Planning a Trip to Greece? Tips for Visiting Thessaloniki

Greece is well known for its rich history and art and is the birthplace of great philosophers such as Aristotle. Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, has recently gained attention as a tourist destination. The city has two major universities, both named after Aristotle. As a result, Thessaloniki has naturally become a university city with a large student population. It also has a wide variety of restaurants and cafés representing cuisines from across Europe.

If you are planning a trip to Greece, here are some reasons why Thessaloniki should be on your itinerary.

The city offers a variety of traditional dishes that visitors can enjoy at reasonable prices, earning it the nickname of Greece’s culinary capital. In the Ladadika district, you can sample distinctive island cuisine. Meat lovers should head to Palati. For dinner with a seaside view, try a restaurant in the harbor area. However, the cafés and restaurants there are more expensive than those in other areas.

For a view of the entire city, walk up the hill in the area known as Ano Poli. From the top, you can enjoy a meal while looking out over the city. When visiting Greece, be sure to try traditional Greek food as well as dishes influenced by Eastern Europe.

The area also has many museums and galleries offering glimpses into centuries-old civilizations and cultures. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is Greece’s largest archaeological museum, with exhibits spanning from prehistoric times to the late Macedonian civilization. It also houses a wide range of ancient artifacts. The Museum of Byzantine Culture features exhibits on changes in Roman religion, early Christianity, and the fall of Constantinople in the 15th century.

The Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art features modern artworks and architecture, while the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography regularly hosts exhibitions and events. There is also a Cinema Museum and film collection. It is Greece’s only cinema museum. The Thessaloniki Olympic Museum is the only museum recognized by the Olympic Committee. Sports fans may also enjoy the ARIS Basketball Museum.

However, visiting a museum is not essential because Thessaloniki itself is a work of historic architecture. The entire city is listed by UNESCO as an open-air museum of early Christian and Byzantine art. It contains 15 buildings and historic sites illustrating changes from the ancient Roman period through early Christianity and the Ottoman era.

[Fam Times = Reporter Kang Gyu-jeong]