Survival Guide

Welcome to Thessaloniki !

Thessaloniki, the beautiful port of the north, whose white tower dominates the night, awaits you to discover her, in the heart of Thermaikos gulf

Thessaloniki (Salonika)

Thessaloniki Survival Guide

Table of contents Thessaloniki, Nymph of Thermaikos Gulf

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

How to get to Thessaloniki

Map of the city

Hospitals and Labs

Boarding and lodging

Transportation

Exploring the City

Around the area

Events

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Thessaloniki

Nymph of Thermaikos Gulf

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of

Greek Macedonia. It is literally “the co-capital” of Greece, a reference

to its historical status as the Συμβασιλεύουσα (Symvasilévousa) or

“co-reigning” city of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire,

alongside Constantinople. Thessaloniki is Greece’s second major

economic, industrial, commercial and political center, and a major

transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe; its

commercial port is also of great importance for Greece and the

southeastern European hinterland. Built near the sea (at the back of

the Thermaïkos Gulf), it is a modern metropolis, bearing the marks of

its stormy history and its cosmopolitan character, making it one of

the most vibrant and multicultural cities in Greece.

During your exchange in Thessaloniki you will have the time to

discover all of it’s beauties, because even if it is your first time in the

city you will easily learn how to navigate yourself in the blink of an

eye – just look out for the sea and it will guide you!

The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in

general, and is considered to be Greece’s cultural capital. Events

such as Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and Thessaloniki

International Film Festival are held annually, while the city also hosts

the largest bi-annual meeting of the Greek diaspora. In 2013,

National Geographic Magazine included Thessaloniki in its top tourist

destinations worldwide, while in 2014 Financial Times FDI magazine

(Foreign Direct Investments) declared Thessaloniki as the best mid-

sized European city of the future for human capital and lifestyle as

well as the European Youth Capital. Last but not least, The New York

Times have included Thessaloniki in the top 52 destinations of 2016

and one of the top destinations for gastronomy extraordinary tours.

Bonus fact: Thessaloniki has more bars and cafes per-capita than any

other city in Europe, and also the best nightlife in Greece thanks to its

large young populations and its multicultural feel.

Aristotle University Of

Thessaloniki

The Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki is the second largest

university in Greece. It is the sixth oldest and among the most highly

ranked tertiary education institutions in Greece. It is named after the

philosopher Aristotle, who was born in Stageira, about 55 km east

of Thessaloniki. It is the largest university in Greece and

the Balkans. Its campus covers 230,000 square metres in the center

of Thessaloniki, with additional educational and administrative

facilities elsewhere. About 74,000 students study at the Aristotle

University (65,000 in undergraduate programmes and 9,000 in

postgraduate programmes, of which 4,000 at Doctoral level

and there are more than 2,000 faculty members. Being located near

the city center, makes it easily approachable from any part of the

city.

School of Medicine

Τhe School of Medicine is one of the four schools of the Faculty of

Health Sciences of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. It is one of the

most important and well established schools in Greece, both

quantitativevely and qualitatively. It consists of 52 departments and

laboratories and its main educational goal is to transmit the proper

ethical values and to help the students acquire scientific knowledge in

order to be able to manage medical conditions effectively.

For more info visit here

How to get to Thessaloniki

The best way is to arrive at Thessaloniki is by plane. The “Macedonia

Airport” (SKG) is located half an hour from the city center and it has

direct connection to many international airports (mostly from

Europe). There is frequent connection to and from the city center

with the bus 78, that costs 2 euros.

Another option in case there is not a suitable flight to Thessaloniki, is

to fly to the Athens airport “Eleftherios Venizelos’’, and then switch

flights to your final destination, Thessaloniki.

Υou can also travel by bus or train, from Athens to Thessaloniki or

even from other destinations. For more information on bus routes

and fares to and from Thessaloniki, check here. For trains, check

here.

Map of the city

How lost would you be if it weren’t for us?

This map is a valuable tool that lists many things of interest about the

city itself. We will keep it updated throughout your exchange with

things that we think are worth sightseeing, places to shop and dine,

nightlife areas and above all places that will be useful for your

exchange! Click on the map below to see more information. If you

notice something that you’d like to see as well, tell us and we’ll add

it!

Start exploring Thessaloniki by taking a bus tour with line 50 – it

costs 2 euros and you take a first glimpse into the most important

sights in the city center, along with some historical facts .

There are also some free walking tours organised, so you can explore

the city and learn some of the history through a local guide .

Hospitals and Labs

Thessaloniki has four major university hospitals. You will be placed in

one of these four during your exchange.

AHEPA University Hospital

One of the biggest hospitals in northern Greece. Associated closely

with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA is located within

the extended area of the University. Here you can find more

information.

Ippokratio Hospital

One of the biggest hospitals in the Balkans. Created from the merge of

two smaller general hospitals to satisfy the needs for tertiary health

care.

Here you may find a list of our research exchange projects and clinical

departments.

During the first day of your exchange your Contact Person will guide

you to your appointed clinic or laboratory, in order to greet you to

your professor.

Gennimata Hospital

Created in 1915 due to the ever growing needs of the city’s

population, which was then ravaged by war, and the many refugees

that had taken shelter in Thessaloniki. Today it offers some university

clinics among other general clinics.

Papageorgiou Hospital

It started functioning in 1999 and is now considered one of the best

University Hospitals in Europe. It’s magnetic resonance imaging

equipment places it in one of the top 20 hospitals in the world. You

can find more information about it here.

Lodging and Boarding

Lodging

During your stay here in Thessaloniki you will be housed in

apartments. We have a deal with a local real-estate agency that will

provide you with keys to your apartment. Your contact person (or, in

some cases, a representative of that office) will pick you up from the

airport and will take you to their office to give you your keys. You can

check its location on the map.

Your apartments are located next to your hospital except for those

that are in Papageorgiou hospital, where you’ll have to use the city’s

bus system to get there. The other three hospitals are located near

the city’s center so everything will be at reach.

Boarding

We will provide you with one meal per day during workdays (Monday

to Friday), most probably in your university hospital’s restaurant. You

will get more information about it once you arrive here.

Transportation

It’s pretty easy to get around the city, here are the most useful routes:

How to get from the airport to the city center

Just in case we won’t be able to pick you up, or you decide to come on

your own, you can use bus No.78 or 78N (during the night). The bus stop

is located right outside the airport, you take it and then you get of at the

stop called XANTH (ΧΑΝΘ in greek) which is right in the center. Here you

can check the time table for bus 78 and here for bus 78N. The full price

ticket costs 2 euros, while the student price is 1 euro (for this route only).

How to get to the hospitals

As we mentioned earlier, your apartments are located very close to the

hospitals so you can always walk to get there. As for Papageorgiou

hospital, which is far from the center, you can get bus number 28B from

egnatia stop and you’ll be there in about half an hour.

Where can I buy bus tickets?

The ticket costs 1 euro (full fare), while the discounted ticket costs 0.5

euros (students’ discount), valid for one route. There is also another ticket

that costs 1.2 euros and 0.6 euros respectively, that is valid for two routes

for 1.5 hours (in case you need to switch routes it is very useful). If you

have the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), you will be able to buy

tickets with 50% discount but you will have to carry the ISIC with you.

When you are in the city, you can buy tickets from kiosks called

“periptera” or from automated vendors near bus stops. Here you can find

more information on general bus routes around the city.

Exploring the City

Ladadika

Named after the historic oil-product shops in the Ottoman market,

Ladadika remains today a hotspot in Thessaloniki center. The location,

especially formed only for pedestrians, hosts numerous shops,

restaurants, bars and coffee stores, which attract the youth, but at

the same time, preserves a cosy, colourful atmosphere.

Valaoritou Street

If you want to feel the vibes of Thessaloniki’s nightlife, spend a night

in Valaoritou Str. and you will be totally redeemed. This whole area is

sunk into music clubs and bars, so there is a vast number of options

in entertainment. Jazz clubs, rock and roll halls or alternative stages

sound all night long to satisfy even the most eccentric.

Bit Pazar

Extremely popular destination for youth and students’ most favourite

hangout by far; hidden behind huge buildings; it is worth a try to find,

as small, picturesque taverns serving savoury wine and delicious food

await you.

Iktinou-Zefxidos streets

These former school sidewalks represent today a must-see

entertainment spot with stylish places with a more relaxed spirit. Coffee

stores, cocktail-bars, bistrots etc. have replaced the old, schooling

buildings and become unexpectedly popular among the youth!

Navarino

The definition of an alternative/bohemian style neighbourhood that is

simply perfect for bringing a different breath of air to the city.

New seafront

It has always been one of the most often frequented places, both by

tourists and locals. On a clear day, its magnificent view of the sea and

the mountain of Gods, Olympus, will absolutely enchant you. Here you

can find a very beautiful long walk perfect for afternoon strolls with

many famous sculptures of modern art adorning it and also

Thessaloniki’s famous boat-bars where you can have a drink on a boat

on a mini-cruise in the Τhermaic gulf.

The White Tower of Thessaloniki

A monument & museum on the waterfront of the city. The White Tower

was substantially remodelled and its exterior was whitewashed after

Greece gained control of the city in 1912. It has been adopted as the

city’s symbol.

The ancient forum

It was constructed in the 2nd-3rd century AD. There you can find

squares, porticoes, additional buildings and odeum (293-395 AD), the

palace complex of Galerius Maximianus (4th c. AD), the thermae, the

hippodrome, the temples and other monuments and moveable finds

(among them mosaics of exquisite art) brought to light in excavations

and surveys. In the south square, there is the famous Stoa of the Idols,

which was two-storeyed and lavishly decorated.

Aristotelous Square

The central Aristotelous Square, surrounded by monumental buildings

and open to the waterfront for a width of 100 metres.

The Triumphal Arch of Galerius (Kamara)

Built in 305 AD to commemorate his military successes in the eastern

provinces of the Roman Empire, Kamara is a famous meeting point for

locals – and for us, during your month here! You will be staying in

apartments near Kamara.

The Rotunda

It is an early 4th century building which was used as a church for over

1,200 years until the city fell to the Ottomans. In 1590 it was converted

into a mosque and a minaret was added to the structure. It was used as

a mosque until 1912, when the Greeks captured the city during the

Balkan War. Greek Orthodox officials reconsecrated the structure as a

church, and they left the minaret.

Museums

In Thessaloniki there are often exhibitions and events, hosted in

museums. Most museums are easily accessible on foot, as they are

located in the city center. Some of them include the Archaeological

Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Folk and Ethnographic

Museum, the State Museum of Contemporary Art, the Teloglion

Foundation of Art and the Thessaloniki Cinema Museum.

Around the area

Chalkidiki

They say that nowhere in Greece can boast beaches like those of

Chalkidiki. The region has the perfect combination of the distinctive

Greek light, unspoiled landscapes, colours and fragrances. And the

glorious natural setting is complemented by the rich culinary fare of

the region and the living religious traditions of its people, manifested

in a host of feast days and other ceremonies and rituals.

Skiathos

Skiáthos was the first northern Sporade to be developed, back in the

mid-1960s. It’s not hard to see why, with more than 50 beaches

lapped by an almost Caribbean-coloured sea, plus a lushly green

backdrop inland.

Vergina

Some of antiquity's greatest treasures await you at the Royal Tombs of

Vergina, opened to the public in 1993, 16 years after their discovery.

Pella

An ideal destination, the prefecture of Pella combines snowy peaks,

lakes and rivers in an unforgettable beauty of natural ingredients.

Well-known are the famous waterfalls of Edessa, small and big, in

various formations that fascinate and excite.

Edessa

The waterfalls of Edessa are a must see thing. You won’t believe that

there is such a spot just a mile away from main city. It is a great place

to get plenty of photos and have a cup of coffee. You can also shop at

the streets shops on your way back.

Meteora

Immense, breathtaking rock formations, 'sculpted' by the very hand

of God, with high tops conquered by men of strong faith and will,

who sought to find the immortal life. No wonder why Meteora is truly

a place 'out of this world'…

Kavala

Kavala, the capital and main port of the Kavala prefecture is

amphitheatrically built on the slopes of Mt. Symvolo forming one of

the most picturesque cities in Greece. The city’s breeze sweeps

through its historical buildings, which perfectly reflect the city’s

modern character.

Mt. Paggaio

Paggaio mountain is located at the western part of Kavala prefecture

(on the route Kavala – Eleftheroupoli – Nikisiani). It is a lush green

mountain with chestnut, pine, oak and beech trees. You will also find

three mountain lodges: the first one in Kalithea, the second one named

Petalouda or Vlachika Kalyvia and the one of Chatzigeorgiou. At an

altitude of 1,956 m there is a ski resort with a spacious ski slope. At a

lower level of the mountain, visitors will come across the Paggaio

Forest Village, where they can find accommodation and restaurants.

Serres

The city of Serres played the role of the crossroad and staging post on

the main lines of communication in Europe for countless armies and

peoples, yet it was among the few ancient cities of the much afflicted

Greek region that has managed to exist uninterruptedly since the dawn

of history to the present day.

Events

Depending on the month of your stay there are many events

happening in Thessaloniki, that you may be interested to see and

experience first-hand. This site is updated with many events that are

happening in the city!

Wonderful museums, cosy bars, impressive night clubs, and a

shopping paradise in Tsimiski Avenue and Mediterranean Cosmos. This

city is full of surprises for everyone! The more time you will spend

walking around the city centre, the more secrets will be revealed to

you… you’ll get this unique feeling of finding a small treasure in every

step!

Dance like the locals in Valaoritou area. Find out why Ladadika is an

all-time popular destination for everyone! The variety of the historic

bistro’s, bars, restaurants and clubs will make you understand the

reason Thessaloniki is such a beloved destination!

On behalf of

The Local Committee of

Thessaloniki

We’re looking forward to meeting you!

National Exchange Officer (NEO)

National Officer on Research Exchange (NORE)

Publisher Hellenic Medical Students’ International Committee (HelMSIC)

General Secretariat Mikras Asias 75 Athens 11527

Greece Phone: +302107462033 E-mail: info@helmsic.gr

www.helmsic.gr

Copyright © 2016 - HelMSIC