A population of more than 1.000.000 makes it the fifth largest city in the Balkans and the second most populated city that is not a capital, after Istanbul. Thessaloniki is Greece’s second major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre, and a major transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe.

Thessaloniki itself never doubted its own Cultural identity and its millennia of existence, it stands there since 315BC, and named after Alexander’s the Great sister.

Ιt was chosen as the co-reigning city of the Byzantine Empire alongside Constantinople.

Historically one of Europe’s oldest and most multiethnic cities, widely considered as the cultural capital of Greece, is truly unique in the sense that it intricately marries its thousands-year-old multicultural heritage and the architectural marvels with the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Sephardic Jew history. Festivals abound, most notably the “Dimitria Festival” coming from the ”Golden Age” of the Byzantine period of the city and the “International Film Festival”, which draws hoards of buffs to the city each year.

With a student-strong population of 150,000, Thessaloniki boasts an under-30s do-it-yourself youth culture-creative movement seen nowhere else in the Southern part of Europe.

What makes Thessaloniki a must-see destination? The cutting-edge art performances and creative projects, bars and clubs to serve a population twice its size, Arts and Entertainment hubs, numerous monuments, 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the unique gastronomy earning  the city the name “Gastronomic Capital of Greece” and the 5km recently-developed waterfront.

Great options for short travel within less than 2 hours drive outside the city: the ancient city of Vergina reflecting the wealth, grandeur and glory of the Macedonian Kingdom, the Macedonia Capital of Pella, the Aristotle’s School and the charming peninsulas of Halkidiki, famous for its wonderful beaches, tiny islands, small bays and Mount Athos, the wineries of the broader area.