Thessaloniki, a city with a 2,300-year history, is the ultimate city break destination all year round. And that’s the magic of this city; every day is an invitation for visitors and residents alike to discover something new, learn about the city’ s past and enjoy unique experiences.
From a stroll through the “heart” of the city, wandering the main streets and narrow alleys filled with all kinds of shops and monuments, to a walk outside the bustling centre, getting doses of fresh air, entertainment and art, Thessaloniki has countless hidden secrets for you to discover.
Hyatt Regency Hotel
13th km Thessaloniki – Peraia, +30 2310 401234
Located within walking distance from Thessaloniki International Airport, Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki not only offers luxury, tranquillity and a peaceful and beautiful landscape, but also high quality amenities and facilities.
One of them is Harmonia Spa & Wellness, a place of relaxation and wellness that gives us the opportunity to eliminate every trace of stress and anxiety and rejuvenate our body and spirit. In addition to respecting the environment, Kos Paris organic and herbal skincare products are characterized by their special composition with active ingredients that offer the face and body all their unique beneficial properties.
As Harmonia Spa & Wellness manager Eugenia Vlenidou informs us, Kos Paris products -a name inspired by the island of Hippocrates, Kos- are distinguished for their luxurious textures, their relaxing aromas, their immediate and active results. Harmonia Spa & Wellness’ skilled and courteous staff welcomes us with a signature cocktail, the winter harmony, containing apple, ginger, pear and lemon, served with cinnamon sticks and pomegranate seeds.
We choose the Winter Wellness treatment package, which within 90 minutes will renew both our body and face. Under the care of our expert therapist, the Ceremonial Oil Massage – a 50-minute body treatment – will relax us, eliminating all stress, balancing and rejuvenating our spirit as well. This will be followed by the Harmonia Glowing Facial, a 40-minute treatment that includes cleansing and massage using the appropriate serum.
Then, the therapist applies to our face an anti-ageing organic cotton mask enriched with hyaluronic acid and prickly pear seed stem cells, which restructures and deeply hydrates our skin.
Wrapped in our fluffy bathrobe, we relax with a cup of Ayurvedic tea and receive a wonderful gift: a special candle with the Harmonia Spa & Wellness logo, which emanates vanilla and amber scents. We renew our appointment in the wonderful spa’s premises, either alone or with our partner or a friend, since there is the possibility to have the treatment in a double cabin. Harmonia Spa & Wellness is open daily, 10:00-21:00 (+30 2310 401441).
Regency Casino Thessaloniki
12th km Thessaloniki – Airport, +30 2310 491234
Regency Casino Thessaloniki is the ultimate adult playground. Apart from the main reason for visiting the casino, which is the pursuit of luck among impressive slot machines and familiar classic games, Regency Casino is much more than just a fun experience. One can browse the two upscale restaurants, La Terrasse and Alfredo’s, or enjoy a drink at Ian’s Bar, one of the most beautiful venues in town, and experience the casino setting of the famous classic movie.
And for those who are trying their luck – with caution- the surprises continue uninterrupted these days: cash draws of up to €5,000 per draw are the kind of events worth experiencing first-hand at least once in one’s life. With a cinematically exciting ritual, the announcement of the lucky winner is the highlight of each day. Specifically, cash is drawn every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the form of a jackpot, or Up & Go every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Furthermore, for fans of the world’s most popular poker game, Poker Texas Hold’Em tables are available daily (19:00-04:00) with Blind/Ante 2/5 in a dedicated area with qualified staff. Poker is a game that touches different generations and cultures in a special way and requires composure, realism and decisive strategy. Enjoy responsibly!
Myro Antiques House
2nd km Souroti – Thermi, Agios Antonios, +30 23960 41989
Established and with absolute dedication to the field of quality antiques and works of art since 1996, Stavros Myronidis, the founder of Myro Antiques House, remains faithful to his artistic vision. To his two projects, Myro Gallery and the Greek Marble Initiative, he has added a collaboration with Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki.
Through this collaboration, which started six years ago, artists both from Greece and abroad – from America to Bulgaria- are promoted and honoured, creating at the same time “a small museum of contemporary art inside the hotel premises”, as Mr. Myronidis notes.
Periodic solo exhibitions of established and emerging artists, with emphasis on painting, photography and sculpture, are held in the premises of the hotel. “Through art and exhibitions, both hotel guests and staff who come into contact with art are pleasantly affected”, says the accomplished businessman who is active in the fields of antiques, arts and auctions. The artworks create the opportunity for hotel guests to have a lasting memory when they return home, as was the case for example with a painting by Nikos Vavatsis, who painted a portrait of a woman from Sweden.
Since May 2009, Myro Antiques House is located in Souroti, Thessaloniki, in privately owned premises that feature an Art Gallery, a Glyptotheque, physical auctions and collection exhibitions. The House, among others, also markets furniture series designed by Stavros Myronidis, such as the “Art Deco Essence” series. Furthermore, Myro Gallery, located in the centre of Thessaloniki, at 8 Nikiforos Fokas Street, near the White Tower, gives a platform to every artistic activity, encourages creative freedom and at the same time frames the core of its activities with different forms and types of Art (+30 2310 269187).
2 Concept Store
1, Victor Hugo Street, Ano Ladadika, +30 2310 556669
In Ano Ladadika, in an up-and-coming neighbourhood in the centre of Thessaloniki, 2 Concept Store has been in business for only two months now, offering housewares, decorations and utensils made of natural materials such as wood, wicker and glass. Airy wicker lamps that transport the mind to exotic beach bars and enchanting shores, decorations, kitchen utensils, vases and storage boxes are some of the stylish products that the “young sibling” of the 2 Creative Store offers. Both stores were created by two friends, Dora Tsolka and Rita Mantzouki.
A short distance away, at 35 Katouni Street, in Emporio Square, 2 Creative Store started its “journey” in August 2018 with the motto “We love and support Greek designers”. Here you will find unique scarves, bags and jewellery, all handmade and designed by renowned and emerging designers from all over Greece. The hunt for new collaborations never seems to cease for the two friends, who choose very carefully every product they put on the shelves of their two stores.
The White Tower
Nikis Avenue, +30 2310 267832
It is the symbol of Thessaloniki, its landmark, standing proudly at the confluence of the sea and land borders, between the Old and New Beaches. The White Tower, built in the 15th century, has had different names and uses over the centuries. Originally called the Tower of Leo, from the 17th century onwards it was unofficially called the Fortress of Kalamaria, the Tower of Genitsaros and the Tower of Blood (Kanli Kule) -in 1826- when it was converted into a prison and a place of execution of convicts and its walls were painted with blood. In 1883, by order of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the Tower was whitewashed and given the name White (Beyaz Kule). A convict named Nathan Guelendi, in exchange for his freedom, whitewashed the Tower with lime. This was the last name given to the tower.
Today in the White Tower, 33,90m high and 21,70m in diameter, a permanent exhibition, spread over six floors, presents the history of the city from the time of its foundation in 316/15 BC until today. Once you reach the rooftop balcony, spend time enjoying the magnificent views of every part of the city, the Thermaikos Gulf and snow-covered Mount Olympus.
Remember, the White Tower is open daily from 08:30 to 15:30, with last entry at 15:15. Around the White Tower you will find numerous cafés, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. Very close by is the Royal Theatre, as well as the State Theatre of Northern Greece hosting remarkable performances.
WineLaw Cava
19, Ion Dragoumis Street, +30 2310 567236
Oenophiles will fall in love with this wine cellar in the centre of Thessaloniki, which is set up according to European standards and boasts more than 2,000 wine labels, mostly Greek. In the WineLaw cellar, which has been open since 2018, champagnes and sparkling wines, Port, dessert and sweet wines, liqueurs, spirits, aperitifs and whiskies – from classic to malt, Irish, Japanese and of course Tennessee-, as well as deli products take on a new dimension, offering you delightful flavourful “journeys”. And when conditions allow, wine tastings will begin again, either individually or in groups, while the wine bar will resume serving fine dishes to accompany the wine of your choice. The updated wine cellar also offers a wine delivery service.
Surfer Maya
8, Skra Street, +30 2310 235033
Based on the philosophy of street food, Surfer Maya serves high quality street food prepared with special techniques and very good ingredients in a restaurant. This is how the Estrella team – Maria Sbilis, Kostas Kapetanakis and his brother Yannis – describe their new innovative concept. It was the same team that introduced the notorious brunch concept in Thessaloniki.
Housed in Studio Materiality’s unique modern space, Surfer Maya, named after one of the group’s favourite albums – the Pixies’ Surfer Rosa- is located on a narrow street, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. “We were not deterred by the fact that it is not on a busy street, it is a bit of a ghost restaurant the way it’s tucked away, and it was a conscious choice to open the restaurant there,” Maria Sbilis tells Travel.gr.
As for the menu, which is not served on plates but in special eco-friendly packaging, the hybrid tacos with croissant dough – called tacros- stand out. “We have our own Greek meat gyros, our bread is made with sourdough, our meat comes from small farms in Komotini, everything is made by hand in the restaurant and we also have a smokehouse and a sweets workshop” adds Kostas Kapetanakis.
So, gyros, free-range chicken or crispy panko shrimp tacros; marinated gyros or celeriac tacos (vegan), handmade veal pastrami sandwich, as well as lobster roll in buttery brioche bun – this is a new entry; grilled ewe tagliata plater with fermented ketchup, black garlic mayo etc.; pizza-like flatbreads and dry aged burgers are all accompanied by biodynamic wines and cocktails by the renowned bartender Alexandros Sourbatis and add a new twist to Thessaloniki’s gastronomy. As for dessert, their milk pie with croissant dough – created by pastry chef George Avgeros- will send you to the seventh heaven of flavour. Open daily, 14:00 – 23:00.
