Athens: The First-Time Visitor’s Essentials
Ten must-do experiences in Athens, from...
Events, exhibitions and new openings for a richer Thessaloniki experience.
Greece Through a Modern Gaze
The Ukrainian painter and art theorist Alexis Gritchenko bridged East and West through his visionary art. After his formative trip to Paris in 1911, he developed a distinctive visual language that fused the modernist movements of Fauvism, Cubism and Futurism with the Byzantine tradition. In 1919, he was offered the directorship of Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery, an honor he declined before fleeing via Crimea to Istanbul, leaving everything behind. By 1921, he had settled in Greece, where he remained for two years, capturing the country’s light and spirit in radiant compositions. The exhibition “Alexis Gritchenko (1883-1977), The Greek Adventure: A Ukrainian Avant-gardist in Greece” traces his journey from Athens to Mystras, Delphi, Olympia, Thessaloniki and the islands, as he depicted ancient ruins, temples, and landscapes through a modernist gaze of bold geometry and explosive color. Xenia Georgiadou
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From 22/11/2025 to 30/04/2026
MOMus-Museum of Modern Art, 1 Kolokotroni, Moni Lazariston, Stavroupoli
Exhibition “Bringing History to Life”
© Collections of National Historical Museum
Alekos Fassianos, Two Figures 1964, oil on canvas. Techni donation to Teloglion Foundation of Art A.U.Th © Teloglion collections
Echoes of War
The exhibition “Bringing History to Life,” co-organized by the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace and the National Historical Museum, transports visitors to the turbulent years of 1940-1944. In a vivid chromolithograph by Kostas Grammatopoulos, women ascend the rugged slopes of the Pindos Mountains, burdened with supplies yet radiant with courage, in an enduring image of daily heroism and self-sacrifice. Periklis Vyzantios’s painting “Mobilization in Delphi” (1940) captures the emotion sparked by the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War, while the works of Frederick Carabott depict the somber experience of captivity. A special section is dedicated to the Macedonian Struggle (1904-1908), featuring personal relics and archival materials from the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle Foundation. Xenia Georgiadou
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Until 28/02/2026
Thessaloniki Administrative Building (Dioikitirio), Dioikitiriou Square
The Legacy of Thessaloniki
Marking the centenary of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the 25th anniversary of the Teloglion Foundation of Art, the exhibition “Techni – Diagonios and the Museum That Never Happened” brings together over 600 works and archival materials from two landmark institutions: the Techni Macedonian Art Society, and the Small Gallery – Diagonios founded by Dinos Christianopoulos. From the 1950s to the mid-1990s, these two organizations shaped the city’s cultural core through pioneering exhibitions, educational programs, and artistic initiatives, leaving behind a lasting creative legacy. As curator and director Alexandra Goulaki-Voutyra notes, “Although Techni and Diagonios seemed to move in opposite directions – Techni looking outward to the Greek avant-garde and Diagonios focusing on Thessaloniki’s own artists – they were driven by the same passion: to serve the city and support its younger generation.” Xenia Georgiadou
The Café on the Water
With its fresh, contemporary aesthetic, the MOMus-Museum of Photography now welcomes visitors to redesigned spaces with a distinctly modern character. The ultramarine blue that defines the entrance and museum shop brings vibrancy and depth to the space, thanks to the design intervention of mma architects. Overlooking the port, the museum’s café appears to float above the water, offering a serene yet lively setting for coffee or brunch. The spot’s name “Hush” is inspired by the silence that precedes inspiration: that quiet pause before the shutter clicks and the perfect image is captured. Stavroula Kleidaria
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Pier 1, Thessaloniki Port
Zeus+Dione
Nevro
Wearable Thessaloniki
“Thessaloniki is a place with an irresistible rhythm: offbeat yet elegant, layered with a rich heritage, standing timelessly at the crossroads of East and West, myth and modernity.” With these words, Zeus+Dione announced the opening of its first boutique in the city (46 Proxenou Koromila), along with the debut of a limited-edition silk accessory that doubles as a work of art: “Thessaloniki.” Designed by Em Prové in collaboration with the brand’s creative director Marios Schwab, the square scarf maps the city both geographically and emotionally, tracing its hills, landmarks, and boulevards in delicate, hand-drawn lines, interwoven with symbols and subtle references to the city’s Macedonian heritage. As Prové explains, “Each illustration began in pencil, then continued in black Indian ink, the brush moving carefully – but never too carefully. I like the line to breathe, to be elegant yet imperfect.” It’s the perfect way to carry a piece of Thessaloniki with you wherever you go. Nena Dimitriou
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The DNA of Style
In the heart of the city, Eleanna Tabouri introduces Nevro, a brand devoted to precision, craftsmanship and timeless tailoring. Her recently opened atelier and showroom present hand-sewn blazers, jackets and outerwear pieces of refined aesthetics, each garment meticulously crafted one stitch at a time. At the core of the collection lies what Tabouri calls the “blazer DNA,” a design identity that runs through every piece, even unexpected ones such as dresses with lapels and tailored collars. The name “Nevro” stems from the idea of the blazer as the neuron of a wardrobe – a vital point of connection, the centerpiece that ties everything together. Having studied Tourism Management in Milan, Tabouri credits the city for sharpening her aesthetic sensibility and shaping her creative perspective. Returning to Greece, she founded Nevro on principles of sustainability and slow fashion: limited stock, small runs and many pieces made to order. “Women in Thessaloniki,” she notes, “wear the blazer as it deserves to be worn, with strength, ease and confidence.” Nena Dimitriou
Slow Food for the Soul
Near the Roman Forum, Soumaki is a small, unpretentious eatery where chef Giorgos Papounidis celebrates Greek cuisine with seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes. He serves hearty, flavor-packed dishes made with care, including his signature slow-cooked goat with pasta; young mutton with chickpeas and galomizithra cheese; meatballs with fries; and grilled pork knuckle. The menu is complemented by a fine selection of beers, tsipouro and bottled wines, all at refreshingly reasonable prices. Here, simplicity reigns and the food speaks for itself. John Papadimitriou
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79 Olympou
Tzeneral
Φólki
Retro Flavors, Fresh Start
Locals in Thessaloniki often start their day with a warm slice of sweet or savory bougatsa. This beloved breakfast staple, made of buttery layers of phyllo filled with either custard, cheese, minced meat or spinach, has found a new home at Tzeneral, a recently opened pâtisserie in the heart of the city. Blending retro aesthetics with authentic flavors, Tzeneral reintroduces Thessaloniki’s pastry star in the most delicious way. Each bougatsa is crafted daily with homemade filo dough, filled with classic choices and baked to golden perfection. Try the custard-filled or the mixed spinach-and-cheese version, ideally paired with the homemade chocolate milk – thick, velvety and nostalgically comforting. Pantelis Tsompanis
Soul Connection
The name Fólki (Icelandic for “people”) is a fitting choice for a space built around interaction, creativity and community. This all-day spot has quickly become a favorite hangout for Thessaloniki’s young and vibrant crowd. Pet-friendly and dotted with witty mottos across its walls, Φólki also hosts the work of a different local artist each month, turning coffee breaks into cultural encounters. Come for the exhibition, stay for the affogato. Stavroula Kleidaria
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5 Stratigou Makrygianni
A New Culinary Approach
One of Thessaloniki’s most talked-about chefs, Yiannis Loukakis, has joined forces with acclaimed pastry chef Spyros Pediaditakis to launch Orbital, a bold new gastronomic project that blurs the line between bakery and restaurant. Opened in September, Orbital produces its own breads and desserts on-site, each crafted with laboratory precision and the warmth of a neighborhood bakery. Diners can enjoy them in-house or take them home. Among the standout dishes are the much-discussed rooster schnitzel with pickled okra and mashed potatoes, and the traditional sourdough pie filled with mutton pastirma and melted kasseri cheese, two creations already making waves on the city’s dining scene. The concise wine list offers every selection by the glass, while the rakí from Iliana Malihin in Rethymno, made from native Thrapsathiri and Liatiko grapes, adds a distinctly Cretan touch. John Papadimitriou
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3 Platonos
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