Thessaloniki, named after Alexander's the Great sister, is the second largest city in Greece. Thessaloniki is an industrial and commercial center hosting an annual international trade fair on September, as well as a transportation hub with a major modern port and an international airport connected with near 20 European major towns.
Although largely rebuilt in modern style, Thessaloniki still retains its famous white Byzantine walls, the 15th century White Tower, and a Venetian citadel. The city is famous for its many fine churches, notably those of Hagia Sophia (modeled after its namesake in Constantinople), of St. George, and of St. Demetrius with a catacomb. The ruins of the triumphal arch and the palace of Emperor Galerius are there.
Thessaloniki is also known for its museums: the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, with astonishing Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic sculptures from Thessaloniki and other parts of Macedonia, and also for the Museum of Byzantine Culture, which presents various aspects of life during the byzantine and post-byzantine periods: art, ideology, social structure and religion, as well as how historical changes and the political situation were affecting people's everyday life. The Museum of Byzantine Culture was awarded the Council of Europe Museum Prize for 2005.
Thessaloniki is home of three universities, namely: the Aristotle University, the University of Macedonia and the Alexander Technological Educational Institute.

Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece and it has a population of 1000000 people. Its landmark is the White Tower, and there are many important sites within easy reach. Apart from being known as a cosmopolitan and commercial center, it is also known for its exceptional nightlife with the famous Ladadika quarter. The music scene in the city is vibrant and diverse and includes nightclubs, dance halls, discos, cafés and music bars, jazz clubs and clubs, and a wealth of live performances, both musical and theatrical.In half an hour distance from Thessaloniki one can visit the Archaeological site of Vergina (the old capital of ancient Makedonia) and where is the venue of Phillip’s tomb (the father of Alexander the great) a site full of remarkable treasures of art and culture. Also in a distance of 70 km from Thessaloniki (45 minutes by car) one can visit mount Olympus (the mountain of the ancient Gods) where “Dion” the holly city of ancient Makedonia is located. It is, after all, the cultural capital of northern Greece!