A day at Thessaloniki

Yesterday, I visited the city of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece, and it immediately struck me with its vibrant, youthful energy. It’s a city full of students, thanks to its many universities, and it has a very distinct blend of modern life and deep tradition. What makes it even more special is its amazing food scene—from traditional Greek dishes to modern street food, every corner seems to smell like something delicious.

Thessaloniki is also a port city, which gives it a unique charm and openness. That’s why I decided to take a boat bar ride across the bay to enjoy an orange juice while watching the city from the sea. The views were absolutely stunning, especially as the sun began to set behind the city skyline and reflected off the waters of the Thermaikos Gulf.

Another thing that really fascinated me was the brand-new metro system. The construction of Thessaloniki’s metro has been ongoing for nearly 30 years, not because of inefficiency, but because whenever they started digging, they kept discovering ancient ruins beneath the modern city. Instead of removing them, they made the remarkable decision to preserve the ruins and incorporate them into the design of the stations. As a result, each metro stop will serve as a kind of underground museum, allowing commuters and visitors to witness remains of the ancient city that date back over 2,000 years—a perfect fusion of the old and the new.

I also visited the city’s famous Kapani Market, a lively place full of character and sounds, where you can find fresh fish from the Thermaikos Gulf, local meats, nuts, spices, and traditional sweets. The atmosphere there
felt authentically Greek, full of color and life.

After exploring the market, I wandered through the city center, enjoyed a coffee, and later walked along the beautiful seaside promenade, which stretches for kilometers. The walk led me to the city’s iconic White Tower, and a bit further down, to the impressive statue of Alexander the Great—whose sister, Thessaloniki, gave the city its name. I ended the day with some delicious Greek-Italian street food, perfectly wrapping up my experience in this historic yet ever-young city.