When it comes to food, Ladadika offers a wide variety of restaurants and traditional taverns.
Following the most popular shopping street of Thessaloniki, Tsimiski Avenue, right after Platia Eleftherias (Freedom Plaza), you will discover “Ladadika” district, a beautiful walkable area which is one of the favorite destinations for both local and tourist visitors and the city’s college community.
Ladadika is one of the hot spots of Thessaloniki when it comes to entertainment. It is located in a central area right opposite to the port’s central gate and within a five-minute walk from Aristotle’s square.
The colorful buildings are two-story with wide, rectangular windows and, along with the paved alleys, they exhale the spirit of old Thessaloniki. Here the old merges with the new.
Great music, food and chill atmosphere
Beautiful Bistro’s and cafes, bars and pubs, clubs and after can be found all over Ladadika
The word Ladadika literally means the shops that sell oil and its products. The area used to be the central market and bazaar of the city during the ottoman occupation or even earlier. It was also known as “Egyptian Market”.
It hosted numerous shops and stores but since the Great Fire of 1917 and afterwards, it began to decline and some decades later only the oil selling shops remained open. This was until the late ’70s when the area was fully abandoned.
In 1985 it was declared a historical monument by the Ministry of Culture; the entire area was protected by law in order to preserve its original style and character.
Ladadika soon came back to life, when small taverns, bars and restaurants opened and reoccupied the once abandoned and now renovated old buildings and welcomed the locals and tourists of all ages.
Experiencing Thessaloniki’s nightlife
The colorful historic buildings and the traditional small plazas turn Ladadika into one of the most beautiful destinations
Since the 1990s, the local restaurants and taverns used to be well known for their cheerful, friendly and vibrant atmosphere; even on weekdays and noons the spontaneous dances and small parties between locals and tourists were frequent and the alcohol flowed..
Nowadays, despite the financial crisis, Ladadika still feature one of the most frequently visited places of the city both by locals and by visitors. Espresso bars, coffee shops, tavernas, beer stores and so on can be found here. The colors, sounds and smells of Ladadika will give you a fair taste of Thessalonian entertainment.
The entire area is for pedestrians only, thus giving you the chance to take your time, walk around and take a look until you spot the perfect place for you. Make sure you don’t miss Ladadika during your stay in Thessaloniki.
If you’d like to discover some similar destinations, be sure to check Valaoritou district and Bit Bazzar as well!
- While most destinations are considered reasonable and affordable, there are certain places that are more expensive than the average.
- Looking for quality accommodation near Ladadika? Check our accommodation offers!
