THESSALONIKI

Thessaloniki

The "capital" of northern Greece

When you first arrive at the airport of Thessaloniki and drive through the city, the first impression is not the thought of a beautiful city. But once when you get to know the city - get under the skin - you discover its inner beauty.

The white tower and symbol of Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki is quite a big city with almost 1 million inhabitatns. Traffic jams, people and delays are common as in every other big city.

Kamára - the old city gate

Kamára city gate - today.

Rotónda

View from the hilltop at "ta kastra" (the castles).

A walk at Thermaikos harbour at sunset.

History:

The city Thessaloniki was founded about 315 years B.C. by the king of Macedonia, Kassandros, when he united 26 villages. He named the town after his wife, Thessalonika.

What to do in Thessaloniki:

Stoà Modiàno (the Modiano market).

As a visitor of Thessaloniki it is definitely worth to visit this market in the city center. Street: Ermoú (Ερμου).

The Modiano market was founded in the early 1920s by the architect Eli Modiano, and owned by a Jewish family with that name Modiano. It used to be the main meat market.

During the World War II and the occupation of the Germans about 45-50.000 of the city's Jews (96 %) died, many at Auschwitz. Only about 2,000 Jews live in the city today. Their history is recounted at the Jewish Museum.

During daytime it’s a buzzing place with energetic merhcants selling fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, delicacies etc. In the last couple of years also small cosy taverns have opened and joined the buzzy atmosphere.

Stoà Modiàno

Souvlakia

Pita me giros.

If you are a fan of football like me ;o) I recommend to go to the small souvlaki place “O Arxontas”. The walls are pasted with old photos of Greek football. There is really something to look at while waiting for your pita with giros (sandwich me giros).

Souvlaki place in the stoá.

A "football museum" at Ermou street.

Note: Unfortunately I discovered on my visit during summer 2010 that "O Arxontas" has closed down... Unfortunately the economic crisis has struck Greece hard - and a lot of small business have closed down...

Stoa bar. At night a nice bar opens on the balcony, which plays electric and funky music. Check out the program at www.myspace.com/stoabar

Square Athonos.

And just next to the market there is an area called plateía Athonos which is full of small taverns and restaurants. In the weekends it can even be a bit difficult getting a table. Some of the most popular tavernas are: ston pínaka and Perí oreksios.

The pink house of Kemal Ataturk.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was the founder of the Turkish republic, but he grew up with his family in Thessaloniki - in the pink house in the center of Thessaloniki. Kemal was born in 1881. Today it functions as the Turkish Consulate of Thessaloniki. The small museum in it is difficult to access for security reasons.

For Greeks Kemal is not a person worth to remember, after he brutally "threw out" the Greeks in Smyrni (today Izmir) in september 1922.

Address: 151, Aghiou Dimitriou str. Phone: + 2310 248452.

Concerning the massacre of Smyrni watch this link:

Going out in Thessaloniki:

Ta ladadika.

The old restored brick houses in the Ladadika district is now full of bars and small clubs. In the old days it was the Jewish quarter.

Address: in the centre, in the end of Tsimiski street.

Πυξιδα (Piksída). Baïou 2. Greek live music entexa, laïka k rempetika tragoudia.

The new hip district around Balaorítou street.

This old disctrict used to be a busy place of wholesale shops not more than a decade ago. The abandoned buildings have been given a new life during the night.

New hip bars have opened such as Elvis, Skg bar, Fuzz, Sknipa and Partisan.

Balaoritou street.

Other bars in the city centre:

Godfather. Lori Margariti 4.

Diatiriteo. Iktínou 12-14.

Yfilios. Proksenou Koromila 1 (old ethnik).

E11even bar. Proksenou Koromila 11.

Maalox liquid bar. Proksenou Koromila 11.

The Local Espresso bar. Palaion Patron Germanou 17.

Live music in the city:

www.vardia.gr. Serron 15 with F. Menou street.

Closed during summer.

Πυξιδα (Piksída). Baïou 2. Greek live music entexa, laïka k rempetika tragoudia.

Rakomelo. 36 Themistokli Sofouli, Kalamaria. Cretan cuisine with live music in weekends.

Halkidiki at summer time.

Halkidiki is the area south of Thessaloniki. See the the map below.

Halkidiki is described as 3 fingers of half peninsulas. An each finger (peninsula) is unique in its own way.

For instance the first finger, Kassandra, is known for its night life. But the more south you go, the more exotic it gets.

The second finger, Sithonia, is known for its green environment and camping sites.

The third finger can only be entered by men and is holy with its many monasteries.

Sithonia.

During summer all the city-people go to Halkidiki for the weekends and leaves the city empty and quite. That means a lot of traffic! And unfortunately Halkidiki is best accessible by car because the distances are a bit far and the bus service is poor.

Beach bars in Halkidiki:

In my opinion some of the best beach bars are in Halkidiki! You can both find relaxed ones and party beach bars.

List of beach bars:

Kassandra (the 1st "finger" of Halkidiki):

Anemos, Sani beach. Nice water and more stylish beach bar.

Pasha beach bar, Nea Flogita. Lively and younger crowd close to the city.

Glarokampos beach bar, Pefkohori. Beautiful surroundings.

Cocous, Poseidi. Quality beach bar with good "kefi" at the end of the days. It also has a camping next.

Xelona, on the way to Sani beach. Relaxed beach bar.

Sithonia (the 2nd "finger" of Halkidiki):

Ethnik Beach bar, Tristinika, close to Porto Koufo.

Africafe, Camping Platanitsi, near Sarti. This beach bar is very popular both day and night. Come early to catch a sunbed. www.africafe.gr

Manassou, near Sarti. One of the best beach bars. Beautiful beach, sea, view and a good bar.

Talgo, 2 km before Vouvouroú. The water here is almost like a swimming pool ;o)

Buddha Bar, Neos Marmaras. Located on the south-side of Neos Marmaras.

Armenistis. Good and organized camping. Both young crowd and families come here. www.armenistis.gr

Beach bar Manassou, Sithonia.

Talgo beach bar, Sithonia.

Obelix Pizza.

Obelix Pizza in Sithonia has great pizzas! But also the most gigantic I ever seen! The perfect meal after a long day in the sun and sea :o)

Pizzes gigantes.

Sipping cold coffee - frapé:

Links:

www.driveme.gr - Citymaps

www.greekshadows.com - about the old shadow theater Karagkiozis.