Thessaloniki - A City Full of History and Culture
Description
Enjoy a half day tour visiting top sightseeings of Thessaloniki. In your private tour, you are flexible to customize the itinerary and the time of visiting as you wish. Firstly, we will start from the White Tower, the symbol of the city and the most popular landmark of Thessaloniki. Heading to Ano Poli, we'll have the chance to take some really great photos from Roman Arch of the Emperor Galerius and Rotunda. The city's byzantine walls and the Tower of Trigoniou will be our next stop. There we'll take a break to enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of Thessaloniki and Thermaikos Gulf. Our last destination will be the paleo-christian church of Agios Dimitrios, the patron Saint of Thessaloniki.
Extra information
The White Tower
The White Tower is a round fort near the center of Thessaloniki city, which has become equivalent to the City’s Symbol. It was built in the 15th century as part of the city’s sea fortification. During the Ottoman Empire’s Occupation, the White Tower became a synonym for terrorism, due to the bloody executions which took place there. After the city’s liberation the Tower was whitewashed, so as to purify it from the blood that was shed in it. Nowadays, the internal part of the White Tower houses an exposition of the history of Thessaloniki.
The arch of Galerius (Kamara)
The Triumphal Arch of Galerius, also known as “Kamara”, is one of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki. It constitutes one of the most popular meeting points of both the residents and the visitors of Thessaloniki.
It was built in 305 CE to celebrate the triumph of Galerius over the Persians. Only three pillars and one part of the upper stone construction have survived the original arch. The two main pillars are covered by marble sculptural panels. The original monument comprised four main pillars and two smaller ones on both sides, supporting the central construction.
The Rotunda
The Rotunda is a circular building originally built in 306 CE as a Pantheon or a Mausoleum for Galerius. Due to the fact that it wasn’t used at all in the Byzantine times, during the sovereignty of Theodosius the Great, the Rotunda was converted into a Christian Church of Saint Georgios, whereas it was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire’s Occupation. Don’t forget to admire the unique in their kind mosaics of the 4th century CE. The iconography dates back to early 5th century, yet currently the surviving iconography are only that under the church’s dome.
Trigoniou Tower in the city’s Byzantine walls (Castles – “Kastra”)
The castles were originally built as Thessaloniki’s fortifications in earlier periods where they were of an absolute necessity for the protection of the city. The Trigoniou Tower is the most famous and impressive tower of the wall. It was built in the late 15th century to prevent an invasion of the city and help during a siege. It is a great fortification project that was raised by the Turkish authorities after the occupation of Thessaloniki at 1430.
In the Trigoniou Tower, which also called "the balcony of Thessaloniki", you’ll have the chance to enjoy the magnificent and imposing panoramic image of the city hugging the sea. On a clear day you’ll be able to see Olympus Mountain located 150km away, without any difficulty.
Agios Dimitrios church
This is the city's largest church (UNESCO World Heritage) and the main sanctuary dedicated to its patron saint, Agios Dimitrios. It was built on the remains of Roman Baths at 313 AD. It was destroyed in the great fire of 1917 and rebuilt in 1948. The Crypt on the east end of the church, where Saint Dimitrios was tortured and killed by Roman soldiers, is currently a place of worship.
- Meeting point: Hotel / Apartment / Airport
- Duration: 4 hours
- Pick up point to White Tower
- From the White Tower to "Kastra"
- "Kamara" photo stop
- From "Kastra" to the Church of Agios Dimitrios
- From the church of Agios Dimitrios to drop off
- Pick up & Drop off
- Bottled water
- Air-continioned vehicle
- Wi-Fi on board
- Private Transportation
- 20-40 EUR/person - For any personal expenses, souvenirs, food or drinks.
- Credit or debit cards are also accepted by many stores.
- Total price/group
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity
- Only your group will participate
Read more about the cancellation policy
Additionally, we offer the option to add an official guide to your tour for an extra fee of 120€. This guide is a licensed professional who can provide valuable insight and information about the sights and attractions you'll be visiting. If you're interested in this service, please let us know at the time of booking.
Prices do not include entrance fees in museums and archaeological sites, food and drinks