Private Culture & Food Walk, Thessaloniki

Bring your appetite along for this five-hour stroll that introduces you to Thessaloniki's rich history and delectable gastronomy scene. Your day begins at the Port of Thessaloniki, where you'll start with some classic breakfast baked goods like bougatsa (orange-scented custard wrapped in phyllo) and tsoureki (sesame bread rings). Stroll past the bronze Alexander the Great statue, and follow the promenade to the White Tower, an iconic symbol of the city that dates to the 15th century. 

Your next stop is the city's remarkable Archaeological Museum, where you'll spend an hour admiring "The Gold of Macedon" exhibit, featuring ancient treasures, exquisite jewelry, and the largest assembly of golden wreaths in the world. Refuel afterward with a refreshing Greek coffee paired with a delicious take on traditional rice pudding, accompanied by cinnamon ice cream and sweet bites of tsoureki (a braided, fortified bread). You'll enjoy these sweet treats on a hidden terrace overlooking the Paleochristian Catacombs of St. John the Baptist.

Continue your walk past more significant historic sites, including the fourth-century Arch of Galerius and the Roman Forum, and stop by a 100-year-old pastry shop to indulge in some trigona panoramatos (crispy cones of phyllo filled with sweet cream). As you pass the Church of Hagia Sophia, a seventh-century UNESCO-listed marvel, your guide will recount tales of Thessaloniki's illustrious Byzantine era. Wrap things up in the bustling Kapani market, where you'll sit down to a light lunch of traditional meze at a small, hole-in-the-wall eatery beloved by locals.