Bus from THESSALONIKI to Durres

Thessaloniki is called the second capital by the Greeks, since it is not only the second largest city of Greece after Athens, but also the capital of Northern Greece and Macedonia. It is beautifully situated by the sea, and there are also many interesting places in the city and its surrounding areas that you can visit. Thessaloniki is home also of some of the most famous sport unions and football clubs like PAOK, Aris and Heracles. The university of Thessaloniki is the second largest of Greece therefore the city is has a large number of students from all over Greece. Every year during the International Thessaloniki Expo is held the festival of Greek music and the film festival of Thessaloniki. The city has many industries that most of them located at the area of Sindos. 

Thessaloniki is a great place to spend some time in all year around, and even though it is a very big city, it is not as polluted as Athens. The fresh sea breeze is almost always there, and taking a walk in its harbour you get a nice view of the town and the sea.

Thessaloniki was the sister of Alexander the Great. She was married to a man named Kassandros, and it was also he who founded the city in 315BC. Before that, there was a much older settlement here called Therme.

Although largely rebuilt in modern style, Thessaloníki 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 St. Sophia (modeled after its namesake in İstanbul and including fine mosaics), of St. George, and of St. Demetrius. The ruins of the triumphal arch of Emperor Constantine are there, in addition to Aristotle Univ. 


 

Durrës (historically also known as Epidamnos) is the largest port and second largest city and a municipality of Albania. Geographically, it is central on the coast, about 33 km west of the capital Tirana.

It is one of the most ancient and economically significant cities of Albania. Durrës is home to Albania's main port. The city is at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi.

When Albania became independent (in 1912) Durres was its capital. This remained until 1920. The total population is 200,110, while the metropolitan area has a population of 265,000.

Durrës is an important link to Western Europe due to its port and its proximity to the Italian port cities, notably Bari, to which daily ferries run. As well as the dockyard, it also possesses an important shipyard and manufacturing industries, notably producing leather, plastic and tobacco products.

Durrës is home to the largest archaeological museum in the country. There are also several museums such as Royal Villa of Durrës and the Museum of History (the house of Aleksandër Moisiu). Durrës host also the Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre, the Estrada Theater, the puppet theater, and the philharmonic orchestra. Localities from around of Durrës are known for producing good wines and delicious dishes.