ONLINE
words by dimitris koskeridis and photography by carlota rebelo
morning
end of the day
9.00 am We start the day as a typical Thessalonian would, with‘ Bougatsa’, a pastry usually served with milk or coffee. The‘ Bougatsa’ of Thessaloniki is particularly known in Greece for the different stuffing available to choose from; crème, feta cheese, spinach, pork mince or even chocolate.
11.00 am We walk around Thessaloniki’ s historical centre. From the city’ s landmark White Tower to the churches of St. Demetrius and Rotunda, the city is home to many Byzantine, Roman, Paleochristian and Jewish monuments, most of which are UNESCO world heritage sites.
1.00 pm Coffee breaks are sacred for the natives who spend them packed inside both the traditional and modern coffee places that are scattered around the city centre. We head to one for some‘ Greek’ coffee served in the traditional pot, though others may call it Turkish.
3.00 pm We are climbing up to the Old City, still protected by awe-inspiring medieval walls that date back to the 4th century BC. The stone houses set alone paved alleys give you a true taste of authentic Thessalonian lifestyle; an open window to thousands of years of history.
The Acropolis is definitely the best place to feel the vibe of Thessaloniki away from the crowded centre and from which to watch the sunset in one of the traditional taverns.
7.00 pm We head to one of the two pub ferries for beers, reggae music and breath-taking views of Thessaloniki’ s coastline.
We learn that the city is still considered a village by the locals despite its vast size. Indeed, just 30 years ago Thessaloniki consisted of several historically connected villages that joined to form a modern rural centre. That explains why Thessalonians are so friendly and hospitable which creates one of the most welcoming atmospheres for both natives and tourists alike.
51