Mainland · The Bride of the North
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, Greece's second city on the Thermaic Gulf, combines sea and mountain, Byzantine walls, nightlife like no other and arguably the best cuisine in the country. We design private Thessaloniki itineraries that pair the city with the beaches of Chalkidiki an hour away.
Placed strategically on the Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki is a city that combines anything you could ask for.
The Bride of the North
Founded in 315 BC by King Cassander of Macedonia, the city took its name from his wife Thessaloniki, half-sister of Alexander the Great. She in turn had been named by her father, King Philip II of Macedonia, to commemorate his victory over the Phocians won with the help of Thessalian horsemen: Thessaloniki literally means the victory of the Thessalians. The city has carried history in its name from the very beginning.
Explore Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, or the Bride of the North as she is sometimes called, is the second largest city in Greece. It offers nightlife like no other, sea and mountain, the old city and its walls, the beautiful beaches of Chalkidiki just an hour away, and arguably the best cuisine in Greece. A destination offering a truly singular experience.
The White Tower
Undeniably the most popular monument in Thessaloniki and the trademark of the city, the White Tower stands tall along the waterfront. The famous landmark is bound up with the city’s rich past and offers captivating views over the area, including the Thermaic Gulf.
The Alexander the Great statue
The monument to Alexander the Great was erected in 1973, funded by donations gathered by the city’s committees, and unveiled in 1974 on Saint Alexander’s day, the 30th of August. It shows Alexander of Macedon riding Bucephalus, the beloved horse that carried him through his entire military career.
The Church of Agios Dimitrios
The Church of Saint Demetrius, or Hagios Demetrios, is the principal sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint of Thessaloniki, dating from the era when this was the second largest city of the Byzantine Empire. Its mosaics and its crypt reward an unhurried visit.
Pairing Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki opens northern Greece: pair the city with the beaches of Chalkidiki, or connect south to Meteora and Athens for a full mainland journey.
Known first-hand
Our best picks in Thessaloniki
- Best Bar Ladadika
Impossible to choose just one, so take the district: Ladadika is the place to be at night, its old merchant quarter packed with clubs, bars and crazy stories, backed by an abundance of summer rooftop bars across the centre.
- Best Daytrip Diaporos Island
Crystal blue and green water near Vourvourou in Chalkidiki, reached by rental boat, or hire from Porto Carras and cruise the peninsula using the best beach bars as frequent stop-offs.
- Best Hidden Spot Sithonia, Chalkidiki
About an hour from the city, one of the best combinations of beaches, seafood and mountains you will ever see. The locals' escape, and once you have driven its pine-lined coast you will understand why they keep it quiet.
- Best Wine Gerovassiliou
An international name and one of the most celebrated wineries in Greece, just fifteen minutes away on the outskirts of Epanomi, offering tours, tastings and a great all-round experience among the vines.
- Best Sight The promenade
The renewed waterfront ties the city together: the ruins of the old Roman market, the walls of the old city at Kastra, the lanes of Tsinari, and the full sweep of the Thermaic Gulf, with shopping, coffee and drinks along the way.
- Best Dining Folia, Braxos and Sebriko
Three favourites in an endless dining city: Folia, a well-kept secret in the old city with imaginative traditional dishes; Braxos, a sea tavern like no other with fresh fish and a great view; and Sebriko, the go-to for meat lovers.
Thessaloniki has its own international airport (SKG) and serves as the natural gateway to Chalkidiki and northern Greece.
Design
Design your experience
Tell us the occasion, the season and who is coming. One of our Epicureans will come back with a first sketch of Thessaloniki, and will tell you if another corner of Greece suits your dates better.