Spectator Sports

Like most Greeks, Thessalonians are keen soccer and basketball fans, rooting for the home teams. (Confusingly, the Aris and PAOK stadiums are home to both basketball and soccer teams.) Your best bet if you don't speak or read Greek and want to catch a game is to check with the concierge at your hotel. In general, soccer games are in spring and fall, basketball year-round. Aris stadium is in the suburb of Harilaou (tel. 2310/305-402), while the much-easier-to-reach PAOK stadium is on Ayios Dimitrios, 2 blocks northeast of the International Fairgrounds (tel. 2310/238-560).