Experience in Thessaloniki, Greece by Eva

What is it like to live in Thessaloniki? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Thessaloniki is the best student city in Greece! Unlike vast and jungle-like Athens it's a city much more compact with concertrated facilities, given that you live in the city center. The life can seem hectic due to traffic jams in the city center but this is due to the lack of proper and adequate public transportation. The lifestyle moto of the city is "Chalara" which can be best be translated to an easy-going approach to everyday life (sometimes stress-free, sometimes organisation-free). The majority of young people speak English and are eager to give directions and suggestions about local places for tastefull and affordable food. There are plently of cultural events as the city is in an evergoing festival state. Even if festivals are not your thing the nightlife is very alive as well with choices for all tastes!

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What is the student lifestyle like in Thessaloniki?

As I said before Thessaloniki is the best student city of the country! It is home to the biggest University of Greece (AUTh - Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki) with aproximately 70. 000 students. In the city there is also the University of Macedonia and the Alexandrio Technical University. That means LOTS of students. There are tons of student groups as well, most of which are cinema and theatre centered (some of them are investeded in the field of their home faculties). Some more info about AUTh: There is a main library that is open for long hours (even 24/7 during exam periods) and libraries in each department. The school reastaurant is free for students but be aware of the long queues, the lack of diversity and the medium quality of food. There is also a school gym that is really affordable but always full of people. The campus is sadly a bit unsafe, especially during the night. In Greek universities Police is not allowed to enter neither the campus nor the builings, which leads to a sometimes alarming level of criminality (mainly thefts, drugdealing and in some rare cases life theatening attacks)However this is the case with all grand cities so if you are carefull you will survive 1 or 2 semesters there. On the good side most of Greek students speak English and many of them are really happy to know people from abroad so you'll make a lot of local contacts except from the hundreds of Exchange students we have every semester. ATTENCION! NOT A BIKE FRIENDLY CITY!

How much does it cost to live in Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki is a relatively cheap city. Especially if you come from nothern and central Europe it will be a bliss for you. If you come from a Balkan country it will be more or less like home. A average month's rent should be around 300 euros, a coffe/beer in a shop around 3, a complete meal in a restaurant-taverna around 15-25 (avoid the very touristic places and you'll be fine) and a single way ticket for the bus 0, 5 for students. Avoid taxi drivers as much as you can as they are known to overcharge foreign people

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Thessaloniki? Is there any advice you can give?

If you search in advance it shoudn't be difficult. However as I said it's a huge student city with students all over Greece so every september thousands of new people come. It's easier to find a home during the June-July and and in February when many graduates move out. During August the city is almost empty. Be really carefull as a foreign student as there is a trend to overcharge rooms without even windows. The best choice is to have a Greek speaking friend and go for house hunting while here. But if you don't, don't panick, there are plenty real estate offices in Agiou Dimitriou street. In the city center near the campus the prices can be affordable but the apartments are old, built in the 70´s'80´s. Try to stay in the Municipality of Thessaloniki and not in the suburbs as transportation is a tragedy, especially towards to west suburbs. Students areas are St. Agiou Dimitriou, St. Olympou, St. Dimitriou Gounari the Rotunda area and Ano Poli. Rotunda area is a bit loud and unsafe. Ano Poli is a bit further away and you´ll have to walk back and forth. Also a bit more expensive but with great views of the city. Try to ask for places with natural gas as in old buildings they have central heating with petrol oil which causes problems with the finances of the builing.

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What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is completely delicious. You should try the mainstream ones as gyros, soulvaki (be aware, we use different names for these dishes than the Athenians), greek salad etc. You should try cooked homemade-like dishes (mainly in Str. Agiou Dimitriou) and all kinds of meze (appetizers) in tavernas (local restaurants). Be aware of garlic and stong liquers! If you don't like greek food there are more global choices as well (pizza, asian, falafel) but they are not so many as in other european cities. Not so many choices for vegeterians and vegans as well but the city is working on that.

What places would you recommend visiting in Thessaloniki?

Try to visit all the museums (Archeological, Byzantine, Folklore, Contemporary Art, Fotography) and the archeological sites. Thessaloniki has many layers of History (Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Jewish) so if you're into that you won't be dissapointed. Aristotelous Square, Navarinou Square, Agias Sofias pedestrian street are musts that you'll walk through on a daily basis. Walk through Ano Poli and Kastra, the Port is a great place for hanging out. Walk along the Waterfront but be careful in the part before the White Tower as it gets really narrow and busy. The part after the White Tower (the symbol of the city) is the ideal choice for biking, walking and wandering. It's the treasure of the city's public space. If you're into music visit the 2 Music Halls and if you love Cinema the city has numerous choices for you two. The glass pavillion on Aristotelous Square will keep you informed about all the festivals-events that go on in the City.

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Is it good to eat out in Thessaloniki? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

It's great to eat out in Thessaloniki. My favorite spots are

1. "To vrasto psinetai-Το βραστό ψήνεται" for high quality fast low price fast-food (Navarinou Square)

2. "Edesaiko- Εδεσσαϊκό" for affordable meals like your greek grandmother would make them (Agiou Dimitriou Street)

3. "Kanoula - Κάνουλα" a hidden diamont tavern with gourmet but really affordable dishes made with greek products (Raktivan street - check trip advisor as well)

4. "Zythos - Ζύθος" a more fancy historic restaurant with beers from all over Greece and great food (Ladadika)

5. "Valentino" for delicious but overfilled crepes (Navarinou Square)

6. "Pizza Chris" and "Pizza Español" for extremely cheap though lower quality pizza)near Rotunda.

And many many more.

Is the nightlife good in Thessaloniki? Where is good to go?

YES YES YES. The main areas of night life are:

1. Str. Valaoritou

2. Ladadika district

3. Paralia (along the waterfront)

4. Bit Bazzar (over Aristotelous Square)

5. Around Rotunda

6. Student parties in the Campus nearly every Saturday

Hanging out with a beer in Nea Paralia, Agias Sofias, Iktinou, the Port

What advice would you give future students heading to Thessaloniki?

Except from those above I would recommend future students to be understanding of the local problems of the city, try to meet local people as they can be great help, have an open mind for people that may want to exploit you, be careful with safety (not so much to not have fun) and try to travel around Greece as well, especially not during high season. Greece is so much more than its islands during the summer. The fact that you'll have the time of your life is 100% guaranted!