Thessaloniki, Greece

White Tower

White Tower on the waterfront is the city’s strangest symbol. Because it was built by Turkish enemies-completely unremarkable, not very tall (just 27 meters) and not white! In 1430, the Turks captured Thessaloniki and built the tower as a defensive structure. Later, when the tower was turned into a prison and a site for public executions, it was nicknamed the “Bloody” tower. When the city passed into Greek hands, they painted the symbol of tyranny white (the whitewash was later washed off) and created here a most fascinating Byzantine museum: all the artifacts in this museum were created before the fateful year 1430 for the city. The most incredible sight in the museum is a stereophonic sound video projection of the horrific fire of 1917, which burned down several city blocks.

Basilica of Saint Demetrius

Dmitry, after whom the church is named, is Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the saint and the main heavenly patron of Thessaloniki. The place where the church stands is one of the most sacred in the city. Most of the church, along with its ancient mosaics, burned in a major fire in 1917; only the façade remained. When the fire debris was being cleared in the Basilica, they discovered an entrance to an ancient crypt. It was exactly there that it was built on the site of the Saint’s killing; previously (before they were taken to Italy) his relics were kept here, and there was a bowl for collecting myrrh. The relics themselves were returned to their “historic homeland” - to the crypt - only in 1978 and 1980. And the Basilica itself was restored: the surviving ancient frescoes and parts of the walls were preserved, and now this church is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Rotunda and Gallery Arch

To commemorate the victory of the Galerius (the tetrarch of that time) over the Sasanian kingdom in 298-299, the Triumphal Arch was erected. It was not an independent structure; it was connected to galleries that led to the palace and the mausoleum. The construction of the Rotunda can be attributed to the year 306. There are several versions regarding what this structure was intended for: a part of the palace complex for official receptions, the mausoleum of Galerius, which was then used as intended, the Temple of the Invincible Sun, as well as a temple for the imperial cult. After the Turks conquered Thessaloniki, the church was converted into a mosque, and a minaret was added to it, which has survived to the present day. It is the only minaret of Thessaloniki that remained after the city’s other minarets were demolished.

Basilica of Acheiropiitos

Basilica of Achiropiitos is an early Christian Orthodox church dating back to the 5th century. The basilica is one of the oldest early Christian buildings to have survived to the present day. The basilica’s name “Achiropiitos”, which translates from Greek as “Not Made by Hands”, became widely used starting in the 12th century. There is a view that this name is connected with a miraculous icon of the Mother of God that was believed to be not made by human hands and was located in the church. The structure is covered with a wooden roof with three slopes. The church’s apse is formed by an arch in the shape of a hemisphere, which ends the central slope. The interior of the vaults and the colonnade are adorned with beautiful mosaic patterns, and above the colonnade you can see frescoes from the early 13th century.

Beaches

There are no beaches in the city of Thessaloniki itself-the sea here is rather dirty. However, in the surrounding areas you can find many delightful beaches. 22 km from the city center lies Agia Triada Beach, one of the most colorful along the entire coastline. The water here is crystal clear. Golden sand and well-developed infrastructure have made Agia Triada the perfect spot for a family holiday. Another popular beach is Angelochori, located 30 km from the center of Thessaloniki. It’s a favorite among kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts thanks to the local winds. If you prefer a calm beach getaway, head to Nea Michaniona: it’s located 17 km to the south and draws visitors with serene panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Aquapark Waterland

Thessaloniki is located on the shores of the Aegean Sea, yet in this local water park it is always packed. In short, the reason is clear. Clean beaches near the second port in the country are still hard to find. And you won’t find entertainment like this anywhere else along the coast. The city’s residents boast that their water park is the largest in Europe. Maybe it’s not the largest across the continent, but in Greece nothing bigger has been built yet. Here you can find one-and-a-half-meter waves and storms, water slides with kickers and hairpin turns as high as a four-story building, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes. And on the “shore” there are volleyball and basketball courts, a football field, and a children’s playground.

Old Town

The Old Town - Ano Poli - is located to the north of the city center of Thessaloniki, which was not affected by the fire in 1917. Since 1980, this highest part of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you can find winding cobblestone narrow streets, old squares, and ancient buildings of Greek and Ottoman architecture. In the past, Ano Poli was a fortress, surrounded by high walls. Some of the Ottoman and Byzantine period walls have been preserved to this day. By going higher up, you can see the National Forest Park, the bay, and even, with good visibility, Mount Olympus rising above the horizon at a distance of about one hundred kilometers from the city.

Central Market

Central Market of Thessaloniki (Modiano Market) is the city’s largest food market, built in 1922 with funds from a wealthy Jewish merchant named Eli Modiano. For many decades, residents of Thessaloniki and numerous visitors to the city have been coming here for fresh produce, as well as to sit down in one of the many small, cozy restaurants found almost on every corner. All the products you can find at the market are exclusively locally produced. If you’re planning to visit the central market, be sure that you can not only buy great goods at pleasant prices, but also watch the everyday life of the Greeks, immerse yourself in its atmosphere, and feel the rhythm of the city.

Aristotle Street

Aristotle Street is one of the main attractions of the city of Thessaloniki and a favorite place for tourists to visit. There are plenty of reasons for that. At the beginning of the street, at the very top, you can see the excavations of the Ancient Agora, which from the 2nd to the 5th centuries AD was the center of ancient Thessaloniki. If you walk down the street through the park towards the sea, you can stroll along the ancient “Royal Road,” which in its time connected the Adriatic with Constantinople. On the left side, you can see the Bey Hamam-an old building of former Turkish baths-while on the right stands the Church of Our Lady of Chalkeon. On this pedestrian street, you’ll find many cozy, diverse cafés where you can sit down, relax, and enjoy a delicious bite to eat.

Sailing Excursion Through Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a wonderful city in Greece, where many monuments of ancient architecture have been preserved, forming a rich cultural heritage of the country. During the excursion, you will see the Church of St. Demetrius with a shrine containing the relics of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki and six antique mosaics. Enjoy the beautiful views of the city and its surroundings from the panoramic viewpoint, see the symbol of Thessaloniki-the White Tower, which houses the city museum-along with the magnificent Triumphal Arch, the Rotunda, numerous Byzantine churches, including the Church of Hagia Sophia with a large-scale mosaic artwork, the oldest basilica of the Eastern Roman Empire-Achiropiitos-and the Roman Forum.

Thermal Springs of Loutra Pozar

100 km from Thessaloniki, among the green forest on Mount Voras on the Thermopotamos River (“warm river”), there are the thermal springs of Loutra Pozar (Aridaia). On the complex grounds there is a hydropathy center and 2 pools, one of which is natural, with a real waterfall, divided into 2 parts-one with cold and the other with warm water. The water temperature reaches 37 degrees. The thermal springs-river, mountains, and crystal-clear air-are an excellent way to feel refreshed and full of energy again.

Wine Cellar Tour

Greek wines were known throughout the ancient world-winemakers exchanged them for all necessary goods. Winemaking in Ancient Greece was an honored occupation, and wine was a product used every day, a festive drink, and even a medicinal remedy. However, even then in Ancient Greece there were certain restrictions: it was forbidden to give wine to children, and warriors and rulers also had to keep a clear mind. The restrictions did not apply only to older people-for them, wine was a way to make aging more enjoyable. How wine is made today in Greece, you can see at one of the wineries not far from Thessaloniki.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can familiarize yourself after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.