Greece

By Sebastian LaTorre

A Fifteen-Hour Pause in Thessaloniki

I land in Thessaloniki with fifteen hours to spare before my next flight. It’s a layover, but I treat it like a gift. I take the bus from the airport straight into the city, watching buildings slide past the window, sunlight bouncing off pale stone and balconies stacked high above the street.

The first thing I do is find food. I walk until I see a place that feels right and end up at The Brothers Grill. I order a pork gyro and it’s unreal. Salty, hot, dripping just enough to make a mess. I eat it standing outside, fully locked in. One of the best gyros I’ve ever had, no hesitation.

From there, I walk toward the water. Thessaloniki opens up along the pier, wide and relaxed. I find a bench in the sun and lay back, letting the warmth settle in. I fall half asleep listening to my Harry Potter audiobook, the city moving quietly around me. People pass on bikes. Couples sit along the edge of the water. The day feels unhurried.

I walk the oceanfront, eventually reaching the White Tower of Thessaloniki, bright against the blue sky. It feels solid and calm, like it has seen everything already. From there I head inland, passing streets full of cafés and shaded corners, until I reach the Arch of Galerius, standing casually in the middle of the city like it belongs there.

Nearby, I stop at Tabya Cafe and order a traditional Greek coffee. It’s thick, strong, and served simply. Bitter at first, then smooth. Exactly what I need. I sit for a while, watching people move through the square, letting the caffeine and the afternoon settle in.

Eventually, I make my way back toward the bus and return to the airport. Just like that, Greece slips back into motion around me. No rush. No pressure. Just a single, perfect pause between countries.

I’ll be back someday. This felt like an introduction, not a goodbye.