Thessaloniki, the second city of Hellas, is located in the central north of the Greek mainland in the region of Macedonia. To the east lies the Halkidiki Peninsula whose three fingers extend into the Aegean Sea. It was the Halkidiki Peninsula which brought Hector back to Thessaloniki in the noughties.
Thessaloniki is five hours by train from Athena. Way back in 1976, after the first Inter Rail, a return was never envisaged. A day was spent here en route to Athena, then another two days later, on the return. On a limited budget, no more than the city centre and the waterfront was experienced.
The stays here as part of the Halkidiki trip proved to be more interesting. A back street community of – tavernas in the lanes – proved to be the hub of activity in the evenings. This was in the era before Craft Beer and Curry-Heute, to eat and drink local fayre was totally acceptable.
2024 saw Marg and Hector back in Thessaloniki, a flight to Poznan (Polska) being easily the best deal out of Hellas. Tavernas in the lanes – the Tourist Information office had no knowledge of the dining area of which we spoke, but send us to Pl. Katouni which may be a modern day equivalent.
With Google Maps providing bus information, getting up to the Acropolis, and associated sites, was simple – Bus 23.
Arriving in Thessaloniki
By ‘plane
Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia lies to the south of the city. Departing from outside Terminal 1, Bus 01X takes under an hour to reach the train station in the north-west of the city.
Whilst contactless is being installed on the buses, in 2024, paper tickets were still required, available at kiosks or the grey machines (coins only, no change given) on the buses.
Not all kiosks sell bus tickets, not all people manning them are helpful.
November 2024 sees the opening of a new Metro system in Thessaloniki.. This should transform transport within the city. At the time of writing, I see no connection to the airport.
By train
The local bus station is to the right as one exits the train station. The kiosk, immediately outside the south exit to the train station, sells tickets. There is also a booth on the far side of the bus station concourse.
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Places of interest visited:
Acropolis of Thessaloniki
Heptapyrgion of Thessaloniki
Tower of Trigonio / Triangle Tower
Roman Forum of Thessaloniki
Rotunda
White Tower of Thessaloniki
The Umbrellas of Zongolopoulos
Microbrewery, bars, restaurants and cafe visited:
Utopia Taproom – Gladstonos 11, Thessaloniki 546 30
The Hoppy Pub – Nikiforou Foka 6, Thessaloniki 546 21
Beer O’Clock – Egiptou 6, Thessaloniki 546 25
U Fleku Garden – Pl. Morichovou 5, Thessaloniki 546 25
The Pulp Bar – Al. Svolou 8, Thessalonili 546 22
Beer School Thessaloniki – Grigoriou Palama 21, Thessaloniki 546 22
Broken Clock – Siggrou 7, Thessaloniki 546 25
Full tou Meze – Katouni 3, Thessaloniki 54625
Balconaki – Leof. Nikis 57, Thessaloniki 546 22
India Gate Salonica – Kon/Nou Melenikou 13, Thessaloniki 545 35
Ta Filaraki Cafe – Irinis 2, Agios Pavlos Thessaloniki 554 38