Thessaloniki is one of the most important historic, economic and cultural cities in Greece and the Balkans, a city that several times has nominated with major European awards and titles and hosted international events of great importance.
Thessaloniki is a city with personality, spirit and beauty with a rich multicultural character, which has been formed due to the influence of various ethnic groups that has settled in the city during its history. The city since its foundation is the place of receipt, the place of encounters, where people, ideas and merchandise flow.
Additionally, Thessaloniki’s cultural heritage is rich in archaeological sites and monuments. Along with its vast monumental heritage, the city has a constant production of cultural events with international presence that has significantly increased during the last years that highlight the city’s cultural and creative identity.
Thessaloniki is also a “youth city” as primarily characterized by its youth population and the 180.000 students, studying in the 3 major Universities and result in a continuous production of young scientists and professionals who strengthen the city’s knowledge and economy.
Thessaloniki, at the same time, is a contemporary, friendly, safe but vibrant and creative city that has an emergent and very promising human capital, active in various sectors.
Keep always in mind that «Thessaloniki is the best place to live, to create, to work, to visit.»
Constantinos Zervas
Mayor of Thessaloniki
– Introducing the city –
Thessaloniki is a multicultural city and an open-air museum. The city is located in the Northern part of Greece, is the second-largest city of the country and the capital of Greek Macedonia, the administrative region of Central Macedonia and the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace with over 1 million inhabitants in Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area.
Thessaloniki is Greece’s second major economic, industrial, commercial, and political center, and a major transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe.
The city of Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon. An important metropolis by the Roman period, Thessaloniki was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire. It was conquered by the Ottomans in 1430 and passed from the Ottoman Empire to modern Greece in 1912.
Thessaloniki’s cultural heritage is rich in archaeological sites and Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments, fifteen of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as several Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish structures.
The city is renowned for its vivid student community and its festivals, events, and vibrant cultural life. The city is a culinary paradise as it became Greece’s first city to join the UNESCO Network of Gastronomy. Annual Events such as the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and the Thessaloniki International Film and Documentary Festival, and Dimitria International Cultural Festival – among others- highlight the city’s identity.
Thessaloniki is a popular tourist destination that combines archaeological sites and monuments, museums and the old town with shopping, day and nightlife, unique cuisine, and wonderful, vast sea views where the streets remain full of life and vibrancy.
Friendly, diverse, and safe, Thessaloniki offers travelers the opportunity to make unique memories and enjoy once in a lifetime experiences.
Exploring the city
• The White Tower: The 34-meter high tower is now hosting the White Tower Museum, dedicated to Thessaloniki’s History from the Roman Era to the present day.
• The Ancient Agora: the former social and religious city centre during the Greek and Roman periods.
• The Arch of Galerius, also named “Kamara”. It was built in 305 A.D to celebrate a victory over the Persians. The only remains still standing are 2 original pillars and an arch, decorated with battle scenes.
• The Rotunda of Galerius was built as a Mausoleum for the Emperor. Then, it became a church and later a Mosque. It’s one of Thessaloniki’s oldest monuments.
• The Galerius Palace is a ancient Roman palace. Located on Navarinou Square, it was part of a huge complex, with the Arch and the Rotunda.
Christian – Byzantine churches in Thessaloniki:
• Agios Dimitros, Thessaloniki’s most famous church, is dedicated to Saint Dimitri, the holy patron of the city. Its relics are kept inside the crypt.
• Panagia Achiropiitos, a Byzantine church built in the 5th century, with beautiful frescoes.
• Agia Sofia, built in the 8th century and based on the Hagia Sofia of Constantinople (nowaday’s city name is Istanbul, in Turkey). One of Thessaloniki’s most impressive Byzantine church!
• Nikolaos Orfanos, a small Byzantine Church built in the 14th century.
• Ossios David, erected in the 5th century. You will enjoy beautiful and well-preserved mosaics.
Thessaloniki’s old town
Located in Thessaloniki’s upper city. A great fire destroyed most of the city in 1917, and Ano poli was the only surviving neighborhood!
Get around the neighborhood on foot to discover its beautiful narrow paved alleys, typical architecture, and a unique atmosphere!
Ano Poli’s main points of interest are:
• Trigoniou Tower. Built during the Venetian occupation, it was mostly used as an armory and artillery tower.
• The Portara Gate, in the walls’ northern part. Well-decorated with ceramics and carved marble inscriptions.
• The Eptapirgion, an ancient fortress and prison with 7 towers
• The Monastery of Vlatadon, built in 1351. Nowadays, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the monastery, you will enjoy one of the most beautiful view over the city
• The churches of Agios Nikolaos, Saint Catherine, and Ossios David
Thessaloniki’s Museums:
The city has many museums. Some of them are:
• The Archaeological Museum
• The Museum of Byzantine Culture
• The Jewish Museum
• Momus – Metropolitan Museum of Visual Arts
• Thessaloniki Cinema Museum
Update Nov. 2023: Constantinos Zervas, Mayor of Thessaloniki interview on e-magazine maskviajes.com
Update Dec. 2023: Read the article of Pilar Carrizosa in tugranviaje.com for our city!
Update Dec. 2023: Interview about Thessaloniki in Pilar Carrizosa’s program “Get lost and enjoy“.
Update Dec. 2023: Read the article of Victoria Peñalver in esdiario.com: Thessaloniki, many stories, one heart
Update Dec. 2023: CHRISTMAS IN GREECE – Published by José Buitrago in CUADERNOS MANCHEGOS
Update Jan. 2024: Published by José Buitrago and Dolores Durio in EL ALMANAQUE (www.elalmanaque.com) Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V
Update Jan. 2024: Magazine Revista Traveling 63 (pages 44-51)
Update Jan. 2024: “Tesalónica Weekend” from Rosa Durán in Expocultur.
Update Jan. 2024: “Thessaloniki, the land of Alexander the Great” from José Buitrago in larazon.es.
Update Jan. 2024: “Thessaloniki, the land of Alexander the Great” from José Buitrago in diarioalicante.es.
Update Jan. 2024: “Thessaloniki, the land of Alexander the Great” from José Buitrago in noticiasdegipuzkoa.eus.
Update Jan. 2024: “Thessaloniki, the land of Alexander the Great” from José Buitrago in noticiasdealava.eus.
Update Jan. 2024: “Thessaloniki, the land of Alexander the Great” from José Buitrago in noticiasdenavarra.com.
Update Jan. 2024: “Thessaloniki, the land of Alexander the Great” from José Buitrago in deia.eus.
Update Jan. 2024: “Christmas in Thessaloniki ” from José Antonio Muñoz in revistatraveling.com.
Update Jan. 2024: “Exploring Thessaloniki, the jewel of northern Greece ” in La Vanguardia.
Actualización Enero 2024: Thessaloniki, the land of Alexander the Great from José Buitrago in Diario Ya.
Update May 2024: “Tesalónica, la tierra de Alejandro Magno” from José Buitrago in navarradigital.es.
