Greece's Second Largest City: Why Thessaloniki Is Worth It

From iced coffee to historic streets in bright colors, wild parties, and centrally located archaeological sites - Thessaloniki brings it all together. Those who think of a vacation in Greece solely as a beach getaway on Greek islands like Crete, Rhodes, or Kos are missing out on the best. Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, often goes unnoticed. And that's unfair. The port city with around 325,000 inhabitants is worth every trip. Life bursts here and countless sights are available. Not to mention the food. Thessaloniki was included in 'Time Magazine's list of 'World's Greatest Places', especially for its gastronomy scene. The travel bettercities.net introduces the city in detail.

The various influences of the city's Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures are also reflected on its menus. After Thessaloniki was nominated 'City of Gastronomy' by UNESCO in 2021, 'Time Magazine' included the city in their 'World's Greatest Places' list a year later, also referring to its culinary offerings.

A wide selection of food as well as bars and taverns are found in Modiano Market in the historic center. The market, consisting of a collection of upscale shops, is housed in a representative building that was renovated in 2022. Events like cooking shows are also held here. Another destination for fresh produce is the lively Kapani Market, where loud haggling is common.

If you have a sweet tooth, Thessaloniki is the place for you. Sweets are offered on almost every corner. For instance, sticky-sweet Galaktoboureko, a sweet-filled phyllo dough, or cream-filled puff pastry called triangles. In the city's numerous cafes, you can pair these calorie-rich treats with an iced coffee.

With so many desserts, it's no surprise that some pedestrian signs in Thessaloniki feature a special designation: not only the distance to the next sight is noted but also the number of calories burned along the way.

Thessaloniki is a student city. Approximately 80,000 students attend Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the largest university in Greece. Accordingly, the nightlife is lively. Numerous taverns, bars, and clubs offer opportunities to turn night into day. Live music is available in many places.

Tolerance is also important in Thessaloniki. Former mayor Giannis Boutaris promoted an open-minded community with a high-profile initiative. To support the Gay Pride parade in the fight for sexual freedom, he posed nude for a magazine in 2017, at over 70 years old, to make a statement. 'It is our duty as a democratic society to recognize diversity,' Deutsche Welle quoted him then.

The festivals held in Thessaloniki are diverse. Since 1960, the annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival has been a cultural event, and the Documentary Film Festival has been a permanent part of the cultural scene for over 25 years. Art lovers visit the Photo Biennale, and music and theater are offered at the Dimitria Festival.

The Ladadika district presents itself with vibrant facades and hip flair. Those looking to go out naturally land in this tavern and club-filled quarter in Thessaloniki's harbor area. A special architecture also characterizes the region: since this district was unaffected by the great fire of 1917, its streets are considered a historical site and are protected.

There is always something going on here, day or night. Where olive oil was once stored, behind vibrant paint facades lie breweries, casual cafes, chic bars, and great restaurants. As you stroll, you can hear music, and the entire district buzzes with life. The hotspots of this lively activity include Morichovou Square and Katouni Street.

It can't be missed on the waterfront. The White Tower of Thessaloniki stands at 33.5 meters tall and boasts a substantial 22 meters in diameter. Over the years, it served various purposes, initially as a fortification and later as a prison. Nowadays, it houses a museum that tells the city's history.

The Hagia Sophia Church also boasts a fascinating history and appearance from the seventh century. Used at times as a mosque and later as an Orthodox church, it displays traces of alterations, and its interior features mosaics from the eighth and ninth centuries. The structure belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage and is considered a predecessor to cross-in-square churches. Another significant church, also protected by UNESCO, is the Demetrios Basilica from the sixth century, with its artful interior design.

Thessaloniki continues to offer cultural riches, with the Archaeological Museum being a major attraction, scheduled to take about three hours to explore. This centrally located museum is one of the country's largest and houses a vast collection of ancient artifacts like jewelry from the graves of Sindos (560-440 BC) or the Derveni Krater from the fourth century BC. Also a must-see: the birthplace of Turkish state founder Kemal Atatürk in the city center. Admission is free.

Modern art, on the other hand, is found outdoors at the harbor: in 1997, Greek artist Giorgos Zogolopoulos created an artwork of umbrellas directly on the promenade. The 'Umbrellas' sculpture is a popular photo subject, with sunsets painting a picturesque backdrop. At night, the umbrellas are illuminated.

In Thessaloniki, you can experience grand views at various locations. These observation points are often linked to more or less prestigious structures. A good starting point is the view from the White Tower, ideally after climbing 92 steps. More spectacular views come from structures elevated above Thessaloniki.

This includes the Heptapyrgion fortress, offering views over the city's rooftops and the Mediterranean. The structure itself may not be particularly remarkable, but at sunset, few places rival its view of the sun dipping below the horizon. The picturesque Byzantine Vlatades Monastery, reachable on foot from Heptapyrgion, also offers a dream view of the metropolis.

While not covering the entire city, the impressive Aristotelous Square (Aristotle's Square) can also be observed from above. Thessaloniki's most important and largest square is lined with neoclassical buildings with colonnades and opens to the sea on one side. With a drink or meal on one of the rooftop terraces, such as at the Orizontes Roof Garden, you can experience the lively square from a bird's-eye view.

Strolling through Thessaloniki reveals old and new, tranquil oases, and lively corners. Rejuvenate in the garden of the Vlatades Monastery, founded in the 14th century. Follow the city wall to the Trigonion Tower, part of the Ottoman fortification, which also offers lovely views. This location is also popular for a sundowner.

Another highlight is a few minutes' walk away: the charming Church of Saint Paul the Apostle. The magnificent building delights with red roofs, and a look inside is absolutely worthwhile. The walls are artfully designed and adorned with frescoes.

What else is there to discover? Countless wonders. Walking through the Ano Poli upper city, cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, and Ottoman architecture exude small-town charm from another era; the imposing Rotunda of Galerius, a plain domed structure from the outside, reveals impressive wall mosaics within.

The perfect fusion of old and new is shown in Thessaloniki's Roman Forum. Surrounded by residential buildings lies the Roman Forum excavation site, discovered during construction in 1966. After all these impressions, a coffee break is necessary. Fortunately, cafes are abundant.

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