We continue to visit Thessaloniki, Greece’s city of art and taste, at the weekend. We arrived in this city on Friday and enjoyed various points, especially the White Tower. It is a great feeling to be in Thessaloniki and to feel the wonderful texture of this city.
Saturday
Tsimiski Street for shopping
The street, which resembles Istanbul Bagdat Street, is also the second longest street in the city. You can find all kinds of clothing, cosmetics and accessory stores you may or may not have thought of on this street, which runs parallel to Kordon.
White Tower
Built on the old Byzantine walls in the 15th century, when Thessaloniki was under Ottoman rule, the White Tower served as a fortress to strengthen the defense of the harbor and coastline at that time. After the city gained independence, it was painted white in 1912, taking the name White Tower. The White Tower, which housed the air defenses in Thessaloniki from 1912 to 1983 and also served as a meteorology laboratory for the University of Thessaloniki; Today it hosts a museum focusing on Thessaloniki’s rich history and multicultural spirit. During your visit, do not forget to go out to the terrace and enjoy the beautiful view.
Umbrellas
The “umbrellas” that you will see when you continue from the White Tower towards the end of the Promenade, which are the most photographed works of art in front of tourists, were made by the famous Greek sculptor George Zongolopoulos in 1997. Another of this famous umbrella installation is located in front of the contemporary art museum. It is possible to see a lot of graffiti in the city. You can also watch the live performances of graffiti artists at the Thessaloniki Street Art Festival (SAF), which has been held for the last few years.
The Kapani (Vlali) Market
As soon as you enter from one of Kapani’s four doors; a part of Eminönü, Spice Bazaar; A part of it has the feel of a Kadıköy bazaar and fish market. Seafood is on the stalls live. Everything is so familiar, from the ladies doing their evening shopping to the shopkeepers in front of the store… Dried salted fish, sausage, pastrami, sardines and mussels are the most favorite products of the stalls here.
Ladadika District
If you want to feel like you are in Greece, walk among the tavern music, taste the most delicious appetizers and dive headfirst into a touristic environment, this is the neighborhood you should go to; Ladadika District. Ladadika, known as a market area when Thessaloniki was under Ottoman rule, is actually one of the places that best reflects how Thessaloniki used to look. 5-6 minutes away from Aristotelous Square. Since some points are closed to traffic, it is very lively, especially in the evening hours.
Dinner Full tou Appetizer
As its name suggests, in this tavern filled to the brim with appetizers, on a beautiful afternoon, taste fava with caramelized onions and capers, Byzantine beet salad with walnuts, and small pitas with sausage and yoghurt sauce. www.fullmeze.gr
Saturday night fever, cocktail bars
If you are interested in nightlife or want to try mixology cocktails made by award-winning bartenders; Be sure to try the city’s most famous cocktail bars, Le Coq Tail Mix Bar, Speakeasy Floor, Casablanca, To Palio Hamam and Whope.
Sunday
Ano Poly
Ano Poli, meaning upper city, is the highest point of the city, revealing the whole of Thessaloniki before your eyes. You can start your Sunday morning with a pleasant Sunday breakfast at the breakfast places and cafes in the streets, after a walk here.
Ataturk House and Museum
The house where our ancestor was born is a museum house restored and opened to visitors by the Turkish Consulate in Thessaloniki. The Atatürk House Museum, which is open to all visitors, was visited by an average of 20,000 people a year before the pandemic; There is no doubt that this number will increase again. You can visit the museum free of charge, seven days a week, between 10.00 and 17.00, including public holidays.
Lunch; The Rouga
In this tavern in the center of Thessaloniki, close to the fish market, local fisherman’s plate, shrimp, anchovy and octopus are among the fresh and quickly sold out delicacies. If you want to extend your Thessaloniki holiday, there is live music in the evenings, but I recommend you make a reservation.
Where to stay in Thessaloniki?
Dom Hotel Les Lazaristes: DOM Hotel is one of the most popular luxury hotel chains in Greece. It is located in the Ampelokipoi district, a quiet and upscale district of Thessaloniki. Located in this historical district of the city, where the tobacco trade started centuries ago, the hotel is also opposite the State Museum of Contemporary Arts and the Northern Greece State Theatre. The most special part of this romantic hotel is its personally booked spa and the penthouse suite designed by Missoni, with a bird’s eye view of the city. Kolokotrini Street, No: 16 – www.domotel-hotels.com
City Hotel: A sweet little city hotel with clean rooms and modern style, right in the middle of the shopping street Komminon.
Some of the names of the central apartments you can search on Airbnb.com are as follows: Roomore Apartments, Central CP Minimal Apartments, Caravanserai Studios.
Thessaloniki Restaurant Recommendations
It is rumored that there are nearly 4 thousand large and small cafes, bars, restaurants, taverns and street food addresses in Thessaloniki. For a small city, this figure is truly incredible. My favorites among them and which I can recommend to you with peace of mind are Opsopoion Maganeiai, Sebriko, Clochard, Kanoula, The Backroom Thessaloniki, Grada nuevo, Mamalouka and Frutti Di Mare.
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