Thessaloniki can be explored from different perspectives: the extent of the city walls, the clearly dated history of the Church of Aghios Dimitrios, and two markets with distinct profiles. When choosing a hotel, it helps to first consider which of these aspects you want to shape your stay. The layout of the historic centre provides a framework for getting your bearings; history and visits to the markets offer other specific points of reference.

Getting your bearings in the historic centre

Thessaloniki’s main visitor area in the historic centre stretches along the coast between the port and the White Tower. Inland, it runs parallel to the Roman-Byzantine city walls as far as the Upper Town. When getting your bearings in the historic centre, you can distinguish between the coastal stretch and the area inland that runs parallel to the walls. This orientation helps you see the city not only through its individual monuments, but also in terms of the extent of its central visitor area.

The city walls as a historic monument

Among the monuments in Thessaloniki included on the World Heritage List are the city walls, which are 4 km long. This figure makes their extent tangible and sets them apart from a single building. For visitors looking to put historic monuments into perspective, this offers a distinct scale: here, the monument’s length shapes the view of the city’s history.

Aghios Dimitrios: Destruction and reconstruction

At Aghios Dimitrios, the focus is on the history of a single building. The church was almost completely destroyed in the fire of 1917 and rebuilt between 1918 and 1948. This chronology links a specific turning point with a lengthy reconstruction. The contrast with the city walls is different: there, the monument’s length stands out; here, it is the clearly dated sequence of destruction and reconstruction.

Markets with distinct profiles

Modiano Market

Modiano Market is Thessaloniki’s central marketplace. It includes tavernas and bars as well as stalls selling meat, fish, spices and other goods. The market therefore brings together food and drink venues and market stalls; the specific offerings may change. This mix is what matters when considering the market: it includes both places to eat and drink and a range of different stalls.

Bit Bazaar

Bit Bazaar has a different emphasis. Its tavernas and bars are considered relatively inexpensive and are particularly popular with students. Prices may change over time, so this should not be taken as a fixed guide to individual costs.

Choose a focus for your trip

For your trip planning, the topics can be grouped into two categories: the city walls and Aghios Dimitrios offer different perspectives on history—the length of a monument and the dated sequence of destruction and reconstruction. At Modiano Market, tavernas and bars are combined with market stalls; at Bit Bazaar, the particular popularity of its venues with students is a distinguishing feature.

Discover more destinations: Lagyna, Perivolaki, Analipsi, Kalamaria, Neapoli, Tagarades, Loutra Volvis, Thermi

For the main travel overview: Thessaloniki.