Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum
The Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum is regarded as one of the
finest museums in Europe; it is near the famous White Tower and
opposite the city's international fairgrounds. The museum houses a
huge collection including the incredible treasures from the tomb of
Alexander the Great's father, Phillip of Macedon, which was
discovered at Vergina in 1977. Another treasured artefact is the
3rd century BC Derveni papyrus, the only intact ancient papyrus
found in Greece, which was discovered in the tombs of Derveni.
Other rooms in the museum contain exhibits depicting the history of
the city from prehistoric days through to the Roman period,
including spectacular mosaics and some exquisite, delicate
Hellenistic glass. The museum will occupy visitors for a few hours
if they are interested in history and archaeology and it is a
well-organised and impressively laid out collection. Thessaloniki
has a captivating history and it rewards investigation.
Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum
Tilemahos Efthimiadis
Roman Forum
Close to one of the city's main bus terminals in Dikasterion
Square lies the archaeological site of the ancient Greek agora or
marketplace, which was later expanded to become a Roman Forum on
two levels. The Roman Forum was constructed in the late 2nd century
AD and it constituted the administrative centre of the town till
about the 5th century. The forum was the heart of the ancient city,
and was discovered by workmen in the 1960s. The best-preserved
component of the forum is the large theatre, which is still used
for occasional summer concerts. On the southwest corner of the
square is the magnificent church of Panagia Chalkeon. The
Archaeological Museum built beneath the ruins houses some of the
artefacts discovered in excavations on the site and a visit to the
museum gives great context for exploring the site. It is small but
captivating. Entry to the ruins is free but there are no written
explanations, making the museum a necessary stop. The site is
closed on Mondays. The area around the excavations is full of
artists, shops and taverns and there are some wonderful little
places to buy traditional wares and souvenirs.
Roman Forum
Marsyas
The White Tower
The city of Thessaloniki's most famous landmark, the White
Tower, was originally built as part of the city walls to fortify
the coast during Ottoman rule. It now stands, no longer quite white
but still very imposing, on the seaside promenade south of the
Archaeological Museum, having been restored and offering panoramic
views of the city and harbour from its rooftop cafe. Although now a
proud landmark of the city, and the chosen symbol of its residents,
the tower has a bloody history. It was used by the Ottomans as a
prison, infamous for its brutality, and was the site for public
executions; on the way up the winding staircase to the cafe
visitors can peep into the dim rooms that were once used as cells.
As a result of this notoriety as a brutal place it was known as the
'Tower of Blood' or the 'Red Tower' to local Greeks up until the
end of the 19th century. When Thessaloniki was reclaimed by the
Greeks the tower was whitewashed as a gesture of symbolic cleansing
and it has since been re-imagined in the collective imagination as
a positive symbol of freedom and pride. The tower contains a museum
housing some Byzantine art and historical artefacts from
Thessaloniki's history between 300 and 1,500 AD.
White Tower of Thessaloniki
bdmundo
Churches of Thessaloniki
Most of Thessaloniki's beautiful churches are situated along the
quaint, narrow-cobbled streets of the Upper City area. They date
from various eras, including Byzantine. In particular, visitors
should look out for the domed Church of Saint George. Its history
goes back to the 4th century, when it was Roman Emperor Galerius'
mausoleum. Agia Sofia is Thessaloniki's largest and most famous
Byzantine church. The Agii Apostoli and the beautifully frescoed
Agios Nikolaos Orfanos are also must-sees. Thessaloniki's churches
are open to visitors, but often close during the afternoon. For
this reason, visitors should try to tour them in the morning.
Sightseers should also follow local custom when entering, meaning
they should dress appropriately and act respectfully in these
sacred places, and ask permission before taking photographs. Some
churches will not admit sightseers during services but tourists are
always welcome to attend.
Church of the Rotonda
Daniel Tellman
Thessaloniki has aspects of Mediterranean, steppe and humid
sup-tropical climates. Summers (June to August) are hot and humid
with average daytime highs of 89°F (32°C) and the possibility of
thunder storms. Winters (December to February) are much cooler with
dry, cold days, morning frost and possible snowfall. Winter
temperatures average between 34F (1C) and 50F (10C). Generally
speaking, Thessaloniki's weather is warmer in the south than the
north, with the mountainous areas being cooler. The wet season sees
plenty of rainfall between September and January, but the region
can receive rain at any time of year. Although the city remains
very popular during summer, which is peak tourist season throughout
Greece, the best time to visit is in spring and autumn. Conditions
are cooler but sunny enough to enjoy the outdoors. For budget
travellers, winter is the best time to visit as accommodation is
much cheaper during off-season. Visitors will avoid crowds, but it
does get cold, with rain or even snow on the cards.
Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport
Location: The airport is located about 10 miles (about 17km) south
of the city centre.
Time: Local time is GMT +2
Getting to the city:
Bus 78 goes from Thessaloniki Airport to the city every hour and
the journey takes about 45 minutes.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies include Sixt, Avis and Hertz.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available from the airport to downtown
Thessaloniki.
Facilities:
Facilities include ATMs, a bureau de change, restaurants and
cafes, internet access, a nursery and play area, and duty-free
shopping.
Parking
Parking is available.
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Thessaloniki is a pleasant city to explore on foot, though it
does have an efficient and extensive bus service. Taxis are
plentiful and can be called in advance or hailed from the street.
They're also available at several taxi ranks in the city. For
visitors planning to head off into the surrounding areas, hiring a
car is a pleasant way to see the country, but there are frequent
bus trips to the more famous sites.
Public transport in the city is primarily provided by the
Organisation of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki (abbreviated
as OASTH after the Greek). Single tickets can be bought upon
boarding, while multiple-journey tickets can be bought at ticket
outlets. The OASTH website provides a full list of where to find
them. Regional buses for long-distance travel can be found at the
Macedonia Intercity Bus Terminal. OASTH also runs a tourist line on
route 50, which provides transport to major attractions throughout
the city.
Packed full of archaeological wonders, plus a wealth of early
Christian, Roman and Byzantine relics, Thessaloniki truly is a
treasure trove of attractions. Its famous churches are among its
greatest features; the Church and Crypt of Ayios Dimitrios, the
Church of Ayia Sofia, and the Rotonda of Saint George are
must-sees. Many of Thessaloniki's monuments are UNESCO-listed
heritage sites. Two popular and interesting landmarks are the Roman
Forum, situated in the ancient Greek agora, and the White Tower, an
iconic building with a long and bloody history. There are also
world-class museums to be explored, including the Thessaloniki
Archaeological Museum, which is considered one of the best in
Europe. Two other fascinating museums are the Museum of Byzantine
Culture and the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki.
The areas just outside Thessaloniki house incredible
archaeological sites as well. Vergina, or ancient Aigai, holds the
tomb of Alexander the Great's father, and was the place where the
young Alexander grew up. Visitors can marvel at the ancient palace
complex and theatre, as well as numerous royal tombs at this UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Mount Athos, with its mysterious monasteries
and rugged scenery is close by, though only men are allowed to
visit. A permit is necessary for this excursion. Travellers can
hike up Mount Olympus.
Mount Athos
Only men are welcome to make a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, the
secretive 'Shangri-La' on a rugged promontory about 80 miles
(129km) southeast of Thessaloniki. Here it is possible to step back
in time and mingle with hundreds of monks, from more than 20
monasteries, in one of the most scenic spots in Europe. This
unique, mountainous enclave on the coast is sprinkled with huge
monasteries, most resembling castles, containing wonderful
frescoes, mosaics and libraries. There are also smaller monasteries
known as kelions attached to small churches, as well as caves on
the mountain slopes where monks retreat as hermits. There are
forests and pristine seashore, and beautiful gardens cared for by
the monks. It is a truly astounding area to explore and there is
nowhere quite like it in the world; unsurprisingly, it is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Mount Athos is a self-governing area within
Greece, and to visit, it is necessary to obtain a permit from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, or from the Ministry of
Northern Greece in Thessaloniki. Women will unfortunately be unable
to obtain such a permit, and the amount of visitors allowed daily
is limited.
![Mount Athos]()
Mount Athos
makryba
Vergina
Vergina, known in ancient times as Aigai, is the most important
of a cluster of three archaeological sites in the area connected
with Philip, father of Alexander the Great. Vergina is where Philip
built a massive palace and a theatre, and where he was assassinated
in 336 BC. The palace has been excavated, as has the theatre, and
the site also features hundreds of burial mounds, some dating from
the Iron Age, across the plain. The tomb of Philip was found here
undisturbed in 1977, full of treasures that are now on display in
Thessaloniki's Archaeological Museum. The vast palace is full of
amazing mosaics and paintings and is really exciting to explore, as
are the tombs, which are surrounded by a museum and can be seen in
all their ancient splendour. The site of ancient Aigai has been
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a privilege to explore
for those with an interest in ancient history and archaeology.
Nearby is Pella, the remains of the former capital of Macedonia
from the 5th century, where Alexander the Great was born; and Dion,
an important religious sanctuary once frequented by Philip and
Alexander.
![Vergina Macedonian Tomb]()
Vergina Macedonian Tomb
Pjposullivan1
Mount Olympus
Towering above ancient Dion, about 48 miles (77km) south of
Thessaloniki, is Greece's highest mountain, Mount Olympus, home to
some of the famed Gods of Greek mythology. Olympus was the
residence of the divine family, the twelve most important ruling
gods and goddesses of ancient Greece, who therefore were called the
Olympians. Olympus was not heaven but a dwelling place of the gods.
The mountain is rich in tree and plant life, supporting more than
1,700 species, some very rare, and it is part of a National Park
and a World's Biosphere Reserve. The main village in the area is
Litohoro, which is connected to Athens and Thessaloniki by bus and
train, and has been nicknamed the 'City of Gods' due to its
location beneath the mountain. It is possible to climb the highest
peak in about two days, and almost the whole hike is non-technical
and can be done without experience or special equipment, along
numerous mountain trails. However, the final ascent to the summit
of Mytikas, the highest of Mount Olympus's 52 peaks, is a class 3
rock scramble and requires some skill and experience. About 10,000
people climb the mountain every year but most only reach the Skolio
summit. Hikers generally set out from Litochoro.
![Mount Olympus]()
Mount Olympus
Jason Pratt
Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum
Tilemahos Efthimiadis
Roman Forum
Marsyas
White Tower of Thessaloniki
bdmundo
Church of the Rotonda
Daniel Tellman
Mount Athos
makryba
Vergina Macedonian Tomb
Pjposullivan1
Mount Olympus
Jason Pratt
