Monthly Archives: August 2013

Summer Movie Theatre

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Natali Summer Movie Theatre

The best way to say goodbye to summer is in a summer movie theatre. There are quite a few in the city, open from the first days of summer till the first rains come along. Whether you are stuck in the city during the whole summer, or just came back from vacations and want to keep this feeling in the city, this is the ideal Saturday night out.

Most of them are like small city oasis, surrounded by tall buildings and green plants. You can enjoy a snack and drink while watching you movie and there is always an intermission half way through the film for extra re-fills !

Before you go check on ipolistonkosmo.gr for movie times and schedules and off you go !

Summer movie theatres is one more reason that summer should never end !

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Fragile Bar

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Fragile Bar

This is the first and so far the best, rooftop bar in the Valaoritou nightlife area !

If the weather is good and you stroll around the narrow streets trying to select a bar and all the different music from the speakers comes to your ears as one loud noise, then lift your head up to find the rooftop bar.

It is located in a terrace overlooking the industrial and office building spaces around.  Relaxed drinks and atmosphere, music depends on the dj.  Go early if you want to find a place to sit.

Also good for an afternoon coffee away from the city buzz.

Keep in mind that you have to go up 3 floors with no elevator.

Fragile
Bar
Valaoritou 27

at the rooftop !

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Valaoritou Nightlife Area

Up until a few years ago, this was an area you would never walk at night. It is a business area during the day with many local business, and office spaces. Over the last years, it has developed as the new art and creative district of Thessaloniki, and also a major nightlife spot.

The change is so big now, that if you have not been in Thessaloniki during the last 5 years and you suddenly go to this area at night, you will be shocked !

Also, if you are a new visitor and don’t have exact directions, it might be difficult to find since you will have to walk a bit in deserted – at night – streets until you get to this – full of life – area.

The general style and crowd is for students and young people.  The choices are so many, beer places, alternative bars, mainstream bars.  If the weather is nice and you sit in one of the tables outside, you will feel like you are in a greek island ! The bars and streets get super busy during the weekends and around midnight, so if you want to find a place to sit, go before 22.00.

You will find detailed posts about some of my favourite places here in the future, but I have to tell you something important now. Whatever you do, don’t leave the area without a stop at Pizza Poselli.  This is by far the best pizza in town and can only be compared to genuine italian pizza.  Tartuffo is my personal favourite.  No need to say more.

Urban Picnic 2013

Urban Picnic 2012

Urban Picnic 2012

Urban Picnic is here for the second time !  It starts tomorrow and will last for the 3 last days of August.  It is a new event in town and we hope it will become annual since it is a fun way to say good-buy to the summer …

It was organised last year for the first time and we really enjoyed seeing our city with a different view !

Greek people are not used to hang out a lot in places that are not designed for this purpose i.e. bars, club, etc. but now in times of crisis, instead of complaining we have to figure out new forms of entertainment.  What is the easiest way to find something new ? To have a good look at the past ! Urban Picnic gives us this chance since it is housed in the ancient Roman Market of Thessaloniki, a magnificent place in the heart of the city, which is normally open only during museum hours. Having the chance to sit in a place like this, listening to music, watching a film and having your own picnic under the moonlight is a heavenly experience ! Don’t miss it!

Have a look at the detailed program with all the events for the 3 days.

Important note : PLEASE keep the place CLEAN by not leaving any garbage behind!

Thermaikos Bar

View from Thermaikos Bar

View from Thermaikos Bar

Thermaikos Bar is named after the sea that you see in front of you !

Located in the heart of the city, Nikis Avenue and overlooking Thermaikos Bay, this is a classic all day bar.

It is difficult to get a table outside in the summer since there are only a few, but if you want to sit inside there are plenty. It has a relaxed atmosphere, unique vintage decor, great music, excellent coffee and drinks. What more do you want?  It’s a favourite among young and young-at-heart people of the city!

Thermaikos
Bar and Café
L.Nikis 21

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Kitchen Bar

View from Kitchen Bar

View from Kitchen Bar

This is one of my favourite all day spots. Ideal for any time of the day and any season. It is loved by locals and visitors equally !

When we have a new person visiting the city this is one of the first places to take them, since it combines great city view, is located in the city centre and has a big variety of dishes so it is ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  You can also go only for coffee or drink. Although you are in the heart of the city, you are also far from the street noise which is ideal.

It is housed in one of the old warehouses of the port so the building itself is very old.   It overlooks the city beachfront, White Tower and all the east side of the city.  It is also the favourite meeting point during the film festivals so if you are visiting during that period, although it is super huge, you might have a problem finding a place to sit !  During christmas the ceiling gets filled with red lights creating a super christmas atmosphere!

My personal favourite dish is the toscani salad, green salad served in a parmesan crust basket !

Kitchen Bar
Bar, Café, and Restaurant
Warehouse B, Port Pier

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White Tower

SONY DSCA visit to Thessaloniki is not complete without a visit to the White Tower, the landmark of the city, and a popular meeting point for locals and not.

The White Tower of Thessaloniki, in greek Lefkos Pyrgos, is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification which was mentioned around the 12th century and reconstructed by the Ottomans to fortify the city’s harbour; it became a notorious prison and scene of mass executions during the period of Ottoman rule. It was substantially remodelled and its exterior was whitewashed after Greece gained control of the city in 1912. It has been adopted as the symbol of the city.

The Tower was for centuries part of the walls of the old city of Thessaloniki, and separated the Jewish quarter of the city from the cemeteries of the Muslims and Jews.  The city walls were demolished in 1866. When Thessaloniki was annexed from the Ottoman Empire to the Hellenic State in 1912 during the First Balkan War, the tower was whitewashed as a symbolic gesture of cleansing, and acquired its present name.

The Tower is now a buff colour but has retained the name White Tower. It now stands on Thessaloniki’s waterfront boulevard, Nikis (Victory) Street. It houses a museum dedicated to the history of Thessaloniki and is one of the city’s leading tourist attractions. The Tower is under the administration of the Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities of the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Check out museum opening times If you want to visit the tower inside and as a bonus you will get the chance to enjoy the wonderful 360 view of the city !