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    Ano Poli
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    Ano Poli

    Ano Poli is the Upper Town of Thessaloniki, situated on the slope below the Acropolis and within the Byzantine walls.

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    9. Ano Poli
    Ano Poli is the Upper Town of Thessaloniki, situated on the slope below the Acropolis and within the Byzantine walls. As the only district spared from the 1917 fire, it features cobblestone alleys, small squares, and houses of Greek and Ottoman architecture.
    The Upper TownAno Poli is situated on the northern slope of the city center, encircling the Acropolis and enclosed by the Byzantine city walls. Under Ottoman rule, it was the main residential quarter for the Turkish population, while other communities lived in the Lower Town. It was spared during the Great Fire of 1917, which is why paved alleys, small squares, and houses in Greek and Ottoman architectural styles have been preserved here.What to expectNestled among the residential buildings are Byzantine churches and monasteries, such as Vlatadon and Agios Nikolaos Orfanos, with the Heptapyrgion fortress crowning the summit. From the walls and the Trigonion Tower, you can enjoy views over the entire city and the gulf, and on clear days, even Mount Olympus, some 80 kilometers distant.
    Ano Poli is not a uniform district, but a network of small neighborhoods on the hillside. In the lower part, around Apostolou Pavlou Street, the Lower and Upper Town merge, while further up are Tsinari Square, Vlatadon Monastery, and the fortress on the city walls.

    Sights in Ano Poli

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Castle

    1Heptapyrgion (Yedi Kule)

    The fortress at the highest point of the city wall is the Citadel of the Acropolis. The northern towers probably date from the late 4th or 5th century, the southern five towers from the 12th century; in 1431, the Ottomans renewed the complex. From the 1890s, it served as a prison, only being relocated in 1989. Since 1990, the fortress has been researched and restored by the Ministry of Culture.
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    Historic Landmark

    2Trigonion Tower

    The round defensive tower stands at the end of the middle wall, separating the Acropolis area from Ano Poli. It was built in the 15th century in place of older Byzantine fortifications and is also called Alysseos Tower. From the tower and the square in front of it, you look over the city's rooftops to the Thermaic Gulf.
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    Place of Worship

    3Monastery Vlatadon

    The monastery was founded in the 14th century and is among the city's early Christian and Byzantine monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During the Ottoman siege from 1422 to 1430, the monks cooperated with the besiegers, and the monastery received privileges thereafter. In its library, a lost manuscript by the ancient physician Galen was discovered in 2005. From the monastery grounds, you look out over the lower town.
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    Church

    4Church of Agios Nikolaos Orfanos

    This small church is in the northeast of the Old Town, within its eastern wall. Built as part of a monastery between 1310 and 1320, its frescoes date from this period, covering nearly the whole interior. Considered works of the Palaiologan School of Thessaloniki, they were only uncovered during 1957-1960 restorations. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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    Restaurants in Ano Poli

    Stafylos Gi (Στάφυλος Γη)
    1

    Stafylos Gi (Στάφυλος Γη)

    Opened in 2022, the taverna is located on Apostolou Pavlou Street at the lower edge of Ano Poli. The cuisine combines classic taverna dishes like Souvlaki, meatballs, and grilled octopus with more modern plates. Greek wines and several varieties of Tsipouro are also available.
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    Tsinari
    2

    Tsinari

    The Tsinari opened in 1885 as a Turkish coffee house. After the population exchange, refugees from Asia Minor continued it as an ouzeri. Blue windows, black and white tiles, and the blue wooden ceiling are preserved. Asia Minor meze are served, such as Soutzoukakia from Smyrna, hand-rolled Dolmades, grilled sardines, and Bouyiourdi.
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    Anopolis
    3

    Anopolis

    The Anopolis on Akropoleos Street is in the heart of the Upper Town, a few steps from Vlatadon Monastery. The café-restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine from breakfast and brunch to lunch. It's ideal for a break while exploring Ano Poli.
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    Food and Drink in the Ano Poli

    Asia Minor Meze at Tsinari

    The former Turkish coffee house on Tsinari Square is now an Ouzeri with meze from the tradition of refugees from Asia Minor. Typical are Smyrna-style Soutzoukakia, hand-rolled Dolmades, and grilled sardines, accompanied by Ouzo.

    Tsipouro and Greek wine

    In the taverns at the lower edge of the Upper Town, Tsipouro or house wine is enjoyed with food. Many establishments also offer a selection of Greek bottled wines, for example from Macedonia.

    Breakfast and Brunch

    For your morning tour, Akropoleos Street offers café-restaurants with breakfast and brunch. Perfect for a break between Vlatadon Monastery and the Fortress.

    Culture and History

    Ottoman HeritageDuring the Ottoman era, Ano Poli was the district for the city's Turkish residents. A testament to this era is the Tsinari, opened in 1885 as a Turkish coffee house and taken over by refugees from Asia Minor after the population exchange.Byzantine MonumentsSeveral churches and monasteries in the Upper Town are among Thessaloniki's early Christian and Byzantine monuments, which have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988. These include the Vlatadon Monastery and the Church of Agios Nikolaos Orfanos with their 14th-century frescoes.Poets and IntellectualsThe district long attracted writers and artists. Among those who lived here were the poets Dinos Christianopoulos and Giorgos Themelis. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Nazım Hikmet are also associated with Ano Poli.

    Arrival & Exploring

    Up to the Upper TownSteep streets and stairs lead up from the city center; from Agios Dimitrios Church, it's about a 20-minute uphill walk. A more convenient option is an OASTH city bus, which travels from the center to the Heptapyrgion Fortress.In the QuarterYou explore Ano Poli on foot. The lanes are narrow, partly cobblestoned and often steep, so sturdy footwear is advisable. A good tour leads from the Heptapyrgion along the wall to the Trigonion Tower and further down to the Vlatadon Monastery and Tsinari Square.

    Accommodations in Ano Poli

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