Key Takeaways
- The 10 most beautiful cities in Greece are renowned for their picturesque character, each with its own unique charm and beauty.
- Considered one of Greece beautiful places, Nafplio features elegant neoclassical buildings, narrow streets, and a picturesque waterfront promenade.
- Greece's second-largest city, Thessaloniki, offers a fascinating blend of Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern influences.
- Located on the island of Crete, Chania is a picturesque coastal city with a rich history. The Old Town features Venetian and Ottoman architecture, narrow streets, and a picturesque harbor.
They are beautiful, they are ornaments of the country, and a pole of attraction for travelers, whether they are locals or foreigners.
These are the 10 most beautiful cities in Greece, which, despite their kilometer distance from Athens, will reward you with their beauty, hospitality, and attractions.
Certainly, there are many cities and villages and even locations in Greece that are beautiful, but here we "limit" the list of must-visit cities in the country, which are wonderful and each one stands out for something different!
Thessaloniki
No matter how many times you visit beautiful Thessaloniki, its energy and atmosphere together with its many beauties and conveniences, such as the public transportation, give each time a different experience to the traveler.
Romantic and picturesque, with its rich history on show around every corner, the present with the past being balanced in its center.
Very few things can be compared to the quiet morning walk on the beach of Thessaloniki with the White Tower gazing at the blue-gray veil with which the Thermaic Gulf embraces the co-capital of Greece.
With a long and tumultuous history, the building, a symbol of the city, has been renovated and is one of the most beautiful places to gaze at the city and to be informed, with a breathtaking view.
The city of Thessaloniki is historic, to say the least, with famous neighborhoods, the well-known long beach, the new beach with the Umbrellas, Aristotelous Square, the Rotunda, the historic churches, the Upper Town, the welcoming locals, and, of course, the sublime food.
You can not leave the city, one of the striking Greece beautiful places, if you do not try a bun with white chocolate icing and chestnut filling from Terkenlis, Cariocas from Hadjifotiou, the famous Armenovil and ice cream from Plasir, buttery, syrupy sweets from Hatzis, Panorama triangles from Elenidis, delicious rolls from Papillon, cookies from Cookie man, traditional ‘bezedes’ from Emmanuel Bezel, and millefeuille from Konstantinidis.
It is no coincidence that Thessaloniki has been described as a city of sweets!
Nafplio
Few cities reflect as well the rich history of Greece as Nafplio. It is one of the most elegant cities and one of the most romantic destinations in the country.
It is located in the heart of the historic area of Argolida, in the Peloponnese.
Nafplio has deep cultural roots in Ancient Greece and the Venetian period of the 15th and 17th centuries.
It flourished as the first capital of modern Greece in the early 1800s. The city has beautiful neoclassical mansions, stunning Venetian architecture, and picturesque alleys.
The landscape consists of two Venetian castles, Palamidi and Akronafplia, built on two successive hills. Not to be missed is the small Bourtzi fortress in the Argolic Gulf, which offers a unique view of Nafplio and the ideal setting for a romantic getaway.
Parga
The picturesque city of Parga is the most popular summer destination in Epirus, Western Greece. Built amphitheatrically on the slopes of Pezovolos hill and with rich green and deep blue sea, the city has a relaxed island atmosphere.
Parga is a town of truly unique beauty, with colorful houses adorning its alleys. The beach has many cafes and taverns, all with very nice views, and of course, there is a wide variety of hotel units.
Due to its geographical location, it has been inextricably influenced by Ionian architecture, and the castle located in the area is of Venetian construction. The castle, however, is not the only one, reminiscent of old Venice. The island of Panagia, opposite Parga, also has medieval and Venetian buildings.
With Parga as your base, you can visit Preveza and the Archaeological Site of Nikopolis.
You can also visit the surrounding villages, such as Perdika, Agia, and Anthousa, as well as make excursions of historical interest to the Necromancer of Acheron, the monument of Zalongos, and the villages of Souli, and Kugi.
You can also combine the interesting routes in Acheron with hiking, horse riding, and kayaking but also day trips to Sivota, Paxos, and Antipaxos - especially during the summer months.
Kastoria
The hidden treasure of Northern Greece, the photogenic city of Kastoria is built on a narrow strip of land between the calm waters of the beautiful lake Orestiada, giving the impression of a floating island.
The city flourished during the 19th century with the fur trade, many of the luxurious villas of its merchants and traditional houses can be admired in the old quarters of Dolcho and Apozari, along with 72 beautiful churches that are a testament to the richness of its Byzantine past.
The walk around the lake is probably one of the most beautiful walks in Greece, offering stunning views of Kastoria and the surrounding mountains.
Karpenisi
A widely popular destination for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers, Karpenisi is a small town located in a remote and sparsely populated area of Central Greece known as "Little Switzerland."
The fame of the city is largely due to the unspoiled natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, forests, and rivers, which makes it an ideal destination.
For its size, Karpenisi offers a decent selection of traditional accommodations, bakeries, and restaurants and boasts a wide variety of local delicacies, such as the famous leek sausage and prosciutto.
Metsovo
Pindos, tradition, nature, altitude, natural beauties, rare flora, and fauna.
Metsovo guarantees you all this and more as long as you pack your suitcase and head about 400 km away from Athens, in the Prefecture of Ioannina, to this mountain town with more than 3 thousand inhabitants and an altitude of 1,160 meters on the slopes of Pindos, which means that your suitcase should not include light clothes.
From the Slavic 'metska' which means bear and 'ovo which means village, Metsovo has a lot to offer to a traveler, any time of the year, although many classify it only as a winter destination or the perfect spot for Greece in January or Christmas in Greece.
Its beauty, however, does not fit into a mold and impresses all year round in a different way with the traditional atmosphere it exudes.
Cobbled streets, traditional fountains, stone houses, and above all a character that remains unchanged and does not adapt to tourism " must, "thus maintaining all its splendor.
Metsovo has many flavors that you can try, with first and foremost the two local kinds of cheese: Metsovone and Metsovela.
The place also produces yogurt, butter, gruyere, and kefalograviera, while it is also famous for its wine production. Do not leave without trying traditional dishes such as lamb with cauliflower, Metsovo sausage, boiled goat, ‘kontosouvli’, and various pies!
If you want to enrich your trip in the area, you can organize excursions near Metsovo. In winter, you can visit the nearby ski resorts of the area at a distance of 2 km in Karakoli, and 5 km in Politses, while at 6 km is the ski resort Anilio.
Chania
Chania is a mosaic made of beautiful beaches, ancient treasures, and landscapes. A lively city and beautiful villages that are hidden in gorges, where the locals share their traditions, wonderful cuisine, and generous spirit!
Chania never loses the liveliness of summer. With amazing waters and colors, the sea is always warm, and the surrounding mountains are full of hikers from all lengths and breadths of the Earth flocking to the wild mountain nature.
The walk in the city starts from the Old Port and either goes west to the fortress of Firkas or east to Neoria and the Lighthouse, a trademark of Chania. It then continues through the labyrinthine straits to reach a fixed meeting point, the Municipal Market.
The Old Port is the busiest part of the city and you will not need more than 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other.
But if you make the trip at 8 or 9 in the morning, you will see a completely different picture, relaxed, quiet, and picturesque. Start from the Sailing Club, pass the Gialisi Mosque, and the Maritime Museum, and reach Firkas castle.
Aeropoli
The capital of Mesa Mani and one of the most touristic villages in the area is a well-preserved settlement with stone alleys that bear alive the traces of the glory of the past, well-preserved tower houses, and stone-built guesthouses.
The center of the village is the large square with the statue of Petrobei Mavromichalis, where on Saturdays, local producers set up their stalls and sell local products. Around the square, you will find many shops, taverns, cafes, and the municipal library.
Walk in the traditional part of the settlement and admire the towers; Stylianos Mavromichalis Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis, Barelakos, and Pikoulakis stand out.
The port of Areopolis, Karavostasi, has been developed for tourism with nice hotels and taverns, while the neighboring picturesque Limeni is a classic stop for fish food by the sea in an idyllic setting against the backdrop of the tower of Mavromichalia.
Areopolis is an autonomous destination but also a very good starting point for acquaintance with the wider area, with the peninsula of Mani and its characteristic settlements. It is also an ideal destination for those who seek tranquility in the winter months, as the place offers really quiet moments.
Ioannina
Ioannina is a city of Greece that holds an old-time charm like no other. It is one of the cities, such as Thessaloniki, where the Ottoman, Jewish, and Greek elements have made a beautiful mosaic, giving the city added value.
The lake of Ioannina is hear-stopping. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the city has a lake to balance the view from the intensity of the mountains.
We would highly recommend you visit the little island in the lake as well. It is one of the only inhabited lake islands in the world, and it has a vast history and plenty of myths and legends about it.
The Silversmithing Museum is in itself a reason to visit the city. The place is magical, the construction is wonderful, and the approach is excellent to see and enjoy the exhibits and the history of their art.
Food is another reason to travel to Ioannina. They have good restaurants that honor local products. The local wine is excellent, with the Debina variety on the rise, thanks to the local winemakers who gave it new life.
Ioannina has an airport, but if you choose to have a car on your trip you will have the opportunity to see some nearby attractions.
Go to the ancient theater of Dodoni, to the museum of wax figures, to the cave in Perama. Additionally, take some short excursions to fairytale villages such as Kato Pedina, entering Zagori, or the area of Pogoni.
Monemvasia
A castle city with its own, unique atmosphere, Monemvasia constantly attracts visitors from all over Greece and the world due to its diversity and romantic setting.
In the eastern Peloponnese, in the prefecture of Laconia, about 320 km from the capital, a small historic town with a medieval fortress connected by a bridge to the Laconian coast, enchants its visitors 365 days a year.
Full of stone steps, alleys, fairytale houses, arches, and churches, in Monemvasia, you will not see anything twice since no alley or church is the same as the other. The reason is that various cultures, including the Byzantine, Ottoman, Venetian, and Greek, have left their mark on it over the years.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. The 10 most beautiful cities in Greece should top your list when planning your Greek itinerary. With nature so lush and a heritage so rich, no corner of Greece could ever disappoint you, especially if you choose Greeking.me to accompany you on your Greek adventures.
If you don’t believe us, all you have to do is visit and see for yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
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