Greece is a favorite holiday destination for both Europeans and our tourists. In this country, as they say in a joke that has already become bearded, there is everything: the sea, the sun, beaches, historical and natural attractions, first-class service, delicious cuisine, a variety of entertainment, dizzying shopping and much, much more. However, with the word "Greece" many tourists imagine the islands. Undoubtedly, a holiday in Crete or Kos will be wonderful. But do not forget that Greece also has a mainland. And it is no less interesting for tourists.
In this article we will take a comprehensive look at holidays in Thessaloniki. It is the second largest city in the country after Athens. But do not think that Thessaloniki is a noisy, always in a hurry and never sleeping metropolis, in which it will be difficult to relax. In fact, the infrastructure of the city is such that even tourists with children feel comfortable here. True, city hotels have a small territory. But outside the city there are hotels with huge parks and spacious rooms. An hour away is the peninsula of Halkidiki - a dream for fans of a beach holiday.
Where is Thessaloniki and how to get there?
The city should be called Thessaloniki more correctly. It is the capital of such a region as Central Macedonia. Thessaloniki is located on the shores of a very calm Thermaikos Gulf. Being the second after the capital of Greece in terms of size and population, the city has its own seaport and air harbor. The latter receives direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Flights from Pulkovo are operated by Ellinair. You will have to spend three hours and forty minutes on board. The reviews claim that liners of such air carriers as Aeroflot, S7, Aegean and Ellinair depart from three Moscow airports to Thessaloniki. Travel time is three to three hours and forty minutes.
Thrifty tourists mention that if you are going to spend a more budget holiday in Thessaloniki, then it is better to save money from the very beginning - fly with transfers, entrust yourself to Air Serbia or Lufthansa. But then the travel time will increase to five and seven hours, respectively. In the summer period, charters from major Russian cities are added to regular flights. The airport "Macedonia" welcomes guests of the city. Train and bus connections connect Thessaloniki with the capital. Travel time is six hours. You can get to Thessaloniki, reviews say, by train from Turkey and Bulgaria.
The climate of mainland Greece. When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki
Like all of Greece, the city lies in the subtropical climate zone. It has dry, hot summers and mild, very rainy winters. But the climate of Thessaloniki also has its own regional characteristics, because the city lies in the mainland. Therefore, unlike the islands, the air here warms up very strongly in summer. The average daily temperature in July and August is thirty-one degrees in the shade. And the winters here are more severe, if I may use such an expression, because the average January temperature is six degrees above zero. But during the winter months in Thessaloniki, snow can fall, which can last from a couple of hours to several days.
All these regional features must be taken into account when traveling to Thessaloniki (Greece). Beach holidays here begin in April and end at the end of October. The peak season is during the summer months. But if you cannot stand extreme heat or are traveling with children, it is better to come to the resorts of the city in spring or autumn. That's what all tourists say. It is too hot here in summer and the beaches are crowded. The shallow Gulf of Thermaikos warms up quickly. Its usual bathing season temperature is twenty degrees.
History of the city
Thessaloniki is more than three thousand years old. There are traces and cultural influence of all those peoples who once owned the city: Romans, Byzantines, Turks. In ancient times, most of the population of the city were Jews. Jewish culture makes itself felt in the architecture and cuisine of localrestaurants. Therefore, in a city like Thessaloniki (Greece), a beach holiday will be diluted with a rich excursion program. The history of the city begins from the fourth century BC. Thessaloniki was named after the half-sister of Alexander the Great. She married King Cassander, who founded the city and dedicated it to his beloved wife. The ruler chose a good place for a new settlement. As evidenced by the excavations of archaeologists, there was a Neanderthal site here - the oldest in Europe. All historical sights of Thessaloniki are concentrated in Ano Poli (Upper City). It is located north of the center. Now Ano Poli is fully and completely included in the UNESCO List as a cultural heritage of mankind.
Modern appearance of Thessaloniki (Greece)
Rest - the reviews in this statement bring out unity - by no means will it be boring. Whenever you come to Thessaloniki, you will always find some kind of festival, culture days, concerts and similar events. In the nineties of the last century, the city was awarded the title of cultural capital of Greece. The authoritative travel reviewer Lonely Planet included Thessaloniki in the TOP 5 The best party-city. Unfortunately, a huge fire that happened in 1917 destroyed the medieval part of the city. Ano-Poli was miraculously unharmed. The famous architect Ebrar Ernestu undertook the restoration of the city from the ashes. He gave Thessaloniki a modern look. The city planner minimized the Ottoman influence, preferring the Byzantine styleand ancient culture. The breath of globalization and new technologies has hardly affected Thessaloniki. Until now, the buildings in the modern city center are three-story. And almost from all the windows you can see the turquoise sea. It seems to remind you that the main reason for coming to Thessaloniki is a beach holiday.
Where to stay
The cultural capital of Greece is accustomed to receiving large numbers of visitors. In the city itself there are many hotels designed for every taste and budget. The luxurious Elektra Palace Hotel is located in the heart of Thessaloniki - on Sq. Aristotle. Fans of chain hotels will get a lot of pleasure from staying at Makedonia Palace. This five-star hotel belongs to the Classical Hotels line. It is located just a couple of meters from another attraction of the city - the White Tower. Holidays in Thessaloniki will be unforgettable if you stay at Hyatt Regency. This luxurious hotel is located on the thirteenth kilometer of the road linking the city with Pereas. According to reviews, Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki has long been the standard of luxury. The country residence has a huge landscaped area, many swimming pools, and guests are accommodated in spacious apartments and unique rooms. Praise reviews "City Hotel 4 " on the street. Komninon, Mediterranean near the port, Excelsior in an art deco building (with spa and gourmet restaurant), Daios Boutique (Nikis Avenue) and Les Lazaristes.
Budget Accommodation
Tourists claim that three-star hotels in Greece are not bad at all. However, in this way it is possible tosave on housing. Not far from the "City Hotel 4 " is located "Luxembourg 3 ". This hotel has comfortable, clean and beautiful rooms. Recently reopened after a major overhaul, Astoria (Tsimiski and Salaminos Street) gives guests almost family comfort. "Met Hotel" has a SPA center, but the prices are low due to the distance from the city center. This hotel is located on 26 October Street at the entrance to Thessaloniki. Rest the private sector offers even more budget than hotels. You can find a one-room apartment near the sea, starting from twenty euros per day. A two-bedroom apartment with a living room and a kitchen can be rented for forty to fifty euros per night.
Beaches
It's no secret that the main goal of tourists coming to Thessaloniki is to relax by the sea. Perhaps you are worried that the beaches in Greece's second largest city will be polluted? Municipal services in Thessaloniki are doing a great job. But the crowds are really observed, although the locals are lazy enough to go out of town for the sake of the clear sea and spacious beaches. Tourists are advised not to follow their example, but to use public transport (if you live in the center of Thessaloniki).
The best beaches are Agia Triada, Perea, Angelochori. On the last coast there are many simulators and sports entertainment. The best in such a picturesque city as Thessaloniki, a sea holiday will be on the beach "Nea Michaniona". In addition to the warm Thermic Gulf, a gentle entry into the sea and fine sand, stunningly beautiful landscapes on green hills are added here. All suburban beachesThessaloniki was awarded the Blue Flag for the cleanliness and well-groomed coastal strip and water area.
Halkidiki Peninsula
This wonderful place is located an hour from the city. From a height, the peninsula looks like the trident of Neptune, since it consists of three capes: Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos. And if you are interested in a beach holiday in such a wonderful city as Thessaloniki, the reviews advise you to stay at one of the resorts of Halkidiki, on the shores of the Aegean Sea. The peninsula is considered the most environmentally friendly place in mainland Greece. The western cape Kassandra is the first to meet travelers. Since it is only fifty kilometers from Thessaloniki, it is densely populated. Kassandra has forty-four resort villages, and in each of them life is in full swing. The most famous places are Nea Moudania, Kallithea, Pefkohori and Chanioti. Kassandra, in addition to disco bars and other entertainment venues, is famous for its beautiful bays, olive groves, pine forests and an abundance of historical sights.
Sitonia (central cape) will give a romantic atmosphere of a secluded paradise. There is only one lively resort here - Neos Marmaras. The rest of the settlements are small fishing villages. An inexpensive holiday in Thessaloniki awaits you in Vourvourou. And, finally, the eastern and most famous Cape Athos. It owes its fame not so much to the beaches as to the holy mountain on which the monastic state is located. At the top of Mount Athos there are about twenty Orthodox monasteries. All of these are exclusively for men.monasteries. Since the middle of the tenth century, no woman has set foot on the holy Mount Athos. Yes, and male tourists need special permission to get into the walls of the monasteries. Rest on Cape Athos will satisfy only lovers of a very calm and secluded holiday. There is no entertainment here, except for riding cruise boats around the holy mountain.
What to see in Thessaloniki. Attractions of the Ottoman Era
Each traveler has his own must-see list. But an indispensable item in all lists of attractions is the White Tower. And if you are interested in sightseeing holidays in Thessaloniki, start your acquaintance with the city from her. It is located next to the main promenade. The White Tower is as much a symbol of the city as the Eiffel is for Paris. It was built during the Ottoman rule. Once it was part of the defensive fortifications of Thessaloniki. Then the walls were dismantled, and the tower was left and began to be used as a prison. Therefore, the people called her "Bloody". And she became White after the Turks covered her with plaster. Now the tower has been turned into a museum, and a panoramic cafe is located on its upper observation deck. Nearby is the Archaeological Museum with a rich collection of the legendary jewels of the Byzantine generals. The characteristic buildings of Hamza Bay and Alatsa, as well as the jewelry market, have survived from Turkish rule in the city.
Royal residence and other antiquities
To touch the history, reviews of tourists are advised to climb to the Upper City. Ano Poli can be reached byurban transport. People come here not only to wander along the narrow cobbled streets along the fortress walls, but also to capture their vacation in Thessaloniki. Reviews claim that it offers a wonderful panoramic view of the entire city. Therefore, there are so many restaurants and cafes with spacious terraces. In the northeastern edge of Ano Poli, the palace of Galerius Maximian once stood. Now only ruins remain of this majestic building, but the Arc de Triomphe, which was built in honor of the victories of the emperor, has been preserved. Reviews advise not to lose sight of the church dedicated to St. George. It is part of the palace complex. The temple was erected in the fourth century as a pagan one, a hundred years later it became Christian, and with the arrival of the Turks it was turned into a mosque. Despite the ban on sacred images in Islam, sculptures of angels have been preserved here.
Temples
Rest in Thessaloniki reviews called "half pilgrimage." Still would! The neighborhood of the holy Mount Athos makes the city a stopover for religious tourism. In Thessaloniki, the creators of the Slavic alphabet Cyril and Methodius began their educational activities. Despite five hundred years of Turkish rule, many churches have survived in the city. Worthy of a visit, the reviews call the Hagia Sophia with magnificent mosaics, the basilicas of Dmitry and Nicholas of Orphan, the ancient Rotunda, which was previously dedicated to Zeus.
Greece, Thessaloniki: holidays with children
Tourists traveling to this country with a small child often face a problem. The young traveler does not share his parents' craving for ancient history. Museums and majestic ruins under the scorching sun seem like a place of torture to the baby. A monotonous beach quickly gets bored. But Thessaloniki is not like that! Holidays with children in this city will be full of the most joyful impressions. Tourists are advised to take the child to the local zoo, since the entrance to it is free. The menagerie is located near Ano Poli. While the wife is shopping at the Cosmos shopping center, the father and children can wait for her in the nearby Magic Park entertainment town. A child under one meter tall is admitted free of charge. Older children pay eight euros, and adults twelve. But you can use all the attractions later as much as you like until the park closes. "Waterland" is the only water entertainment town in Northern Greece. The water park is located a quarter of an hour drive from the center of Thessaloniki. Teenagers will be interested in visiting the Museum of High Technologies and the planetarium.
What they say about the city
How do tourists characterize the city of Thessaloniki (Greece)? Rest reviews are called very eventful. It perfectly combines unhurried romantic walks, educational excursions, swimming and sunbathing on the beaches. Northern Greece is the center of fur tours, but shopping in the city is not limited to furs. Thessaloniki is famous for its cuisine. Sweets enjoy special reverence here. The culinary traditions of Turks, Greeks, Jews and Balkan peoples have merged in the local cuisine.
