Built along the shores of the Thermaikos Gulf on the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki is an important place in Greek history. A witness to past civilizations, it is home to ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins. Now rebuilt on modern plans, it boasts magnificent skyscrapers along the beaches. After sunset, this cultural capital of Greece takes on a whole new look with nightlife and entertainment that is the best in the Aegean. For a historical immersion, the upper town of Ano Poli gives you hints of life of the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. The ruins of the 4th century palace of the former Roman emperor Galerius still include the rotunda, a building that combines church and mosque. When Thessaloniki burned in 1917, much of the city center was ravaged, decimating witnesses to history. Today, the city has a new look and is modern.