Greek Cities

Greek Cities

Greece may cater for the needs of every traveler, combining sea and mountain in a perfect and harmonious way. There are things to do here all year around and it is highly unlikely that anyone will be disappointed!

Probably among the most famous cities is Athens, the capital of Greece. In antiquity, it was one of the four Greek city states vying for power and control over the region (the others being Sparta, Corinth and Thebes) and became the cultural center of Greece during the Golden Age in the 5th century BC. With a history of over 7 millennia, Athens today combines the past and the present in a harmonious way, and shows the way to the future. Visitors may walk on the places where Aristotle and Plato once taught, and marvel at one of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity, the Parthenon. It is also a modern city, with a vast range of amenities that will definitely satisfy everyone’s needs.

The second largest city of Greece, Thessaloniki, is also referred to as the “Capital of the North”. It is centrally located in the prefecture of Macedonia; it was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, its existence spanning over 2,300 years. A city that once was the “co-reigning” city of the Eastern Roman Empire, after Constantinople, its Byzantine heritage is evident as one walks along the paths of this romantic city. The Aristotle University here is the largest university in the Balkans, and the existence of a vast number of students offers the city with a unique, youthful and fresh atmosphere. In fact, it was ranked 5th best party city worldwide by Lonely Planet, comparable to cities like Dubai and Montreal. It was also included in the top tourist destinations of National Geographic for 2013.

Corfu or Kerkyra, a popular destination for tourists, is one of the Ionian islands that also has particular links with Greek mythology. It is mentioned in the Homeric epic, the Odyssey, as being the Island of the Phaeacians, which Odysseus visited before finally reaching Ithaca. Its history is also marked with battles and conquests, evident today in the castles present all over the island. The old city of Corfu was designated for the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007.

Mykonos is a typical Cycladic island, featuring white – washed houses and blue tops. It is also known as the Island of the Winds. However, it is known worldwide for its cosmopolitan nightlife; for years it has been the hot spot of the area, visited by international celebrities.

Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, is located in the Eastern Aegean Sea and it is also nicknamed the Island of the Knights. It is famous for once being the host of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes. The medieval Old Town of the city of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

These are just a few of the many interesting tourist destinations in Greece. One thing is certain; no matter which place you visit, you will want to come back.