15 Must-see Cities and Charming Towns to Visit in Greece

Rhodes

Take a break from ancient Greece and turn a page to the era of the Crusades. Before you go off exploring the rest of the island, spend a day or two in the cosmopolitan city of Rhodes, famed for the duality of its New Town and Old Town. The city is full of epic tales from medieval history, which you can discover on the Street of the Knights—one of the best preserved medieval streets in the world—and in the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, housed in the historic Hospital of the Knights. You can also explore the old Jewish Quarter and visit the Hafiz Ahmed Agha Library, which has a collection of rare Islamic texts that date back to Ottoman rule.

Kavala

Head to the northern reaches of the Aegean coast to Kavala, a hillside city with gorgeous beaches, sweeping vistas, and an exciting mix of ancient history and modern city life. You can’t miss its imposing aqueduct, which runs for almost 1,000 feet and dates to the 16th century. After taking it in, learn more about the city’s fascinating history at the Acropolis of Kavala. If you visit between June and September, you can take a short trip to the Krinides Mudbaths, a full-service spa with a large pool of therapeutic clay.

Chania

Greece’s largest island has another city worth exploring. Chania, on Crete, is famed for its Venetian harbor and quaint Old Town, where you can discover the various epochs of the city’s history with Venetian, Turkish, and Greek architecture. Explore the cobblestone streets, duck into museums like the Maritime Museum of Crete, and shop for souvenirs in the endless boutiques. (Pro tip: splurge on a bag or a pair of shoes while you’re there, as this place is known for leather goods.) When it comes to accommodations, there are plenty of gorgeous resorts and hotels to choose from. One is Casa Delfino, which has a rooftop with amazing views and great suites for families.

Nafplio

Nafplio, located in the eastern Peloponnese, is a seaside dream packed with Venetian architecture to explore. As Alys Colayera, lead travel expert for Greece at Black Tomato, says, it’s a “great place to wander through the old alleyways, grab a strong cup of Greek coffee at a local coffee shop in the square, and take a boat to Bourtzi Castle if you are interested in architecture and history.”

One of the most romantic things to do is take a walk along the beautiful beach promenade that follows the sea and connects Nafplio’s harbor to the lighthouse and finishes at Arvanitia Beach. You can keep the romantic vibes going by checking into one of the town’s beautiful guesthouses, many of which are housed in former mansions like the Aetoma Hotel.

Corfu Town

One of the most beautiful places in Greece is Corfu Town, on the eastern coast of the island of Corfu. Here, travelers can explore the historic architecture that earned the Old Town of Corfu a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tour the fortresses, stroll through the town’s central market, and visit Spianada Square, the largest square in Greece. And make time to wander the ever-charming narrow streets in the Campiello, one of the oldest (and most scenic) districts in Old Town.

Athens

Most travelers will fly through the Greek capital before moving on to their seaside vacations, but the city is worth a dedicated trip in its own right—even if you only have one day to spend in Athens. Home to some of the most important historical sites on earth, like the millennia-old Acropolis, this ancient city is full of wonder, and it also has its modern attractions. You can peruse the galleries of the National Museum of Contemporary Art and check out the clubs in the nightlife district of Gazi.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, located in the northern part of the country, offers a blend of history and youthful energy that few cities can match. “I would recommend Thessaloniki for its long and epic history,” says Peter Sommer, founder of Peter Sommer Travels. “The historic center of Thessaloniki is filled with an extraordinary series of ancient monuments, many of them part of an imperial palace complex built by the Roman Emperor Galerius and vast in scope.”

Sommer says there are several museums to visit here, including the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. “But history and archaeology aren’t the only reasons to come to Thessaloniki. It’s justly famed for its gastronomy,” Sommer adds. “You can savor a huge selection of glorious local dishes and sample a cornucopia of excellent local wines.”

Kastoria

Drive two hours east of Thessaloniki to find another northern city worth exploring—Kastoria. The scenic city is perched on Lake Orestiada between the Grammos and Vitsi mountains. Visitors can enjoy peaceful boat rides on the lake with any number of outfitters lining the shores or just watch the local anglers go to work each day to reel in the catch. Consider a bike tour with Adventures And Wines, where you cycle the lake’s shoreline and see all the hidden nooks worth exploring. 

Ioannina

“Ioannina truly shines as a city that’s a hidden treasure, especially for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers,” says Stergiou. This city on the shore of Lake Pamvotida has inspired many creative talents thanks to its epic vistas, but more than that, Stergiou explains, it’s a fantastic home base for exploring more of the northwest region of Greece. 

“In addition to the beautiful lake that stands proud as the city’s landmark, the Byzantine castle, the scenic historical center, and the lively neighborhoods, Ioannina is a gateway to countless incredible experiences within a one- or two-hour drive. From there, you can take daily trips to some of the most beautiful villages in all of Greece, such as Metsovo or captivating Zagorohoria, filled with breathtaking landscapes and charming stone houses.” 

Kalamata

Kalamata, a city well-known for its olive production, is a place where travelers can get lost—in the best way possible. Go to stroll its winding cobblestone streets, explore the medieval castle, and visit museums like the Modern Greek Art Gallery for a well-rounded city escape on the Peloponnese Peninsula. You can spend your day on the main pebble beach in town or book a tour of an olive grove with guides like Mama’s Flavours.

Kalambaka

Located in central Greece, Kalambaka is famous for its unparalleled view of the stunning Meteora, rock formations topped with UNESCO-listed monasteries. You can use the city as a base to explore these nearby sites dating back as early as the 11th century. Sadly, much of the city was destroyed during World War II, leaving few historic attractions to visit. Work the Natural History Museum of Meteora into your itinerary (it also has a bonus Mushroom Museum), or plan a day of wine tasting in one of the nearby vineyards.

Larissa

Smack-dab in the middle of the country, there is no better place to get the authentic experience of everyday life in Greece. Larissa also happens to be home to the oldest settlements in the country—which is saying something in Greece—with remnants found on the site dating back to the Neolithic period (roughly 8,000 years ago). The main attraction is the Ancient Theatre of Larissa. Next door, you can also walk around the Ancient Ruins of Larissa, where there are lovely restaurants with views overlooking the ruins.

Corinth

History abounds in the southern city of Corinth, thanks to well-preserved ruins including the iconic Temple of Apollo and the Acrocorinth fortress. Only about an hour from Athens, Corinth and the surrounding coastal towns make a perfect day trip from the capital city, says Colayera. One of the town’s marvels is the four-mile-long Corinth Canal, a civil engineering project that began as an idea in ancient times but was not completed until the 19th century. Head to the viewing bridge to watch the amazing sight as boats come in, or join the daredevils at Zulu Bungy for a 230-foot jump.

Piraeus

If you’re making your way to any of the islands, odds are you’ll pass through the port city of Piraeus. Dozens of ferries come in and out of the harbor each day, but before you board one, spend a little time exploring the city by visiting places like the Hellenic Maritime Museum, which showcases Greece’s rich seafaring heritage. Spend the day exploring the local restaurants that surround the harbor while window-shopping for some of the glamorous yachts moored in the marina.

Patras

Find the party in Patras, a university port city in western Greece, which offers a bustling (and modern) nightlife scene across several neighborhoods. Along the pedestrian Riga Feraiou Street, you can snag a delicious bite of Greek food, too. The most popular landmark in town is the Saint Andrew Cathedral, which has one of the biggest domes in the Balkans. Though it was built in the 1970s, the location has been an important pilgrimage site for centuries. The Archaeological Museum of Patras showcases goods from the surrounding region dating back to prehistory.