Day one:

An early cappuccino at “Electra Palace’s” roof garden should put the day under its proper perspective. Afterwards, a stroll alongside the Thermaikos Gulf is strongly recommended for those eager to see the city through the eyes of its citizens. The harbour is the perfect starting point in order to embark on this journey. Home of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, the harbour, with its numerous vast warehouses also provides facilities for the Cinema Museum, the Museum of Photography and the Center of Contemporary Art. This complex, establishes Thessaloniki’s attempt on a local Kulturforum and offers a great number of permanent and temporary exhibitions under the majestically Conradian effect of ships constantly moving about in the harbour.
Aristotelous Square, despite having been aesthetically partly traumatized by the activities of the entertainment business, is still the perfect place to sit for lunch or coffee, and feel right in the center of this Balkan melting pot. The great Ernest Hebrard’s architectural vision of Thessaloniki, was never fulfilled in every aspect, but can be clearly witnessed here, before you start your way towards the city’s landmark, the White Tower. After a couple of hours’ shopping spree along Tsimiski Street, the sunset view from any of the Leoforos Nikis bars and cafés with a cocktail in hand, provides a perfect ending to the day and prepares you for the night’s endless possibilities.

Day two:

Being in one of the definite Balkan destinations for religious tourism, you should begin the day with a visit to the St. Demetrious and Agia Sofia orthodox churches, both of them located in the city center. The Crypt of Saint John, in the junction of Iktinou and Pavlou Mela streets is an oasis of high aesthetic among concrete buildings and heavy traffic. Moni Vlatadon requires a trip to Ano Poli, but the experience is rewarding. Murals and frescos date back to the 11th AD, on an otherwise austere building which manages to enchant the visitor through simplicity. Finally, the Saint Apostles church in the Vardaris district presents high architectural interest, since it was built during the Palaiologos’ era. The façade, the mosaics and the murals still capture the 14th AD Byzantine aura in its imperial heyday.
After such an extensive cultural tour, you should reward yourself with an equally satisfying experience, albeit of the recreational kind. Without diverging from the cultural element of activities, the Tellogleio Art Foundation offers a cozy café and an elegant gift shop for your coffee table book or postcard purchases. After that, the Royal Theaters “B” restaurant guarantees delicious dishes and a tasteful environment to conclude the day.