Holiday in Thessaloniki (Greece): photos and reviews

Greece is a favorite vacation destination for both Europeans and our tourists. In this country, as they say in the anecdote that has become already bearded, there is everything: the sea, the sun, beaches, historical and natural attractions, first-class service, delicious cuisine, a variety of entertainment, dizzying shopping and much, much more. However, with the word "Greece" many tourists imagine the islands. Undoubtedly, rest on Crete or Kosa will be wonderful. But do not forget that Greece has a mainland. And it is no less interesting for a tourist.

In this article, we will comprehensively review the rest in Thessaloniki. It is the second largest city in the country after Athens. But do not think that Thessaloniki is a noisy, always hurrying and never sleeping metropolis, in which it will be difficult to relax. In fact, the infrastructure of the city is such that even tourists with children feel comfortable here. True, city hotels have a small area. But behind the city there are hotels with huge parks and spacious rooms. In an hour's drive is the peninsula of Halkidiki - a dream of fans of beach holidays.

Where are Thessaloniki and how to get there?

More correctly the city should be called Thessaloniki. It is the capital of such a region as Central Macedonia. Settled Thessaloniki on the shore of a very calm gulf of Termaikos. Being second only to the capital of Greece in terms of size and population, the city has its own seaport and air harbor. The last arrives direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. From "Pulkovo" flights are carried out by the company "Ellinair". On board it is necessary to spend three hours and forty minutes. The reviews claim that airplanes of such carriers as Aeroflot, S7, Egean and Ellinair depart from the three Moscow airports to Thessaloniki. Travel time - from three to three hours and forty minutes.

Thrifty tourists mention that if you are going to spend a more budgetary vacation in Thessaloniki, it is better to save from the very beginning - fly with transfers, entrust yourself to the airlines "Earn Serbia" or "Lufthansa". But then the travel time will increase to five and seven hours respectively. In summer, charter flights from major cities of Russia are added to regular flights. The guests of the city meet the airport "Macedonia". Railway and bus services connect Thessaloniki with the capital. Travel time is six hours. To get to Thessaloniki, say the reviews, you can by train from Turkey and Bulgaria.

Climate of the mainland Greece. When it is better to come to Thessaloniki

Like all of Greece, the city lies in the subtropical climate zone. Here the dry, hot summer and soft, very rainy winter. But the climate of Thessaloniki has its own regional features, because the city lies in the mainland. Therefore, unlike the islands, the air here is very warm in summer. The average daily temperature in July and August is thirty-one degrees in the shade. And winters are more severe here, if it is permissible to use such an expression, since the average January temperature is six degrees above zero. But in the winter months in Thessaloniki may fall snowball, which will last from a couple of hours to several days.

All these regional characteristics must be taken into account when going to Thessaloniki (Greece). Beach vacation here begins in April, and ends at the end of October. The peak of the season falls on the summer months. But if you do not suffer extreme heat or travel with children, it is better to come to the resorts of the city in spring or autumn. So all tourists advise. In summer it is too hot here, and the beaches are overcrowded. The shallow Gulf of Thermaikos warms up quickly. Its usual temperature in the swimming season is twenty degrees.

City `s history

Thessaloniki is more than three thousand years old. Here, traces and cultural influence of all those peoples who once owned the city remained: the Romans, Byzantines, Turks. In ancient times, most of the city's population was Jewish. Jewish culture makes itself felt in the architecture and cuisine of local restaurants. Therefore, in a city like Thessaloniki (Greece), beach rest will be diluted with a rich excursion program. The history of the city begins with the fourth century before Christ. The Thessalonians were named for the half-sister of Alexander the Great. She married Tsar Cassandra, who founded the city and dedicated it to his beloved wife. The governor chose a place for a new settlement. As evidenced by excavations of archaeologists, there was a parking of Neanderthals - the most ancient in Europe. All the historical sights of Thessaloniki are concentrated in Ano-Poli (Upper Town). It is located north of the center. Now Ano-Poly is fully and fully listed as a cultural asset of mankind.

The modern look of the city of Thessaloniki (Greece)

Rest - reviews in this statement reveal unity - in no way will it be boring. Whenever you come to Thessaloniki, you will always find a festival, culture days, concerts and similar events. In the nineties of the last century the city was awarded the title of cultural capital of Greece. Authoritative tourist reviewer "Lonley Planet" included Thessaloniki in TOP-5 The best party-city. Unfortunately, the great fire that happened in 1917, destroyed the medieval part of the city. Ano-Poli miraculously did not suffer. For the restoration of the city from the ashes took the famous architect Ebrar Ernest. He also gave Thessaloniki a modern look. The city planner reduced Ottoman influence to a minimum, giving preference to Byzantine style and ancient culture. The breath of globalization and new technologies almost did not affect Thessaloniki. Until now, buildings in the modern city center are three-storeyed. And almost from all the windows you can see the turquoise sea. It reminds us that the main thing for the sake of which come to Thessaloniki is a beach holiday.

Where to stay

The cultural capital of Greece is accustomed to accepting a large number of visitors. In the city itself there are many hotels designed for every taste and purse. The luxurious hotel "Electra Palace" is located in the heart of Thessaloniki - on Sq. Aristotle. Fans of online hotels will get a lot of fun from staying in Makedonia Palace. This five-star hotel belongs to the line of Classical Hotels. It is located just a couple of meters from one more attraction of the city - the White Tower. Rest in Thessaloniki will be unforgettable, if you stay at the Hyatt Regency. This chic hotel is located on the thirteenth kilometer of the road linking the city with Pereas. According to the reviews, "Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki" has long served as a standard of luxury. In the country residence, a huge greenery area, many pools, and guests are accommodated in spacious apartments and unique rooms. Praise the reviews of "City Hotel 4 *" on the street. Komnonon, Mediterranian near the port, Excelsior in the Art Deco style building (with a SPA center and a gourmet restaurant), Daios Boutique (Nikis Avenue) and Les Lazaristes.

Budget accommodation

Tourists insist that three-star hotels in Greece are not bad at all. But in this way you can save a little on housing. Not far from the "City Hotel 4 *" is located "Luxembourg 3 *". In this hotel comfortable, clean and beautiful rooms. Recently opened after major repairs, "Astoria" (Zimiski Street and Salaminos) gives guests almost a family cosiness. "Met Hotel" has a SPA center, but the prices in it are low because of the distance from the city center. This hotel is located on the street October 26 at the entrance to Thessaloniki. Rest private sector offers even more budgetary than hotels. You can find a one-bedroom apartment near the sea, starting from twenty euros per day. Apartments for two bedrooms with living room and kitchen can be rented for forty-fifty euros per day.

Beaches

It's no secret that the main goal of tourists who come to Thessaloniki is rest by the sea. Perhaps you are worried that the beaches in the second largest city of Greece will be polluted? The municipal services in Thessaloniki are working for glory. But here the crowds are really observed, although the locals are lazy enough to go out of town for the sake of clean sea and spacious beaches. Tourists are advised not to follow their example, but use public transport (if you live in the center of Thessaloniki).

The best beaches are "Agia Triada", "Perea", "Angelohori". On the last coast there are many simulators and sports entertainments. The best in such a picturesque city as Thessaloniki, rest on the sea will be on the beach "Nea Michaniona". To the warm Thermal Gulf, a gentle drop in the sea and fine sand, there are amazingly beautiful landscapes on the green hills. All suburban beaches of Thessaloniki are awarded the Blue Flag for the cleanliness and well-being of the coastal strip and water area.

The Halkidiki Peninsula

This wonderful place is located an hour's drive from the city. The peninsula from the height is similar to the trident of Neptune, because it consists of three capes: Cassandra, Sithonia and Athos. And if you are interested in such a wonderful city as Thessaloniki, beach vacation, the opinions are advised to stay at one of the resorts of Chalkidiki, on the Aegean coast. The peninsula is considered the most environmentally friendly place in the mainland Greece. The western cape of Kassandra meets travelers first. Since it is only fifty kilometers from Thessaloniki, it is heavily populated. Cassandra has forty-four resort villages, and in each of them life is a key. The most famous places are Nea Moudania, Caliphea, Pefkochori and Hanioti. Cassandra, in addition to disco bars and other places of entertainment, is famous for its beautiful bays, olive groves, pine forests and an abundance of historical sights.

Sithonia (the central cape) will present the romantic atmosphere of a secluded paradise. Here there is only one lively resort - Neos Marmaras. The rest of the settlements are small fishing villages. An inexpensive vacation in Thessaloniki awaits you in Vourvourou. And, finally, the eastern and the most famous cape of Athos. His fame he owes not so much to the beaches as to the holy mountain on which the monastic state is located. On the summit of Mount Athos there are about twenty Orthodox monasteries. All this is exclusively male monasteries. Since the middle of the tenth century, no woman has ever set foot on Mount Athos. Yes, and male tourists to get into the walls of monasteries, you need a special permit. Rest on Cape Athos will satisfy only lovers of a very quiet and secluded holiday. There are no entertainments, except for cruising on cruise boats around the holy mountain.

What to see in Thessaloniki. Sights of the Ottoman Era

Every traveler has his own list of masts. But the indispensable point in all lists of attractions is the White Tower. And if you are interested in excursion holidays in Thessaloniki, start getting acquainted with the city from it. It is located next to the main promenade. The White Tower is the same symbol of the city as the Eiffel for Paris. It was built during the Ottoman rule. Once it was part of the defensive fortifications of Thessaloniki. Then the walls were dismantled, and the tower was left and used as a prison. Therefore, the people called it "Bloody". And she became White after the Turks covered it with plaster. Now the tower is turned into a museum, and on its upper viewing platform is a panoramic café. Nearby is the Archaeological Museum with a rich collection of the legendary jewels of Byzantine generals. From the Turkish rule in the city there were preserved the characteristic buildings of Hamza Bay and Alatz, as well as the jewelry market.

The Monastery and other antiquities

To touch history, tourists' reviews are advised to go up to Upper Town. Ano-Poli can be reached by public transport. They go here not only to wander through the narrow cobbled streets along the fortress walls, but also to capture their vacation in Thessaloniki. The reviews claim that it offers a wonderful panoramic view of the whole city. Therefore, there are so many restaurants and cafes with spacious terraces. In the northeast corner of Ano-Poly was once the palace of Galerius Maximian. Now from this majestic structure there were only ruins, but the Arc de Triomphe was preserved, which was built in honor of the victories of the emperor. Reviews are advised not to overlook the church dedicated to St. George. She enters the palace complex. The temple was built in the fourth century as pagan, in a hundred years it became Christian, and with the arrival of the Turks it was turned into a mosque. Despite the prohibition of sacral images in Islam, the sculptures of angels have survived .

Temples

Vacation in Thessaloniki reviews are called "half pilgrimage." Still would! The neighborhood of Mount Athos makes the city a place of stopping religious tourism. In Thessaloniki began to educate the creators of the Slavic alphabet Cyril and Methodius. Despite the 500-year rule of the Turks, many churches have survived in the city. Worthy visits to the reviews called the temple of St. Sophia with a magnificent mosaic, the basilica of Dmitry and Nicholas of Orthans, the ancient Rotunda, which was previously dedicated to Zeus.

Greece, Thessaloniki: holidays with children

Tourists traveling to this country with a small child often face a problem. The young traveler does not share the craving of parents for ancient history. Museums and majestic ruins under the scorching sun seem like a place for torture. A monotonous beach quickly bothers. But not thessaloniki! Rest with children in this city will be full of the most joyful impressions. Tourists are advised to take the child to a local zoo, the benefit of entering it is free. The menagerie is near Ano-Poli. While the spouse will make shopping in the shopping center "Cosmos", the father with children can wait for her in the nearby entertainment town "Magic Park". A child under one meter is free of charge. Older children pay eight euros, and adults - twelve. But with all the attractions you can then use as long as you want before closing the park. "Waterland" - the only town of water entertainment in Northern Greece. The Aquapark is located a quarter of an hour's drive from the center of Thessaloniki. Teenagers will be interested in visiting the Museum of High Technologies and the Planetarium.

What they say about the city

How do tourists characterize the city of Thessaloniki (Greece)? Holiday reviews are called very saturated. Here you can combine unhurried romantic walks, cognitive excursions, swimming and sunbathing on the beaches. Northern Greece is the center of fur coaches, but shopping in the city is not limited to furs. Thessaloniki is famous for its cuisine. Sweets are used for special piety. In the local cuisine the culinary traditions of the Turks, Greeks, Jews and Balkan peoples have merged.