Thessaloniki Classic Sightseeing Private Tour with Driver

based on 2 reviews

Duration:3 hours to 4 hours (approx.)
Location: Thessaloniki, Macedonia

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ADULT (Age : 18 to 99)

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We have been living and working in Thessaloniki for more than 30 years. We know every corner of this beautiful city. Touring with us is not a simple tour... it is a unique experience!
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is one of the largest museums in Greece and the central museum of northern Greece. All visitors are welcome to experience its unique collections of ancient artefacts as well as its rich and extrovert cultural activities.
Museum of Byzantine Culture
In the Museum the visitor can visit the 11 galleries of the permanent exhibition and can travel back to the world of Byzantium through thematic sections concerning the daily private and public life, worship and the burial customs, architecture and art, the commercial and business activity.

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1.
The emblem of Thessaloniki The White Tower is perhaps the most recognizable spot in Thessaloniki. Depicted on all types of souvenirs and favourite clothes, photographed from all angles, in all seasons and at each hour of the day, it has come to be imprinted on our collective unconscious, an archetypal image. With its distinctive cylindrical shape, its six storeys and its memory-charged history, it has become the city’s trademark. When one sets eyes on the White Tower, it means that one has made one of the most fascinating journeys and is in the city of a thousand promises, Thessaloniki.
2.
The story of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki follows the course of history of the modern city of Thessaloniki. The Ephorate of Antiquities “under the General Directorate of Macedonia” was the first institution founded in November 1912, only two weeks after the signing of the treaty that handed over control of the city to Greece. Construction at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki began in 1960, on YMCA Square, in close proximity to the International Trade Fair grounds. The building was designed by the renowned architect Patroklos Karantinos, a prominent representative of the modernist movement in Greek architecture. The Museum collections include numerous artefacts dating from the Prehistoric era to the end of antiquity. They come from excavations conducted throughout Macedonia since 1912, along with handed-in antiquities.
3.
Τhe Agia Sofia or Agia Sophia for several years was the metropolis of Thessaloniki. Agia Sofia is a great Basilica (domed) built over the ruins of an earlier gigantic basilica (which was destroyed in the 6th century AD). The church was built to commemorate the Agia Sofia in Constantinopolis. The construction began in the 7th century AD but during the years of construction there were many modifications and additions. During the Ottoman Empire this church as many others became a mosque but it was destroyed by fire in 1890 to reopen and offer its holly service, in 1913. Visitors of Agia Sofia will be able to observe the existence of very impressive pictures and carved decorations retained by the 8th, 9th and 11th century.
4.
The church of Agios Dimitrios is dedicated to the patron Saint of the city and holds a prominent position among all the churches in this city. The Church has a rich history. Originally was built as a small chapel in 313 AD, on the ruins of an ancient Roman bath. In the fifth century the Bishop Leontius reconstructed the small chapel to a large basilica. This church was burned somewhere between the 626 AD and 634 AD. When it was constructed again took the form of a five-aisled basilica but in 1493 the Turkish invaders converted it into a mosque! In 1912 the church returned to the Christians but the great fire in 1917 destroyed it completely. The church commenced its holly service in 1949. The church is located on the ruins of the Roman Forum and is a basilica with five naves, a transept and a vestibule. It has a crypt located directly beneath the transept and the sanctuary. There are catacombs beneath the temple among which is the hall of the prison of St. Demetrius.
5.
The city walls of Thessaloniki were the fortifications of the Byzantine city and are of great interest and importance for their archaeological, architectural and artistic points. The Byzantine walls of Thessaloniki concurred with the Roman ones. The walls were built of narrow bands of stone and a wider of brick and spread over a length of 7-8 km. The walls were forming an almost square shape (trapezoid) and a height of 10-12 m and their northern part was connected to the walls of Acropolis. Today exist only 3 km of walls. During the Turkish occupation part of the walls were built with ordinary bricks.
6.
The famous Rotonda of Thessaloniki, Macedonia: The Rotonda (or Rotunda) is one of the most important Roman monuments in Thessaloniki. It stands just next to the Arch of Galerius in the city center and it is also known as the Church of Agios Georgios. This cylindrical structure was built in 306 AD by the Roman tetrarch Galerius, who intended it to be his grave. At first, it worked as a temple but it remains unknown to which god this temple was dedicated. Eventually, Galerius died in 311 AD and he was buried in Felix Romuliana, modern Serbia. In the 4th century AD, the Byzantine emperor Constantine I converted it into an Orthodox church and many frescoes were painted inside, some of which survive today on the walls of Rotonda.
7.
One of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki is the Arch of Galerius, located on the upper side of the Via Egnatia, a short distance from the Rotonda. (The Rotonda is a building with internal niches, serving as a place of worship). The Arch of Galerius is a glorious monument, whose purpose was not practical, but memorial and honorary. It is a triumphal arch built shortly before 305 AD to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius, after the final victory over the Persians. The triumphal arch that was positioned perpendicular to the ancient Egnatia, which crossed the city (west to east) forming a part of the Roman Palace of Galerius, which was developed through the current squares of Navarinou and Hippodrome. The construction design of the arch of Galerius was such as the two major roads to pass beneath it and crossed right in the middle, the current Egnatia Street and the street starting from the Arch and ending at the south gate of the wall of the Rotunda.
8.
After the fire of 1917, the French architect Ernest Hébrard was assigned to redesign the whole area of the city center and due to the historical significance of this central point he put Aristotelous Square in the heart of the new plan. The Aristotelous square is the point where the sea meets the land in the most central point of the city and the starting point of a place full of open spaces to the public. The Aristotelous square is described as a crucial place for Thessaloniki since is the only open space in the center of the city with this vast dimension turning to be the point of hosting numerous events throughout the year, people’s meeting place, place of recreation and promenade for the citizens and the visitors. It is mentioned and in fact is a rare example of a preplanned architectural design while its careful orientation is offering a captivating view of Mount Olympus.

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Posted By : Jill_R
Great private tour with Maria in Thessaloniki! She had a drive named Solon that was able to drop us close to all destinations. He also would wait for us at the end. This would be a good tour for older people or people with mobility issues. It was a hot day and we loved the air conditioning! Great memories.

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-15 19:24:05

Posted By : Maxim_K
Enjoyed the trip: both the driver and the guide were super knowledgeable and attentive to our needs. They’ve been able to show as much as we could in the time we had and answered lots and lots of questions. Would highly recommend!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-21 10:29:57

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Thessaloniki Classic Sightseeing Private Tour with Driver

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Tickets

Thessaloniki Classic Sightseeing Private Tour with Driver

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY