Thessaloniki – Initial Exploration via City Walk
- Written by Portal Editor
Thessaloniki – Toni Zampetas (from Camping Zampetas) had suggested that, rather than driving our own vehicle into Thessaloniki, we should take the passenger ferry across the Thermaic Gulf from Peraia a service that becomes available in late May.
This was an important and excellent tip, as there is only a very small information board on-site indicating the ferry’s departure and arrival times; without a local pointing it out, one might never even think of this option. Even better, however, was discovering after our first walk that Thessaloniki also boasts a network of bicycle paths, which we plan to explore further.
The ferry arrives at the pier right next to the White Tower; after a roughly one-hour crossing costing €2.50, you find yourself directly in the city centre and you can even bring your bicycles along.
The White Tower is considered one of Thessaloniki’s landmarks; it was once part of the city’s fortifications and served as a prison during Ottoman rule though its colour isn't exactly white. We were told that the name and the colour "white" should be understood more as a symbol of freedom and independence.
Today, the White Tower houses a museum dedicated to the history and development of Thessaloniki. It is well worth a visit if you are interested in the subject, offering a journey through the city's eventful past that serves as an excellent foundation for understanding its evolution during city walks. There is also a fantastic panoramic view from the top of the tower.
Our first stop is the Archaeological Museum, reached via a path through the city park. Overall, Thessaloniki makes a very well-kept, green impression here; the abundance of large trees is particularly striking, especially given the heavy traffic. Much like Berlin, Thessaloniki has its own "Museum Island" or at least a cluster of significant museums located close together; alongside the Archaeological Museum, you will find the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art.
A short while later, hunger drives us to a small restaurant serving exceptional dishes all featuring chicken and freshly prepared. The food is delicious, beautifully presented, and very reasonably priced.
Refreshed, we continue to the former city gate or rather, the Triumphal Arch of the Roman general Galerius, who once conquered the city. Running parallel to this is the modern-day version of the famous Via Egnatia, now one of Thessaloniki’s main thoroughfares. We do not yet know if any original sections of the Roman Via Egnatia still exist here.
Not far from the Triumphal Arch, we arrive at the truly impressive Rotunda, one of the largest domed circular structures from the Roman era. Unfortunately, it closes at 3:00 PM, so a return visit will be necessary.
It is also time for us to think about heading back, as we want to catch the 5:00 PM ferry. Incidentally, the last ferry back leaves at 7:00 PM. Next time, we’ll come by bicycle.
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