuver for a long time, start from the city center.

We will provide a small list of the most famous trading places:

Modiano is the largest Greek market where you can buy any ingredients for local cuisine;

Mediterranean Cosmos - a huge shopping center located near the airport, with more than 200 shops, 30 restaurants and many entertainment places;

City Gate - a shopping center more modest than the previous one, but located in the center and working from early morning until late evening;

Alpha Odeon is a city cinema in Aristotelous Square, which also has various shops and boutiques.

Having allocated part of your holiday for shopping, do not forget that in Thessaloniki there is an unusual opening hours for shops: from Monday to Saturday, 9:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00. Shopping centers operate on their own schedule, and souvenirs are sold from morning to night.

Transport

You can buy bus tickets at a newsstand, with coins from a machine, or directly from the driver. The ticket price is 0.50 €, the driver is 10 cents more expensive. The ticket is valid for 70 minutes. In addition, for 2 € you can buy a daily ticket, and for 10 € - a weekly one.

In Thessaloniki, the construction of the metro is in full swing, the commissioning of the facility is scheduled for 2014.

Macedonia International Airport is located 12 km from Thessaloniki and serves international, local and charter flights.

A cycling trail stretches for 12 km along the promenade of Thessaloniki.

Connection

The Greek cellular standard is GSM 900/1800. Q-Telecom offers the most favorable tariffs, including international ones. Paying for communication services is very simple - using prepaid cards. Many tourists prefer local operators to roaming.

You can call anywhere not only in Greece, but also in the world, even from a simple telephone box. To call, you need 10 cent coins or a telecard, which is sold in kiosks and costs between 3 and 20 €. Calls from the hotel will cost more than the above option. It is important that after 20:00 there are discounts for phone calls.

And advanced Internet users will appreciate free Wi-Fi, which is available almost throughout Thessaloniki. It has the largest Wi-Fi coverage in Greece, with 37 hotspots along the promenade from Ambelokipi to Kalamaria.

Safety

The crime rate in Thessaloniki is quite low, so you don't have to worry about your own safety here. Any manifestations of deception of tourists by the local police suppresses quickly and harshly. It will be enough for you to follow the elementary safety rules and be vigilant in public places and transport. In addition, it is not recommended to switch to the topic of politics in a conversation with local residents, sometimes they react harshly to it.

Business climate

Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center of HELEXPO in Thessaloniki is the largest in Greece. A number of exhibitions are held here every year. summer vacation, furniture industry, medicine and much more. The center, consisting of 17 pavilions, is located in the heart of the city. During its existence, HELEXPO has earned a reputation as the most important exhibition complex in the Balkans.

At the beginning of autumn, HELEXPO hosts the annual Hellenic Exposition, a diversified international exhibition and fair. This is the most significant event in the political and economic life of Greece, which is always visited by the Prime Minister. The exhibition is purely commercial in nature and gathers a huge number of exhibitors from small private firms to corporations, and also combines production and trade. Although none of the exhibitions could do without cultural and entertainment events. HELEXPO contributes to the expansion and establishment of cooperation between enterprises within the country and abroad. Undoubtedly, this makes a significant contribution to the development of the Greek economy.

Real estate

Today Thessaloniki is a modern beautiful city with a developed infrastructure. Accordingly, real estate here is one of the most successful investment options in Greece. Recently, the increase in prices for it in certain areas of Thessaloniki is due to the construction of a metro line.

It should be noted that the costs of formalizing a sale and purchase transaction and the state tax on average amount to 15% of the value of the object of the transaction, and brokers' fees - from 1% to 4%. In addition, real estate in Greece is not empty walls - plumbing, kitchen, built-in wardrobes are sold along with the premises.

On average, renting a three-room apartment in Thessaloniki costs from 250 to 350 €. During the season, the price can increase by 1.5 times.

If you find yourself in a difficult situation on vacation in Greece, contact the tourist police. In every resort town you can easily find the branch of this special service.

To get to the right place in time, focus your attention on the names of streets and districts of the city, because sometimes they can coincide.

In Greece, all service personnel expect at least a small reward from tourists, so don't feel sorry for tipping taxi drivers and maids.