Greece Travel
Thessaloniki Shopping
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Thessaloniki is a shopper's
paradise. The City Centre is small yet blessed with an abundance of shops,
markets, bars and coffee houses to suit all budgets and tastes. Virtually every
side street veers off to locate some Greek delicacy from pastries to artwork.
Similar to the layout of the 'Bar Streets' across the Greek Islands, shops are
to be found in a familiar fashion. Stores stocked to the brim with the latest
Italian leather shoes are situated in succession. Meander around a corner and
street stalls and shop windows will beckon you to co-ordinate a new
bag.
Tsimiski Street is central
and a good place to gain bearings. It's loaded with stores and caters
effortlessly for the needs of the average High Street shopper. A mall also lies
beneath the US Consulate. Various brand names and logos can be spotted in and
around here. Music, unique, handcrafted jewellery and cosmetics are well worth
a browse. A good bargain can always be found. From the lustrous palette of the
MAC shop to the basement stores beneath, eye kohl, lip liners and nail polishes
are identified by lurid shades displayed neatly upon vast rows of shelving.
Agias Sofias sets the trend for the more ornate client and lover of boutiques.
The latest fabrics, textiles and designs complete with price tags to match are
guaranteed to tantalise the senses of any passer-by. Egnatia Street runs
parallel with Tsimiski and will undoubtedly meet expectations
comfortably.
A breather and aching feet
may request a stop for coffee and something to munch. There are numerous venues
on offer for a pit stop of frappe or cappuccino and a spot of people watching
around Aristotelous Square and Leof Niki. Wherever one chooses to sit in
Thessaloniki, expect to be collared by street sellers. It's impossible to
escape them. They do not hassle but are frequent, thus making themselves a
nuisance more than anything.
The market is an authentic
delight to the traveller's eye. It's situated between Aristotelous and Ionos
Dragoumi. Barrels of olives are displayed in colourful arrays, emphasising to
tourists that olives don't just come in standard black or green. Fresh meats,
poultry and fish are prepared and sold on site. Herbs, spices, fresh fruit and
vegetables, wines, cheeses, honey and nuts can all be purchased to compliment
any Greek culinary delight. Another cobble stoned alleyway will lead to lavish
arrangements of hand embroidered and crocheted soft furnishings. Rugs,
cowbells, coffee pots and religious pictures and figurines can all be found
here.
The majority of stores
throughout the City operate Monday to Saturday. They commence business at 9.00
a.m. and close again at 2.00 p.m. Most reopen again around 5.30 p.m. until 9.00
p.m. with the exception of banks and saturday trading.
Inability to gain access to
shops during opening times no longer poses problems. There are a number of
precincts in and around Thessaloniki. City Gate is the closest to the City
Centre. It boasts a hypermarket with ample parking. A further two levels of
shops range from clothing stores to mobile phones, confectionery to coffee
beans. The upper floors provide a number of places to eat and drink. A cinema,
amusement arcade and tenpin bowling alley can also be located here.
One of the newest and
hippest centres to emerge is Mediterranean Cosmos. This impressive mall can be
located in Thermis, just outside of the airport. It is one of the largest
precincts in Europe. It is clean although the ceiling leaks occasionally.
Yellow slip hazard cones are frequently placed around the wet floors. The
interior is spacious and colourful. Parking is easily accessible and
Mediterranean Cosmos offers bountiful venues to relax, catch the latest movie or
simply grab a bite to eat.
The shopping mall times are
usually from 9.00 a.m. until 9.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The cinema and
dining facilities will remain open for business until roughly 2.00
a.m.
Kirsty Pentecost |
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Thessaloniki Taxi