Thessaloniki - Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, Greek "Θεσσαλονίκη", is the second largest city Greece. The city is the cultural center and capital of the region Macedonia. Thessaloniki also has a lot to offer in terms of sights. Its buildings from early Christian and Byzantine times have been part of the since 1988 UNESCO world cultural heritage.

To the urban space also include Triandra, Ampelokipoi, Menemeni, Eleftherio-Kordelio, Evosmos, Agios Pavlos, Neapoli, Pefka, Sykies, Nea Efkarpia, Polichni, Stavroupoli, Pylaia.

With the urban space Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece with over 1,105,000 (2019) inhabitants. This makes it the second major city in Greece after Athens, with 1.4 million people living in the greater Thessaloniki area. The name "Saloniki", which goes back to the name "Selanik" of the city under Ottoman rule, is still often used in Germany.

background

The city was founded in 315 BC. Founded by King Kassandros of Macedonia by the merging of 26 small settlements on the Thermean Gulf into one city. The city was named in honor of Thessaloniki, the sister of Alexander the Great. With the defeat of the Macedonian king Philip V against the Roman army in 168 BC. the time of the Macedonian Kingdom came to an end and the region became a part of 146 BC. To the Roman province "Macedonia", Thessaloniki became its capital.

The city on the Via Egnatia and the Balkan Road leading to the north became a major trading center. Cicero was born in 58 BC. exiled here and around 49 BC. the Roman consuls fled to Thessaloniki. Around 49/50 AD. visited the apostle Paul (Acts 17,1-4 EU) the city and the foundation of the second Christian community (after that of PhilippiAround 300 AD, Thessaloniki became a residential city of the Roman Emperor Galerius. In his time an imperial palace, the hippodrome, the Galerius arch and the rotunda were built. Around 322, the Roman Emperor Constantine I created an artificial harbor basin.

After 330 Byzantium resp. Constantinople had become the eastern imperial residence of the Roman Empire, Thessaloniki lost its importance. After the empire was divided into the western and eastern Roman empires, the city became part of the eastern Roman empire. The city made the Slavic conquests of the Avars and Slavs from the north in the 6th / 7th. Century successfully resisted as a Roman imperial city. However, there were repeated attacks. The Saracens sacked the city in 904. As part of the first crusade, Thessaloniki was conquered and devastated by the Roman Catholic Normans around 1185. Since then, the Greek Orthodox city has seen itself as a victim of Roman Catholic aggression. Around 1204, Thessaloniki became the capital of a short-lived Frankish crusader state. After times under the Epirot and the King of Bulgaria, the city returned to the Byzantine Empire. It experienced a heyday with new church and harbor buildings. The Venetians and Genoese shaped the city with their own quarters.

After the first Turkish attacks in the 14th century. Thessaloniki was besieged by Sultan Murad II in 1430 and then incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. As Selânik, the Ottoman-Islamic culture shaped the city for the next four hundred years. When the Kingdom of Greece was founded in the south in 1821/22, the Ottoman troops were able to secure their rule. In the 19th century the city had a massive upswing, it was inhabited by Ottoman-Muslim, Jewish and European population groups. The city was connected to the European rail network. In a major fire in 1890, the Byzantine and Metropolitan Churches, the European Quarter and numerous synagogues in the city center burned down and 20,000 Jews in particular became homeless.

In 1881 the founder of modern Turkey Kemal Ataturk was born in Thessaloniki. The city was in 1896 with a railway line with the capital of the Ottoman Empire Istanbul connected. In November 1912, in the first Balkan War, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece declared war on the Ottoman Empire and the city was besieged by Greek-Bulgarian troops and left without a fight by the Ottoman commander. With the Treaty of Bucharest, Macedonia and its capital Thessaloniki became part of Greece in August 1913. Under the Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, allied troops landed in Saloniki in 1915 to fight against the troops of the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey). This was followed by the Greco-Turkish War in 1919/22. This ended in the so-called Asia Minor catastrophe. The population of Greek descent was expelled from Turkey and the Muslim-Turkish population from Macedonia. Many settlements with names like "Nea xxxxxx" were founded in the area by immigrants of Greek origin. In 1917 a major fire devastated the southern districts of Thessaloniki and modern reconstruction took place.

Thessaloniki had a Jewish population since the time of the New Testament and was known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans". In the 15th century many Sephardic Jews had joined them. David Ben Gurion studied the Turkish language in Thessaloniki around 1910. Before the Second World War, the city had 40 synagogues and a Jewish population of 56,000 people. With the German occupation from April 1941 to October 1943, the Jewish population was charged a protection payment with the horrific sum of 3 billion drachmas. Since the Nazi regime still considered this amount to be insufficient, the Jewish cemetery was confiscated and the stones were given out as building material. Practically the entire Jewish population of Thessaloniki was deported under Aloins Brunner and sent to the gas chambers in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Only 2,000 of the Thessalonian Jews survived the Holocaust. In 1949, the reconstruction of the city began, the inhabitants of which experience themselves as the opposite of the Greek capital Athens. In 1997 the city became the European Capital of Culture.

getting there

By plane

The airport has only one terminal. As usual, arrival is below and departure is above. It does not have passenger boarding bridges, but getting on and off is organized with buses. The aircraft drives to its parking position, from which it can taxi back to the runway on its own. You will be picked up by buses and taken to the terminal. There are only four baggage claim belts on arrival. Depending on the workload, not all of them are in operation. Because the displays on the screens are not always up-to-date, your own flight is sometimes not displayed at all.

At departure there are two entrance areas, A and B, which are connected to each other. It is no problem to find the appropriate check-in counter. After check-in you have to go to the air security check with your suitcase and have your boarding pass ready.

The aviation security check when entering the waiting room corresponds to European standards. As a rule, employees can communicate in at least English, and many also in German. It is quite loud in the waiting room. The departure boards are relatively small and the announcements are often difficult to understand. The waiting room is small for the size of the airport, but offers everything you need.

By train

To the 40.6444444422.929444442 Thessaloniki Railway Station takes the journey with the night train from Athens (Larissa train station) about six hours. The fare is between € 20 and € 31 (depending on the type of train), or around € 50 if you want your own sleeping compartment. The daily connections from Athens take 4 hours 15 minutes (intercity trains) or 6 hours (normal trains) and cost around € 50 in first class. A very good option is the 501/502/503 trains, which cost around € 14 (€ 11 for students and people up to 26) and only take 5 hours 45 minutes. With a few exceptions, smoking is not permitted on the trains. The last night train leaves at 1:50 a.m. If you're under 26, you'll get a 26% discount on most trains.

For the two direct connections (only in the summer timetable) from / to Skopje you pay € 20 with a junior discount and 20% more without it. The trains leave Skopje at 3:10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The return journey in Thessaloniki starts at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Both trains take about four hours.

There are also direct connections from Sofia (about 5 hours; summer timetable continues to Bucharest), Belgrade (12 hours; summer timetable only) and Budapest. But watch out: the trains arrive in Thessaloniki an hour later due to a time difference. In addition, there may be delays.

In the international office of the station you can Balkan FlexiPass-Buy tickets. The train station has lockers. An Orthodox church offers a Sunday mass there. The post office counter was closed.

By bus

Thessaloniki is good with Intercity buses Connected to other cities and countries by the bus station 40.654522.90243 KTEL Macedonia approaching and departing. The international long-distance buses leave the round hall. Counter 16 sells travel tickets abroad. You can also change money here. There is luggage storage and specially clean toilets. In addition, free WiFi at the beginning of 2020. City buses drive on the forecourt. Line 1X directly to the airport.

Buses to Athens also run from Central Station several times a day.

In the street

From Athens it takes about 5 hours (highway), from Istanbul about 8 hours and from Belgrade about 7 hours. The highway around Thessaloniki with a motorway ring, it continues in the direction of Istanbul; The highway settles in a southerly direction Chalkidiki and reached the airport in the south of the city. A second ring road circles the northern quarters of the city.

Visitors from the west arrive on the autobahn to the city. You drive past the exit "Ring Road" and then head towards the harbor. This and the train station are bypassed to the north. Then the tracks leading in an easterly direction lead as Leof. Nikis (Nike Bvd) directly past the harbor basin, in an east-west direction Tsipsiski Road leads one block north in the opposite direction. The Via Egnatia crosses the city center with numerous traffic lights in west-east direction in oncoming traffic.

Finding a parking space is for visitors and residents alike. Parking is available near the port or near the museums. That is within walking distance of the city center 40.623922.954184 Parking garage at the city administration resp. Recommended at the Byzantine Museum (from € 4/3 hours). The old town can be better explored on foot or by bus / taxi, the streets here are narrow and winding, as is usual in Greek inner cities, and the traffic is intense. If you come to Thessaloniki by train or bus, you can walk to the most important sights with a little patience; the bus and train stations are not far from the city center.

By boat

Thessaloniki has an international 40.635522.91585 port , which is mainly designed to handle goods.
The 40.63522.93286 Ferry port is a bit away from the center, in the southwest of the city. Ferry traffic is also an important branch. There are connections throughout Aegean and regular connections to Athens. It is the main ferry port to the Aegean Islands.

The ferry terminal is now in the former customs building. It is 250 meters long and when it was built in 1910 it was one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Greece. The style is French neo-renaissance. It was damaged in the war and the 1978 earthquake, but the facade was originally renovated.

mobility

Thessaloniki is a tightly built city. The houses in the city center are quite close together. Accordingly, the streets are narrow. Those who have the courage can adapt to the driving style of the residents. Motorcyclists meander everywhere. The horn is an often used instrument.

The inner-city bus network around Thessaloniki is quite well developed. However, you have to accept that the buses do not run the way you know it from Germany, but are often or almost always delayed. One looks in vain for timetables and route plans. But the number of the stopping lines is written on the bus shelter. The bus doesn't stop if you just sit at the bus stop. You have to wave for it to stop. The prices are very low, but the comfort is not very special. The buses are often overcrowded and yet it is very tight. If you want to go to Thessaloniki, it is better to take the bus than by car. The traffic is cruel, there are very few parking spaces and once you have found one, it is very expensive. For a trip to Thessaloniki it is better to take the bus. It is a good idea to park the car near Thessaloniki and then take a bus into the city.

The bus route 01X connects the Airport with the city center. From the airport to the city center, here: Platia Aristotelou, it takes about 40 minutes - depending on traffic - and 60 minutes to the KTEL bus station.The bus stop at the airport is right at the exit. Tickets are available from the counter at the bus stop or from the machine in the bus (switchable between German and English). The tickets must be validated on the bus. A trip to the city center costs € 2 for adults or € 1 for children, students and EU citizens aged 65 and over. Night buses (numbers with N) and express (numbers with X) cost € 2 for a single trip. Other lines € 1 per trip, but without transfer authorization. If you want to change, you can buy the "2 trips ticket" for € 1.20. It is valid for 70 minutes. You have to re-stamp each time you switch. The time limit applies in such a way that the last stamp must be printed before the end of the period. The "4 trips card" works in a similar way at the machine for € 2 and 120 minutes. Half price up to 18 and over 65 years. Fare dodging costs 60 €. (All prices as of March 2020)

The construction of the Thessaloniki Metro was resumed in a second attempt in 2006, commissioning is not yet foreseeable, the talk is now of 2023. Because you keep coming across ancient finds that then have to be secured and because of water ingress during construction work close to sea level, the subway will only be able to start operating in a few years.

Tourist Attractions

Buildings

• 40.626422.94841  White Tower (Λευκός Πύργος). .The city's landmark is the White Tower, which stands on Thessaloniki's waterfront and was part of the city's fortifications. Whether it was built by the Venetians around 1430 or a hundred years later by the Turks is an unresolved issue. What is certain is that it was used as a prison in Ottoman times. Back then it was known as the "Blood Tower" because of the executions. Later the tower was covered with white lime. Today, however, you can only see the light color of the natural stone. The tower has a height of 33 m and is 7 stories high. On the lower 6 floors, the Byzantine Museum shows an exhibition on the history and development of the city. At the top there is a viewing platform with an excellent view over the promenade to the harbor. The excursion buses also meet at the White Tower Chalkidiki and Piera. The white tower is about a quarter of an hour's walk from the city center. The visit is chargeable, for security reasons only a maximum of 70 people are allowed to visit the tower at the same time, multilingual audio guides.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.6442322.96224  city ​​wall (Βυζαντινά τείχη της Θεσσαλονίκης). .The city walls of Thessaloniki are still partially preserved, e.g. on the Castle and at 40.6406822.960112 Trigoniou tower or the 12 apostles church. The fortifications date from the time of Byzantine rule and were intended to protect the city from the Turkish invaders. Part of the walls have been completely preserved, and many sections have been torn down in favor of urban development. Since the wall was changed and expanded again and again over the course of time, the different building eras are recognizable. Another line of walls is located in the northern part of the Acropolis and is 40.649422.956283 Eptapyrgio ("Seven Towers") called. This section formed the last line of defense should the enemy break through the outer fortress. It was built by the Venetians around 1423-1430 to withstand the Turkish threat. The Eptapyrgio consists of a surrounding wall, which encloses seven towers. The middle and largest tower was built by Tsaous Bey, the city's first Turkish governor. The Eptapyrgio was called "Yedi Kule" (seven towers) in Turkish, a name that has followed the monument to this day. The Eptapyrgio housed the city's prison from the end of the 18th century until 1988 and is now a cultural center. The city fortifications can be found on the hill in the east of the old town.last change: Sep. 2018

Buildings from Greco-Roman times

• 40.63033522.9493155  Galerius Palace (Ανάκτορα του Γαλέριου). .Between 297-307, Galerius redesigned the city in the Roman way with imposing buildings and fortifications. Together with the eastern walls, a large palace complex was created - the Galerius Palace. A large part of the facilities and buildings were later used as a quarry or built over, so that today only a fraction of the Roman city of that time can be seen.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.6322422.9517376  Galerius Arch (Αψίδα Γαλερίου), Εγνατία. .The triumphal arch dates from Roman times and goes back to Emperor Galerius, under whom it was built around 300 AD. was erected. The illustrations show scenes from the war against the Persians.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.63330122.9528537  Rotunda Agios Georgios (Ροτόντα). .Originally used by the Romans in the early 4th century. The building erected as a mausoleum was in Christian times in the 4th-6th centuries. Century extended with a propylon and used as a church. Under Ottoman rule it was converted into a mosque. Today there is a museum in the Rotunda.Open: Mon, Wed-Fri 8 am-7.45pm; Sat, Sun 9 a.m. - 4.45 p.m.; Closed on Tuesdays.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.63777122.9457678  Roman Forum (Ρωμαϊκή Αγορά της Θεσσαλονίκης). .The ancient Roman market (or agora) is on the upper side of Aristotle Square. The site is a large two-tiered forum with two-story stoas, two Roman baths, one of which has been excavated while the other is buried under the city, and a small theater that was also used for gladiatorial games. Although the original complex was built before Roman times, it was largely renovated in the 2nd century. The forum and theater are believed to have been in use until at least the 6th century.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.6399922.943829  Excavations on Dioikitiriou Square. Recent excavations for the creation of an underground car park in the square in front of the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace (Dioikitirio) revealed a whole series of ruins of ancient buildings (3rd century BC) and early Christian to post-Byzantine monuments such as public buildings, baths. A marble head of Aphrodite and a bronze bust of Athena were found. etc.last change: Sep. 2018

Buildings from the Ottoman period

• 40.63694422.94388910  Bey Hamam. .The most important Turkish bath in the city, built around 1440. It was in operation until 1968 under the name "Paradiesbad" (Loutra Paradisou). Today it is an event hall.last change: not specified

• 40.639122.948511  Geni hammam. Built in the 16th century, the building houses the Aigli restaurant, which also has a live music stage.last change: not specified

• 40.641722.937112  Pasha hamam (Λουτρά Φοίνιξ). .These Turkish baths operated under the name "Phoenix" until recently. They were built in 1520-1530.last change: not specified

• 40.6346422.9408213  Pazar Hamam (Yahoudi Hamam) (Γιαχουντί Χαμάμ). .The building of the former Turkish baths now houses a charming flower market ("Louloudadika"). It was built in the first half of the 16th century and is currently being restored.last change: not specified

• 40.6366222.941214  Bezesteni (Μπεζεστένι Θεσσαλονίκης). .Former fabric market, building with 6 domes. This covered market square was built at the end of the 15th century and was the center of the commercial life of Thessaloniki for many years.last change: not specified

• 40.6357822.954315  Kemal Ataturk's birth house (Μουσείο Ατατούρκ Θεσσαλονίκης). .Today a museum. It stands on the premises of the Turkish Consulate General and is enclosed with a high fence.last change: not specified

Modern buildings

• 40.62621422.95448616  OTE television tower. .The 75 m high tower is on the city's exhibition grounds. There is a revolving restaurant in its viewing platform.last change: not specified

Churches, monasteries, mosques

There are numerous churches in the city of Thessaloniki, even in places where you don't expect them at all. Many of the ancient churches are very small, mostly they have the typical design of the cross-domed church. Many of the churches were converted into mosques during the time of the Ottoman occupation, therefore and after the destruction caused by city fires, in many cases some parts of the churches are no longer original. Among the Orthodox Christians, Thessaloniki is considered an important place. Some of the places of worship are part of the world heritage:

• 40.6388422.947781  Hagios Demetrios (Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Δημητρίου Θεσσαλονίκης), Αγίου Δημητρίου 83. .The Church of St. Demetrios is consecrated and is the main church of Thessaloniki. The five-aisled Greek Orthodox Church is very close to the city center. A visit to the Hagios Demetrios church is definitely worth it. For a better understanding, it is advisable to read about the church in the literature before visiting it, so that you can better understand which part comes from which time. The various frescoes in the church should be explained to you. The most interesting part of the church is certainly the crypt, where St. Demetrios is said to have been martyred, which can be visited freely. Only the chancel is, of course, locked, as is usual in Greek Orthodox churches. The church can be visited freely, photographs are also permitted with flash.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.63284422.9470942  Agia Sophia. .The ones from the 8th / 9th Century The original church is one of the most impressive in Thessaloniki. Right next to the church in front of the popular "Iktinou" street, almost 5 meters below street level, are the ancient monastery and the catacombs of Saint John. It is believed that the tunnels were part of an expanded aqueduct system built by the Romans before they were used as a religious site by the first Christians. Many archaeological finds suggest an even earlier use as a pagan temple.last change: not specified
• 40.6331322.951233  Agios Panteleimonas. .Byzantine cross-dome church from the late 13th / 14th century with frescoes that are well worth seeing.last change: not specified
• 40.63497422.9478644  Panagia Archeiropoietos. .From the 5th century, in Ottoman times a mosque, used again as a church since 1930.last change: not specified

• 40.6367922.9436655  Panagia Chalceon. .From the 11th centurylast change: not specified
• 40.6417622.952256  Latomou Monastery (Osios David Church). The small cross-domed church, the Katholikon of the Latomou monastery, was built in the late 5th century. built and is considered one of the oldest Byzantine churches. The mosaic of the seated Christ comes from the 5th century, the frescoes from the 12th century.Price: Free entry.last change: not specified

• 40.6427922.937497  12 apostles church (Ναός Αγίων Δώδεκα Αποστόλων Θεσσαλονίκης). .A beautiful Byzantine church, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a café and a restaurant in the immediate vicinity, parts of the city wall invite you to visit.last change: not specified
• 40.6392222.949628  Alatza Imaret (Αλατζά Ιμαρέτ). .Worth seeing mosque, restored, used for exhibitions. One of the largest and best preserved Ottoman mosques in Thessaloniki.last change: Jan. 2019
• 40.6374722.941679  Hamza Bey Camii (Αλκαζάρ - Χαμζά μπέη τζαμί), Εγνατία, Θεσσαλονίκη 546 31. .Worth seeing mosque, restored, used for exhibitions.last change: Jan. 2019

• 40.6375422.9416710  Hamza Bey Mosque (Αλκαζάρ), Εγνατία, Θεσσαλονίκη 546 31. .It was built in 1467. It is currently being restored, as it is planned to convert it into a subway station.last change: not specified

Museums

Thessaloniki has two important museums. in the Archaeological Museum, which is located near the white tower, the early history of the city up to the time of Roman rule is shown on the basis of finds from excavations in Macedonia. The second important museum is that Byzantine Museum, which gives an overview of the history of the city from the Christian Byzantine period. There are, of course, many others small museums on various topics.

• 40.62508333333322.95377777777817  Archaeological Museum (Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Θεσσαλονίκης). Tel.: 30 231 083 05 38. .You should bring some time to visit this museum, about 2 hours should be allowed for a visit with more intensive study. In addition to various special exhibitions, there is a permanent exhibition with a tour through the history of Greece and Macedonia, all underlaid with exhibits that were found in the vicinity of Thessaloniki. It is allowed to take photos, but only without using the flash.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.624122.955118  Byzantine Museum (Μουσείο Βυζαντινού Πολιτισμού Θεσσαλονίκης, Museum of Byzantine Culture), Λεωφόρος Στρατού. .Located next to the Archaeological Museum, the exhibits illuminate the history of Macedonia through the time of Christianity from 300 AD. until 1430, the beginning of the Ottoman rule. Frescoes, parts of buildings, grave goods, coins etc. are exhibited. In 2005 the Byzantine Museum was declared "Museum of the Year" in Europe.last change: Sep. 2018

• 40.562522.9952777819  Noesis (Κέντρο Διάδοσης Επιστημών & Μουσείο Τεχνολογίας). .Science and technology museum in the suburb of Thermi.last change: not specified

• 40.6352694422.9397972220  Jewish Museum (Κέντρο Ιστορικής Διαδρομής Εβραϊσμού Θεσσαλονίκης). .History of the Jews, especially the Sephardic Jews, who immigrated from Spain after 1492.last change: not specified

• Cinema museum, in the old port. This is also the center of the annual documentary film festival in March. Art exhibitions are also held in the nearby halls, which were renovated in 2011.Open: Mon and Tue 9 am-3pm, Wed and Fri 9 am-7pm.Price: 2 €.last change: Mar. 2020

Streets and squares

• 40.63245822.94119421  Aristotle Square (Πλατεία Αριστοτέλους). .The center is located around Aristoteles Platz with the pedestrian zone of Aristotelesstraße. Here you can go shopping, eat and drink coffee. But there is also the traditional Greek market here. It is sometimes very narrow and very crowded, the barkers do their best. Here you can buy pretty much everything you need for daily life. Aristotle Square is an important gateway to downtown Thessaloniki, the most important modern Thessaloniki is gathered around Aristotle Street. Aristotelesstraße is a pedestrian zone that crosses the city center from south to north. Here you will find restaurants and cafes, it is the street to "see and be seen" in Thessaloniki. Many shops can be found in the parallel streets on both sides of Aristotelesstrasse.last change: not specified

• 40.63587822.9424771  Thessaloniki market (Καπάνι). .If you come from the sea, you can also reach the famous market. All goods are offered here that are needed in a Greek household. This market is definitely worth visiting. It has nothing to do with the well-known tourist markets, but rather corresponds to the local weekly markets. The market stalls crowd the alleys and local produce fish, meat and vegetables are on offer.last change: not specified

Parks

If you go from White tower To the south along the promenade you will pass some small parks

various

• The Old town lies above the white tower, to the north. A large part of the city wall is still preserved here. But there are still a lot of houses from old buildings, some of which have also been restored. You can really stay here for a long time because the old and new buildings have somehow grown together.

• At the Waterfront you can go for a nice walk. Sie ist einige Kilometer lang und an der sich dahinter befindlichen Straße gibt es zahlreiche Restaurants, Cafés und Bars. Man hat von der Uferpromenade auch einen schönen Blick auf den Hafen.

shop

Wer shoppen gehen möchte, der ist in Thessaloniki richtig. In der Innenstadt gibt es alles, was das Herz begehrt, vom billigsten Fummel bis zum sündhaft teuren Kleid, vom Modeschmuck aus Plastik bis zu echtem Goldschmuck mit Edelsteinen. Die Stadt ist die Metropole, in die Menschen aus halb Nordgriechenland / Mazedonien zum Einkaufen fahren.

Die Innenstadt mit all diesen Geschäften befindet sich rund um den Aristotelesplatz und entlang der Aristotelesstraße, die als Fußgängerzone verkehrsbefrei ist. Eine Menge Geschäfte finden sich auch in den benachbarten Strassenzügen, beinahe jede Modemarke, die etwas auf sich hält, betreibt hier ein Geschäft. Ganz in der Nähe vom Aristotelesplatz befindet sich auch ein Einkaufszentrum.

Wenn man sich auf der Aristotelesstraße Richtung Norden bewegt, gelangt man zu den traditionellen Märkten der Stadt. Hier werden die Waren aus der einheimischen Produktion angeboten: Obst, Gemüse, Fisch, Fleisch, Stoffe und viel anderer andere Kram... Hier versorgen sich die Einwohner von Thessaloniki viel lieber, als im grossen Einkaufszentrum.

kitchen

Neben der typischen griechischen Küche findet man in Thessaloniki alle großen Fast-Food-Ketten, reichlich internationale Küche, dabei viele italienische Restaurants, die schnelle Gerichte wie Pizza und Pasta bieten. Gehobene Speiserestaurants findet man eher in den Außenbezirken, um unter den vielen Tavernen eine gemütliche zu finden, muss man schon Glück haben.

Bougatsa ist ein Blätterteiggebäck, das rund um Thessaloniki gerne gegessen wird. Es wird sowohl mit Creme oder Grießpudding als Süßspeise, aber auch auch herzhaft mit Käse-, Hackfleisch- oder Spinatfüllung angeboten. Die jeweilige Füllung kommt zwischen die Schichten des Blätterteigs, der danach im Backofen gebacken wird.

nightlife

Die Taverne gehört zu Griechenland wie die Kirche, dabei macht auch Thessaloniki keine Ausnahme. Tavernen sind überall in der Stadt zu finden; hier trifft man sich abends zum Essen, zum Reden. Hier werden die neuesten Geschichten des Viertels ausgetauscht. Dazu trinkt man griechischen Wein und natürlich Ouzo. In den Tavernen kann man auch die griechische Gastfreundschaft erleben. Man fühlt sich rasch willkommen, die Menschen sind neugierig, woher man denn kommt, was man macht und warum man hier ist. Die Sitzplätze sind natürlich natürlich draußen auf der Straße, auch wenn es durch den nie endenden Straßenverkehr immer sehr laut ist.

Die Hauptbezirke des Nachtlebens sind: Valaoritou, Ladadika & Hafen, Entlang der Promenade zwischen Hafen und Weißem Turm

accommodation

Es ist nicht schwer, in Thessaloniki ein Zimmer zu bekommen. Viele Hotels befinden sich rund um die Innenstadt. Gerade an der Uferpromenade haben sich viele Hotels angesiedelt. Vom einfachen Zimmer bis zum Luxus-Appartement ist alles zu finden.

Cheap

• 40.64012622.9598241  Crossroads, thanasiou Diakou 1, Agios Pavlos. Tel.: 302 310 203 700. 3 Zimmer je 6-Bett, 4-Bett und 3-Bett. Extem sauber und gepflegt. Anfahrt mit Bus 23, ab oder 24, ab Egnatia St., bis Haltestelle Agios Pavlos (ΑΓΙΟΣ ΠΑΥΛΟΣ). 120 Höhenmeter über der Altstadt an der byzantinischen Mauer.Preis: 14 €.letzte Änderung: Mär. 2020

Upscale

• 40.6184622.952452  Makedonia Palace Hotel (*****), 2 M. Alexandrou Av Thessaloniki Greece 54640 (Direkt an der Promenade, südlich Weißer Turm). Tel.: 30 2310 897197, E-Mail: [email protected]. letzte Änderung: keine Angabe
• City Hotel (****), 11 Komninon Thessaloniki Greece 54624 (Nähe Aristoteles-Platz). Tel.: 30 2310 269421, E-Mail: [email protected]. letzte Änderung: keine Angabe
• Zaliki Hotel (****), 6 Gr. Zaliki Thessaloniki Greece 54631 (Nähe Aristoteles-Platz). Tel.: 30 2310 226400, E-Mail: [email protected]. letzte Änderung: keine Angabe
• a.d. Imperial Palace (****), 13 Antigonidon str Thessaloniki Greece 54630. Tel.: 30 2310 508300, E-Mail: [email protected]. letzte Änderung: keine Angabe
• El Greco Hotel (***), 23 Egnatia Thessaloniki Greece 54630. Tel.: 30 2310 520620, E-Mail: [email protected]. letzte Änderung: keine Angabe
• Rotonda Hotel (***), 97 Monastiriou Thessaloniki Greece 54627. Tel.: 30 2310 517121, E-Mail: [email protected]. letzte Änderung: keine Angabe

Strände

Wer sich trotzdem einmal neben der Stadt etwas mehr Strand wünscht, der kann in der Saison mit einem Boot innerhalb von circa 45 Minuten nach Peraia (Περαία)und Neoi Epivates (Nεοι Eπιβατες) übersetzen. Die Überfahrt für die einfache Strecke beträgt 5€, reduzierter Preis 3€, Stand 2019). Diese Fährboote -auch "Thessaloniki Waterbus" genannt- verkehren alle zwei Stunden vom Hafen (direkt am Hafenkran) und vom Weissen Turm. Diese beiden Orte verfügen über einen Sandstrand sowie zahlreichen Bars und Lokalen und vom Boot aus kann man einen herrlichen Blick auf Thessaloniki vom Thermaikos , dem Meer aus geniessen. Weitere Informationen auf englisch: here.

Um zu den besseren Stränden zu gelangen, muss man eine recht lange Anfahrt in Kauf nehmen. Ziel sind entweder die Küstenorte Richtung Chalkidiki, wie Nea Kallikratia, Nea Moudania oder Richtung Katerini die Orte entlang der Olympische Riviera. Alternativ ist Richtung Osten Asprovalta beliebt als Badeziel.

Lernen

Bekannt ist Thessaloniki für seine Universität. Die wichtigste Universität Griechenlands liegt etwas östlich vom Zentrum der Stadt. Hier studieren nicht nur Griechen, sondern auch Studenten aus der ganzen Welt.

Work

Wie in ganz Griechenland ist das Stichwort Arbeitslosigkeit auch in Thessaloniki ein großes Thema. Gerade Gelegenheitsjobs sind bei Griechen oft sehr nachgefragt. Für Ausländer ist es äusserst schwierig, hier einen Job zu bekommen; die griechischen Einheimischen müssen vom Einkommen im Gegensatz zu einem Reisenden ihren Lebensunterhalt bestreiten. Das Lohnniveau ist wesentlich niedriger, als zum Beispiel in Deutschland.

Sicherheit

Wie in ganz Griechenland, ist der Begriff Kriminalität auch in Thessaloniki kein Thema. Gewaltkriminalität gibt es beinahe gar nicht, Diebstähle sind selten. Dennoch sollte man natürlich auch hier die üblichen Regeln beachten, also niemanden zum Diebstahl einladen. Die Polizei zeigt nur mässig Präsenz.

Gesundheit

Für medizinische Notfälle gibt es Krankenhäuser mit Notfallstationen, die zwar nicht dem deutschen Komfort - Standard entsprechen, aber medizinisch auf dem aktuellen Stand sind. In der Stadt finden sich zahlreiche Apotheken, wo man sich mit Medikamenten gegen Bagatellerkrankungen eindecken kann, diese sind in der Regel viel günstiger als in Deutschland.

Praktische Hinweise

In Thessaloniki findet man sich recht einfach zurecht. Zwar wirkt die Innenstadt mit ihren schmalen Straßen manchmal recht unübersichtlich, doch wirklich verlaufen kann man sich eigentlich nicht. Als Orientierung dient immer das Meer und die Aristotelesstraße. Von der Uferpromenade verläuft sie nach Norden. Geht man östlicher Richtung, wird die Innenstadt vom archäologischen Museum, der internationalen Messe und der Universität begrenzt.

In der Stadt ist die Mobiltelephonabdeckung problemlos, man findet in Thessaloniki auch noch Münztelefone. Im Bereich der Innenstadt finden sich Internetcafés, in denen man bei einer Tasse Kaffee seine E-Mails durchsehen kann. Die Post nach Deutschland benötigt zwei bis drei Tage. Briefkästen sind auch zu finden, schwieriger ist es, eine Poststelle zu finden, die Briefmarken verkauft. Nicht jeder Laden, der Postkarten verkauft, bietet auch Briefmarken dazu an.

trips

• Als Tagestouren von Thessaloniki ist der Besuch von Kavala und dem antiken Philippi empfehlenswert. Ebenfalls kann man die Insel Thasos in einer Tagesfahrt erkunden, es lohnt, sich dafür etwas mehr Zeit zu nehmen, da sie zu den landschaftlich schönsten Inseln Griechenlands gehört.
• die Halbinsel Chalkidiki mit ihren drei "Fingern" ist ein beliebtes Naherholungsgebiet für die Thessalonicher, Kassandra ist touristisch sehr gut versorgt und bietet die besten Badestrände. Sithonia wurde erst später touristisch erschlossen, die Mönchsrepublik Athos ist nur für Männer, die eines der wenigen Pilgervisa bekommen, zu bereisen und mit seinen Klöstern ein Pilger- und kein Reiseziel.
• Ab Thessaloniki gibt es verschiedene Flüge zu den Ägäischen und Ionischen Inseln.

Klima

Thessaloniki	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	Mai	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average air temperature in ° C	7	10	12	18	22	25	28	28	24	19	12	8	O	17.8
Average water temperature in ° C	12	12	13	14	18	22	24	25	23	20	16	14	O	17.8
Rainy days in the month	6	6	7	7	6	6	4	3	4	6	7	8	Σ	70

literature

Weblinks

• https://thessaloniki.gr (el) – Offizielle Webseite von Thessaloniki (griech.)]
• Tourismus Info
• Reisefuehrer