Thessaloniki Hotels
Mini guide to Thessaloniki
As the second largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki is only exceeded in importance
by Athens. As such, it receives a constant stream of visitors, including both
Greeks and foreigners. With a long and proud history, the streets of Thessaloniki
are lined with fascinating buildings that are set within the old city walls.
In the heyday of the Byzantine Empire, the city was second only to Constantinople
in its beauty and grandeur. To get a feel of the city as it was in the past,
take a walk around the Byzantine Eptapirgion Walls, also known as the Seven-Gated
Walls. The Upper City, located right beside the walls, makes a great place for
a stroll, with its cobbled streets, streetside fountains, wooden houses and
quaint cafés.
Among the many interesting sights to see in the city is the museum dedicated
to Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, located near the Turkish Consulate.
Another museum that warrants a visit is the Jewish History Museum, which recounts
the history of the city's Jewish population.
As a part of Greek Macedonia, Thessaloniki has a long tradition of fine dining,
and there are many excellent restaurants where you can sample local cuisine.
As a sizeable city, Thessaloniki has no shortage of hotels or nightclubs either.
The region around Thessaloniki is also rich in history, as it was the former
domain of Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great. If you rent a car, you
can drive around, exploring the magnificent archaeological sites associated
with these legends from the past.
By car from Athens, take the 516kms National Road; the trip takes six to eight
hours. Alternatively, five daily express trains make the trip from Athens to
Thessaloniki in about six hours, but most are extremely crowded and the overnight
sleeper is recommended. Ten daily buses make the trip from Athens to Thessaloniki
in about seven hours. There are direct flights to Thessaloniki from many major
European cities, and flights from North America via Athens and other European
cities.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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