Salonica City

thessaloniki in July

2009-07-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Transportation in Salonica

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Salonica is being served by an efficient network of buses (ΟΑΣΘ), most of them running through the city from west to east. Salonica is one of the city where buses run until quite late, even after 1am in some cases, while there are buses that run all 24 hours. The future traveler can organize his trip with the help of the new site that offers the visitors the opportunity to plan their trips interactively and in an intelligent way.

Furthermore, a huge work is being under development in Thessaloniki: The Underground of the city. After a lot of years of struggle, Thessaloniki is going to have its own Metro. The new means for the city is expected to alleviate the traffic that has become a major problem for the city lately, and its first part is expected to be finished by the year 2012. The first line will run the city from the Railway station in the west to the easternmost neighborhoods. However, extensions of the metro are already planned, so that this one milion citizens city has the character of a modern metropolis. It is worth to mention that the underground of the city will be fully automatic, employing the lates technologies in terms of speed, automation and safety.

Salonica Seafront Paralia

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Photo of Kamara

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photo by: Sander van Malssen

Salonica Rotonda

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photo by: k.ivoutin

Photo of white tower

2009-02-01T07:45:00.001-08:00

photo by: stg_gr1's

Photos

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photo by: Tony the Misfit

Salonica bars at "new seafront"- Μπαρ στη νέα παραλία στη Θεσσαλονίκη

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One trendy place to go and have a couple of beers is the "new seafront" or "nea paralia".It is a street, right in front of the sea, with many bars and cafes next to each other, always full of people. These places are typical modern pubs, and it is almost impossible to find a place to park out there on a Saturday night.

These cafes are also ideal for a cold frape under the sun in the summer, as they all have lots of tables at terraces.

How to get there: take bus number 5, 6, 33 from the city centre and stop at Georgiou station. Walk 30 meters towards the sea and you are there.

Ένα πολύ μοδάτο σημείο της πόλης για μερικά ποτά, είναι η "νέα παραλία". Πρόκειται για έναν παραλιακό δρόμο με πολλά μπαρ και καφετέριες. Τα μέρη αυτά είναι πάντα στην μόδα, και ο κόσμος είναι τόσο πολλής που πολλές φορές είναι αδύνατον να παρκάρει κανείς, ειδικά τα Σάββατα.

Τα μαγαζιά αυτά είναι ιδανικά για έναν ανοιξιάτικο καφέ στον ήλιο, μιας και το πεζοδρόμιο μπροστά τους είναι αρκετά μεγάλο ώστε να βγαίνουν πολλά τραπεζάκια έξω.

Πως να πάτε: Λεωφορεία 5, 6, 33,στάση "Γεωργίου"

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Photos

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photo by: tilemahos efthimiadis

flights to Salonica

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Salonica Macedonia International Airport serves direct flights from and to many international destinations. Some of the most frequent ones, among others, are: London, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Birmingham, Manchester, Larnaca, Berlin, Stuttgart, Franfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Moscow, etc.

Salonica Hotels

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Salonica, as a major port, very important city in the Balcans and south-eastern Europe, features an abundance of hotels, spread mainly in the city centre. Most hotels in Salonica are close to Aristotelous square (city centre), the international fair (city centre) and the airport. Some very nice hotels are concentrated at Vardari square,close to the Railway station, and some others on Syngrou street. If you want to visit the city during the International Fair (every September) or during the International Film Festival (every November), it is highly recommended that you book well in advance

Useful links:

http://www.thessaloniki-hotels.gr/
http://www.thessalonikihotels.gr/

Η Θεσσαλονίκη, ως πολύ σημαντικό λιμάνι, κέντρο των Βαλκανίων και της ευρύτερης περιοχής της νοτιοανατολικής Ευρώπης, διαθέτει πληθώρα ξενοδοχείων, κυρίως στο κέντρο της πόλης. Τα περισσότερα ξενοδοχεία στην πόλη βρίσκονται κοντά στην πλατεία Αριστοτέλους, την Διεθνή Έκθεση Θεσσαλονίκης (κέντρο), και το αεροδρόμιο. Πολύ καλά ξενοδοχεία βρίσκονται και κοντά στον σιδηροδρομικό σταθμό, στη Μοναστηρίου, κοντά στην πλατεία Δημοκρατίας. Επίσης, για προσιτές επιλογές, υπάρχουν αρκετά και καλά ξενοδοχεία στην οδό Συγγρού και τριγύρω (επίσης κέντρο της πόλης). Σε περίπτωση που θέλετε να επισκεφτείτε την πόλη κατά τη διάρκεια της Διεθνούς Έκθεσης ή του Φεστιβάλ Κινηματογράφου, καλό θα είναι να έχετε εξασφαλίσει τη διαμονή σας αρκετό καιρό πριν, καθώς, αυτό το διάστημα, η πληρότητα είναι εξαιρετικά αυξημένη.

Photo of OTE tower

2009-01-17T18:21:00.000-08:00

photo by: karpidis

Riding a bike naked in Salonica

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The first international naked bike ride in Greece, against excessive car use was to be held in June 2008 in Salonica. However, some conservative voices are still loud in Greece. The naked ride still took place, though, with the riders wearing their bathing costumes. A totally naked protester was arrested by the police and was let free after a while, following the demands of his fellow protesters.

Salonica Airport

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Thessaloniki Airport (Macedonia International Airport) is about 15kms far from the city centre, towards the east. There is a frequent bus service (number 78, outside the arrivals hall), which runs every 30-50 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a taxi (it will cost you around 15-20 euro to get to the city centre), that can be easily found outside the airport terminal.

Top 10 things to do in Thessalonika

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If you have a short time in the city, take the map of Salonica and follow the next tips:

1. Visit the Archaeological Museum of the city, admire the ancient Greek treasures and the Macedonian empire that started from here
2. Visit the White Tower, now used as a museum. Climb up to the last floor and enjoy a panoramic view of the city
3. Take a walk on the seafront
4. Have a frappe at some trendy cafe or at one of the bars of the seaside road leoforos Nikis
5. Visit the Kamara and the Rotonda
6. Enjoy greek food at plateia athonos
7. Go up to the Castles, go to some tavern at the area and watch the city from up there
8. Visit vergina, outside Thessaloniki, the place where the tomb of Philip, the father of Alexander the Great was found
9. Visit Athytos, a traditional village on the first peninsula of Chalkidiki
10. Take a walk on Tsimiski, the commercial street of Thessaloniki. See the locals, mix with them and have a gyros

Panoramic view of Salonica

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photo by: mariettaki

Salonica Weather

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The weather in Thessalonika is characterized as mediterranean and humid. Winters are mild but there are usually some days when it can get really cold, especially end of December, beginning of January. Summers are quite warm. Thessaloniki's weather is characerized by humidity which makes phenomena feel even more intense. However, the city of Salonica enjoys sunshine many days per year, and the average hours of sunshine is around 10 hours per day from June till August and 3 or 4 from December to February. Many people visit some nearby beach beginning of May, while many summer clubs open officialy the 1st of May.

Salonica Weather links:

http://weather.in.gr/weathercity.php?ID=16622&ContinentCode=1

Salonica Buses map

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This is a buses map of Salonica:

http://www.oasth.gr/service/map_eng.php

Alexander the Great

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photo by: karpidis

the history of frappé...

2009-01-13T17:52:00.000-08:00

Take one or two spoonfuls of instant coffee, sugar, fill a shaker or glass with one centimeter of water, shake or use a mixer, add milk if you like, complete with water and you'va got it: A Frappe... All you need now is the greek sun and a tavli... At least the sun was there when the greek representative of Nestle, back in 1957, during the International Fair of Thessaloniki had no hot water to make his coffee... So, he decided to use the shaker that his colleagues were using to prepare a kids chocolate drink. And there is was: The first Frape in history!

Frape Coffee comes either with milk or not, and is separated in three classes depending on the amount of sugar: plain, medium, sweet. It is enjoyed throughout the year, and, yes, Salonica is still the capital of frape! Tourists now tend to treat frappe with the same curiosity and taste as they do with Greek Salad and Ouzo. You can have it with ice cream or bailey's (!!) if you want!!

Frappe Coffee, although commercially not really spread abroad, can be found at some Universities cafeterias in Europe, some supermarkets in Germany, a hip-hop festival in Czeck Republic (!!), in Istanbul, and in Bucurest...

But, be careful! Frappe coffee is not like espresso... enjoy it slowly... greeks take even hours to finish it!

From Salonica to Chalkidiki

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photo by: adam_anastasia

Many foreigners land at Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport during summer and go straight to Chalkidiki... Actually, in Greece there are the islands and, for the locals of Thessaloniki, there is Chalkidiki. A common joke that the rest of greeks say about thessalonians is that, wherever they go for summer, apart from Chalkidiki, at the end they will say: It's fine but nothing to do with Chalkidiki........

Indeed, Chalkidiki has it all: A very long coastline ending to three peninsulas: The first leg (as greeks call them) is one of the top destinations for clubbing, sea games, luxury hotels but cheaper rooms as well, and everything that would keep the visitor on the alert...

The second leg, in contrast, is very different: Dreamy beaches, small villages, pine trees and a smell of nature everywhere.

Many people know that the third leg is some sort of an autonomous state of monasteries, where only men are allowed to enter.

Ammouliani, the tiny island opposite Ouranoupolis is a small paradise itself. This tiny island can be walked from the one end to the other and, if you are tired, there is always the donkey-cab solution! Take a small boat to visit the surrounding deserted islands.

Salonica map

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Check this map of Salonica:

http://web.auth.gr/commcomb/maps.htm

Leoforos Nikis

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One part of the centre where Thessalonians adore going out is along the seaside road (Nikis street) , between the White tower and the port. There, one can choose among dozens of bars, always packed with young people. Sometimes bars are so full that you can see people standing and even dancing on the street, right in front of the bars!

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Leoforos Nikis map, Salonica

A morning in the autumn...

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photo by: tom.jiros

2009-01-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

Cycladic Museum in Athens:

The Salonica City Castle

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photo by: katsoyiannis89

Salonica Webcams

2009-01-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

Salonica Today, Now! watch thessaloniki live webcameras

city castles: http://www.saloniki.org/webcam/webcam_center2.htm
aristotle square: http://www.saloniki.org/webcam/webcam_aristotle_square.php
Galerius Arch: http://www.saloniki.org/webcam/webcam.htm

Salonica today....

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Today, the metropolitan area of Salonica (Thessaloniki) has about 1 million citizens. For this reason, the city is expanding, both towards the east and the west. Underground transportation is being constructed and the citizens of Thessaloniki are looking much forward to the completion of the works, as, heavy traffic is considered as one of the major problems of the city. The metro of Thessaloniki is going to be the most modern one in Europe and is expected to give a good relief to the suffocating city centre.

Thessaloniki International Film Festival, taking place every year around middle November, is a major event, not only for the city of Thessaloniki but, thanks to its high prestige and its development for the cinephiles around the world. In 2009, the festival already counts 49 years of existence and hosted some of the most important workers of the seventh art...

The International Fair of Thessaloniki, held since 1926, constitutes a major event for the city. It is the largest expo in Greece and the Balkans and, every year, it attracts hundreds of companies. It is a very important commercial event but, also, it constitutes a celebration for the city as it does not refer only to proffesionals but its gates are open to the public.

going out in thessaloniki

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For many greeks, Thessaloniki is the place to be in Greece. With three Univeristies (Aristotle University, University of Macedonia and Technical Institute of Sindos), and a one million population, thessaloniki has a very intense and tempting nightlife. A multitude of bars, clubs, tavernas, theatres and restaurants have made this city one of the liveliest places in Europe. It is truly not so common to find so many people enjoying a walk out, a drink in a bar, or a walk at the seaside, at 3am, on a weekday, any time of the year. This is one of the elements that make this place feel so welcoming and warm.

The rest of the city center also offers a variety of choices. In the narrow streets behind the white tower, there are lots of rock bars

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and a few meters in the north, closer to the University campus, there is an abundance of cafeterias where groups of friends gather to chat and play table games or backgammon (Melenikou str, Aggelaki str, Alex. Svolou str).

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Salonica, today
is considered to be the gastronomical capital of Greece. The city itself, situated at a critical point, has always been host to different cultures (Greeks, Jewish, Slavs, Bulgarians, Turkish), while many greeks came to Thessaloniki leaving their homes in Turkey and the areas around the Pontic Sea during the first half of the 20th century. As a result, the cuisine is an extraordinary mix of mediterranean, greek, and turkish tastes, and the city has a great variety of restaurants. Plateia Athonos is host to many traditional tavernas. It is a small neighboorhood that, during the morning is a bazaar and later on people gather to have some greek ouzo and food. Ladadika, another traditional old neighborhood behind the port also has a lot to offer.

useful links:

http://www.viewtonight.gr/modules/thess_guide/
http://www.fantasticgreece.com/destination-guides/thessaloniki-nightlife-guide.asp
http://www.filmfestival.gr/default.aspx?lang=en-US&page=448

Thessaloniki Greece... Early Years...

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Thessaloniki is a young city!! More precisely, in 2009, Thessaloniki will celebrate its 2325th year of life. It was founded in the year 315 BC by Kassander, during the times when Macedonia was ruling a big part of of the known world. Cassander was a really gifted and intelligent man. The needs of the times, as well as the rapid development of Macedonia made necessary the construction of big ports. The capital of Macedonia, Pella, was a few kilometers far from Thessaloniki, and wouldonly communicate with the sea through Aksios river. Seeing those needs, Kassander constructed Kassandreia, on the first peninsula of Chalkidiki, and Thessaloniki, named after his wife, Thessaloniki, who was also Alexander the Great's sister. The location of the city was not random: It was built at the top of a small bay, surrounded by hills, taking, in this way, an amphitheatrical shape which, in comparison with the Ippodameion town planning style (straight roads, square buildings), gave to the city an uncomparable charm.

Welcome

2009-01-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

This blogspot is intended to help people from Thessaloniki, Greece, and anywhere in the world to get to know the second largest city of Greece, Thessaloniki, Salonica, Salonicco, Selânik, Θεσσαλονίκη... Photos, ideas, facts, suggestions and useful information is the primary aim of the blog, so that people who wish to travel here,use this webspace as their base. Anyways, everyone who has been to this city agrees that it definately deserves more than just passing by on the way to the beaches of Chalkidiki or thei way to the rest of Greece from the north.