Greece is highly urbanised: more than a third of the population lives in the Athens area and much of the rest in regional capitals. Modern Greek cities often grew fast in the 20th century, but they hide historic centres, monuments and charming neighbourhoods.
The most populous cities
The main cities
| City | Region | Why visit |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | Attica | The capital, the Acropolis, museums, nightlife |
| Piraeus | Attica | Port for the islands, Mikrolimano |
| Thessaloniki | Macedonia | Byzantine monuments, seafront, food, student life |
| Patras | Peloponnese | Port for Italy, carnival, castle |
| Heraklion | Crete | Archaeological museum, Knossos, Venetian walls |
| Chania | Crete | Greece's loveliest Venetian harbour |
| Rethymno | Crete | Venetian and Ottoman old town |
| Larissa | Thessaly | Ancient theatre in the centre, gateway to Meteora |
| Volos | Thessaly | Seafront, tsipouradika, gateway to Pelion and the Sporades |
| Ioannina | Epirus | The lake, the castle, silverwork, gateway to Zagori |
| Kalamata | Peloponnese | Olives, beaches, base for the Mani |
| Nafplio | Peloponnese | The first capital, the most romantic |
| Kavala | Macedonia | Castle and aqueduct, port for Thassos |
| Rhodes | Dodecanese | The medieval city of the Knights |
| Corfu | Ionian Islands | Venetian old town, UNESCO |
| Ermoupoli | Cyclades | The noble capital of Syros |
| Alexandroupoli | Thrace | The lighthouse and the Evros Delta |
Getting between cities
The main mainland cities are linked by modern motorways and KTEL buses. The main railway, run by Hellenic Train, links Athens and Thessaloniki via Larissa; after the serious Tempi crash of 2023 the network has undergone works and checks. Domestic flights link Athens with distant cities and the islands.
See also the population of Greece and the islands.