If you read my older post about Eatandwalk with Smaragda, you already know how much I love authentic, slow-paced city explorations. Well, I have some incredibly fresh and exciting news! Smaragda’s amazing partner, Eleni, has just launched a brand-new, immersive walking experience that is bound to completely change the way you feel and taste Thessaloniki. It’s called Herbs & Stories, and it is a pure sensory dream.
This isn’t your typical food tour where you just hop from one tavern to another. “Herbs & Stories” is designed as a multisensory journey through the hidden language of the city, using wild herbs as carriers of memory, ancient rituals, and contemporary culture. Intrigued? You should be!
What the Journey Feels (and Tastes) Like
The experience is beautifully curated to wake up all your senses. It all begins at a historic local bakery with a simple, deeply grounding gastronomic welcome: fresh bread, premium olive oil, and rich herbal aromas. It’s the perfect introduction to the city through scent and taste.
From there, Eleni takes you on a nostalgic trip to a retro pastry shop to taste a timeless Greek dessert that highlights the magical, distinct character of mastiha (mastic)—a flavor deeply rooted in our confectionery tradition.
As you walk through the vibrant, bustling traditional markets of Athonos and Kapani, the experience deepens. You will discover wild mountain tea and aromatic herbs, meet local artisans, and engage in sensory exploration through touch, smell, and storytelling. Eleni even includes a fascinating stop that introduces herbs as tools of energetic cleansing and traditional holistic practices. How magical is that?
The grand finale takes place in a wonderfully atmospheric local bar, where you get to unwind with a custom herb-based cocktail (or mocktail!) created exclusively for this tour, beautifully connecting our local wild ingredients with modern Greek mixology.
The Eco-Conscious Touch 🌿
You know how much sustainability means to me, and this is why I am so incredibly proud of Eleni and the team. In all of their food tours, they strictly use biodegradable food containers, plates, cups, bags, and cutlery to reduce their environmental impact. Tasting the finest local delicacies while fully respecting the planet? That is exactly the kind of mindfulness this blog stands for!
Walk Details & How to Book
If you are in Thessaloniki right now, this is the absolute best way to spend a summer evening.
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 18:00 (Weekdays available upon request).
Duration: 2.5 hours of pure bliss.
Capacity: Intimate groups (Min. 4, Max. 10 people) for a truly personal experience.
Meeting Point: 53 Mitropoleos str. (Right in the heart of the city center).
Cost: 60€ per person (includes delicious cheese, charcuterie, local delicacies, wine, and mocktails/cocktails).
Good to know: It mainly caters to adults, but if you are traveling with kids, just let them know in advance so they can beautifully modify the tour for you! Don’t forget to note any allergies when booking.
Eleni has created something truly poetic here. It’s a walk that asks you to slow down, breathe in, and truly connect with the spirit of Thessaloniki. Don’t just visit the city—come and live its stories!
Love Thessaloniki 
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