September is becoming a popular month for a growing number of holidaymakers, offering visitors the chance to avoid overcrowded destinations. In this vein, a recent article published by the online edition of the British media outlet “The Guardian” includes the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki in its list of 5 locations to visit in the first month of Autumn.
The piece, penned by Christopher Bakken, urges its readers to pick the second-largest city in Greece for the still-warm month, instead of opting to go to Athens and the Greek islands, “which are still packed with tourists deep into the autumn.”
The piece lauds the stylish cocktail bars of the city, which offer outdoor seating along the waterfront, and high-end gastronomic centers stand next to traditional tavernas in Ladadika, the neighborhood that once housed the city’s olive oil shops and warehouses.
“Thessaloniki has long been a geographical and cultural hub,” Bakken notes.
The city is made for walking and, even better, for intentionally getting lost. In just one afternoon, visitors can explore the impressive Archaeological Museum and then stroll along the Aegean on a windswept coastal road that stretches for miles. A different day of walking might lead you along the Roman walls to Ano Poli, the old town, featuring Ottoman-style houses and tiny Byzantine churches.
The other cities on the list are Genoa in Italy, Averio in Portugal, Alicante in Spain, and the Croatian port city of Zadar.
