Thursday, November 7, 2024
Thursday, November 7, 2024

Thessaloniki for under £100 a night: It’s not just Athens – Greece’s second city is also packed with ancient remains, vibrant markets and rich history

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Sarah Marshal
Sarah Marshalhttps://dailyobserver.uk
Accomplished Lifestyle/Fashion Editor with 10 years industry experience. Highly skilled in market research and trend forecasting. Continually provide content to magazine blog and website maintaining an active online presence. A travel enthusiasts by nature. When she is not writing she is either in her favorite coffee shop or traveling exploring new places. Sarah spends most of her time reading, cooking, traveling the world, visiting Walt Disney World, and catching her favorite Broadway shows

The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Sarah Marshal

Greece’s second city is often overlooked – because Athens draws the big, camera-clicking crowds.

Yet it’s full of interest, including wonderful ancient remains, markets, fine churches, a rich history – plus a long promenade by the Aegean Sea facing Mount Olympus.

Locals practise chalara, which means ‘relaxation… moving in slow motion, stress-free’.

Where to stay 

Le Palace Hotel

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, is often overshadowed by Athens but it’s ‘full of interest’, says Tom Chesshyre

On a corner near the promenade, Le Palace has smart, newly renovated rooms; some with balconies and partial Aegean Sea views. Breakfast is served in a colourful first-floor dining room. The hotel offers tours to Mount Athos and the striking rock formations at Meteora. Friendly staff.

Doubles from £87 B&B (lepalace.gr).

Egnatia Palace Hotel and Spa

Overlooking Dikastirion Square with its old Greek Orthodox churches and remains of Byzantine fountains, this is a popular choice. The spa comes with a small pool, hot tub, sauna and massage.

Doubles from £88 B&B (egnatiapalace.gr).

Hotel Luxembourg

Thessaloniki has a long promenade by the Aegean Sea facing Mount Olympus. Pictured: The White Tower of Thessaloniki on the waterfront

Thessaloniki has a long promenade by the Aegean Sea facing Mount Olympus. Pictured: The White Tower of Thessaloniki on the waterfront

Expect bright, well-decorated rooms with high windows and leather sofas at this hotel, a short stroll from the sea promenade and a run of chic bars that get busy at sunset.

Parking (tricky in Thessaloniki) is available for £13 a day.

Doubles from £84 B&B (hotelluxembourg.gr).

Colors Urban Hotel

The port city boasts wonderful ancient remains, markets, and fine churches like the Church of St Paul the Apostle, pictured here

The port city boasts wonderful ancient remains, markets, and fine churches like the Church of St Paul the Apostle, pictured here

This hip little hotel with 37 colourful rooms is in the heart of the vibrant Ladadika neighbourhood, just north of the old port.

The Garden Bar serves pizzas, burgers and craft beers in a conservatory; Royal Ionian Radler ales £3.60.

Doubles from £87 B&B (colorshotel.gr).

What to see and do

The Church of St Demetrius (pictured), the patron saint of Thessaloniki (270-306AD), is an important place of pilgrimage, writes Tom

The Church of St Demetrius (pictured), the patron saint of Thessaloniki (270-306AD), is an important place of pilgrimage, writes Tom

For fantastic views of Mount Olympus, take the lift or the stairs up the OTE former radio tower (pictured)

For fantastic views of Mount Olympus, take the lift or the stairs up the OTE former radio tower (pictured)

Celebrate the saint

The Church of St Demetrius, the patron saint of Thessaloniki (270-306AD), is an important place of pilgrimage.

Demetrius was martyred at this location, then a Roman baths (thessalonikitourism.gr).

Ataturk’s birthplace

Just up the street from the Church of St Demetrius you come to Ataturk House, where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, was born in 1881. Entry is free after a security scan.

Archaeology for all

Do not miss the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, which is one of the finest museums of ancient artefacts in Greece.

The best £7 you’ll spend in the city (amth.gr).

Take a boat ride

It’s free to board one of the (slightly tacky) galleon-style ships along the promenade. Just pay for your drinks (£4.30 for a beer) on board.

Best views

Take the lift or the stairs up the 76m-tall OTE former radio tower where there are fantastic views of Mount Olympus.  It’s free, with a cafe/bar at the top (skyline.bar).

Where to eat

Above is Kapani, one of the city's main markets, located just south of Dikastirion Square

Above is Kapani, one of the city’s main markets, located just south of Dikastirion Square

Street food: Look out for Koulouria (sesame bread rings)

Street food: Look out for Koulouria (sesame bread rings)

Loupino

On Katouni, a lively cobbled street in Ladadika, Loupino stands out. Order plenty and indulge in superb tzatziki, fava (blended bean) dips, feta cheese with honey, roasted octopus, grilled pork belly in barbecue sauce and delicious grilled chicken. About £25 for a feast.

4 Katouni (loupino.gr).

Nautiliaki

Wonderful seafood beside the Rotunda, a huge redbrick structure built by Roman Emperor Galerius. Tuck into meze of roe fish salad and anchovies

8 Agios Georgios Rotunda (nautiliaki.gr).

The Crossroad of Flavours

This tiny, canteen-style corner cafe is an example of a magirio – a neighbourhood ‘chef’s kitchen’.

Expect beef stew in wine sauce, meatball soup, chicken with peas, and spaghetti with prawns. No more than £6.50 a dish. You eat on a ledge outside.

Kapani and Modiano markets

This pair of markets are just south of Dikastirion Square. Drop by for a coffee (£1.30) at a cafe in one of the little lanes beside the olive and nut stalls.

Try delicious bougatsa filo pastry (£2) that’s served with sweet or savoury fillings – Café Serraikon has the best – and feta served with koulouria (sesame bread).

The promenade is lined with galleon-style ships, like the one pictured here

The promenade is lined with galleon-style ships, like the one pictured here

Sarah Marshal
Sarah Marshalhttps://dailyobserver.uk
Accomplished Lifestyle/Fashion Editor with 10 years industry experience. Highly skilled in market research and trend forecasting. Continually provide content to magazine blog and website maintaining an active online presence. A travel enthusiasts by nature. When she is not writing she is either in her favorite coffee shop or traveling exploring new places. Sarah spends most of her time reading, cooking, traveling the world, visiting Walt Disney World, and catching her favorite Broadway shows

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Sarah Marshal
Sarah Marshalhttps://dailyobserver.uk
Accomplished Lifestyle/Fashion Editor with 10 years industry experience. Highly skilled in market research and trend forecasting. Continually provide content to magazine blog and website maintaining an active online presence. A travel enthusiasts by nature. When she is not writing she is either in her favorite coffee shop or traveling exploring new places. Sarah spends most of her time reading, cooking, traveling the world, visiting Walt Disney World, and catching her favorite Broadway shows