Thessaloniki, Greece
Arrived in Thessaloniki last Saturday night, almost an hour late. Luckily the airport transfer arranged by our apartment was still there. Almost midnight by the time we got into our room and unpacked. The receptionist had given us directions to a couple of places we could get something to eat. Went to a hole - in - the - wall kebab place. Watched them construct a kebab which was almost like a piece of art. And tasted even better. So ended our first night in Thessaloniki.
So, Thessaloniki, capital of the state of Macedonia (not to be confused with the Republic of Macedonia, or FYROM). Having spent the last 6 days here we have come to appreciate what it has to offer. There are no ancient monuments here with the grandeur of the Colosseum in Rome or the Acropolis in Athens. No majestic structure like the Eiffel Tower. Most of the city burnt to the ground in 1917, so much of its history has disappeared. But what it does have is a certain energy and pazzaz. And what few landmarks it does have are worth seeing.
Climb the White Tower to get a magnificent birds-eye view of the city harbor front. There are 6 levels to climb with displays available at each level depicting the history of Thessaloniki. It's a bit of a climb to the top (don't look at me like that dear) but it's worth it.
Take a casual stroll along the harbour waterfront. Sit awhile in the sun and watch the locals fish. For €3 you can take a casual boat ride along the harbour (and that includes a drink) for a different view of the city. A visit to the Macedonian Struggle Museum offers an historical overview of the tangled web that is Macedonian history. From the Turks to the Bulgarians to the Serbs and on to the British and the Greeks, it seems that everybody, at some stage, has wanted a piece of Macedonia.
A taxi ride up to Kastro, a byzantine era fortress at the top of the city reveals a different view of the city and its history.
After we had done the rounds of what few sights there were we spent our remaining time just wandering the streets. Stopping at a kebab shop here, a cafe there, sitting on a bench in Aristotelous Square to people watch, Thessaloniki has a lot to offer for a few days or a few weeks.
2025-05-23