Ferry from Thessaloniki to Vathi

Thessaloniki Guide

The second largest city in Greece is Thessaloniki which is also the capital of the Macedonian region of the country. The city lies on the northern edge of the Thermaic Gulf and is bounded by Mount Chortiatis to the south east and the Gulf to its east. The city was founded by Cassander of Mecedon in 315 BC and went on to become an important city during Roman times when it became the second largest and richest city in the Byzantine Empire. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of the many Byzantine monuments in the city which includes the Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki. Also in the city are a number of Roman, Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish monuments. Thessaloniki is regarded as the cultural capital of Greece and has many theatres and arts venues. The city's main theatres, run by the National Theatre of Northern Greece which was established in 1961, include the Theatre of the Society of Macedonian Studies, where the National Theatre is based, the Royal Theatre (Vasiliko Theatro), Moni Lazariston, and the Earth Theatre and Forest Theatre, both amphitheatrical open-air theatres overlooking the city.

Ferry services from the city's port depart to Varthi via Lemnos, Mitilini and Chios and then on to Kavala. Passenger facilities in the port include waiting rooms, cafes, information desks and public telephones.

Vathi Guide

Samos Town, or Vathi, is the capital of the Greek island of Samos which lies in the beautiful Aegean Sea. The town is situated on the eastern shores of the island and is constructed around a horse shoe shaped bay. Ano Vathi, the old town, was built like an amphitheatre around the island's natural harbour, and is the island's main port. Strolling around the town visitors will be charmed by its authentic narrow streets, lined with neoclassical buildings, that contains an archaeological museum and shops selling crafts and jewellery. Contained in the Archaeological Museum visitors will see a collection of the largest surviving examples of Kouros sculpture. Also in the town, and perfect for relaxing in, are a good selection of waterfront tavernas and cafes.

From the town's port, ferry services operate to the Greek mainland and to many other Greek islands with conventional and high speed ferries. Destinations include Piraeus, Icaria, Chios, Mytiline, the Cyclades, the islands of the North Aegean and the Dodecanese Islands.