Thessaloniki, one of the oldest cities in Europe, a city of incredible charm that is always ready for tourists, and of course an indispensable stop for everyone who spends the summer in Greece, especially Halkidiki. One interesting thing is that this city was named after Alexander the Great's sister, who was called Thessaloniki, as it is called in Greek. From Serbia, the distance from Belgrade to Thessaloniki is 630 km, and you can also take the direct route of Air Serbia. Apart from the plane, the only other way to get to Thessaloniki is by car or bus. The express train, which operates on the Thessaloniki-Belgrade route and vice versa, only runs on weekends according to the valid schedule to the final destinations, and on weekdays to Đevđelia. Passengers who use the express train during weekdays have organized bus transportation from Đevđelia to Thessaloniki. If you go by car, take into account that on weekends in the summer period the approach to the city is congested due to heavy traffic, so you may be stuck for a long time.
The best days to visit Thessaloniki
If you are visiting Thessaloniki for one day, you should take into account that on Mondays and Wednesdays, many shops are open for a short time, and museums and cultural monuments are closed on Mondays. It is also good to know that many private shops work twice and take a break from 2-5 p.m. When you arrive in the center of Thessaloniki, keep in mind that you can park your car in garages, of which there are many on the stretch from the port of Thessaloniki to the White Tower, and where usage is charged per hour from 2.5 to 10 EUR, or you can park on the street where you find a free space and at the first kiosk buy a parking ticket that you will hang on the inside of the windshield (the price is 3-5 EUR for the whole day). On Saturdays from 3 pm to Mondays until 8 am, public parking is free in Thessaloniki.
Promenade
Strolling along the sea from the port to the White Tower, the abundant Thessaloniki would certainly be our choice for a start. The White Tower is considered the most important symbol of Thessaloniki, and this tower is in fact a Byzantine tower from the 12th century, built by Suleiman the Magnificent, which today has been converted into the Byzantine Museum. It still has prison quarters because it once served as a prison, and from the top there is a wonderful view of the harbor and the center of Thessaloniki. The entrance fee is 2 EUR, but there is a lot to see, because climbing the stairs to the top, you will go through the history of the whole of Thessaloniki. Somewhere in the middle of the promenade, you will surely see the beautiful Aristotle Square, the very heart of Thessaloniki. This square is full of luxury hotels, restaurants and cafes, and one of them is the popular cafe Gordon of our famous basketball player Peđa Stojaković. Further down there is a nice park and the Modiana market, always well stocked with fresh food, a must visit if you have time.
Shopping
In the immediate vicinity is the famous Tsimiski (Cimiski) street, the city's main shopping street filled with shops of world-famous brands and several multi-storey department stores, which also have other entertainment facilities. When you turn from this street to Agias Sofias street, you will be greeted by a large number of domestic brands at very reasonable prices. Here you can take a long and undisturbed walk, since the street is only intended for pedestrians, and you can definitely enjoy shopping, because prices are generally reduced in the summer. As you get closer to the sea, you will come across boutiques of prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton and Emporio Armani, most of which can be found on Proxenou Koromila Street, which is right next to the sea. When you get tired of walking, our recommendation is to find your spot in the shade on Nikis Avenue where there are countless cafes and restaurants whose gardens look directly out to sea, and refresh yourself with a Greek frappe (this is actually cold Ness with water).
Shopping center "Cosmos"
In case you went to Thessaloniki only and exclusively for shopping, visit the Cosmos shopping center located 5 km from the airport, near the suburb of Kalamaria, at E. G. Olympou Street 106. Cosmos is a favorite destination of our tourists returning from vacation because it offers a huge selection of brands that cannot be found here, and the sales start in mid-July and last for about a month. There is, of course, Jumbo, for the purchase of all household items and things for children at very reasonable prices, which is located in three locations. There is also an Ikea nearby, so this is a good choice for those who do not have the opportunity to visit Ikea in Belgrade. If you are a romantic soul, visit Ano Poli. This part of the city is considered the old city, and with its quiet streets and two-story houses, it represents the very soul of Thessaloniki. This is the steepest part of the city, but that's why it offers the most beautiful view. Take a coffee break and sit in one of these cafes to feel the spirit of this neighborhood, see the architecture of the surrounding buildings and breathe in Thessaloniki. Ano Poli is on the UNESCO list of cultural heritage and in order to preserve its traditional appearance, it is protected by the Greek government.
Aqua park
Photo: Waterland.gr
If you want additional entertainment in addition to visiting the city itself, and at the same time you are vacationing with children, it would be great to visit the aqua park, which is located some 15 km from Thessaloniki. When you head towards Halkidiki, turn left at the village of Tagarades and you are there. The ticket price for adults is 14.5 EUR, and for children from 4-14 it is 11 EUR, and if you come 3 hours before closing, you will pay 9 EUR per person, so it can be a good option to rest after shopping. Working hours are from 10 am to 6 pm in June, that is, until 7 pm in July and until 8 pm in the second half of July. By the way, Waterland has cafes and restaurants, an emergency room and 1,000 parking spaces, and it is visited by up to 130,000 people every year!
The zoo
Photo: WikiMedia.org
Another option not far from Thessaloniki, in the district of Thessaly, is the Thessaloniki Zoo in a beautiful coniferous forest that covers 33,000 m2, which can also be a must-see if you are vacationing with children. The garden's opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the good news is that admission is free. And if you want some more sea, they say that Parea is the most beautiful beach in Thessaloniki, calm, classy and clean. It is located 20 km from Thessaloniki, within the Golden Star Hotel, the water is shallow and a real paradise for small children. There are showers with hot water on the beach, and sunbeds and umbrellas are available with an ordered drink. Another recommended beach is Agia Triada, a few kilometers long, 24 km from Thessaloniki, with children's playgrounds and sports fields, and a regular city line runs to it. Whatever you decide, we're sure you'll have a great time because Thessaloniki is a city that's always ready for tourists with countless attractions, and it's up to you to choose what to see. We wish you a pleasant time!
