Upper Town History Walk

Upper Town History Walk, 3 hours, rated 5 across 49 traveller reviews.

Overview

This three-hour walk through Thessaloniki's upper town is led by an official tourist guide and concentrates on the district's layered religious and Ottoman past. The route takes in the Church of Prophet Elijah, Osios David (the Latomou Monastery), Vlatadon Monastery, the Musa Baba Mausoleum and several towers, with stops of around 20 to 30 minutes at most sites. Admission is free at every stop on the itinerary.

The guide's storytelling ranges well beyond architecture. Expect discussion of the great fire that reshaped the city, the Turkish and Jewish communities that lived here, Mount Olympus and Greek mythology, a noted religious artwork, rebetiko music, St Paul, and the arrival of Greek refugees from Turkey. The aim is to show why locals hold this neighborhood close, moving between how Thessaloniki looked in the past and how it lives now.

Because this is a private tour, only your group takes part, and the guide adapts to your pace and interests. Reviewers repeatedly praise this personal touch, along with the depth of historical knowledge on display. It suits travellers who like history, churches and ruins, and who are comfortable with a moderate amount of walking. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Prophet ElijahMeet your guide at the Church of Prophet Elijah on Olympiados 53. The guide carries a red umbrella so you can spot him.
2. Osios DavidVisit the Latomou Monastery, known as Osios David, for 30 minutes. Admission is free.
3. Trigonion TowerSpend 30 minutes at the Trigonion Tower, which is also the end point of the tour. Admission is free.
4. Sthenonos 1A 30-minute stop along Sthenonos, free to enter.
5. Vlatadon MonasteryVisit the monastery of Vlatadon for 30 minutes with free admission.
6. Musa Baba MausoleumA 30-minute stop at the mausoleum, with free admission.
7. Andronikos Lapardas TowerThe final stop, 20 minutes at the tower. Admission is free.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from this walk.

• Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Plan on steady walking for the full three hours across the upper town.
• Bring water. Bottled water is not included, so carry your own, especially in warm weather. There are no other food or drink items provided.
• Private group feel. Only your group participates, and reviewers say the guide tailors the experience to the people present. One traveller noted he remembered everyone's names in a party of nine and addressed each person directly.
• Guided depth. Several reviewers highlighted the guide's knowledge of Thessaloniki's history and his passion for the city and its people. The tour covers the ruins, churches, culture and history of the upper town in detail.
• Cats on route. Animal lovers will enjoy the company.
• Weather matters. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and requires moderate physical fitness, which limits some travellers. It runs as a private activity for your group only. Weather can force cancellation, though a new date or a full refund is offered in that case. One reviewer had an issue the day before their tour and said the guide accommodated them, but scheduling flexibility is never guaranteed. Water is not supplied.

Common Questions