The ancient forum (dated to the late 2nd or the early 3rd century AD) with squares, porticoes, additional buildings and odeum (293-395 AD), the palace complex of Galerius Maximianus (4th c. AD), the thermae, the hippodrome, the temples and other monuments and moveable finds (among them mosaics of exquisite art) brought to light in excavations and surveys. In the south square, is the famous Stoa of the Idols, which was two-storeyed and lavishly decorated.
The Triumphal Arch of Galerius (Kamara), built in AD 305 to commemorate his military successes in general in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire.
The Rotunda is an early 4th century building which later was converted into a Christian church.
The churches of Acheiropoietos (5th century) a three-aisled, timber-roofed basilica, the Holy Wisdom of God (Hagia Sophia) (7th century), the Panaghia (Virgin) Chalkeon (1028), Hosios David (12th century), St Panteleemon (late 13th or the early 14th century), is of four-columned cross-in-square type, Ayioi Apostoloi (1310-1314),Taxiarches (14th century), Panagouda a three-aisled basilica with significant icons, Agios Ioannis Prodromos (Nymphaion),Vlatadon monastery a 14th century foundation of which only the katholikon and two cisterns within the precinct survive, Ayios Demetrios a splendid basilica dedicated to the patron saint and protector of the city, etc.
The byzantine walls of the city
The archaeological site in 3 Septemvriou St., with remnants of a cemetery basilica, a martyrion and Early Christian graves.
The byzantinebathhouse (late thirteenth century).
The Heptapyrgion castle was raised in stages, from the early years of the Byzantine Age into the Ottoman period.
The White Tower (15th century), the hallmark of the city.
The Mosques of the Hamza Bey Cami (15th century), the Aladja Imaret Cami (1484) and the Yeni Cami (1902).
Hamams (turkish bathhouses): The Pazar Hamam (15th century), the Pasha Hamam (15th century), Bey Hamam (16th century), Yeni Hamam and the Yahudi Hamam.
Bezesteni, a rectangular building with lead-covered domes and four entraces was built in the late fifteenth century and operated as a cloth market.
The Old City (Ano Polis), in which many notable examples of Ottoman and traditional Macedonian architecture still stand, alongside humble dwellings put up by the refugees who reached Thessaloniki in droves, after the Greek defeat in Asia Minor, in 1922.
The historical quarter of the Ladadika. In recent years, a series of interventions to rehabilitate the urban fabric have helped to enhance the Ladadika as a quarter for leisure pursuits.
The traditional markets: the Modiano, which is housed in a rectangular building of 1922, with pedimented facade and glass roof; the Kapani or Vlalis market; Athonos Square and the ‘Louloudadika’ (literally flower market).
Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, lined with many representative Neoclassical buildings and examples of late 19th century eclectic architecture.
The central Aristotelous Square, surrounded by monumental buildings and open to the waterfront for a width of 100 metres.
Valaioritou - Syngrou
This is the region which once constituted the industrial zone in Thessaloniki. Some would compare it to the region of Ladadika in Thessaloniki, and some to Gazi in Athens. Although up until a few years ago, this hang-out area constituted an alternative form of entertainment with very few shops such as cafés, now it has turned into a hang-out area for entertainment in all categories. You will come across bars with jazz, rock and mainstream music and you will have a great time in the winter, as you will in the summer with the innumerable tables on the streets that make it difficult to distinguish the boundaries of each shop. Lately, new shops have opened, such as the “ Partisan”, “Hide n’ Seek” and “Rock n Rolla” on Valaoritou St, “My House” on Leontos Sofou, the “Submarine”, and “Elvis” which has moved its location, along with its customers, from Nikis Ave. to this region, as well as many more.Coast
Alongside the coast, on Nikis Avenue, you will find many shops, cafés, bars and restaurants in Thessaloniki, from the White Tower all the way to the port. It is ideal for all hours of the day, since you can start out in the morning drinking your coffee, relaxing in the afternoon or evening after work, shopping, or start your night outing going out for your first drink. There are many bars along the coast of Thessaloniki that stay open until the early morning hours, while it is suitable for all. As you stroll down alongside Nikis Ave, you will come across some restaurant-bars that are open from morning ‘till night. There are some shops along the New Coast, right where the Concert Hall (Megaron) is located.Ladadika
The once disreputable region near the port now constitutes one of the most popular hangouts for night entertainment in the city for many years now, hosting some of Thessaloniki’s restaurants, bars, cafés and clubs. The old warehouses and brothels one situated here have been replaced by bars, taverns and ouzeries. The graphic area of the Ladadika with its sidewalks and low, at most, 3-level buildings, once constituted the historic centre of Thessaloniki. It is now a fact that this region is not at the same peak as it was once, and fewer and fewer residents of Thessaloniki prefer this particular area for their night out in the city. Nevertheless, Ladadika is located very close to the port and the coast of Thessaloniki, therefore, you can begin your night outing from there.Downtown - Rest of Thessaloniki
Anything we say about the nightlife in Thessaloniki would still not do it justice. Thessaloniki is known for its liveliness, entertainment, great mood and nightlife. In the city itself you will come across thousands of cafés, bars, restaurants, entertainment centres, clubs, “bouzoukia”, Greek music clubs and you’ll find your own hang-out spot whatever your preferences may be. Besides the coastline, the Valaioritou area and Ladadika, you will find many worthwhile shops in nearly all the areas of Thessaloniki and downtown. Don’t miss out on visiting Mylo, Vilka, the beach of Aretsous in Kalamaria, the new beach near the Megaron, the bars on Iktinou St, those beneath Agia Sophia, the various cafés and bars on Aristotelous Square and the various shops on the little narrow streets in the centre, for those who prefer a more alternative form of entertainment.
