Description
Surprising seaside capital of the north
Greece’s second largest city and capital of Northern Greece has a strong Macedonian identity built on millennia of civilization, history and culture. Before it was ravaged by a great fire in 1919 and before the Nazi regime in the Second World War decimated its Jewish population, Thessaloniki was a cosmopolitan and multicultural hotbed of a city where Christians, Muslims and Jews in almost equal proportions lived harmoniously together. Monuments from this recent past still charm and haunt visitors, from the city’s White Tower which was an Ottoman jail and the impressive Jewish Museum to the UNESCO-listed Church of the Holy Apostles.
Delving even deeper into history, the city still boasts remains from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras, with the latter two having left numerous buildings to admire. Check out the Rotonda, Arch of Galerius or Kamara, Church of Agia Sophia, and Byzantine castle walks on the outer limits of the city. Thessaloniki is also known for its excellent gastronomy, old bazaars, seaside promenade with cafés and interwar architecture.
Beyond the city walls, you can quickly go to the verdant green suburbs of Sheikh Su and to nearby mount Chortiatis for some great hiking escapes. West of the city lie numerous wetlands that are home to an array of birds, including endangered species. If you're into nature and birdwatching, go to lakes Volvi and Koronia for a guided tour, then visit the villages above the lakes' northern shores for a real taste of Macedonian culture. Lastly, it is worth noting that Thessaloniki is just an hour away from the peninsula of Halkidiki, which offers some of the most stunning beaches in the country, along with great outdoor activities such as biking, sailing, scuba diving and hiking.
