Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki feels very different from Athens. It is a port city on a wide bay, with a long seafront promenade that fills at sunset, and layers of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history in the streets behind. Churches with old mosaics stand a few blocks from busy markets and bakeries, and the White Tower sits on the water like a postcard. Greeks often call it the country's food capital, so come hungry and plan to graze through bakeries, meze bars and sweet shops.

Talking points

• The waterfront promenade is the city's living room, especially in the evening.
• Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments stand side by side in the centre.
• It has a reputation as Greece's food capital, with markets and pastry shops everywhere.