Description

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece‚ with over 1 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. Thessaloniki is a popular tourist destination in Greece. The center of Thessaloniki is also considered the most popular destination for street photography in Greece. The city has always been known between Greeks for its vibrant city culture‚ including having the most cafe's and bars per-capita than any other city in Europe and as having some of the best nightlife and entertainment in the country‚ thanks to its large young population and multicultural feel. Trendy bars are scattered throughout the city and cater for all tastes‚ with many located on pedestrianized streets or along the coast‚ with sea views; while daily happenings and events take place throughout the city everyday.

The northernmost Byzantine walls of the city and parts of the western walls are still standing‚ as is the city's symbol - the White Tower‚ one of the 16th Century. AD fortified towers - which is the only surviving tower on the seafront. The rest of the walls are in the picturesque Upper Town which offers a spectacular view over the bay‚ especially in the late afternoon. Take a walk along the enormous seafront promenade (about 12 km altogether). See the the Roman Forum excavations.

The city is also known as "the mother of Israel"‚ due to the once flourishing Jewish community here‚ which existed from the Roman period and grew substantially after the Ottoman Empire took in Jewish refugees expelled from Spain‚ Portugal‚ and Spanish territories in Italy; these Jews are known as "Sephardim". Sephardic Jews formed a significant percentage of the city's population and infrastructure until World War II‚ when‚ in spring 1943‚ almost all were deported by the Nazis to the extermination camp at Auschwitz‚ never to return. However‚ there are still two Synagogues‚ and you can see the Jewish Museum.

Also interesting are the Turkish public baths Bey Hamam‚ the Bezesteni (Ottoman closed market for jewellery and precious materials) the Alatza Imaret (Ottoman poorhouse) and Hamza Bey Camii (both restored and used for exhibitions).

The traditional central food market‚ with hundreds of stalls selling meat‚ fish‚ fruit‚ vegetables (sometimes cheek-by-jowl‚ an unnerving experience for North Americans)‚ cheap clothes and shoes‚ flowers‚ herbs and spices‚ between Aristotele Square and Venizelou street.

Aristotelous Square-the biggest of the city-and the promenade with its cafes and restaurants.

The city has always been known between Greeks for its vibrant city culture‚ including having the most cafe's and bars per-capita than any other city in Europe (see: Drink); and as having some of the best nightlife and entertainment in the country‚ thanks to its large young population and multicultural feel. Trendy bars are scattered throughout the city and cater for all tastes‚ with many located on pedestrianized streets or along the coast‚ with sea views; while daily happenings and events take place throughout the city everyday.

Wethear