Most of us know of Florina due to the low temperatures mentioned in the weather forecast, but this remote town is interesting and exciting, and not just because it’s one of the first places in Greece where it snows every year.
Apart from being the perfect base for wonderful excursions in nature, like to the Prespa lakes, to Nymfaio and to Amyntaio, Florina is also ideal for a three-day holiday filled with nice walks and good food.
What to see
Red roofs from above
For the best view of the town of Florina go up the hill of Agios Panteleimonas. If the clouds aren’t too low, covering the town, you can see the river crossing the town with the red-roofed houses. Here on the hill, you’ll also see the huge cross (almost 30-metres-tall) that is lit at night and appears to be floating in the sky.
By the river
One of the best strolls in Florina is by the river Sakouleva. Cross the river on one of the pedestrian bridges near the Town Hall, and walking underneath the trees, admire the old Macedonian mansions and the elaborate buildings still standing.
The town’s hot spot
The Pavlou Mela pedestrian street is the main meeting point. The cafés, bars, taverns and shops on this street make it a place buzzing with activity every day at all times. A coffee while watching the people go by outside is the best way to spend a cold morning.
Modern Art
As strange as it may sound, this remote country town with only a few thousand residents has its own Modern Art Museum (8 Tagm. Fouledaki street, Florina, tel. 0030 23850 29444). Florina’s relationship with art is deeply rooted, something that the existence of the museum proves. It was founded in 1977 and it houses paintings, engravings and sculptures by many artists, including Moralis, Mytaras, Tsoklis and many more, while it also houses temporary exhibitions.
Snow paintings
The town’s great artistic interest can also be seen at the Art Gallery of Florina Artists (Sidirodromikos Stathmos Square, Florina, 0030 23850 45205). More than 100 works by local artists are housed here, in a listed building belonging to the Hellenic Railways Organization at the end of the railway lines, near the train station.
A visit to the flea market
Right behind the National Bank building, each Wednesday, there is an open-air market with booths selling fruit, vegetables, spoon sweets (traditional sweet preserves), and of course fresh red peppers (also known in Greece as Florina peppers), but also knitwear, candles and other traditional products from the area. Have a coffee or a light bite at one of the small coffee shops in the area, there are many around.
Where to eat
For special meat dishes
Great mezes, filling main courses, like pork chops in pepper sauce, mushroom risotto, and chicken ballotine at “Aposperitis” (6-8 25is Martiou Street, Florina, 0030 23853 00794).
Tsipouro and bukovo
Great tsipouro (traditional pomace raki) without anise, pickled cabbage, potatoes, sausage, and spicy mezes with bukovo (dried chilli flakes), perfect for the cold, at the historic “Diethnes” coffee shop (96 M. Alexandrou street, Florina, 0030 23850 23585) that has been around since 1925. Old people drink their coffee and groups have loud discussions here. This was the director’s Theodoros Angelopoulos’ hangout when he was in Florina filming “The Beekeeper”.
For dry aged meat
This is the place for great meat. The food at “Terpsi” restaurant (35 Eleftherias street, Florina, 0030 23850 26888, starting at €10 per person) is a culinary experience: tomahawk steaks, dry aged cuts, delicious liver, and amazing burgers.
Where to go out
Meeting Point
Housed in a neoclassical building on the banks of the river, “Florian” (60 Eleftherias avenue, Florina, 0030 23850 26522) is ideal for a coffee in the morning, a dessert in the afternoon, and long drinks in the evening. It’s on the busiest pedestrian street in Florina and can be your haunt while you’re in Florina.
Fine wines
You can try celebrated wines from all over Greece, as well as innovative vinifications at “Aeroino Wine bar” (Grevenon & Vogatsikou streets, Florina, 0030 23850 44897) that also serves food paired with wine. They also offer a great selection of wines by the glass.
What to listen to
The ideal soundtrack
Complicated rhythms, jazz influences, Balkan sounds, all performed by the famous brass instruments of Florina. Clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and cornets sweetly mingle in the work of the Valkani brothers’ Florina Band, founded in 1960, always centred in the city, spreading its great musical tradition. Buying a CD to listen to in the car is a must.
Where to stay
Time for a spa
Stay at Phaidon Hotel & Spa (1 Vigla street, Florina, 0030 23850 44800, www.phaidonhotel.gr) with the aristocratic, spacious rooms. There is a heated indoors pool, a jacuzzi and a hammam at the hotel’s spa.
Presidential hospitality
The presidential suit of Lingos Hotel (1 Tagmatarhi Naoum street, Florina, 0030 23850 28322, www.hotel-lingos.gr) is perfect for cocooning. Thick ecru carpets, red shades, a king size bed and a jacuzzi. All VIP visitors who travel to Florina choose it.
