12 Beautiful Cities and Towns To Visit in Greece That Are Not Athens

Greece is a fascinating country and one of the most naturally beautiful places to explore. The most popular place to visit in Greece is Athens. Home to the Acropolis, Athens is a beautiful city with impressive scenery, rich history, and excellent weather. However, Greece has more to see than just the capital city.

Offering thousands of miles of pristine coastline, historic ruins, and a rich cultural heritage, you’ll find many things to see and do across mainland Greece and the Greek islands. To better understand what else Greece offers, we’ve compiled a list of 12 beautiful places to visit that aren’t Athens.

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Fira, Santorini

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Santorini is one of the most popular islands to visit in Greece, and with good reason. The island is loved for its beautiful coastline, pristine beaches, iconic white-washed homes, and wine-growing heritage. Fira is the island’s capital, and it has a lot to offer.

Located at the island’s western edge, Fira is a hilltop city famed for its breathtaking coastal views, luxury resorts, and traditional architecture. The city also offers one of the island’s iconic caldera viewpoints. In Fira, you’ll spend your time lounging in your private pool, shopping, eating traditional food, and enjoying the lively nightlife. Don’t miss Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, or the Three Bells of Fira.

Kalabaka, Meteora

If you want to see something utterly mind-blowing and unique during your Greece adventure, you must visit Kalabaka, where you’ll find Meteora. Perched high up in the Pindus Mountains in Thessaly, northwestern Greece, Meteora is a fascinating rock formation with a vast monastery complex.

These monasteries stand proudly thousands of feet high, overlooking the town and its beautiful landscape. The Monastery of the Holy Trinity at Meteora is a famous sight that can be reached by a steep set of stairs. The town itself is a lovely place to explore, too. You’ll find traditional Greek architecture, authentic places to eat, and impressive views of the monasteries towering above you.

Rhodes Old Town, Rhodes

Like Athens, Rhodes Old Town is a beautiful destination jam-packed with history, ancient ruins, and mystery. Once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (the Colossus of Rhodes), the town has a rich history dating back to the 5th century BC. As such, it boasts a remarkable display of architectural styles from Byzantine times to the Ottoman era.

The best way to explore Rhodes Old Town is to get lost in ancient alleyways. That way, you’ll find all the best-hidden gems, traditional houses, quaint shops, and authentic restaurants. Points of interest in this UNESCO World Heritage Site include the Palace of the Grand Master, the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, and Sokratous Street.

Aegina Town, Aegina

Aegina is the closest island to the Greek capital and an easy day trip from Athens. It only takes approximately one hour to reach from the port of Piraeus. Aegina Town is the main port and town on the island of Aegina. It’s a lovely town with gorgeous neoclassical buildings, narrow streets lined with shops, picturesque cafes and restaurants, and vibrant squares.

When you’re not exploring the town’s streets or walking along the scenic waterfront, you’ll likely explore the area’s top attractions. Just outside the town, you can find the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo. Less than a mile north of the town, you’ll also find a beautiful sandy, pebbled beach lined with resorts and turquoise waters. What’s not to like?

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki sits on a natural bay overlooking the Thermaic Gulf and is best known for its Byzantine architecture, street food, and vibrant nightlife. History buffs enjoy visiting numerous Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments, a World Heritage Site, several Roman, Sephardic Jewish, and Ottoman structures, and the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.

Meanwhile, foodies spend most of their time in the street food markets, tucking into Greek delights. Martiou market is one of the city’s biggest and most famous street food markets. Oh, and shopaholics can shop until they drop at the main shopping streets of Tsimiski, Mitropoleos.

Piraeus

It’s easy for tourists to fall into the trap of thinking Athens and Piraeus are one city, but that’s not something you should say to one of the locals, especially soccer-loving locals, as there is a strong rivalry between the two cities. Piraeus is its own city in the Athens urban area. It’s the largest port in Greece and a major shipping, industrial, and transportation center.

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However, besides easy access to Athens and the Greek islands, Piraeus has much to offer tourists, too. The Hellenic Maritime Museum details Greece’s naval power. Meanwhile, the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus displays sculptures from the Bronze Age to the Roman Times. Other notable attractions include Georgios Karaiskakis Football Stadium, the Municipal Theatre Of Piraeus, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Hydra Town, Hydra

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The small island of Hydra is only a short distance from Athens. Sitting off the coast of the Peloponnese, it has to be one of the most gorgeous places in the Aegean Sea. Declared a traditional and protected settlement, Hydra Town and its harbor are home to stunning mansions and traditional houses from the 19th century. A relaxed stroll along the horseshoe-shaped harbor is a must to see the town in all its glory.

What makes Hydra Town more remarkable is the lack of cars. The island is entirely car-free, offering an escape from everyday life. As a result, the island is a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy boating, cycling, and hiking.

Chania, Crete

Chania is a small city on the northwest coast of Crete. This vibrant city is most famous for its breathtaking architecture, snow-capped mountain backdrop, and beautiful coastline. Most of the action can be found in Chania’s striking 14th-century Venetian harbor. At the harbor, you’ll find narrow streets, authentic waterfront restaurants, colorful houses, and narrow streets begging to be explored.

The harbor entrance has a 16th-century lighthouse inspired by Venetian, Ottoman, and Egyptian architectural styles. Opposite it, the Nautical Museum houses naval artifacts, photographs, and model ships. Beachgoers will also be pleased to hear that Chania boasts multiple beaches, Nea Chora Beach being one of the closest.

Corfu Town, Corfu

The following Greek destination on our list is Corfu Town, the capital of Corfu Island. Home to the island’s Old Town, Corfu Town is a beautiful place that is appreciated for its cobblestone streets, Venetian architecture, and the Old Fortress of Corfu. The 15th-century Old Fortress overlooks the town and features a network of intricate tunnels, mosaics, and a chapel.

To admire more of this ancient town’s architecture, visit the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, The Holy Church of Saint Spyridon, the Old Castle, and the Achilleion Palace. After exploring the Old Town’s architecture, walk through the Esplanade waterfront park and tuck into Greek cuisine in a local restaurant.

Mykonos Town, Mykonos

Mykonos is widely regarded as an upmarket Greek party island. The island has many party resorts, beaches, and nightclubs, perfect for a summer vacation with wild parties. The liveliest part of the island is Mykonos Town. Here, you’ll find countless bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. You’ll also easily access popular party destinations like Super Paradise Beach.

However, while Mykonos is best known as a party hub, the town does have more to offer. In Mykonos Town, you’ll also find traditional streets with white-washed buildings, authentic tavernas, and a gorgeous harbor. Matoyianni Street is the main street in the town, while the Little Venice neighborhood is where you’ll find the island’s iconic Venetian-era buildings and windmills.

Lamia

Lamia is an interesting city, not just because it takes its name from the mythical child-eating figure. Located in central Greece in the foothills of Mount Othrys, Lamia is an ancient city with many things to see and do. You’ll most likely spend most of your time in the city exploring the downtown area.

The downtown area, centered around Lamia Castle, features many interesting buildings, shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is an excellent place to grab something to eat and view Lamia Castle. Highlights of the city include the Statue of Athanasios Diakos, Eleutheria’s Square, and the Mansion of the Central Greece Administration.

Volos

Volos, the capital of Greece’s Thessaly region and one of the country’s most significant port cities is a vibrant city that sits alongside the Pagasetic Gulf. Backed by Mount Pelion, this port city has a gorgeous waterfront, stunning architecture, and beautiful scenery.

Areas of Volos that deserve to be explored include the lively harborside, Anavros Beach, St. Konstantinos Park, and the downtown area. Boat trips are also popular in Velos, and tourists often travel to the charming inland villages near Mount Pelion. Popular attractions in Volos include the Athanasakis Archaeological Museum of Volos, the Entomological Museum, and St. Nicholas Metropolitan Cathedral.