Thessaloniki is getting ready for EuroPride 2024. Greece’s second-largest city is less well known than Athens or many of the popular Greek islands. Unjustly so. DISPLAY visited the metropolis of Central Macedonia ahead of EuroPride.
A festive mood along the promenade
A dreamy view of the Bay of Thessaloniki, lots of people in a good mood. Everywhere, restaurants invite you to enjoy fine Greek cuisine or a cool drink. The waterfront promenade is the heart of Thessaloniki. At its centre stands the White Tower, the city’s landmark: in the past it served as both a prison and a fortification, and today it is a museum with a viewing platform.
To the east lies the “new” promenade, which is more modern and wider and perfect for a walk or a bike ride to the modern concert hall. West of the White Tower, the “old” promenade runs past Aristotelous Square and the old town to the harbour.
Colourful bustle at the markets
Traders loudly offer the most varied products. Everywhere there are stalls with fish, meat, vegetables or fruit. The flair of the lively Kapani Market is legendary – this is where locals and tourists meet. The Modiano Market shows a completely different face: fully renovated, spotless and perfectly styled – perhaps less authentic, but more stress-free.
High above the city
The historic upper town, Ano Poli, around the remains of the old Byzantine castle, appears in a completely different light from the city centre. The atmosphere among the historic little houses is calm and idyllic, defined by narrow lanes, picturesque squares, steep stairways and hidden monasteries and churches. From the Alyessos Tower, an impressive panorama opens up over the city and the sea. Thessaloniki’s early Christian and Byzantine monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The nightlife
Even if queer nightlife in Thessaloniki is more modest than in Athens, we still found some cool venues here. Thessaloniki is a renowned university city with more than 100,000 students, which makes the atmosphere of the metropolis particularly relaxed and tolerant. The best-known gay venue in the city is the renowned nightclub “Enola”, while the crowd at “Baus” is very mixed.
DISPLAY tips
EuroPride 2024 in Thessaloniki runs from 21 to 29 June. The highlight is the big parade on 29 June along the waterfront promenades. Also on the programme: the EuroPride Fair, concerts, the Human Rights Conference at the Olympion cinema and daily city walks on queer history.
Text: Mathias Steger · Photos: Mark Frederick Chapman, Christos Papachristou
