Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece inhabited, in its metropolitan area, by more than 1.500.000 people. It is the administrative and governmental centre for all northern Greece and a key hub to the Balkan area, hosting the second largest port in the country and key infrastructures for trade and transport to and from the other countries in the Balkans.
Living in Thessaloniki feels like moving through history, from the ancient Greek and Hellenistic times to the Roman era, on to the years of the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires and into the modern era. More than 2300 years of history are present in the same place at the same time.
Thessaloniki is one of the most vibrant cities of Greece hosting a very big student community and a multifaceted day and night life. Renowned for its little taverns with many different delicacies, its coffee shops along the seaside and the nightlife, Thessaloniki is a city that never sleeps.
Thessaloniki offers an easy and quick way to commute; no city spot is more than 30 minutes away from the center by public transportation.
The best way to get acquainted with the historic center is by strolling down the UNESCO monuments, the market, the traditional taverns, as well as the coastline with the beautiful sunset, the distance between them is no more than a few minutes’ walk, after all. Public buses and taxis are the main means of transportation of Thessaloniki, while bicycles have become increasingly popular over the past years.
Buses: The Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki (O.A.S.TH.), the second largest in Greece, connects the whole city via a dense network of bus lines. You can get your tickets at the O.A.S.TH.’s ticket booths, at the 1200 selling shops or by the vending machines inside the buses. The fee for the tickets is 0,90 euro for one way for adults and 0, 45 euro for students. Free service is offered to people with special needs.
Try getting the “No 50 Cultural Route”, departing from the White Tower. It passes through the monuments, important buildings, old neighborhoods, narrating the historic wealth of Thessaloniki in the course of time. Both optic and acoustic information is available for the passengers, in Greek and English. The route of No 50 is more expensive and the student ticket costs 1 euro while the normal ticket costs 2 euro.
All necessary information concerning timetables, bus tracking in real time, route duration, best routes etc, is available on the official page of O.A.S.TH. More here.
Additionally, you can download the mobile phone App from : Google Play
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Riding tours are also available for individuals, groups, clubs etc, in or out of the city, according to your preferences.
Thessaloniki offers numerous attractions. You can explore its picturesque Mediterranean food markets, its captivating Byzantine culture, various arts exhibitions and historic ruins at the turn of every corner.
More about night life in Thessaloniki here.
Frolic through the powder white sands, and splash in the turquoise blue waters of Chalkidiki Blue Lagoon, situated 1 hour south of Thessaloniki.
Take a day tour, and comfortably arrive at the pristine location, where activities like snorkeling and swimming are awaiting you.
Take a cruise, and sail through the virtually uncharted waters and islands on the lagoon, with the sound of light splashes of water and Greek music in the background. Relax and let your worries wash away on the shores, the only thing you need to remember is to bring your sunblock and beach towel, and you’re set.
Located a little under 1 hour west of Thessaloniki is the town of Vergina in which you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the tomb of Phillip ll, Alexander the Great’s father.
Book a day trip from Thessaloniki, which will take you to the sites with tremendous history, well-conserved ruins, and restored temples, while also stopping by the area of Pella.
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and the legendary home of the Olympian gods.
Various day trips are available, including stops in other places like Dion, known for its historical ruins, ancient theater, and walking the same paths that the gods did once.
When you get to Mount Olympus, you can choose among dozens of activities awaiting you, including hiking, canyoning, or you can simply enjoy the nature and the mountain’s wildlife.
Book a day trip to Meteora the magnificent site of six Eastern Orthodox monasteries perched up on top of round mountains, only a 2.5-hours’ journey from Thessaloniki.
Either drive up the mountains or brave the almost 4-hour hike to reach the top, where you’ll be able to visit a few of the monasteries like the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, dating back to the 14th century.
At the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the villages below.
Water sports abound in Thessaloniki, with the multiple bodies of water nearby the city center, enjoy anything from stand-up paddleboarding on the Mediterranean waters or go a little more adventurous with windsurfing on Angelochori Beach.
Kitesurfing is another popular water sport to enjoy on Epanomi beach, with a professional sharing the perfect techniques and guidance. Dive deep into the waters of Kalithea, where you’ll enjoy a bit of sailing before arriving at the diving spot, to swim with the wildlife in the crystal blue waters.
Plan a beach day at some of the best beaches near Thessaloniki, from Agia Trinidad Beach located south of the city, to Perea Beach which attracts both locals and visitors alike, and the Epanomi Beach.
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