Visiting Modern Day
Thessaloniki by John Hilde
 If
you are taking a trip to Greece, then probably the second most visited
city would be Thessaloniki. A city of great historical significance, the
modern day city is a bustling location full of historical sites and
modern day conveniences.
It's a
good idea to stay in a hotel near downtown or the Aristotle Square. This
is the main area of the city and there are many sites to see in a
relatively short distance. Aristotle Square is a big concrete park for
pedestrians only. At the northern end of the square there are ancient
ruins for you to walk through and explore, including a Roman Amphitheatre.
Going
down the south side of the square you'll come to a wide pedestrian only
street with many shops, restaurants, and nicer hotels. Here you'll also
find American establishments such as Starbucks and McDonalds, which may
ruin the Greek mood.
Continuing
down the street you'll come to the Aegean Sea or the Gulf of
Thessaloniki. This is a very peaceful and beautiful walk. It's a great
place to take a jog in the morning or take a romantic walk with your
spouse. At night, this place comes to life as there are many cafes and
coffee shops along the sea. There are many 20-30 year olds that go out
every night and it's a great place to hang out to meet new people or just
get the experience.
There
are also some great specialty shops in Thessaloniki as well. You'll see
many shoe shops and women's clothing stores. While some of the prices may
be a little high (especially with the Euro to dollar exchange rate),
you'll still find some good deals. They'll also be tourist shops with
everything to Greek armor and Greek helmets to statues of famous persons in
Greece history. It will take a day or more just to walk around Aristotle
Square and the sea walkway.
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