Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece, the capital of the Macedonia region. Founded on the 3rd century BC and named after the stepsister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki is now a vibrant, modern city with a population of 1 million people and an important educational hub with 4 universities, among which Greece’s largest university, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
It is considered Greece’s cultural capital, renowned for its festivals, events and its cultural life in general and has recently been ranked by National Geographic Travel in the top 10 Nightlife Cities.
More importantly, it is also a city with a continuous 2,300 years of history. As a crossroad of civilizations and cultures the city preserves relics of its Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman past and of its formerly dominant Jewish population. Many of its Byzantine churches and a whole district of the city, are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Furthermore, Thessaloniki is considered a gourmet city for the Greek cuisine.
For more information, please visit the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau’s website.
While in the city Thessaloniki offers a wide range of experiences for the modern traveler at a fraction of the cost compared to other European cities. Without any compromise in quality, the visitor can easily transfer, visit sites, enjoy the culinary tradition or even shop at numerous spots all around the city. Moreover, the mild spring weather allows for extensive city discovery. Sunny days and mild nights offer the perfect combination to enjoy the most of the city. Indicatively:
• Food: Thessaloniki is widely regarded as one of the premier Mediterranean destinations for exceptional cuisine at competitive prices. The city boasts hundreds of traditional taverns located throughout its historic cobblestone alleys, along the waterfront, and in open-air gardens, offering a diverse selection of Greek delicacies and regional spirits. A standard lunch at a local tavern, including house wine or ouzo, typically ranges from €20 to €30 per person. For attendees interested in contemporary or gourmet Greek gastronomy, the city features premium dining establishments where a meal ranges approximately from €35 to €60+ per person. Greek street food is also widely available; the traditional pita gyros is a highly recommended local specialty, with prices averaging €4.50 to €5.00.
• Miscellaneous: Outdoor convenience kiosks (periptera) are located throughout the city to provide visitors with everyday essentials. Indicatively, a 500ml bottle of water is regulated by law at €0.50, while soft drinks and confections range from €1.20 to €1.50. Coffee culture is a central aspect of the local lifestyle; a takeaway coffee costs approximately €2.20 to €2.60, while table service at a cafe ranges from €4.00 to €5.00. Sampling a local freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino is highly recommended. Thessaloniki features a vibrant social atmosphere during the summer months, where residents and visitors gather at open-air establishments. A bottle of beer ranges from €4.00 to €6.00 at a hospitality venue, or approximately €2.00 when purchased from a retail kiosk.
For information on getting around the city please click here.