Getting here from a number of UK airports is easy in the Summer months but more challenging in Winter. If you are travelling from the North East UK you can currently fly direct with Jet2 from Newcastle Upon Tyne if you can stay a week, for shorter stays try Leeds Bradford, also Jet2 for outward flights on Saturdays and returning on Wednesdays. No specific entry requirements are currently needed apart from the usual passport regulations.
Know: Thessaloniki in July in 2019 was pretty hot as temperatures soared to above 40 degrees. In fact here we are baking in May in 2022 with averages of 30 degrees daily! Posh Mum however is little daunted by this, with the air-conditioning alongside the iced water served at every outlet. If you are here for leisure, pacing oneself, keeping to shady areas, choosing the right moment to stroll along the promenade facing the Aegean, steeping oneself in historic buildings, museums etc. would do the trick. Of course, a cool ouzo and lemonade, or perhaps an ice cold homemade lemonade or ice cold Greek beer helps things along the way too.
Stay: The boutique style Excelsior is well-located and has a well-deserved reputation on the review sites – Posh Mum was very pleased to see complimentary homemade sweets in the room after our warm welcome by the professional duty team. Breakfast is a pleasant and dignified affair, working well for business guests as well as tourists, offering a range of items as well as cooked to order dishes – and great coffee. I loved this hotel so much in 2019 here I am again in 2022. This is our first overseas holiday since the first UK lockdown in 2020.
Unfortunately Posh Mum developed a terrible tooth abscess and in result a very swollen face. This was the legacy I think of poor dental work at home. However the exceptionally helpful receptionist at the Excelsior organised an appointment with a great English speaking dentist who managed to fit me into at short notice. Grigoris kindly sorted me with emergency treatment and prescribed antibiotics for an infection. I wish he would set up in Sunderland. He was superb. You lucky Thessaloniki people can find him at 42 Tsmiski Street.
Relax: The pace of life is pretty relaxed here, although as in most major cities the traffic can be challenging. I gather that the Thessaloniki metro construction begun in 2015 is now well underway to alleviate this. Expect and receive warmth and genuineness from the locals. Was here for work on my first visit so didn’t get too much relaxation but the aura of calm could nevertheless be felt everywhere. In 2022 we are here in May and alhough the weather is already very hot strolling in partial shade at the promenade is quite doable.
Cafe scene: Thessalonikans certainly like their coffee and have an incredible array of sweet treats to choose from alongside. There is immense pleasure to be had from tasting a delicate pastry alongside a fairly intense coffee. There are as you would imagine eateries of every description along the promenade area, but go up one of the streets leading to Tsimiski Street and you will find quieter places to people watch from whilst you contemplate on life.
The promenade: highlights include boat ride opportunities, gazing at the famous umbrellas sculpture, constructed by George Zongolopoulo (probably one of the most instagrammed exhibits), and then there is the White Tower, with its interior museum, the building dates from 15th Century, having been built by the Ottoman Turks.
Get around why not catch the municipal bus 50 from the white tower? A very informative tour still costs less than 2 euros. Pick up from the white tower near to where the red tourist bus leaves. Although the 50 is a pay per journey bus rather than hop on and off its a great way of helping you to narrow down what you want to see during your visit.
By train can be challenging! The published timetable was different at the station ticket counter. The train actually departed for Edessa waterfalls later than we were told. Finding the platform pure guesswork and then on boarding told that the train only went to Platy where we were transferred to a coach! The waterfalls are stunning though.
History: If you have a penchant for museums, and are here for leisure and have the time, it could be worth your while getting a multi entry ticket, giving access over 3 days to the White Tower, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and others is 15 euros, click.http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh155.jsp?obj_id=3332
Over and above the museums there are many ancient sights to behold, including the Yahudi Hamam, the 4th century Rotunda, the picturesque and busy, and cafe laden Aristotelous Square, and many beautiful churches dating to the early centuries ad.
The Eptapyrgio Castle dates from around 4th century although it’s many towers were built in the 1400’s when the Turkish empire spread its wings into Thessaloniki.
Food scene here is vast and whilst as you would expect there are more tourist oriented restaurants there are many which have a reputation for being authentic yet affordable. One that stands out is The Canteen, who do a truly amazing beetroot salad, washed down with an awesome homemade lemonade. Another very nice restaurant on the headland is Kitchen, good quality food, no gimmicks, pleasant dinner watching the tourist rustic boat trips in the Aegean harbour. Wandering around Aristotelous
area we found https://indianchef-restaurant.gr/ to our liking. The most beautiful byriani ever in my opinion.
Hawkers – expect to be somewhat hassled unfortunately as you enjoy your al fresco dinner. Posh Mum was decidedly vexed to be prodded with a rose a hawker was trying to sell. Far better for these sellers to stand still. Show clearly the price of a rose and no doubt buyers will approach them. No one buys at their dinner table so improve your tactics! There are also beggars. One wheelchair bound one is incredibly rude.
Next time: Will again visit for leisure, probably in a dark UK month when the sun will still warm the soul here, but perhaps not so intensely. Do consider Thessaloniki there’s little not to like but so much to discover, the choice is yours.
Posh Mum's Journeys 