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Major Cities and Regions

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The major cities and regions of Greece include: Athens, Crete, Pelion, Peloponnese Peninsula, Thessaloniki, and Volos. Whether you are seeking rich history or natural beauty, the cities and regions of Greece can meet your desires. Below is a description of each of these major cities and regions.

Athens

Athens is the capital of Greece and was named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The city possesses thousands of years of history and is home to one of the most magnificent civilizations ever. It is within this city that democracy, mathematics, architecture and physics all find their origin.

The city of Athens is beautiful. Although this capital is similar to other capitals, it is unique with its Acropolis and its Parthenon Temple. The Parthenon, one of the most magnificent monuments in the world, stands with stately elegance after all these years as it overlooks the busy town. The Acropolis Hill of Athens serves as a reminder that Athens was, at one time, the greatest civilization on earth. Also referred to as the “Sacred Rock”, the Acropolis Hill can be viewed from nearly every part of Athens.

Athens radiates a unique charm, as its lively character draws in thousands of visitors every year. With its vine-covered tavernas, ancient monuments, and street markets, tourists love this Athenian atmosphere. Some of the more famous neighborhoods in Athens include: Syndagmatos, Monastiraki, Glyfada, Plaka, Psiri, and Kolonaki. Some of these cities are known for their serenity and beauty while others are more known for their active night life.

Crete

The island of Crete is perhaps the most famous of Greece’s islands. It is outfitted with more tourist facilities than any other Greek island, which should not come as a surprise as it is the largest of the Greek islands. There are some regions on the island that have been overtaken by tourist resorts and hotels, but Crete itself still provides ample areas for investigating various villages, endless beaches, and secluded mountains. In addition, visitors can enjoy exploring the remains of the archaic Minoan culture that flourished in the area before Christ.

If you visit the island of Crete, it may be most beneficial to stay on the east and west tips of the islands as these sections have held on to most of the island’s natural beauty and traditions. Unfortunately, the northern coast has become significantly overdeveloped. With its archaic history and picturesque landscape, Crete still remains a wonderful tourist spot for those all around the world to visit.

Pelion

Pelion is one of Greece’s most famous regions and is located next to Volos in the north of Greece. The villages are situated on pine-covered mountains, and Pelion remains one of the most beautiful areas in Greece. The Pelion Peninsula’s beauty is due to the amalgamation of both lush mountains and deep blue sea. The whole region is picturesque with its sandy beaches and amazing green mountains with tall trees and thick vegetation.

The villages in Pelion are very traditional with their gray stone from the region, and help add to the region’s unique beauty along with the stone bridges and Byzantine churches and monasteries scattered throughout. Visitors can enjoy the charm of Pelion in the summer as they enjoy the beautiful beaches and rich mountains. Or, the winter offers gorgeous white-covered mountains to ski or simply walk through the snowy paths.

Peloponnese Peninsula

The southern area of mainland Greece, identified as Morea, consists of the vast Peloponnese Peninsula. The Peninsula, however, is presently separated from the mainland by what is known as the Corinth Canal. The Peloponnese Peninsula remains a primary tourist spot as most of Greece’s significant and impressive ancient sites are found on this peninsula.

The peninsula also possesses a fertile coastal strip that functions as Greece’s market garden and center for wine production. The Greeks themselves love this peninsula with its awesome beaches and seaside resorts. The tourists often enter Greece by sea from Mediterranean ports through the Peloponnese port of Patras, which is the third largest town in Greece.

The Peloponnese Peninsula is also home to the remains of two temples and the stadium where the very first Olympic Games transpired in 776 BC. The ruins are intriguing, as they are the remnants of an ancient Olympic village consisting of a gymnasium, the Prytaneion where winners were given honor, and a Doric Temple devoted to Hera. The village of Olympia is nearby and holds the Museum of the Olympic Games.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second largest city and is the capital of Macedonia, which is found in the north. Located in a bowl framed by low hills, the city faces a bay on the Gulf Thermaikos. The city was named after Alexander the Great’s sister, Thessaloniki, and was under his territory.

Although it is one of the oldest cities in Europe, today Thessaloniki draws people to it with its modern and energetic atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the seaside location, which affords plenty of great views from the city streets. The streets are possibly even more attractive than Athens with their wide avenues and the city itself contains various squares and parks. The primary squares are Platia Elefterias and Platia Aristotelous, which are both found on Thessaloniki’s waterfront amidst lively cafes and restaurants.

Greece’s tallest mountain, Mount Olympus, is found 48 miles south of Thessaloniki and is home to the Gods of Greek mythology. The primary village in the area, Litohoro, can be reached from Thessaloniki by train or bus. The mountain contains over 1,700 species, some of which are extremely rare. Climbers can reach the top of Mount Olympus is about two days by traveling along various mountain trails.

Volos

The city of Volos is found in the center of Greece and located an equal distance between the country’s two most major cities, Athens and Thessaloniki. Situated at the bottom of the peninsula of Pelion, the city of Volos is the economic capital of the region and is the primary export center of Thessaly. Founded in the mid 19^th century, today Volos contains 71,000 people.

Volos’ waterfront area is booming with its many cafes-bars, restaurants, and pastry shops. The area becomes really crowded on Friday and Saturday nights, and the neighboring streets contain a flurry of activity. The streets are highly commercial with their numerous shops. Volos’ waterfront is also the site where locals head out for their “volta” which is a walk before or after dinner. The port of Volos is also energetic with its daily schedules to the islands of Skopelos, Skiathos, and Alonissos.

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