Notes From The Road: Thessaloniki With Arms Wide Open
As I stood at the port of Thessaloniki to look over the Aegean Sea at the Mount Olympus, I could imagine the Greek gods looking back down from their celestial peak onto this ancient city. The port, at the inner shore of the Thermaic Gulf, reveals the intermingling of influences that have made this a cosmopolitan city for many centuries.
Although it is Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki gives off a warm welcome; one of belonging, closeness and community. Even as a newcomer, I was surprised to feel very much at home here. It’s so easy to embrace the city, as it will embrace you right back if you let it!
Experience Greece With B&R
Private Greece Walking Trip
With its astonishing wealth of natural attractions and a unique blend of cultures, Northern Greece is arguably the country’s most fascinating region, yet one that remains relatively undiscovered—unless, of course, you’re on our Greece Walking trip…
DETAILED ITINERARYPrivate Greece Biking Trip
Our Greece Biking trip is an odyssey fit for the gods! Begin in bustling Athens and wind your way on two wheels to rural fishing villages, along the coast, through mountain roads, as you see ancient relics, snowcapped peaks, seaside caves and Byzantine monasteries.
DETAILED ITINERARYLocated at a crossroads of continents and civilizations and sought as a prize by successive empires, Thessaloniki absorbed immigrants from across the ancient world, including Italians, Jews, Africans, Turks, and Slavs.
From the imposing Byzantine White Tower on the southern part of the harbour, to the modern port and the beautiful centre of the city, one can still feel the lingering traces of cultural change over the eons, which continue to give the city its vibrant character today. These complex influences produce bright colours all around: in the sea, painted Art Nouveau buildings, ancient stone walls, the traditional and modern clothing of passersby, and the ever-shifting light of the sky from sunrise to sunset.
Though the divine denizens of Olympus may not have been pleased about it, archaeological digs have revealed that the religious devotions of the city’s inhabitants also ran to cults of Eastern and Egyptian gods. Even Saint Paul made Thessaloniki a priority as he sought to spread Christianity, leading him to write his letters to the Thessalonians that form part of the New Testament. A visit to the city’s incredible archaeological museum provides a look at the myriad cultures that have left their mark on the city over the years.
As I left port and began to walk up the slope to the old city, I passed the palace and archway of Galerius, the Roman general who based himself in Thessaloniki in the fourth century.
As the streets turned from pavement to cobblestone and narrowed, I came across a street market, vibrant with colour and daily rituals. From the bounty of the coast to the fertile farms and orchards nearby, I watched as locals made their daily purchases.
Leaving the crowds of the market behind, I reached the top of the ridge, where massive sections of the city wall still stand. Following the wall along the ridge, I passed through a lush park shaded by flowering trees, until I reached the Epyrgion, a Byzantine fort located at the highest point, comprised of several huge stone towers. I walked along the ramparts, then climbed even higher to survey the gulf, watching ships approach the fort, as countless sentries through millennia surely did in their time, awaiting friend or foe.
The sky behind Olympus turned pink as the sun began to set, and shadows grew longer across the squares and avenues. The streets were still crowded with people of all ages and backgrounds, as the cool of twilight set in. At the port, jugglers and musicians performed, and I could see revellers aboard a small boat, enjoying their own festivities in the harbour.
In the evening, I heard traditional Greek music played on a stringed laouto, on street corners, and in cafes and bars where locals play cards and backgammon while chatting about local events. As night fell, I looked out from the harbour to see that Olympus had faded into the darkness. The moonlight glimmered on the sea, and Thessaloniki danced on, watched over by the gods as its inhabitants revelled in the myriad colours of their resilient and timeless city.
MORE FROM Rest of Europe + Greece

Meet Henrie and Anton, Sustainable Tulip Farmers of the Netherlands
Holland
Finding George, An Epicurean Man in Sikinos
Greece
History Meets Modern Luxury: Top Hotels of England, Scotland and Ireland
England
In Search of Darkness—the Illuminating Kind
Norway
The 6 Best Restaurants in Oslo
Norway
The 11 Best Restaurants in Edinburgh
Scotland
The Top 11 Luxury Hotels in London
England
7 Compelling Reasons Why You Need to Take a River Cruise
Rest of Europe
Hidden Gems of Croatia & Slovenia
Croatia
The 8 Best Rhine River Experiences
Germany
What We Love About Denmark
Denmark
The Best Walking Trip You’ll Ever Take: Northern Greece
Greece
Notes From the Road: Swiss E-Biking
Switzerland
How to Act Like a Local, from Bohemia to Bavaria
Rest of Europe
What We’re Drinking:
Rioja’s Reds and Danish Akvavit
Denmark

The Overlooked, Over-the-Top Awesomeness of Croatia and Slovenia
Croatia
17 Of The Best Berlin Museums
Germany
New & Next: Unexpected Romania
Romania
Our Favourite Pubs in the Cotswolds
England