Thessaloniki, Greece

Greece's second largest city was the realm of Alexander the Great and named after his sister, Thessaloniki, when it was founded in 316 BC. The capital of Macedonia in the north, it sits in a bowl framed by low hills, facing a bay on the Gulf Thermaikos. Despite being one of the oldest cities in Europe, today Thessaloniki is lively and modern, and with its with wide avenues, parks and squares, is thought to be much more attractive than Athens.



The main squares are Platia Elefterias and Platia Aristotelous, both on the waterfront and alive with cafes and restaurants, children playing or people strolling. Thessaloniki, having been under Ottoman rule for long periods in its history, has been left a legacy of numerous Byzantine churches, and museums housing Byzantine art and artefacts. The city also has a heritage of early Christian communities, particularly the renowned monasteries of nearby Mount Athos; and a rich Jewish tradition, evident in the synagogues and Jewish Museum.



In 1917, most of the city was destroyed in a massive fire, and rebuilt later. This is not a high-rise city, though, because the area is prone to earthquakes and regulations have been imposed preventing the building of skyscrapers. This means that residents and visitors alike can enjoy the seaside situation of Thessaloniki, with views aplenty from the city streets.

There is a lot to see and do in Thessaloniki besides the ruins, including visits to the Turkish Baths, central market, and cafes and restaurants of Aristotelous Square. Thessaloniki also has a vibrant nightlife, with a number of lively bars and clubs.

Thessaloniki Attractions

Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum The Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum is regarded as one of the finest museums in Europe; it is near the famous White Tower and opposite the city's international fairgrounds. The museum houses a huge collection including the incredible treasures from the tomb of Alexander the Great's...  see full details Roman Forum Close to one of the city's main bus terminals in Dikasterion Square lies the archaeological site of the ancient Greek agora or marketplace, which was later expanded to become a Roman Forum on two levels. The Roman Forum was constructed in the late...  see full details The White Tower The city of Thessaloniki's most famous landmark, the White Tower was originally built as part of the city walls to fortify the coast during Ottoman rule. It now stands, no longer quite white but still very imposing, on the seaside promenade south of...  see full details Churches of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki is famous for its numerous beautiful churches, large and small, dating from various eras, most notably Byzantine. Most are situated in the Upper City area, which is a warren of quaint, narrow cobbled streets and has become a fashionable quarter favoured by local...  see full details