Discover the lesser-known gems and hidden markets of Thessaloniki on a 3-hour walking tour, led by a friendly local guide! On a leisurely stroll around town, scout out vibrant markets selling almost everything from food and spices to flowers and bric-a-brac while learning about Thessaloniki’s intriguing history. Sample street food and meet local craftspeople at the Coppersmith’s Arcade near the beautiful Panagia Chalkeon church. Visits to the old Jewish quarter of Ladadika as well as markets such as Bit Pazar, Paliatzidika and Modiano are also included.
Meet your guide in Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki and, after a quick coffee to start your tour, set off to explore the area. A major commercial center since ancient times, the city has retained a strong sense of its history with Byzantine market halls and monuments sitting side-by-side with contemporary and modern buildings.
Walk through the bustling shopping streets to Louloudadika, a colorful flower market thronged with sidewalk cafes and shops, and then admire the old Turkish baths of Giahoudi Hamam. Browse stalls heaving with mounds of colorful vegetables and fruit at Modiano and Kapani markets, and hear of their history from your guide. Both food markets are believed to have operated since the 12th century.
After picking up some koulouri (street-food snacks), continue to Panagia Chalkeon, a gorgeous church that’s one of Thessaloniki’s gems, and wander through the old Coppersmith’s Arcade to chat with the local coppersmiths about their time-honored trade. Amble through an area known as the ‘student’s market,’ and then explore Paliatzidika market, where shops and stalls line the alleys and basements around Philippou Street. Bit Pazar is nearby, so head there next, and discover the delights of a market that’s been trading since 1928.
Stroll to Ladadika, where the last remains of Thessaloniki’s Jewish quarter can be found. Stroll around the atmospheric paved alleyway while learning about its history, and then bid your guide goodbye as your tour finishes.
Theresa was an absolutely wonderful guide, full of fascinating information - not only about the markets and their history but also about Greek culture etc and its' affect on Thessaloniki. We saw a tremendous amount of places. Theresa held our attention with her lively discourse. She went way beyond what was needed on a tour like this and helped us to find places that we had been looking for that no one else had been able to help us with. The only blot was the tour operator who did not forward the starting time to us before we left for Greece which necessitated a long distance expensive phone call. This was absolutely nothing whatever to do with Theresa. Thank you so much.
Review by: gresholsenk, July 2014
Our guide was brilliant, and took us everywhere and knew so much about the area, the only reason I am not giving it a five is because the location instructions are so confusing, and we found the meeting place very difficult to find. But she was lovely and even took us over to the bus station after the tour so that we wouldn't get lost!
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