Navarino Square & Agia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)

Navarino square is not only the most vibrant area of the city, but also one of the most historic districts within Thessaloniki. Starting this route from the Rotunda, built in the early 4th century, scroll down to the Arch of Galerius which was built at the end of the 3rd century or early 4th to honour the victories of the Emperor Galerius against the Persians. Nowadays, Arch of Galerius or Kamara as it is referred to by thousands of people, is the number one date point of the city and mainly among young people. Further southern and towards the sea, you will come acroos with the ruins of Galerius Palace, a large palace complex consisted of huge buildings, the palace, the octagon, the Rotunda, a large Hippodrome, arcades, triumphal arches etc., built by Emperor Galerius in the 4th century. Seize your day in the area and enjoy a coffe or a meal in one of the plenty cafes and restaurants of Navarino square. If you find yourself in the district, don’t miss the chance to taste the crepes from the famous creperies.

Just a few meters away you will find Zefxidos and Iktinou streets, two of the most crowed pedestrians of the city center, full of cafes and bars. If you follow the route to the sea you ‘ll reach Vogatsikoy street with some very interesting dining choices and the city’s Cathedral at the junction with Mitropoleos street. Next to the Cathedral, you can visit the Museum of Macedonian Struggle, which was fully renovated in 2009.

If you then follow Agias Sophias street, it will lead you straight up to the pedestrian, the square and the famous church of the same name. Agia Sophia is one of Thessaloniki’s and Christianity’s monuments and it is inscribed in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Another paleochristian monument of Thessaloniki, the Church of Acheiropoeitos, can be found just beyond Egnatia street. This church was built in the middle of the 5th century (450-460), probably on the site of an ancient temple of the Thermaia Aphrodite.