Thessaloniki
History
Thessaloniki is the capital of the Region of Macedonia and the second largest city of Greece with over 1,000,000 population
(in the greater Metropolitan Area). It was first established in 316 B.C. -- on a site of old prehistoric settlements dating back to 2300 B.C. --
by Kassandros and named after his wife, Thessaloniki, half sister of Alexander the Great.
Thessaloniki was the second most important city of the Byzantine Empire, next to Constantinople (Istanbul), and is full of beautiful examples of
Byzantine art and architecture. Until just a few decades ago the city's population was mixed as any in the Balkans: besides the Turks, who occupied
it for almost five centuries, there were Slavs, Albanians and one of the largest European Jewish communities of the period before the Nazi occupation.
The city was liberated and again became a part of Greece in 1913, but burned in 1917 creating a homeless population of 70,000.
It has also been home for a great number of refugees from Asia minor, since the 'population exchange treaty' signed in Lausanne in 1923.
Today, some of Greece's most creative musicians, athletes and intellectuals, come from Thessaloniki.
Places of Interest
Thessaloniki is a beautiful and friendly city, built on the shores of the Thermaikos Gulf, between green hills and the sea.
It is divided in a modern part and the old town, where most of the sights are to be found. Byzantine churches, and beatiful buildings may give you
a glimpse of "Old Salonica" in the walled "Kastra" quarter of the city, on the hillside beyond the modern grid of streets.
Thessaloniki is also known for its vibrant nighlife, from the traditional taverns, to fashionable bars and clubs.
The city also hosts an annual International Trade Fair
and the
Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
For more information on sites to visit, museums, resaturants etc. you may have a look at the following sites:
- Thessaloniki's Panorama
- Thessaloniki at Wikitravel
- Matt Barrett's Guide To Thessaloniki
- Saloniki Info
Surroundings
While being in Thessaloniki, you should explore at least one of the following near-by destinations:
- the beaches and resorts of Chalkidiki and
Pieria
- the major archeological sites of Pella,
Vergina and
Dion
- Mounts Athos and Olympus
How to reach Thessaloniki
By plane
Thessaloniki has an international airport (SKG) with daily flights to major European and Greek cities.
The timetable of incoming and outgoing flights is available at the "Makedonia" airport web site.
A list of the Airlines available to fly to Thessaloniki is available here.
The airport is on the outskirts of the town, approximately 14 km from the center.
You can reach the center of the town:
- By urban bus:
Bus service 78 (KTEL - AERODROMIO) runs from the airport every 60 minutes.
It takes around 30 minutes to reach downtown (depending on the traffic).
Upon boarding the bus, you must check your ticket immediately, or purchase one from the ticket machine. A single ticket costs 0,50 € (prepaid ticket) or 0,60 € when issued by the in-bus ticket machines.
For further information, you may visit the site of the Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki (OASTH).
- By taxi: Taxis are available outside the airport's arrival hall. It takes 15-20 minutes to reach downtown (depending on the traffic). The cost (with luggage) is approximately 20 €.
By train
Thessaloniki has one main railway station on the west side (Monastiriou Avenue).
Information about domestic departures/arrivals is provided by phone at the number: 1110.
Upon arriving at the Thessaloniki railway station, you can reach the city centre
or the conference venue by urban bus or by taxi (bus fare 0,50 € / taxi fare approx. 5 €, from the train station to the conference venue).
By car
You can reach Thessaloniki:
- From Athens following Motorway E75 to Thessaloniki
- From Igoumenitsa (coming via Italy) following Motorway E90 - Egnatia Odos
(Ioannina-Grevena-Veroia-Kleidi) and
then switching to Motorway E75 to Thessaloniki
- From F.Y.R.O.M. following Motorway E75 to Thessaloniki
- From Bulgaria following Motorway E79 to Thessaloniki
- From Turkey following Motorway E90 - Egnatia Odos to Thessaloniki
Accommodation
In the map below, you may find some suggestions for hotels near the conference venue.
Feel free to
contact us,
if you need further suggestions or instructions on how to reach your hotel upon your arrival in Thessaloniki.
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