Thessaloniki

The second largest city of Greece, a major port, airport and cultural capital of the country. We spent in Thessaloniki not much time, but walked around the city.

There is a huge number of young people resting on the waterfront. This is not surprising since the largest university in the Balkans located in Thessaloniki. Almost 95 thousand students are currently studying there.


We decided to watch the sunset from the Trigonio Tower. Bought two takeaway pizzas at Domino's Pizza (Dim. Gounari, 1) and took a taxi. Own car left on the parking as the traffic in Thessaloniki is simply insane. But our "tricky" plan did not work. Shortly after the start of the journey we were involved in a traffic accident and had to walk about 1.5 km to the tower.

There were already about 20 spectators, but we also had enough space. While waiting for the sunset fed some local cats with pizza.




In the morning we did not miss the opportunity to walk along the empty promenade. It is really huge, perhaps this is the largest sea promenade in Europe. In Spanish A Coruña the embankment is much longer but it is narrow, and here really a lot of space. A paradise for runners and cyclists.




On the promenade there are two symbols of the city. One is new, a sculpture with umbrellas (Umbrellas of Thessaloniki) by the famous Greek sculptor George Zongolopoulos. It was established in 1997, when Thessaloniki was the European Capital of Culture. Now this is the most instagram place in the city.


The second symbol is older, it is the White Tower. Built by the Turks around 1535, after the Ottoman Empire seized Thessaloniki. Inside the tower is a museum and on the top is  observation deck.




All the houses on the waterfront are absolutely the same, they look not attractive, but well-groomed.




The usual situation for the southern countries.


We spent the night in Queen Olga Hotel (booking.com) in a room overlooking the sea. The hotel has few parking spaces, but if they are occupied, then right under the hotel there is a huge parking on the waterfront. View from the window.








Few steps aways is the best hotel on the waterfront Makedonia Palace Hotel (booking.com). It has the best location in the city.


Getting there: There is an international airport in Thessaloniki. Buses 01X and 01N go from the airport to the center and then continue to the train station and the bus station. Find here the schedule http://oasth.gr/en/. The map with intercity bus routes from Thessaloniki can be seen here. And here you can find the train schedules in Greece.