After Athens, Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece as well as being the economic and cultural center of the country’s region of Macedonia. The port on the Gulf of Thermái was founded almost three thousand years ago and today is home to a population of some 330,000, industry, a university and an international exhibition center. The upper town(Áno Póli) survived almost unscathed the Great Fire of 1917, which destroyed most of the other inner-city districts. A unique ensemble of early-Christian and Byzantine buildings, since 1988 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is still intact here, including stretches of the city walls, Agios Dimitrios Church and the Byzantine baths.

The atmosphere inside the halls of Kapani Market (kapani.gr) is colorfully oriental. At the top of their voices, vendors ply their wears not only in Greek, but in Bulgarian, Albanian and Russian, too. The market specializes mainly in fresh produce, delicatessen items and snacks, so real discoveries are possible here. Take vlíta, for instance, a leaf vegetable similar to spinach that’s served dressed in olive oil and lemon juice, or tangy pastourmá jerky. Both go down well with likér krána, a cornelian cherry liquor. For an evening meal in a market-like atmosphere, try the cool food concept store Ergon, (ergonfoods.com), a deli done out like a market hall with tables and counter settings.

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Country code: +30

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Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages.

Key Areas

Thessaloniki’s shopping heart is enclosed by four streets: Egnatia, Ethnikis Amynis, Leoforos Nikis and Venizelou. Tsimiski, running down the middle, has the big international names; Mitropoleos and Proxenou Koromila have chic designer boutiques. The most famous department store is Notos Galleries, with more than 250 top fashion brands (Tsimiski 24).

Markets

Modiano is the largest covered market in Greece. Located between Vasileos Irakliou St and Egnatia, it has been part of life since 1930. Most stalls sell food: spices, cheese, fish and meat. A short distance away by Aristotelous Plaza, Kapani – the oldest open market in the city – has been around for centuries.

Climate & best time to visit Greece

Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. In summer, dry hot days are often relieved by stiff evening breezes, especially in the north, on the islands and in coastal areas. Athens can be stiflingly hot, with temperatures occasionally exceeding 40C in July, so visitors should allow time to acclimatise – the evenings are generally cooler, but can remain very hot during heat waves. Winters are mild in the south but much colder in the mountainous north, where it is not uncommon to see snow and temperatures plummeting to well below zero. November to March is the rainy season, most notably on the Ionian islands.

If you are planning a beach holiday, the sea is warm enough to swim from June through September, and hardier types will also manage in May and October. Seaside hotels are generally open from Easter through to late-October, as are water sports facilities.

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.

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Social Conventions

Greeks are proud, have a real sense of their own traditions, and are very hospitable. Children, in particular, are always welcomed with open arms. The Greek Orthodox church is quite influential, especially in rural areas. Casual clothing is acceptable almost everywhere, but even in the hot summer months, it is inappropriate to wear swimwear to a restaurant. Instead, visitors should at least wear a t-shirt and pants, or other light summer clothing. Clothing that fully covers the body is expected when visiting monasteries or churches.

Main emergency number: 112

Food & Drink

Tap water is drinkable in Athens and other cities – in fact, in areas where the local water is good, bars and restaurants are obliged by law to provide customers with glasses or jugs of tap water free of charge upon request. So don’t be ashamed to ask. However, visitors should be wary of drinking tap water in remote areas, and on many islands – even if the locals do it, they have probably built up a resistance that newcomers may need time to acquire. Bottled water is widely available and prices are strictly controlled on the mainland and islands. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat.