Greece’s Second City, Thessaloniki, Is a First-Rate Destination

I could never understand the value of being a predictable tourist. Why venture to an alluring destination only to eat fast food and participate in activities that can be easily done at home?

Nevertheless predictable is exactly what I was when I visited Thessaloniki, a port city on the Thermaic Gulf. With so many exciting restaurants to choose from what do you think my wife Brenda and I had for dinner on our first night in the vibrant city? We purchased a giant gyro stuffed with fries and layers of tzatziki sauce, of course.

Predictability be damned. I ripped into that helpless gyro as if it had personally insulted me.  And Brenda, who is always keen to point out my unhealthy dietary choices, was unapologetically eating her saucy gyro beside me. In that delightful moment on a patio near the water, devouring a juicy delicacy, like a typical tourist, was the right thing to do.

Makedonia Palace Hotel and Pedestrian Walkway

The capital city of Greece gets most tourist love but for our trip Athens was a runner-up to Thessaloniki for overall appeal. Known for wine and steeped in history, Greece’s second largest city is blessed with architecture, historic landmarks, and a culinary scene that can match up against most destinations in the world.

We stayed at the stunning Makedonia Palace Hotel. A short walk from several attractions including the White Tower, Makedonia Palace is one of the city’s most prestigious and iconic hotels.

Makedonia’s lovely architecture, features and location aside, it is chef Sotiris Evangelou who truly shines. Salonica Restaurant has won two consecutive “Toques d’Or” awards in 2020 and 2021 as Thessaloniki’s top restaurant. One of Greece’s most celebrated chefs with a career that has spanned decades, Evangelou uses his expertise with Greek and Mediterranean cuisine to deliver exceptional plates that include the finest local ingredients. 

After a day in the city Brenda and I decided to have dinner at the Makedonia Palace. We shared several appetizers including the octopus and calamari, two dishes my wife normally wouldn’t try. It’s a testament to Evangelou that only clean plates were left on our table at the end of the evening.

Greek Markets Steeped in History

During our stay we were able to check out Agora Modiano, a covered market that can be accessed from Ermou and Vasilieos Irakleiou streets through the main entrances. Brenda and I sampled authentic food items from a variety of international cuisines. As beautiful as the market is, we also enjoyed the surrounding area where we were able to sip coffee, people-watch and rest between activities. Another market to check out is Kapani (Vlali) Market, the oldest in Thessaloniki and only a short distance from Agora Modiano.

Whether you are interested in fine dining or small diners, Thessaloniki has something for every taste. There are many noteworthy restaurants in the city; I was able to visit Kioupia, Halaro, Akadimia Art Restaurant, and Maiami Seafood Restaurant.

World-class Wines and Museums in Greece

The food in Thessaloniki is fantastic but it is the wine for which the region is known. Located roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) southeast of Thessaloniki are the protected designation of origin (PDO) Slopes of Meliton and the protected geographical indication (PGI) Sithonia.

These designations ensure that the wines are from these high-quality regions. The wine-growing area sits on the middle leg of the Sithonia peninsula, on the western slopes of Mount Meliton. It is home to Domaine Porto Carras, one of the oldest vineyards in Greece and one of the largest single organic vineyards in Europe.

Visiting Domaine Porto Carras was a much different experience than the vineyards I am accustomed to in Canada’s Niagara Region and Nova Scotia. The landscape was hilly, steep, and much warmer than home. It was enjoyable to visit the vineyard and taste an array of wines.

If you have time make a point to get out of town. Alexander the Great himself was born a short distance away in the ancient city of Pella. You can see a statue of Alexander on the pedestrian walkway.

Axios Delta National Park, a critical ecosystem in Greece and Europe consisting of the Kalochori Lagoon, the Gallikos river estuary, and the Alyki Kitrous Lagoon is also a landmark attraction in Pieria. An expanse of protected wetlands covering more than 380 square kilometers (147 square miles), Axios Delta National Park is home to hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals, and amphibians.

Another pleasant one-hour day trip to consider is the Archaeological Museum of Dion, which displays finds from the excavations on its archaeological site and is packed with votive statues, grave monuments, and a large collection of coins.

So how did we wrap up our delightful adventure? After our visit to the museum Brenda and I decided to extend our journey 20 minutes south to Panteleimonas Beach for a delightful lunch at Gallaria Restaurant, where we filled up on pizza and gyros. After that we headed for the beach-side umbrellas and enjoyed the sun before cooling off in the chilly waters of the Thermaic Gulf.

Predictable, I know, but how can you blame us? Driving along the water on a bright summer day, grabbing a gyro with a cold beer and diving into the waves just seemed like the right thing to do.

MORE ABOUT VISITING THESSALONIKI

Thessalonik Travel Website: thessaloniki.travel

Visit Greece: www.visitgreece.gr

Thessaloniki International Airport Macedonia: https://www.skg-airport.gr/en