Travel to Thessaloniki, Macedonia quick information guide
Thessaloniki is a famous and ancient harbor city in Central Macedonia, Greece with a history of inhabitants dating back 3,000 years. About a million persons currently live in the metropolis. A city with so many people who have spent their lives in the vicinity must be a great place to live. Many people travel to the area to experience the city for themselves and they find a city with historical significance that is alive with a contemporary Mediterranean culture and many attractions to offer.
Local Attractions
The White Tower should be on the list of attractions people see when they first come to the city. The tower gives views of the city and sections of the Byzantine castle of which the tower is a part. Then, free to visit is the Rotunda, ancient ruins of an impressive church with a huge dome made of bricks, an architectural wonder.
Several museums tell the ancient and modern history of Greece and explore the historic and contemporary culture like the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum. The city has art galleries featuring modern and ancient artists and monuments to Greek and Jewish as well as Christian history, churches and much more to explore.
International Trade Fair
First officially held in the year, 1926, the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair is a highly important commercial event especially for Greece and the countries of South-Eastern Europe, displaying wares and commodities. In September, at the time of this yearly fair, the Prime Minister of Greece habitually makes an annual speech at the fair to explain the coming year's governmental policies. For traders all over the Balkan region, similar trade fairs have been held in Thessaloniki since the time of the Byzantines.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Greek cuisine is popular worldwide and this large city is a fabulous place to taste the food and drink of this culture. Popular eateries include spots like Lena's Bistro that serves Mediterranean cuisine at its finest for breakfast and lunch with reservations and Nea Diagonios that serves barbecue and special, local favorites including soutsoukakia and gyros. The city does have several restaurants serving international cuisine as well, but many of the dining options are variations of Mediterranean fare using local fruits, vegetables, locally grown livestock and fresh seafood.
As far as nightlife goes, many of the cafes, pubs, and restaurants are open late into the night with live local entertainment, musicians, and dancing. The people are proud of their heritage in music and dance and love their traditional style. The atmosphere is lively and pleasant making everyone feel like family. Then, theatres provide performances and the city has an orchestra as well, the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra.
City Hotels
For trip planners, fabulous deals on Thessaloniki hotels are available. The accommodation options include many hotels, some bed and breakfasts, small inns, and a few hostels and rental apartments. The choices offered include room rates to meet every budget.
Naturally, luxury hotels are well-loved and people can find reduced rates on these with a little research. Top resort hotels are like Nikopolis Thessaloniki - ex Kempinski Hotel, The Excelsior, Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki, and The Met. These places offer all the amenities and excellent service.
Travel Tips
When it comes to tips regarding travel in the Thessaloniki region, here are some points to note:
- The central market is a great place to get inexpensive local food to eat as well as spices, herbs, clothing, and flowers at low prices.
- Modiano Market is another great place to get local special foods like sweets and olive oil at reduced cost.
- Walking tours either self-guided or led by an English speaking local are great for getting to know the city. Much of the city has cobblestone streets, old ruins free to discover, and historic districts.
- On the first two fingers jutting out from the Halkidiki Peninsula are around five hundred kilometres of the best beaches in the world.
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Thessaloniki gastronomy
Thessaloniki gastronomy, local products and artefacts
Thessaloniki Greek cuisine
The traditional tavernas offer grilled meat and fish and original recipes such as “kontosouvli”, “kebab”, “tzigerosarmas”, “giaprakia”, “gardoubes”, stuffed spleens etc. If you prefer sea food, mussel pilaf (rice), grilled sardine, frutti di mare, shrimps “saganaki” and stuffed squid are highly recommended. In other regions of the Prefecture, you can try excellent pies including cheese, milk, onion, pumpkin, spinach, leek and cabbage pies.
In Assiros, the potatoes with eat on the stove are famous as well as the “bobaria” (stuffed goat intestines), the “babes” (stuffed pig intestines) as well as Pontiac chees pies and pork meat with wild greens. Elsewhere, the Pontiac Porch (pork soup), “chapsia”, “chavits” and “otia” are unforgettable delights. Finally, a delicious meal is always accompanied with good wine, a fundamental ingredient of the Greek culture and gastronomy. The selective varieties of the Macedonian grapes offer wines with smooth taste and unique flavor.
Thessaloniki is also famous all over Greece for its confection. Be sure to try the traditional “bougatsa” (pie filled either with cheese or sweet cream), the syrup delights, “ekmek kadaifi”, “kazan dipi”, “seke pare”, “touloumpa”, “ariani” and the famous “trigona of Panorama” (Panorama triangles).
Travel to Thessaloniki things to see and do
Travel to Thessaloniki, what to see and do during your vacations
Thessaloniki Cultural Tradition
Folklore events take place throughout the prefecture of Thessaloniki. Some of the most famous ones are the annual revival of the custom of fire walking (called “anastenaria”) taking place in Lagadas (May 21st), the carnival festival in Sochos, featuring the “Dance of the Goats” when people “with bells” and dressed in goat hides dance along the streets, and the New Year’s Eve party in Nymphopetra, when people wear fancy dress.
The Municipality of Thessaloniki also organizes numerous cultural events, such as performances at the State Theatre of Northern Greece, Open Theatre Days, International Cinema and Book Festivals, Opera Performances and the Chamber Musical Festival.
Thessaloniki Sports and Activities – Thessaloniki Agrotourism
Thessaloniki beaches
During the summer months, your stay in Thessaloniki can be combined with a visit to the nearby beaches of Perea, Nei Epivates, Agia Triada, Nea Michaniona and Epanomi on Thermaikos Gulf and Asprovalta , the beach of Vrasna and Stavros on Strimonikos Gulf. The waters are crystal-clear and all kinds of water-sports are available. Many beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for their high quality facilities and clean waters.