There is way too much for anyone to possibly see and do in two short days but everything below is within a one to two-mile radius of each other on an easy walking tour. Thessaloniki also has: Greek sites, Archaeological sites, Byzantine Monuments, Ottoman Monuments, Museums, and different neighborhoods; many of which we didn’t have time to see.
A person could dawdle along Nikis Avenue Promenade forever which is where we began, right next to the White Tower. Wall-to-wall restaurants and bars are filled with people drinking coffee, beer, other beverages, socializing and people watching. Nikis Avenue extends from the city’s Port up to the Statue of Alexander the Great next to the White Tower and is popular for locals and visitors.
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Thessaloniki map of main area
popular restaurant Mikel in Thessaloniki
Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki
selling bird food in Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki
Following the map, we eventually made a right turn into Aristotelous Square, one of the biggest and most impressive squares in Greece, surrounded by huge mansions and open to the sea front. Balloon sellers and people selling food to feed pigeons in the square sit on boxes in the middle.
large Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki
Mitroppleos, Tsimiski, Ermou and Egnatia Streets are all near Aristotelous Square and lined with shops, more Art Nouveau buildings and mansions.
selling traditional Greek outfits in Thessaloniki
Ladadika is a historic neighborhood, also close to Aristotelous Square, that was saved from the 1917 fire. Once an important commercial districts in Thessaloniki that housed food stores selling wholesale goods, this area was unharmed by the famous fire of 1917. It has small alleys, dead-end streets and charming facades; all of which make Ladadika one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city. Restored at the end of the 1970s, old shops have been turned into tavernas, restaurants and bars.
a Ladadika street in Thessaloniki
building facade in Ladadika neighborhood
Modiano Market is named after architect Eli Modiano who built it in 1908 and was once called “The Paris of Thessaloniki.” Today, this big covered market houses butcher’s shops, fish shops, general trade, spice shops and ouzaries. It lies within the block bordered by Aristotelous, Ermou, Komninon and Vasileos Irakleiou Streets and has five arcades with a glass roof.
inside Modiano Market, Thessaloniki
one aisle inside Modiano Market, Thessaloniki
selling fresh fish inside Modiano Market, Thessaloniki
The Bezesteni located at Venizelou and Solomou Streets was once the trading place for textiles. This rectangular building was built in the late Fifteenth Century and had four entrances which are now blocked with stores around its perimeter.
We did manage to find the Louloudadika (Flower Market) next to Modiano Market. Or should I say it found us since it was impossible to miss a multitude of flowers on the street.
By then, our feet had given out and we limped back to the hotel. We never did have a chance to visit any Museums or Ottoman Monuments or the Ancient Greek area with:
- Palace of Galerius has an Octagon (the throne chamber), mosaics, Galerius arch known as Kamara and built in 305 BC, and the imposing Rotunda, a circular dome roofed building from the late Fourth Century;
- Ancient Agora (Marketplace) dating from the Third Century BC. The Agora includes the market, Mint, Odeon, baths, tavern and a Bordello or Whorehouse. Damn. I love those Roman Bordellos…; and
- Byzantine Bath dating to the late Thirteenth Century. Byzantine Baths are rare to see.
Sigh… So much to see and so little time.