Discover Thessaloniki's ancient past at the Archaeological Museum of
Thessaloniki, then learn about medieval art at the Museum of Byzantine
Culture. Before you leave, light a candle in Thessaloniki's mystical
UNESCO-listed Ayia Sofia church. Make a return visit to shop at the bustling
Modiano fruit and vegetable market, and to feast on spicy, Turkish-inspired
dishes.
Background
Overlooking the Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki's city centre was walled
in the 14th century, destroyed by fire in 1917 and then rebuilt to a grid-like plan.
Today it has three central avenues running parallel with the seafront, Leoforos
Nikis. Head down Thessaloniki's main shopping street,
pedestrian-only Aristotelous, from Egnatia street to the main Aristotelous Square
and you'll find yourself at Thessaloniki's seafront. North of the
centre, in hillside Ano Poli (Upper Town), you'll find old
Turkish-style architecture that survived the 1917 fire.
First-time visit
Follow the seafront promenade from Aristotelous Square to the 16th-century
White Tower of Thessaloniki. Carry on to the world-class
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki to see Archaic and Macedonian
sculptures. Or view medieval religious icons in the Museum of Byzantine
Culture. For modern art, try the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary
Art, home to a collection of Greek and international pieces. Light a candle
inside the UNESCO-listed, eighth-century Byzantine church of Ayia Sofia,
decorated with gold mosaics. Then browse Thessaloniki's bustling covered
markets for fruit, olives and nuts at Modiano or gold and silver jewellery at
the Ottoman-era Bezesteni.
Return visit
Walk up to the Turkish-style Ano Poli district to see 14th-century frescoes
inside the UNESCO-listed Byzantine church of Ayios Nikolaos Orfanos. Then
continue up to Seih-Sou, a vast hillside park boasting several cafes with
panoramic city views. In the evening try out local meat dishes laced with
eye-watering local Florina red peppers. Escape the bustle of Thessaloniki to
the white sandy beaches of Halkidiki, stopping en-route at Petralona
Cave to see the stalagmites and stalactites. Or visit the UNESCO-listed town
of Vergina to explore the 3000-year-old burial chambers of the Macedonian
royals.
Please note that you won't be able to make changes to your hotel or car booking. If you want to change your booking you will have to cancel your current booking and make a new booking. This can be done on ba.com.
We cannot guarantee that the same hotel room or car rental option will still be available if you have to cancel and make a new booking.
