If you get the chance to spend a weekend in Greeceās northern major port city of Thessaloniki, stick to the following seven rules and you will have an unforgettable experience, while also exploring the many hidden treasures the city has to offer its visitors.
1. Upon arriving in the city, find a spot to satisfy our hunger. Try the local traditional custard filled puff-pastry pie called ābougatsaā from Xrysos or the vendor across the port entrance, buy a brioche-like sweetened bread called ātsourekiā from Terkenlis or try some chocolate creations from Sugarela.
2. Take a stroll through the popular Bit Bazaar, located near Aristotelous Square, where you will find stores with old items and furniture, collective pieces and small tavernas that take visitors back to another era. Continue on Dioikitiriou Street and look for Tositsa Street, where the restaurant Zefyros and the coffee-house One day are highly recommended.
3. If you prefer, however, more upscale shopping, Mitropoleos, Proksenou Koromila, Mitropolitou Iosif, Lassani and Chrystomou Smirnis are the streets you are looking for. Innovative fashion designers, international brands and design stores create a unique scene satisfying even the most demanding customers.
4. It is said that one discovers a city through its meat, fish and produce packing districts, and the markets Modiano, Athonos and Kapani, next to Aristotelous Square, fill the surrounding area with different scents and voices. Spices, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and meat, as well as freshly-baked treats give the visitor a taste of the good old Thessaloniki.
5. For lunch, you should definitely visit Nea Folia or Siviria, the ultimate destination for Russian food in the Greek northern city.
6. As in every proud European capital, Thessaloniki nightlife begins at noon and lasts till 9 or 10 in the evening. No true resident of the city would go out during the late hours. The places for enjoying a drink or a cocktail are countless, but Zucca, Balkan, Donāt tell mama, Ladoze and Cantina Tropicana are of the best the city has to offer. If the weather is good, donāt neglect stopping for a quick drink at Blues, near the Roman Forum.
7. Finally, while the sun is setting, stroll along Pier A of the Thessaloniki port. A location for adventurers, the port always allures its visitors to places far away. Pier A offers the best views across the city, while the Museum of Photography houses impressive exhibitions and its cafƩ has an impeccable view.
The all-time classic retro/vintage coffee spot, however, is the roof garden of the Electra Palace hotel. Thessaloniki has the most coffee shops per capita across Greece. It was here that in the 60ās, the famous Greek coffee āfrappĆ©ā was invented.
Stay at our partner hotels:
Domotel Les Lazaristes *****
One of the best 5 star hotels in Thessaloniki, Domotel Les Lazaristes is a member of the luxuriy hotel-chain Domotel and welcomed its first guests on the 1st of June 2004. Domotel Les Lazaristes is a fresh hotel, full of energy, located at an area fully characterized by the arts. Its neighbouring position, nearby all major cultural centers of the city inspired its design philosophy. Its ideal geographical position offers a high quality stay in a quiet but central area of the city. It is situated at the cityās entrance, at the junction of all major highways and connects Thessaloniki with the rest of Greece and the Balkans. Domotel Les Lazaristes presents 74 spacious rooms, suites in their majority, fully equipped with all contemporary amenities which offer a comfortable and unforgettable stay. Domotel Les Lazaristes appends its signature in the art of cuisine. Fred&Ginger Restaurant initiates its guests to the art of Greek creative cuisine and invites them to experience the true art de la table. Guests can pamper themselves at the hotels outdoor pool and on-site private spa featuring a hammam and hot tub, and offering a variety of massage treatments.
Anatolia Hotel ****
Designed and built to the best specifications, the hotel aims to satisfy the highest demands of its guests, in a special environment intended to make their stay an unforgettable experience. Designed according to the latest trends of modern āminimal designā with simple lines, high quality materials such as marble, wood and glass combine perfectly to produce a feeling of luxury. Its position in the city centre is unique, 200 m from Thessaloniki Railway station, 800 from the City Port, 18 km from Makedonia Airport and direct accessĀ to the national road link between Thessaloniki-Kavalla and Thessaloniki-Athens creating a local meeting point both for professional people and other visitors who seek a different experience on luxury and service.
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