In this Greek port city, experiences that seemed simple or random, were in fact memorable – the sun setting in the Aegean sea, seeing Olympus mountains on the horizon, or a conversation about faith and religion inside Hagia Sofia church of Thessaloniki.
Visited first the church of Agios Dimitrios, patron saint of the city. Followed by Hagia Sophia, constructed as a smaller copy of the church with the same name in Istanbul. These two and all the other churches and monasteries we entered were imposing, with beautiful gardens.
We then saw in Thessaloniki – ancient sites, Otoman ruins and Byzantine monuments in Ano Poli (Upper Old town), such as the Roman Agora, Arch of Galerius, the Monument of Rotonda and the Medieval Castle. The streets are small and narrow, and I noticed from the first moment the noisy traffic and how many Smart cars and scooters can be.
Best part on the first evening, I didn’t miss the sunset at the White Tower, considered today the symbol of the city, next to the blue sky, “the Umbrellas” sculpture and deep blue water of Thessaloniki, along the beach promenade.
Next day, the walking tour with Giorgios was another highlight of the trip, who was very funny and so good at his job. We learned that the city is named after the sister of Alexander the Great, the princess Thessalonike of Macedon. He told us about the history of the city, Roman or Ottoman occupations, archeologists that shaped the city, Greece economy and even about religion when we were inside church Hagia Sofia. His story made me think later at my own connection and relationship with faith.
Food & coffee. A love story
Just as in Athens, mornings started with a simple, but delicious breakfast, that included an omelette with feta cheese, baked vegetables, tomatoes and local olives. Plus fat Greek yoghurt served with honey. The day continued with more pastries. Bougatsa is a traditional breakfast in Northern Greece, a pastry filled with feta cheese or minced meat, but comes in both sweet and savoury varieties.
Next, a place worth mentioning is Terkenlis 1948 family-run patisserie, my first stop, near Aristotle (or Aristotelous) square and traditional food market Kaloni. From Terkenlis I left with my favorite tiropita (cheese pie), fantastic “mini chocolate honey knots” and sweet portokalopita with oranges. On a different occasion, I tried their specialty – tsoureki bread with chestnut cream. Always followed by traditional Greek coffee, boiled in an ibrik, that tasted like home.
Lastly, day trips from here include Meteora, most fascinating place I saw in Greece, or hiking in Mount Olympus, and the city can serve as a starting point before reaching beaches in Halkidiki peninsula by car or boat. Thessaloniki is definitely a lively place, with a lot of character. I have never regretted any trip to Greece that I took. Always something special more to see and feel.
Read also the journal from Corfu island
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