By risaqq 
The rhythm of the rolling waves of the Thermaic Gulf has long set the pulse of the city. The second largest in Greece, Thessaloniki, is located on the northern Greek coast, framed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. The city’s fame has been known since ancient times as it was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, who honored his wife, the half-sister of Alexander the Great, with the name Thessaloniki. It was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, the second city of the Byzantine Empire and a major trading post of the Ottoman Empire. Located 500 km from Athens, this port city serves as the gateway to the Balkans, the tripartite peninsula of Halkidiki and Mount Olympus.
The city’s long history is reflected in its stone buildings. Thessaloniki was given the status of a free city in the Roman period and was a stop for merchants and Roman legions on the road to Byzantium – the road known as Via Egnatia. In the early 4th century AD, it was chosen as the residence of the Emperor Galerius. Remains of the ancient buildings have been preserved until modern times – the Hippodrome, the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius and the Roman Forum, which has been excavated.
On the foundation of the Roman city, a medieval metropolis was built, which was the co-capital of the Byzantine Empire with Constantinople. Thessaloniki’s unique paleochristian and Byzantine cultural heritage has been recognized by UNESCO, which has included 15 medieval monuments in the city on the list of World Heritage Sites. Among these are the 5th-century Basilica of St. Demetrius, the cathedral church of the city with a well-preserved crypt and magnificent mosaics of the 7th century. Inside the walls of the city, many examples of later Byzantine architecture have been preserved, including the Church of the Holy Apostles and the Monastery of Latomou. Their rock-cut tombs and breathtaking masonry, together with their architectural details, are an astonishing example of early Christian art.
In 1430, Thessaloniki was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and became the center of European Islam. The city’s ancient churches were converted into mosques, adorned with minarets. Public baths were built throughout the city and its commercial infrastructure grew significantly. However, the most important event in 15th-century Thessaloniki was the arrival of the Sephardic Jews, who were the first to settle in Thessaloniki after the Spanish Inquisition. Jews brought the Ladino language with them and the city became known as the Mother of Israel. This cultural layer, which has been partially preserved to this day, has had a tremendous impact on both the urban development of the city and the culinary traditions of the local cuisine. The legacy of medieval Thessaloniki lives on in the city in the exhibits of the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki and the anachronistic wooden buildings of the castle district of Ano Poli.
Modern Thessaloniki retains its historical flavor, which shapes the city’s unique architecture and urban environments. The White Tower is the most famous and recognizable symbol of Thessaloniki. Built in the 15th century by the Ottomans, this 34-meter-tall tower houses a museum that tells the story of the city’s history. Along the coast, stretching for several kilometers, is the sea promenade, one of the highlights of Thessaloniki. Officially called the Thermaic Promenade, this wonderful place has been transformed into a park with a system of 13 landscaped islands. Running parallel to the water, through the promenade and connecting it with the city, is a 10-meter-wide bicycle path. In the evenings, thousands of people gather on the promenade for a walk (or bike ride), a local tradition. The view over the bay is unforgettable, especially on clear days when the distant outline of Mount Olympus can be seen. Another popular venue is the monument called The Umbrellas by the famous Greek artist Georgios Zongolopoulos.
Food lovers visiting Thessaloniki should note that this city has been designated as Greece’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Traditional Macedonian specialties, together with Anatolian dishes, Sephardic Jewish baked goods and fresh fish from the local Aegean Sea, create a unique Thessalonian cuisine. The variety of local dishes is astounding, ranging from sweet semolina buns – bougatsa to sesame-coated bread rings – koulouri, various meat soups – soutzoukakia parmesan, and delicacies from the local honey industry – trigona panormatis. Meals in Thessaloniki are usually taken leisurely, with meals accompanied by wine, ouzo, or tsipouro. Local taverns are famous for their meze – a selection of small dishes, which can be tasted with pleasure both in the traditional restaurants along the street and in the modern bars of the Ano Poli district.
Thus, Thessaloniki has built a great reputation for itself as a major cultural and scientific center. The Aristotle University, one of the largest scientific and educational centers in the Balkans, adds a youthful dynamism to the city. The old merchant city of Ladadika, with its 19th century warehouses, now hosts numerous taverns and bars. The young people’s pulse can also be felt in the Valaoritou and Zefxidos streets, where local bars and cocktail lounges invite you to enjoy a coffee or dinner. However, the city has many other faces, such as the traditional village of Ano Poli, perched on a hillside. Here, in the middle of narrow streets and squares, you will find stone buildings, monasteries and the ancient walls of the city, which will transport you back to the times of the city’s early foundations.
Numerous museums in Thessaloniki reflect the rich cultural and historical heritage of Northern Greece. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki has one of the most important collections of antiquities in the country with many exhibits dating from the Neolithic period to late antiquity. The Museum of Byzantine Culture possesses an extensive collection of sacred icons, frescoes, jewelry, weapons and other artifacts, part of which is presented in an impressive exhibition. The modern art collection of the MOMus-Museum of Modern Art, which also has a unique display of the Costakis Collection of Russian Avant-Garde, is also worth visiting. This city has much to offer in terms of cultural and historical exploration, as well as modern entertainment and leisure.
At the same time, the importance of Thessaloniki for Northern Greece can also be seen in the opportunities for day trips offered by the city. Excursions to the Royal Tomb of Aigai, Mount Olympus, and the Halkidiki Peninsula, which offers great beaches, are popular activities among tourists who choose Thessaloniki as their base. Convenient flights from Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” (IATA code: SKG), a well-developed bus system (OASTH intercity buses), and the new metro line (connecting Thessaloniki’s port with the airport via the center) ensure you can get around the city and the surrounding regions quickly and comfortably. The climate in Thessaloniki is mild in spring and autumn, so there are plenty of sunny days throughout the year. Public transport is well-developed, and local crime is relatively low, making it ideal for a worry-free Mediterranean trip.