Car Hire: Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +30 2310 473 508. Open from 7.30am-9pm seven days a week.

Airport Transfer: Pre-book your door-to-door transfer with easyJet’s transfer partner, Holiday Taxis—from home to the airport, then city or resort (easyjet.holidaytaxis.com).

Taxi: Fares to the city centre are metered. Expect to pay about €17.

Bus: Route 78 takes you direct to the city centre, as well as the central train and coach stations. Tickets: €0.50 (€0.60 on board).

Deskati
( Navarinou Sqaure. )
Famous for its chicken dishes, this popular little tavern has seating inside and out. Try the chicken wrapped in bacon and cold potato salad.

Matahari
( 1 Ioanna Michail Street. Tel. 2310 288042 )
This family-run Thai restaurant is a must for those who like it hot. Gregory, the owner, is a great host and his dishes are delightful. Book ahead.

Aristotelis
( 8 Monastiriou Street. Tel. 2310 563100 )
This luxurious restaurant offers high-quality cooking. Order one of the 40-odd cocktails beforehand, then tuck into one of the typical Greek plates or perhaps an international favourite from among the array of dishes on offer.

Miami Fish Tavern
( 30 Thetidos, Kalamaria. )
With a beautiful setting right by the sea, on a sunny day you can sit outside and enjoy a wide choice of mouth-watering fish and seafood dishes.

Tre Marie
( 13 Palion Partron Germanou. Tel. 2310 240051 )
A large café/bar, serving hot and cold drinks all day long. Chill-out music in the background completes the mood.

Aeras Cafe
( Nikis Avenue. )
Popular with locals downing coffee by day and exotic drinks come nightfall. DJs from across Greece and local singers will get your toes tapping.

Defacto
( Pavlou Mela Street. )
Lively bar that's open from early morning till late at night. Fantastic music, a busy vibe and good cocktails.

Esprit on Tsimiski Street offers fashion bargains for everyone.

The Aghias Sophias church is set in a pretty location in the centre of town. Most evenings after 5pm there are wedding ceremonies here and anyone can go in and take a look at what the bride is wearing. Afterwards, walk up the street to the top of the hill for spectacular views of Thessaloniki.

Dimitriou Gounari Street, just past the White Tower, heads all the way to the Rotunda Tomb of Galerius. Take a leisurely walk as there are plenty of shops to pop into along the way.

January sees the arrival of the sales, with bargains galore. After your shopping expedition, book a table at Mylos, a club known for its sensational parties this month (56 Andreou Georgiou. Tel. 2310 551 836).

Veria – Take the bus from the KTEL station and about an hour later you'll arrive in this small, quaint town, famous for its puttinga sponge puddings. Take a stroll round its small streets and stop off at a kafenio for a Greek coffee with the locals.

A fire that started on 5 August 1917 on Olympiados Street, caused by a vardaris (a very strong wind), virtually destroyed Thessaloniki. It finally stopped two weeks later, but by then almost 70,000 people had been made homeless.

Compiled by Darren Allen