Athens and Thessaloniki: Europe, the Mediterranean, the East and West and the Balkans, all rolled into one. Discover the colours, rhythms, history, attractions, and vibrant life of the two biggest cities in Greece. They will charm you…
City break in Athens
Your airplane makes its descent towards Athens. This metropolis with its infinite, rich history and modern vitality welcomes you to experience a weekend filled with incredible imagery. From the New Acropolis Museum to the Agora, ancient Greece will come to life before your eyes. The centre of Athens will surprise you. Walking through the neighbourhoods of Thiseion and Monastiraki, you’ll discover shops with old treasures alongside trendy boutiques. In picturesque Plaka and Anafiotika, you’ll think you’re on an island.
The Acropolis Museum, Athens
From cosmopolitan Kolonaki to the hip areas of Psyrri and Gazi, you’ll find cool cafes, bars and clubs with a lively Mediterranean vibe. From the neighbourhoods of Athens, to the seaside restaurants serving fresh seafood, you’ll savour the flavours of both traditional and creative gourmet cuisine. If you have time, the beach is at your fingertips: the Athens Riviera, populated with resorts and beach bars, is the perfect short-break holiday.
Temple of Poseidon, Athens
And a little further down the coast, you’ll find Sounion and its magical sunset turning the Temple of Poseidon all shades of pink and red. Athens offers many high quality accommodation options: from historic hotels in the centre, to boutique and art hotels, large international hotel chains, city and business hotels and, of course, luxury seaside resorts & spas.
A stroll through the centuries of Greek history
Start with the Ancient Agora and its monuments from different eras: the Golden Age of Pericles, Hellenistic, Roman. Presided over by the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis. The cradle of civilisation beckons, so up you go. Your journey through the ages has begun – get to know the most significant stops:
- The Acropolis: Admire the sacred rock of humanity and the iconic Parthenon, that looks as if it’s about to lift off into the Attica sky.
- Odeion of Herodes Attica (Herodion): This open-air ancient theatre still hosts live performances, including the Athens Festival, one of the biggest cultural events in Athens.
- Theatre of Dionysus: The most significant theatre of Ancient Athens. Discover it!
- Columns of Olympian Zeus: You’ll find them soon after the Arch of Hadrian.
- The Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro): Originally built in 329 BC, and then reconstructed with marble in the middle of 2nd century AD.
The Museums of Athens
You’ll find a multitude of museums in Athens, with a rich history and important exhibits.
- New Acropolis Museum: Significant exhibits, spectacular architecture and a contemporary museum concept.
- National Historical Museum: Enjoy the permanent collection on the history of Modern Greece.
- Museum of Cycladic Art: You’ll find artefacts from ancient cultures of the Aegean, with an emphasis on Cycladic art.
- Benaki Museum: Impressive collections that guide you through Hellenism through the ages.
- National Archaeological Museum: One of the most important museums in the world.
The most popular sights and attractions in Athens
- The neighbourhoods of Athens: Plaka, Monastiraki, Thiseio, Kolokotroni Square and the area around Lycabettus Hill.
- The Athenian Trilogy: Academy, University, Library. The famous Athenian Trilogy on Panepistimiou Street. Perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings in the centre of Athens.
- Art and Music: The National Gallery exhibits more than 15,000 important works of art, while at the Megaron (Athens Concert Hall) you’ll enjoy concerts and performances.
- Athens’ nightlife: Kolonaki, Psyrri, Gazi, Kerameikos: Dozens of cafes, bars, restaurants, ouzeries, gay bars, theatres, galleries, stores and concert halls.
City break in Thessaloniki
You’re heading up to Northern Greece. There, ‘The Bride of the North,’ Thessaloniki will greet you; a city with a long history and unique vitality The White Tower, Ano Poli, Aristotelous Avenue, shopping on Tsimiski Street, bar hopping on Valaoritou Avenue, the International Film Festival held in the warehouses of the port, live music at Laladadika’s eateries, walks through the vaulted arches and the open air markets, visits to museums and Byzantine monuments.
Thessaloniki is famous for its gastronomy. Here you’ll eat to your heart’s content, your plates brimming with Mediterranean cuisine, peppered with the influences of Asia Minor.
The choice of accommodation in Thessaloniki are endless: restored mansions, boutique hotels, city hotels for business travellers, hotels with casinos and one impressive art-design hotel. No matter where you stay, you won’t want to leave.
THESSALONIKI: A MELTING POT OF CULTURES
Get to know the multitude of cultures that coexisted for centuries in Thessaloniki. During your visit to Thessaloniki, it’s worth making a stop at these three significant landmarks:
- Arch of Galerius and Rotunda: the Palace, the Arch (Kamara) and the impressive Rotunda reminiscent of the Pantheon.
- Jewish Museum: in an elegant listed building of 1904 on Agiou Mina Street, recreating the life of the Jewish community in pre-War Salonica and its subsequent extermination by the Nazis.
- The former home of Kemal Ataturk, now a museum.
The most popular sights and attractions in Thessaloniki
- Thessaloniki’s old waterfront: The most popular and beloved stroll in the city.
- Ano Poli: Wander the narrow lanes of Ano Poli, one of the oldest districts of Thessaloniki above the modern town.
- The centre of Thessaloniki: Walk from the iconic 16th century White Tower to Aristotelous Square.
- Ladadika: The old and exceptionally popular area of Thessaloniki’s market, at the port.
Book Best Hotel Before Your Trip to Halkidiki
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Things to Do in Halkidiki
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