The Vibrant Port City of Thessaloniki

A new flight is all the excuse Surmai Lochan needed to explore the Vibrant Port City of Thessaloniki.

- Surmai Lochan

She was Alexander’s half-sister, who transformed into a mermaid. Legend has it that Thessalonike would let sailors pass only if they spoke of Alexander’s greatness. She was the princess of Macedon as daughter of Philip II and later wife of King Cassander of Macedon. Thessaloniki, the city named after her, was founded in 315 BCE.

I stumbled upon Thessaloniki this summer when a friend informed me that FlyDubai had introduced a direct flight from Dubai. I’m so glad I was at the right place at the right time. Its people, history, diversity of culture and, above all, food, left me totally charmed. It’s a hidden gem in Greece that more people should know about (on second thoughts, maybe not!). With a population of about 700,000, a majority of them very young, Thessaloniki is a hub of learning and home to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Macedonia. (A bevy of students inhabits this magnificent city.) These youthful dwellers make it vibrant and full of energy.