2) Greek Agora Roman remains
This Roman forum was discovered in 1966. In 1989 they began restoration. It’s due to the discovery of these sites that Thessaloniki still doesn’t have a metro. You are able to walk around the archeological site and in August the Urban picnic festival takes place, where people gather at the forum for cinema and music.
3) Church of Saint Demetrius
Next to the Roman remains is Hagios Demetrios. Saint Demetrius is the patron saint of Thessaloniki. This UNESCO site is home to a crypt below the church which you can walk around.
4) Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
This church’s name means Virgin Mary Not Made By Hands, not referring to the building of the church, but her immaculate conception of baby Jesus. This church is the oldest in Thessaloniki and has gone through many restorations. Including being a mosque during the Ottoman time (year 1430). It’s impressive and light inside.
4) Church of Agia Sofia
Hagia Sophia is probably the most important church in Thessaloniki and is also a UNESCO site. From the outside it looks very plain but inside its byzantine architecture gives it a different darker mystic feel compared to the other churches.
Like the Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos, it has been reconstructed many times. It’s one of the oldest original churches and has been standing there since the 3rd century AD. It was also converted into a mosque for 500 years. I noticed a sign that said no pictures but people were taking them and no one seemed to care. It was more important to be quiet inside.
1 pm : Visit the White Tower
Along the water front promenade in Nea Paralia is the White Tower, the symbol of Thessaloniki. For €2 you can go up to the top. On the way up are some exhibitions about the tower. These are all in Greek so unless you ask for the audio guide at the counter (they don’t automatically give it to you) you won’t be able to understand anything. The walk up to the top of the tower is fairly easy. It has a great 360 degree view. You can see along the promenade, into the sea and up into the city.
1:30 pm : Get food and Ice Cream
There’s plenty of places to get food on the waterfront between the White Tower and Aristotelous Square. Afterwards get an ice cream and walk to Alexander The Great Statue.
2:30 pm : Boat trip
By the White Tower are large boats, very recognisable with guys calling you over to get on. These boat rides are free except you have to buy a drink. I bought a Frappé coffee for €4, not bad considering you get a half hour boat trip with some beautiful views of the bay.
3:30pm : Head up to Ano Poli (Upper Town)
You can walk (it’s all uphill), take the number 23 bus or a taxi. Thessaloniki has lots of taxi ranks everywhere and they’re reasonably priced (less than €10 to get from the promenade to Ano Poli). I chose to walk up as I wanted to see the narrow winding back streets. It took at least 45 minutes but it was cooling down. The walk caused me to break into a sweat so take lots of water with you. Most of this district wasn’t destroyed by the fire in 1917 so it feels more authentic than lower Thessaloniki.