What I can see

Thessaloniki’s Seafront (i.e. the section from the port until September 3^rd Street), is rightfully considered the “backbone” of the city’s vitality and its activities. Throughout this route, the core of the city exists in direct contact with the water. It is great for walking, jogging or cycling (especially in the morning, when not crowded) and entertainment. Nikis Avenue is full of cafes, which bustle with energy throughout the day, mainly thanks to gathering students. By night, the Seafront area is where the heart of the city’s nightlife beats where bars, clubs with mainstream music and LGBTQ-friendly places make up a diverse setting. At Nikis Avenue and the adjacent streets, there are still many Greek cuisine restaurants, which rightfully maintain the reputation and tradition of Thessaloniki as a great culinary destination. Olympos-Naoussa was one such historic restaurant in the area.

What I can't see

The 1,650 metres-long seafront was developed during the Ottoman period, following the demolition of the coastal wall, in the context of modernizing the city. The wall’s materials were used for the embankment of the seafront. A quay, port buildings, a thoroughfare (currently Nikis Av.) and plots were subsequently created. The coastline was extended from Proxenou Koromila Street to the current coast. It is unknown what else was buried along with the materials of the demolished walls. It is a historical case of urban revitalization. The infamous, damp, unhealthy and smelly houses of the sea wall suddenly became sought after, and the value of the land skyrocketed as soon as it was demolished and the coast was built. The project cost a total of 100,000 Turkish liras. It was inaugurated with rams slaughtering, according to Islamic tradition.

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