The tour begins at the White Tower, the perennial symbol of Thessaloniki with a dark but fascinating history of colour changes depending on its use. Then we move on to the museum neighborhood. The museums of Thessaloniki host unique treasures, but what is even more important is to experience the way these treasures are exhibited. Hagia Sophia is the very heart of Thessaloniki and the most important of the city’s many Byzantine churches that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But the city catered to far more than its citizens spiritual needs. The Modiano covered market was built in the 1920s and houses numerous small tavernas. Saint Demetrios is the patron saint of Thessaloniki and his church one of the city’s most important pilgrimage sites. Further to the north are the remains of the castles of Thessaloniki, remnants from a time when the city was shrouded in an impermeable stone curtain that kept the city safe from invaders and the wind. The Rotunda is an unforgettable building whose architecture reflects the Roman, Christian and Ottoman cultures. But one should not forget that the city was remarkably wealthy in the Roman period, a seat of emperors that built impressive palaces and temples.The Kamara was a triumphal arch to commemorate the victory of emperor Galerius against the Persians. He ruled over a prosperous city and a short stroll around the Roman Agora is a true travel in time experience as you come across Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans who lived their lives next to each other. But one should not forget the Great Fire of 1917, a devastating event that became a unique opportunity to redesign downtown Thessaloniki. Aristotelous square preserves the architects’ original plans for a Byzantine and imperial metropolis. Finally, it is time to head to the port, where you can truly appreciate the city. But this was also the site of one of Thessaloniki’s darkest moments.