Thessaloniki
Salonicco è la seconda città della Grecia e capoluogo della Macedonia, distesa lungo il Golfo Termaico con lo sguardo rivolto al m...
Mis à jour le 17 juillet 2026
Le récit
L'histoire de Thessaloniki
The city on the Thermaic Gulf and the White Tower
Thessaloniki faces the Thermaic Gulf along a seafront promenade stretching several kilometres, which has always served as the city's open-air living room. Its undisputed symbol is the White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos), a former Ottoman fortification now turned into a museum, marking the point where the coastal walk meets the city centre. Strolling here at sunset, as the sea turns pink and the silhouette of Mount Olympus appears in the distance on clear days, is one of the most representative experiences the city offers. Around the tower cluster parks, kiosks, contemporary sculptures and gathering spots for residents and visitors alike, in a constant flow that makes the waterfront the beating heart of Thessaloniki's social life, by day and by night.
The Byzantine and Early Christian UNESCO heritage
Few places in Greece concentrate as rich a Byzantine and Early Christian layering as Thessaloniki, so much so that its monuments have been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage. The Rotunda, a circular building erected in Roman times and later converted into a church, impresses with its mosaics and the grandeur of its dome. Not far away stands the Basilica of Agios Dimitrios, dedicated to the city's patron saint, one of the most important Orthodox places of worship in northern Greece, rebuilt after the great fire of 1917 yet still preserving its sacred character intact. Alongside it stands Agia Sofia, echoing in both name and layout the famous church of Constantinople. Visiting these buildings means retracing centuries of religious and artistic history in which Thessaloniki was second only to Constantinople within the Byzantine Empire.
Aristotelous, the seafront and urban life
Aristotelous Square is the urban hub of Thessaloniki, a broad space designed in the 1920s that links the seafront to the grid of commercial streets in the centre. Surrounded by eclectic buildings and cafés packed at every hour, the square serves as the reference point for public events, cultural gatherings and everyday strolls. From here branch out the pedestrian arteries of shopping and nightlife, animated by a young, student-heavy population that makes Thessaloniki one of Greece's most dynamic and lively cities after dark. The combination of the seafront's open breath and the lively density of the central streets captures well the character of a city that has never stood still, managing to be both a historic destination and a contemporary urban laboratory.
The Upper Town (Ano Poli) and the Byzantine walls
Climbing up to Ano Poli, the Upper Town, means leaving the modern avenues behind to enter a maze of cobbled lanes, Ottoman-era wooden houses and small sloping squares. Here long stretches of the Byzantine walls that once encircled the whole of Thessaloniki are still preserved, together with watchtowers that today offer some of the most striking views over the city and the Thermaic Gulf below. Not far away stands the Arch of Galerius, also known as Kamara, a Roman monument erected to celebrate the military victories of Emperor Galerius, which over time has become one of the city's most recognisable symbols and meeting points. The Upper Town retains a more intimate, residential atmosphere, away from the tourist flows of the centre, ideal for those seeking Thessaloniki's most authentic face.
Markets, cuisine and multi-ethnic culture
Thessaloniki's cosmopolitan character can still be felt today in its historic markets, such as Modiano Market, an architectural gem of iron and glass from the early twentieth century, and Kapani Market, more informal and boisterous, where spices, fish, cheeses and typical Macedonian products are sold. These places also tell a story of coexistence between communities: for centuries Thessaloniki was one of the leading Sephardic Jewish cities of the Mediterranean, with a community that shaped its trade, language and customs before the tragedies of the twentieth century. This multi-ethnic legacy, together with Ottoman and Greek influences, is still reflected in the local cuisine, which blends Balkan, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours into dishes that have made Thessaloniki one of Greece's most celebrated culinary destinations.
What to experience and the surroundings
Thessaloniki is best experienced on foot, alternating major monumental stops with more informal moments: a coffee overlooking the gulf, an evening walk between Aristotelous Square and the White Tower, a pause in the bazaars of the centre. The city is also a natural gateway to the region of Greek Macedonia, with Mount Olympus visible on the horizon and the Chalkidiki coast not far away, alongside a dense network of connections that make it the gateway to northern Greece. Its young, university-driven identity translates into a lively nightlife that fills bars, clubs and taverns until late, while by day museums, Byzantine churches and markets tell a story spanning more than two thousand years. It is this alternation between memory and contemporary vitality that makes Thessaloniki a destination able to surprise even those already familiar with Greece's more heavily touristed spots.
Experiences not to miss
- Climb the White Tower and stroll along the Thermaic Gulf waterfront at sunset
- Visit the Rotunda and the Basilica of Agios Dimitrios, among the city's UNESCO monuments
- Soak up the atmosphere of Aristotelous Square with a coffee overlooking the seafront
- Explore the lanes of Ano Poli and the Byzantine walls up to the Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
- Wander among the stalls of Modiano and Kapani markets discovering local flavours
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