April, 2026

Cafes, Culture, and Coastline 

Visiting Greece's Thessaloniki 

Founded in 315 BC, Thessaloniki has stood the test of time. Seeing the rise and fall of empires, the city is storied with history for all types of visitors. We took the time to wander around the city and visit the Aristotelous Square. Here you can find a statue of its namesake and a flurry of local cafes. The square nestles up against the coastline, which features a promenade running up and down the coast. Here you can enjoy a cappuccino by the water and enjoy the views of the mountains in the distance. Slowly, ships and boats will cross the water, and maybe you'll spot a 16th-century ship making its way through the waves. Filled with locals and tourists alike, the promenade leads visitors to a few small parks and the Ottoman era White Tower. Built to fortify the city in the 1400s, the tower still stands as a popular tourist attraction. Further north, you can find the old Roman forum, the Arch of Galerius, and the Rotunda. Commissioned by Galerius, the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda are a bit older and date back to the 4th century. The arch celebrated the triumph over the Sassanids, though its dedication is unknown. One of the best things we did was visit a local Greek restaurant and simply asked our waiter to surprise us with his favorite dishes off the menu. We were graced with an array of delicious foods and were not disappointed. Thessaloniki is a wonderful city filled with good food, history, and some incredibly hospitable locals. We would highly recommend adding this city to any itineraries through the Peloponnese!  

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