Practical Information
Conference Venue
Makedonia Palace Hotel, 5*
2, Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, Thessaloniki, 54640, Greece
*Internet facilities: Free Wi-Fi connection will be available.
! Please note the change of Venue from Cedefop to Makedonia Palace Hotel
Arriving in Thessaloniki (SKG): How to get from the Airport to your Hotel
Taxis are always available outside the main building of the airport. On average a taxi will drive you to your hotel in about 20-30 minutes. Prices range from 20,00 - 25,00 Euro. A double fare is applicable between midnight and 05:00 am. Please quote your hotel to your driver.
City Bus (number 78 or 78N): This service operates 24 hours a day and connects Thessaloniki Airport to City Center and the Central Coach Station. Route lasts approximately 40 minutes depending on the traffic. The cost of the ticket is 2 Euro and can be purchased on the bus from the automatic vending machines. You need to have the euro coins as the machines don’t provide change from notes. Online information http://oasth.gr/en/
Conference Shuttle Bus – Organised Transfers
Transfers will be provided by Cedefop according to the following timetable:
Monday 28 November 2016
| 08:00 | Pick up from city center-Aristotelous Square(in front of Electra Palace Hotel) transfer to Makedonia Palace |
| 20:30 | Makedonia Palace – Aristotelous Square |
Tuesday 29 November 2016
| 08:00 | Pick up from city center - Aristotelous Square(in front of Electra Palace Hotel) transfer to Makedonia Palace* |
| 13:00 | Pick up from Makedonia Palace to the Airport and then city center- Aristotelous Square (in front of Electra Palace Hotel)** |
*Please check out and carry your luggage with you if departing on the 29th November.
**For guests staying on
In case you miss the Shuttle Service, to access Makedonia Palace please take a taxi at your own cost:
Makedonia Palace is easy to access by taxi within maximum 10 minutes from any part of the city center and about 20 minutes from the airport. In general, taxis are easy to find, at the airport and all over the city; taxis are blue-white and easy to stop in the street or be called by your hotel reception.
Please quote to your driver
Makedonia Palace, 5* 2, Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, Thessaloniki, 54640, Greece
Social Events
Monday, 28 November 2016 at 18:30
Cedefop is organising a Dinner for the Forum participants at Makedonia Palace Hotel.
City Map for the Conference
Secretariat Desk during the Forum
The Secretariat desk at Cedefop will operate:
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Monday, 28 November 2016 |
08:30-18:00 |
Makedonia Palace,Thessaloniki |
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Tuesday, 29 November 2016 |
08:45-13:30 |
Makedonia Palace,Thessaloniki |
E-mail: cedefop.events@artion.com.gr
Mobile during the event: +30 6979229731, Ms. Kelly Angelaki
Contact Persons
Please do not hesitate to communicate with us should you need any help or assistance before or during the Conference in any of the following mobile phones:
+30 6979229731, Ms Kelly Angelaki, Project Manager
+30 6977970405, Ms Valentini Amarantidou, Project Leader
Greece - Thessaloniki
Time
Greece is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2) throughout the year.
Language
Greek is the official language but English is widely spoken as well as German and French.
Currency
The Greek currency is EURO. Credit cards are widely used in most establishments. Most currencies and traveller’s cheques can easily be changed either at banks, hotels or money-changers with some handling charges.
Power supply
The standard current in Greece is 220 volts. Plugs are European standard with two round pins.
The city of Thessaloniki
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Set on the northern shores of the Thermaikos Gulf that opens into the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki is approximately 550 kilometres north of Athens and in close proximity to Chalkidiki's beautiful beaches. It is the metropolis of Macedonia, one of Europe's oldest cities and the second largest city in Greece.
Founded in 316 BC by Cassander, King of Macedonia, the city was named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great and has been a crossroad of cultures and civilizations for over 2300 years. Few other places have such a density of outstanding historic monuments as Thessaloniki. The atmosphere is a fusion of Greek, Balkan and South-eastern European influences that co-exist harmoniously, creating a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment, where visitors from all over the world feel welcome.
Thessaloniki has the largest university in Greece, Aristotle University, which is one of the most established universities in the academic community in Europe. The city possesses the second largest and most important port in Greece, the International Fair which attracts commercial interest from all over the world, offers cultural events, theatres, Modern Art galleries, libraries, an immense variety of high standard recreational facilities and examples of modern architecture, art nouveau and eclecticism.
A few of the city's many attractions include the White Tower (15th century), the Arch of Galerius (4th century BC) with its magnificent frescoes, Thessaloniki's many churches, in particular the Rotonda (4th century) dedicated to St George, containing mosaics of the period, and the Agia Sofia (8th century), which was converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule. In 1988, 15 monuments of Thessaloniki were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Weather in November
http://www.meteo.gr/meteoplus/cf-En.cfm?city_id=1
The climate in Thessaloniki is Mediterranean with a definite seasonal variation. Average daily temperature stays at a comfy 15 degrees Celsius, with highs reaching above 18 and lows at around 10. November can be rainy in Thessaloniki.
People & Life
Thessaloniki is a popular destination. You will certainly enjoy a pleasant and interesting stay in the city. People are friendly and happy to help with any questions. The atmosphere is unique during the day in the commercial and shopping center, but especially during the evening, in the wide variety of bars, restaurants and theatres for entertainment. Thessaloniki is renowned for its unique location, along the Thermaikos Gulf, its sunsets, its long history, its monuments and museums as well as its distinguished cuisine.
What to see
Thessaloniki is host to an impressive array of museums, cultural organizations, archaeological sites and monuments. A list includes:
MONUMENTS & CHURCHES
- The White Tower(seafront avenue)
- The Roman Forum
- The Arch of Galerius (Kamara)
- The Rotonda (D. Gounari str)
- Agios Demetrios church and the crypt
- The Old Walls
- Agia Sofia church (Agias Sofias street)
- The Ahiropiitos
- Vlatadon Monastery (Upper Town)
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
- The Museum of Byzantine Culture
- State Museum of Contemporary Art
- Thessaloniki Museum of Photography
- Thessaloniki Technology Park
- Museum of Macedonian Ethnography
Night Out
You won't wonder where to get a drink in a town with this many bars! Thessaloniki is by far the liveliest city in Northern Greece, maybe even the whole country. Most of the bars are situated at the old seafront (Nikis Ave.) and around, many of the taverns are either downtown or in the old city (kastra). You can also find numerous bars and taverns at Krini, an area in eastern Thessaloniki, or you can visit the bars located in the big shopping centers just out of the city en route to the airport. You can find also a lot of nightclubs, bars and restaurants in Ladadika, the neighborhood with the old warehouses next to the port.
Shopping in Thessaloniki
The city center is one of the most popular shopping areas in Thessaloniki. Shopping malls and department stores are available both in the city center as well as in other city districts. Some of the best – known shopping malls can be found in eastern Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki Airport Area) and are easily accessible by ring road (public transportation and taxis).
The commercial market of Thessaloniki (shops, boutiques, etc) operates as follows:
Monday / Wednesday / Saturday: 09:00 – 15:00
Tuesday / Thursday / Friday: 09:00 – 14:30 and 17:30 – 21:00
Shopping Malls and big department stores operate as follows:
Monday-Friday: 09:00 – 21:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 18:00 or 20:00
Banks in Thessaloniki
Greek and International banks can be found in the city center and all popular districts of Thessaloniki. Most banks operate Monday-Friday 08:00 – 14:00. Some banks located in the city center remain open until 19:00 hrs or operate for the public on Saturday morning (please contact your hotel reception for detailed information). All banks are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange.
Useful Websites
Thessaloniki
Discover Thessaloniki
www.thessaloniki.gr
10 Reasons to visit Thessaloniki
www.visitgreece.gr
www.saloniki.org
www.thessaloniki.travel
Useful Phones
| Police | 100 |
| Tourist Police Station | +30 2310554870 / 2310554871 |
| Ambulance | 166 |
| Emergency Phone* | 112 |
| Phone book information | 11888 |
*After a recorded message in English and Greek, an operator receives the call in English, French or Greek, puts the caller through to the necessary service, and assists with interpretation, if necessary
Thank you!