BRIEF HISTORY
The city was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, who named it after his wife Thessalonike, daughter of Philip II of Macedon and sister of Alexander the Great. An important metropolis by the Roman period, Thessaloniki was the second largest and wealthiest city of the Byzantine Empire. Today Thessaloniki is a modern European city and one of the largest student centers in South-Eastern Europe, while many of its monuments are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
EXPLORE THESSALONIKI
Greece’s second city has a rich history and culture and is unlike anywhere else in the country. Thessaloniki is both a sprawling urban centre and a cultural melting pot, where dreams, ideas, visions and trends percolate in an alternative, avant-garde scene. Its history is written upon everything that surrounds you, with ancient monuments (Greek and Roman) found amongst buildings that tell the story of the city’s more recent Byzantine, Ottoman and Jewish influences.
GUIDES
Immediately upon arriving, you’ll realize that this city has an enduring history and rich culture!
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A City Guide– Discover Greece
Alexander the Great riding his favourite horse Bucephalus
Ancient roman market in downtown area (3rd century B.C.)
Thessaloniki's Emblematic Waterfront
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
The White Tower, the symbol of Thessaloniki
Rotonda Monument (306 AD) also known as Church of Agios Georgios
Thessaloniki's Emblematic Waterfront
Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum
Aristotelous Square, the main city square of Thessaloniki
View from early Byzantine walls (kastra)
Ladadika Quarter in Thessaloniki:
Museum of Photography Thessaloniki
CONFERENCE VENUE
Τhe Conference will be held at Porto Palace Hotel. It is located in the New Harbor area and it is easily accessible from Makedonia Airport. It is very close to the city center and just minutes away from the Rail Station.
Porto Palace Hotel
65, 26th Octovriou Avenue,
54628 Thessaloniki - Greece
T. +30 2310 504504 & +30 2310 504500
E-mail: [email protected]
Visit Porto Palace Hotel Website
AIRPORT
Thessaloniki has an airport with international and domestic flights throughout the year. The Greek National Highway (A1) connects Athens with Thessaloniki (500km, 5hr15min by car). Thessaloniki airport is 18km from the city centre (35min by car) and there are regular bus services and taxis available.
The public bus (every 30 minutes) is the cheapest option as tickets only cost 2€, but total journey time can reach up to 70 min on busy hours, which might also include an average waiting time of 40 min. Taking a taxi is the fastest mode of transport from Thessaloniki airport as it only takes 35 minutes. However, the journey will cost you around 20€.
At the Airport you can find currency exchange, ATM, duty free shops, car rental companies etc. The Tourist Information Office operates Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 20:00 (except holidays).
SAFETY
Thessaloniki is regarded as a safe place. Visitors are unlikely to experience any crime or violence though it might happen occasionally. Like in any other major city, the biggest concern is a petty crime on the streets and pickpocketting, but if you apply the basic precaution measures, your trip should go smoothly.
Please make sure you mind your belongings, especially when you use the public transport system and when walking in the streets. Also, if you plan on traveling by car, avoid leaving your personal belongings inside the car. In case of trouble, dial 100 to reach the police.
Overall Thessaloniki is pretty easy to navigate through, almost everything is located centrally, there is a rudimentary city plan and there is always the sea and the hills to help you out when you‘re lost.
TAXIS
Taxis in Thessaloniki are blue. Please only use the official blue taxis. Please make sure the meter is running once you start your journey. Never allow the taxi driver to charge you more than what the meter says except when traveling from or to the airport in which case extra charges apply.
TRAIN
The New Railway station is the central passenger terminal of Thessaloniki and it is located at Monastiriou Street and provides a connection to Athens and main European Cities. For more information, visit the website of TRAINOSE.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
You can find bus stops just about everywhere in Thessaloniki. If you are planning to use a public bus from the airport to the conference venue (Porto Palace Hotel) you have to take the bus route 1x which operates from 6:05 to 22.30 (more info about the exact schedule and route stops) and stop at 01051-KAMARA bus stop and from the same stop catch the next bus (route 31) until SFAGIA bus stop. You can find more information about route 31 which connects the venue with the city center in the map below.
COVID-19 RELATED INFORMATION
From 15 March 2022 onwards, travelers visiting Greece are no longer required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
Additionally, as of Sunday 01.05.2022 and for as long as the epidemiological data allow so, all travelers arriving in Greece, regardless of their country of origin, are no longer required to display a valid certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, or evidence of a negative test result from SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR or Rapid Antigen test).
More information and updates can be found at the official portal of the Greek Government.