Ferry from Thessaloniki to Karlovassi

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.

Karlovassi Guide

The tourist resort and port of Karlovassi is one of the most popular towns on the Greek island of Samos which lies in the north Aegean Sea. The island has a rich history and was home to the mathematician, Pythagoras, the astronomer Aristarchus and the philosopher Epicurus. The town is an important trading hub for the Aegean region and was home to a significant naval fleet in ancient history.

The town is in the north of the island and up until the 20th century it was perhaps best known for its tobacco manufacturing and tannery. A popular attraction in the town is the Tannery Museum which shows the town's long history in tannery which stretches back to ancient times. On display in the museum are tools and methods of leather processing and also the locations of the many tanneries that were located on Samos during the 20th century. There are some fine examples of neoclassical mansions in the town which can be seen alongside the remains of large stone factories at the "Ormos" seaside.

Ferries operating from the town's port depart to Piraeus, Chios, Fournoi, Agios Kirikos, Evdilos, Syros and Kavala.