In 316 B.C. at the inlet of Thermaikos Gulf ancient king Kassandros founded a new city, which he named for his wife Thessaloniki, stepsister of Alexander the Great.
For centuries, as co-capital of the Byzantine empire and afterwards, Thessaloniki was the crossroads of nations and has attracted many foreign rule thus establishing an international character by sustaining the coexistence of various and diverse civilisations, religions and cultures.
Today as we entered the 21st century, Greece’s second largest city has become the headquarters of many organisations and institutions aimed at the reconstruction and development of the Balkans.
Innumerable Byzantine monuments and churches, the magnificent findings from the royal tombs in Vergina, the famous national theatre, an outstanding cuisine, its intensive night-life and its proximity to the suburbs beaches of Halkidiki, make modern Thessaloniki an even more attractive point for tourism in Greece.
Since the sixties, NCTh premises are situated in Kalamaria, region in the eastern part of Thessaloniki, which in 1954 became an independent municipality.
Kalamaria
Settled by refugees from Asia Minor in the beginning of the last century, Kalamaria today is considered one of the most attractive regions of Major Thessaloniki.
Opposite to Kalamaria’s huge coastline with nautical clubs, Thessaloniki’s official marina and it’s traditional beach you can admire majestic Olympus, residence of ancient Greek gods, as well as a marvelous sunset, considered one of the most impressive in Greece.
Culture
Due to the city’s rich and diverse history, Thessaloniki houses many museums dealing with many different eras in history. Two of the city’s most famous museums include the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and the Museum of Byzantine Culture.
Apart from its recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Thessaloniki is home to a number of prominent archaeological sites worth visiting.
Food and wine
The second largest city of this Mediterranean country, Thessaloniki is a paradise for foodies. While displaying its historical landmarks, the sun- drenched, charming and eastern-flavored Salonika (as the city was previously known as) offers its visitors the opportunity to discover the Greek cuisine with all its original dishes and culinary influences.
If you truly wish to discover the secrets of the Macedonian wine, the wineries of Epanomi, Kalohori, Osa and Askos Sohou are the right places to begin with! Important, historic locations like the “Gerovasileiou” domain will gladly accept you.
Nightlife
Thessaloniki used to be called “the city that never sleeps”, just like NYC. Even though this is not totally true anymore, you can always find another place to go for another beer, in case you really wanna stay out till the morning.
The city’s nightlife has been changing a lot, during the last 10 years, but it has always been very versatile. You can do pretty much anything you’d possibly like. From trendy cocktail bars to old-school rock bars and from bar with live music to bouzoukia, you can still find a place to satisfy your needs and desires as a guest.
Shopping
Shopping is one thing that you will definitely enjoy during your stay in Thessaloniki. The city offers plenty of options so that no taste or wallet are left unsatisfied.
In addition, the city offers a variety of shopping malls in order to make shopping more easy and fun.
Nearby
There are a lot of destinations near Thessaloniki worth visiting as the sandy beaches of Halkidiki, the historical site and museum of Vergina, the spiritual and monastic center of the Orthodox World, Mount Athos, and for outdoor enthusiasts Mount Olympus offers a variety of activities to engage in.