Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. It is located on the Thermaic Gulf of the North Aegean Sea and is the capital of the Macedonia region. The urban area has a population of around 320.000 and the metropolitan area has more than 800.000 (Census 2021).
The city is a melting pot of different ethnic groups, which is reflected in its rich cultural diversity. The churches from the early Christian and Byzantine periods have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.
The Bay of Thessaloniki
History in a nutshell
Thessaloniki was founded in 315 BC by Kassander, King of Macedonia. He named the city after his wife Thessalonike, the half-sister of Alexander the Great. Thessaloniki quickly developed into an important commercial and cultural center.
Thessaloniki - Statue of Alexander the Great
From Romans to Ottomans
From 146 BC, Thessaloniki became part of the Roman Empire. Thessaloniki was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia and an important stop on the Roman road Via Egnatia, which connected the Adriatic Sea with Byzantium.
In the 4th century AD, Thessaloniki became the second most important city of the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople. Many monuments from the Byzantine period have been preserved in the city to this day.
In 1430, Thessaloniki was conquered by the Ottomans and remained under their rule until 1912. This period had a lasting impact on the city's architecture and culture. The founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Atatürk, was born in Thessaloniki in 1881.
Thessaloniki - Model of the Heptapyrgion Fortress
Thessaloniki - Heptapyrgion Fortress
Part of modern Greece
After the Balkan War in 1912, Thessaloniki became part of modern Greece. The city underwent a number of changes in the 20th century, including a fire in 1917 that destroyed much of the historic center.
During the Second World War, from April 1941 to October 1944, Thessaloniki was occupied by German troops. During this time, almost the entire Jewish population was deported and killed in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen.
Economy and Transport
Thessaloniki is a significant Greek economic and commercial centre. The city is known for its manufacturing industry, particularly in the food, textile and chemical sectors. The modern oil refinery is of supra-regional importance. Thessaloniki is the administrative and cultural metropolis of northern Greece.
Thessaloniki - Platia Aristotelous
Thessaloniki Airport offers flights to 31 countries worldwide and 35 national destinations.
The port is one of the most important ports in the Aegean Sea and a gateway for international trade. It serves as a hub for freight traffic in Southeast Europe and offers modern facilities for cargo handling. It is also an important ferry port to Athens and the Aegean islands.
Thessaloniki - Harbour panorama
Thessaloniki - Naval Base
A well-developed network of buses connects the city and its surroundings. A subway has been under construction for years and, according to the latest information, is due to open in 2024 or 2025.
Due to its compact size and many car-free zones, Thessaloniki is a pedestrian city. It takes only 30 minutes to cross the city center from east to west. Many historical and cultural sights are easily accessible on foot.
In recent years, bicycles and e-scooters have gained popularity, and there are several rental stations in the city.
Center for Education and Research
Thessaloniki launched the "Study in Thessaloniki" initiative in 2014. The aim was to make the city a center for education and research for students from all over the world. Thessaloniki is the largest university city in the country. The city's largest university, Aristotle University, is also the largest in all of Greece. Other broad-based universities, technical colleges and colleges attract around 150.000 students and exchange students to Thessaloniki every year.
Tourism
Thessaloniki has a Mediterranean climate: mild and rainy winters, hot and dry summers, moderate autumn and spring weather and plenty of sunshine all year round. The city is home to 30 museums and 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites. One of the longest urban waterfronts in Europe is a great place to walk, jog, cycle and admire the water and sunsets.
Thessaloniki - Buildings next to the waterfront
Thessaloniki - colourful hustle and bustle on the waterfront
Food is very important. There is something for every taste and budget: high-class restaurants, rustic taverns and trendy food bars serving traditional Greek cuisine, Balkan or international specialties. There is also a lively café culture and a varied nightlife.
Thessaloniki for cruise passengers
Cruise ships dock at Thessaloniki's ferry port. The city center and many of the attractive sights are within walking distance. A few taxis await guests. A stop for the hop-on hop-off buses and the city bus terminal are not far from the port entrance.
Thessaloniki - Historic Passenger Terminal
50 ship calls are expected for 2025, including cruise ships from the shipping companies Azamara, Celestyal, Celebrity, Explora, MSC, Ponant, Nicko, Norwegian, Regent and Silversea.
July 2024