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September 2016, Thessaloniki – Greece 

We’re finally reaching the surprising Thessaloniki, after a 9-hours drive. It’s a well-deserved 2-days break, on our way to Lefkada Island in Greece.

Going back to a stormy history in the Roman period, becoming a wealthy city of the Byzantine Empire, then passed from the Ottoman Empire to modern Greece, Salonic is now the second major Greek city after Athens, an important transportation hub in southwest Europe and, to be honest, a place of contrasts.

From the moment we enter the city, we realize there is no single place to park the car. Narrow streets are densely packed with cars each side of the road, almost on top of each other.

Tourists and locals are wandering around in the same manner as the cars. Restaurants, bars and pubs are full everywhere.

Teenagers are walking in ‘small’ groups of 10-15, all with the same structure: girls, girls, girls. Where are all the guys around here?

Ok, so these people like to go out. Figured that out in the first hour. It takes some time to get used to the city rhythm, but in the end it’s starting to grow on you.

Later in the evening we are walking along the harbour. All the noise disappears in the dark. It’s just you and your thoughts.

The last stop of the night is for a traditional Greek meal and wine, at a cosy restaurant nearby.

As we are indulging in local delicacies, we realize the sweets sin has just begun: Trigona (pastry with cream inside and crispy outside), Loukoumades (little donuts with honey and walnuts), Bougatsan (fusion between a croissant and a custard pie), authentic sticky-texture ice cream, are just the few i can remember. There are more!

The second day we are full of energy. Not sure where it is coming from, since we couldn’t sleep much the day before. Did I mention the pubs are full all night?

As for points of interest, check out Aristotelous Square, the place everyone meets in Thessaloniki.

Then, climb to the White Tower, a former prison and scene of mass executions during the Ottoman rule. Great city view from out there.

Our final destination is the Archaeological Museum, where we spend a few hours discovering the history of the city from the prehistoric times to Late Antiquity, ancient artefacts from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods and the culture of gold in Macedonia.

It’s time to pack and go. We leave behind this stormy, vibrant, cosmopolitan city. But the beach is waiting.

Lefkada, here we come! 🙂

Tips

• We stayed at Tourist Hotel, right in the heart of the city. The place has been recently renovated and looks great.
• We found a private parking nearby. It was empty, of course. The cost is pretty high (15 eur/night), but at least the car is safe and not in the middle of the chaotic traffic.

Happy travels and stay safe!