Veria Archives - Insights Greece

If you are looking to visit a beautiful town in Greece, that is bursting with rich history, culture, museums, archaeological sites, as well as charming cafes, quaint villages and amazing food, look no further than Veria.

This vibrant city has plenty of great spots to eat, drink and play and here is our list of the best Veria has to offer!

By Eleni Orfanidou

Most charming villages of Veria

There are many beautiful villages to explore and the most famous is Makrochori where you can experience many local customs. Rachia is also worth a visit and make sure you go to the famous tavern Palio Podilato, and Kastania where the well-known church of Panagia Soumela is located- here you will get a true sense of Pontian culture, especially during the festivals like the 15th of August, where you will get to see traditional Pontian dance and live music take place.

Locals favourite spot

Locals mainly head to the area of Elia. Here there are plenty of lovely parks and cafes where you can sit, relax and enjoy your coffee and a dessert.

Places to eat

For some classic Greek style taverns that serve great traditional dishes head to Veriotiko, Ap Allou, Mavro Provato, Tria Skalopatia and Platanos- most have outdoor seating areas- ideal for alfresco dining. If you are looking for some casual spots, I would suggest Stasou Migdala, Kroko and Bairaki. For pizza I recommend La Primavera and Bistro 49. And for fine dining make your away to 12 Grada that offers a gourmet menu.

Insights Greece - Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Veria — Fasoulotavas

Local dishes/delicacies to try

The local cuisine of Veria includes many meat dishes, such as pork with celery or leek, Sarmades, meatballs, which in the local dialect are also called “barbouria”, and locally produced meats from the forests of Vermio. There also also many traditional pies with hard crust pastry filled with leek, cheese or herbs and the salty ‘batzo’, which is a type of cheese. One of the most famous delicacies of the area is fasoulotavas or fasoulontavas, which is a type of bean.

Sweets of Veria

The traditional sweet of the city is the revani that is available in almost all pastry stores of Veria, and the famous loukoumades. Of course, the revani of Xoxliourou is the most famous and has been around since 1886. Many visitors from all around Greece make their way here just to try this much-loved dessert. Another traditional syrupy dessert of Veria is babathakia or babathes, which is a syrupy sponge filled with fresh cream.

For the best desserts head to Kriara, Pagouras and Lido (with the wonderful profiteroles) and for some great gelato you should visit Tzepo- they are located in the city centre.

Best cafes

When it comes to coffee, locals tend to head to the neighbourhood of Agora and sit at one of the many cafes such as Kivotos, O Kochlias, or Bıstro. You can also head to the area of Elia and enjoy a Freddo or Greek coffee at the all day cafes/bars Lounge, Coin, or Mall.

For a night out

If you are looking for a good night out, you should know that different venues are open in winter and summer. If you visit during the winter head to the pedestrian street of Veria and if you would like to listen to some Greek music I recommend bars such as Spiti, O Afros and Public. If you prefer alternative music head to Stop Fourno while for foreign rock you will go to La Grange. You should also know on Fridays and Saturdays many taverns offer live music.

Things to see & do

–The Arts Hall and Stegi. These are places where theatrical, dance performances, conferences and all kinds of events take place. The newly built Conference Center of Veria combines modern architecture and an innovative design. The interior is perfectly shaped into two large amphitheaters.

-The large open theatre Melina Mercouri is located in the Papagou Grove. The theatre hosts many musical and theatrical performances. It is open in summer only.

-The presence of green is visible everywhere in Veria, either thanks to nature or to people. The river Tripotamos crosses the western part of the city and you can walk over the bridge and its riverbed.

-The central square of the city, Elia, was rightly named “balcony of Veria” since it is located on a slope, on the borders of the center of Veria and the surrounding area. It features various cafes and restaurants as well as a fountain in the main square.

Neighbourhoods to visit

-Areas such as Roloi, Barbuta, Elia, Gipedo, Prometheus and Tsermeni are the best neighbourhoods to check out for some local architecture and to get a real feel for the town.

-Barbuta is the Jewish quarter, dating back to Roman times (50 AD) and owes its name to a fountain in the area, which is still preserved today. It is located northwest on the city map, next to the river Tripotamos. It originally served as a small Jewish community, in the late 15th century AD.

-Images from the history of the city during the 18th century are brought to life by the Christian district of Kyriotissa, with its narrow streets, stone alleyways and the roofs of the houses that seem to touch each other. Behind the high courtyards and next to the alleys, small stone churches emerge. The district has many Christian and Byzantine churches. Kyriotissa follows the architectural style of Barbuta with many of the listed houses having been restored and converted into places of recreation and entertainment.

Shopping

Most stores that sell local and international brands are located in the centre, in what is known as the “Agora” area in the heart of the city. Here you can find a range of clothing, footwear, jewellery, book stores and homewares.

Where to stay

Most hotels are located in Elia and Barbuta. For some traditional hospitality and design check out Kokkino Spiti and Veritas, or for more modern hotels we recommend Olganos and Veria Suites.

Insider tips…

-The city became even more famous last year as much of the filming of a popular Greek TV series took place in the city of Veria, mainly in the area of Barbuta.

-Due to Vermio, which is a verdant mountain with many springs, the city has the advantage of having rich water resources. In fact, a characteristic element of Veria, which is rarely found in other cities in Greece, is the many public fountains with cold water that run 24 hours a day. These are usually built of red brick and are scattered in every corner of the city!

*Eleni Orfanidou is a school teacher who was born and raised in Veria and is very proud of the local traditions, culture and history of her home town.

Cover Image @kokkino spiti

If you are looking to visit a beautiful town that is bursting with rich history, culture, museums and archaeological sites, look no further than Veria.

Part One | History

By Eleni Orfanidou

Located in Macedonia, it is set on the foothills of Mount Vermion and crossed by the River Tripotamo. From the 11th to the 14th century it was the third most important city of the Byzantine Empire, after Constantinople and Thessaloniki.

Now known as “Little Jerusalem,” the city is filled with an impressively large number of Byzantine, post-Byzantine churches as well as lots of archaeological sites and historical museums.

Here is a list of must-see places for when you visit!

Insights Greece - Veria: Greece's Charming Town Bursting With Rich History — Step of the Apostle Paul

Religious Sites

Step of the Apostle Paul is a historical monument of global interest and a source of religious tourism for the city. Every season of the year people from all over the world arrive in Veria to see up close the traces of Apostolos’ tour.

Agios Patapios was the center of ancient, but also of the early Christian Veria, as it was located on the east side of the main road, which led from the north gate of the fortified enclosure inside the ancient city. The most extensive ensemble was excavated in the ruins of buildings of the Roman period, which provides a very important picture of the organization of the city during the early Christian period. Discovered here were parts of a building complex with extensive mosaic floors, an early Christian baptistery, as well as part of the diocese.

Byzantine churches

Veria is known for its numerous Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches (about 48 surviving today) and 72 originally, resulting in the name of a ‘Small Jerusalem’, as well as unique collections of Byzantine icons. Particularly famous is the Church of the Resurrection. Other important temples are the Church of St. John the Theologian (13th century), the Church of Saints Kirikos and Ioulitis (16th century) and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul (11th century.) Make sure to pay a visit to the church of Panagia Dexia, built in the 19th century, in place of a former church of the 14th century. Take a look at the easternmost surviving sector of the former church where you can gaze upon the sanctuary’s niche and wall paintings.

Jewish Synagogue

The Jewish Quarter was built in 1850 and is located next to the Tripotamos River, boasting cobblestone streets and grand mansions. It is one of the oldest Synagogues in Europe and in the heart of the Jewish quarter is Barbuta, the stone building of the Synagogue, with ornate interior decoration. Today it is closed and open only when Jewish people travel and come to pray. The Apostle Paul preached here when he visited the city in 51 and 57 AD.

Archaeological Sites

Vergina: A short distance from Veria is Vergina, built geographically on the site of the ancient Aigai, where the excellent archaeologist Manolis Andronikos excavated and discovered the ancient tomb of King Philip V. The modern underground museum of Vergina is astonishing. Royal tombs and exhibits from the entire history of Macedonia are found here. At the Royal Tombs Museum, you can admire many findings and wall paintings in an impressive underground construction. Philip II’s tomb and the magnificent golden urn are the items that stand out.

Museums

Byzantine Museum: The prosperity of Veria during the Byzantine era is presented in every detail. It is housed in the old Mill of Markos, near the city walls. Finds include mosaics, manuscripts, pottery, wood carvings and coins.

Archaeological Museum: Recently renovated, it attracts enormous archaeological interest from all over the world and offers a flashback to the rich past of Veria, while referring to the historical grandeur of the Ancient City of those years. In the three rooms of the Museum one can see findings from the Paleolithic era to the period of Ottoman rule.

Museum of Education: There is a permanent exhibition, which presents the evolution of education and its teaching aids in Greece, from the time of waxed plates, parchments, ancient ink and conveyors to the age of notebooks, desks and computers.

Museum of Modern History and Art: Known as Vlachogiannio, it exhibits in a unique way the flourishing of art and the progress of modern history in this place.

Folklore Museum: It is housed in the old mansion of Sarafoglou. The museum focuses on the folklore of the area, highlighting the rich history of the habits of the inhabitants of Veria. The material of the museum is of astonishing interest, while at the same time it is housed inside an old mansion, which allows you to see the architecture of the city inside.

Vlach Folklore Museum: The Museum is housed in a listed building next to Orologiou Square, highlighting the cultural heritage of the Vlachs. In the museum there are exhibits with traditional costumes, rich photographic material and a collection of traditional material related to the Vlach tradition of the area. The purpose of the museum is the preservation, promotion and dissemination of elements of Vlach culture. For this reason, events are held in the area accompanied by traditional music.

*Eleni Orfanidou is a school teacher who was born and raised in Veria and is very proud of the local traditions, culture and history of her home town. Over the coming weeks, Eleni will be sharing with IN+SIGHTS GREECE readers what to see and do when visiting Veria.

Byzantine churches Greece Greece travel Greek history Greek travel Macedonia Thessaloniki Veria

Your Curated Guide to Greece

Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Veria

If you are looking to visit a beautiful town in Greece, that is bursting with rich history, culture, museums, archaeological sites, as well as charming cafes, quaint villages and amazing food, look no further than Veria.

Veria: Greece’s Charming Town Bursting With Rich History

If you are looking to visit a beautiful town that is bursting with rich history, culture, museums and archaeological sites, look no further than Veria.

Your Curated Guide to Greece

If you are looking to visit a beautiful town in Greece, that is bursting with rich history, culture, museums, archaeological sites, as well as charming cafes, quaint villages and amazing food, look no further than Veria.

If you are looking to visit a beautiful town that is bursting with rich history, culture, museums and archaeological sites, look no further than Veria.

The Athens Guide