Relaxing Things To See In Thessaloniki

An Overview Of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is an amazing Greek port city facing the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. The city contains ruins and influences from Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations, most especially in the Ano Poli Upper Town area. With numerous archaeological sites, great museums, delicious local foods, a great seafood market and robust nightlife, there are many relaxing things to see in Thessaloniki.

Relaxing Things To See In Thessaloniki

White Tower of Thessaloniki

This is a monument-museum located on the waterfront of Thessaloniki. The prominent landmark was used by the Ottomans as a fortress, prison and garrison at different points in history. Despite the landmark’s prominence, it has a dark history of being the location where Sultan Mahmud II massacred Janissaries rebels who had been imprisoned within.

Aristotelous Square

This is the main, central square of Thessaloniki. The openly faces the waterfront and much of the surrounding area is bordered by beautiful buildings and several famous statues, including one dedicated to the legendary mathematician, Aristotle.

Hagios Demetrios (The Church of Saint Demetrius)

This is the main sanctuary dedicated to Saint Demetrius, the patron saint of Thessaloniki. Demetrios was one of the most important Orthodox military saints following his legendary defense of the citizens of ancient Thessaloniki. He is credited with protective inventions, defenses against barbarians, deterring plagues and healing the sick.

The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina) 

These royal tombs were built by ancient Kingdom of Macedon at Aigai. It’s comprised of three Macedonian tombs, two hypostyle tombs and a group of cist graves. The site also contains the they contain the burial cluster of Philip II of Macedon. The tombs and museum are roughly a one hour drive to the West of Thessaloniki. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to it’s surprising beauty and historical potence.

Arch of Galerius

The Arch of Galerius honors the Roman Emperor Galerius’ victory over the Persians. The Arch leads to the famous Rotunda and has well-preserved, dynamic reliefs depicting events of the war and victory.

Thessaloniki Train Cemetery

Found on the outskirts of Thessaloniki, this is a outdoor storage facility which is home to thousands of rusted, vandalized railroad cars. The Hellenic Railways Organisation, Greece’s national railway company, continually retire their decommissioned trains in the ever-growing graveyard.

Pasha Gardens

This is a small, barely-known park filled with half-ruined structures, strange fountains, and half-pillaged ruins. Though the site was likely once a large, open garden, the original constructions were likely damaged by migrants who used the materials to build houses. Much of the garden space is built in an unusual, Gaudí-like-style around a singular ornate fountains ringed by a tunnel leading to nowhere. Mysterious shapes and symbols can be found throughout.

Heptapyrgion Fortress

This is a centuries-old abandoned fortress complex, tainted by a history of torture and executions. The Heptapyrgion Fortress was originally constructed during the Byzantine Era, but the modern version was rebuilt by the Ottomans following their conquest of they city. Aside from serving as a defensive structure, the fortress held political prisoners during period of fascism, Nazi occupation and the civil war which followed.

Rotunda Roman Temple

This distinct, circular building was a Roman house of worship, famed for its intricate mosaics. The Rotunda can be found next to the Arch of Galerius in the city center. It is widely considered the greatest Roman temple in the region, originally used for religious ceremonies. The building has been used as a pagan house of worship, a mosque a church and now a church-museum combination.

The Umbrellas

This is the most popularly-photographed art feature of the city. Facing the beautiful seafront of Thessaloniki, these curious sculptures stand in tall lines with tilted, metal umbrellas on them. Braced against a western sunset, they’re an eye-catching part of the city. The umbrellas are located near other famous attractions, such as the White Tower, a few museums (Museum of Byzantine Culture, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, War Museum of Thessaloniki, Radio Museum Thessaloniki) and the statue of Alexander the Great.

Folklife & Ethnological Museum of Macedonia & Thrace

This is a rich ethnological museum focusing on the costumes, attire, crafts, weapons and lifestyles from Ancient Greek tribes, city-states and communities. The museum heavily focuses on the traditional culture of Macedonia and Trace, presenting over 15.000 objects including woven textiles, tools, domestic articles, musical instruments, woodcarving artworks and metalworking equipment.

Byzantine Watermills

This is a small ruin in a patch of forested area near the Open Theatre Byzantines Watermills performance center. It’s considered a decent place to relax.

Zeitenlik 

Zeitenlik is the largest military cemetary in Greece, containing the graves of over 20,000 soldiers who lost their lives on the Macedonian Front. The site contains memorials honoring World War 1 and the Allied soldiers who served, including Serbian, French, British, Italian, Russian, Greek and Bulgarian POWs.

Thessaloniki Waterfront

Thessaloniki’s community urban redesign project created this stunning waterfront space: A 6 kilometer long promenade following the shore, extending from the White Tower to the Concern Hall. This is one of the most relaxing things to see in Thessaloniki. The walk is divided into specific “gardens” which adhere to different artistic themes. The Road Safety Park has a miniture road network for children to ride bikes through “a mini-town.” The Afternoon Sun Garden has access to numerous art projects and sculptures. The Sculptures garden is home to strange art and small fountain features. The Water Garden contains lily pools and turtles.

Axios National Park

This is a magnificent river delta and unique habitat found to the south of Thessaloniki. Otters, terrapins, ground squirrels, dragonflies and vast wetlands can be found in the region. Trails follow aquatic ecosystems past lookout towers, reed beds and riverbank trails. The National park also contains the archaeological site of ancient Pydna.

Archaeological Museum of Pella

Found near the stunning ruins of the Archaeological Site of Pella, this small museum discusses the unique features of this ancient site, including the temple to a goddess a well-preserved Agora site. There are numerous unique mosaics and other structures.

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