Thessaloniki is a vibrant gem along the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. Serving as the capital of Macedonia and with over 1 million inhabitants, the city is not only regarded as the cultural and entertainment capital of northern Greece, but also the cultural capital of the country. Founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander of Macedon, its history spans some 3,000 years; preserving relics of its Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman past and of its formerly dominant Jewish population. Many of its Byzantine churches, and a whole district of the city in particular, are included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. Large avenues, parks and squares, old houses, neoclassical buildings, stand side by side with modern dwellings which makes a walk through any section of Thessaloniki an interesting journey.

Thessaloniki is one of our most beloved locations. With Mount Olympus, the residence of the twelve ancient gods, being visible from different parts of the city, this place has many stories to tell. Its nickname is Symprotévousa, literally "the co-capital," a reference to its historical status as the "co-reigning" city of the Eastern Roman Empire, alongside Constantinople. This rivalry has become literal over the years and a funny quarrel continues between Athenians and Thessalonikians about which city is the best. Here is an opportunity for you to discover who is right!

We are lucky enough to partner with a number of hospitals in Thessaloniki, including the European Interbalkan Medical Center, the Gennimatas General Hospital of Thessaloniki, the Papageorgiou General Hospital, and the Papanikolaou General Hospital. (We promise you'll be able to pronounce the name of your hospital before your program is over!)

The Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki is the largest, most modern, private hospital in northern Greece. It provides comprehensive healthcare services, and is a member of the Athens Medical Center - the biggest Healthcare Group in Greece. It operates under the highest quality standards and boasts state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and is constantly ready to tackle even the most difficult and complicated cases, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

The General Hospital Gennimatas of Thessaloniki, located at the heart of the city, has a rich history that began back in 1912. The structured areas of the hospital cover 6,500 square meters, built over an extended period of time to meet the hospital’s needs. The hospital is handles primary health care concerns for people living not only in the center of the city but from all around Macedonia and Thrace. Currently, it has 600 beds and a broad spectrum of medical and surgical specialties, including 5 university departments.

The Papageorgiou General Hospital of Thessaloniki is a public, non-profit hospital. It was founded by the Papageorgiou brothers, Nikos and Leonidas, in 1999. It hosts a wide variety of clinics and departments, and it is dedicated to the continual training of doctors through special education programs. With 1000's of employees, the capacity for 800 beds, and state-of-the-art medical equipment, the hospital is known for its pioneering services and high quality employees.

While Papanikolaou General Hospital's origins trace back to World War I, the hospital in its most current state was developed in the 1980’s. The hospital is named after Dr Georgios Papanikolaou; the famous Greek doctor who is credited with the development of the most common cytoscopic screening test which bears his name; the Papanicolaou test (also known as the "Pap test" or the "Pap smear"). It was also certified in 2012 by the National Transplant Organization as a specialized center for heart and lung transplants.