Ana Poli Thessaloniki

Ana Poli, or the Upper Town of Thessaloniki, is where most of the town’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritages are preserved. The area houses the Acropolis, a medieval fort known as the Eptapyrgio, from where one can witness a majestic Macedonian sunset. Mount Olympus can be seen in the distance on days with clearer skies.

Of the exquisite paleo-Christian churches in Ana Poli, the 5th-century Church of Osios David and the 14th-century Vlatadon Monastery, with their blissful courtyard gardens, are must-visits. One should also see the 15th-century Ataturk Museum, locally called Alaca Imaret. It is the birthplace of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of modern Turkey. When done with the sightseeing, feel free to dine at one of the tavernas or enjoy a cup of coffee at an alfresco cafe. The part of Thessaloniki was not destroyed by the Great Fire of 1917. Ana Poli boasts a colourful landscape and several historical gems, some of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.