The 15 Largest Cities in Greece by Population

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Ask most people to name a Greek city and you will hear Athens, perhaps Thessaloniki, and then a list of islands. Yet Greece has a whole string of lively, lived-in cities that most travel plans skip, from university towns on the plains of Thessaly to busy ports on the Ionian and the Aegean. They are where most Greeks actually live, work and go out at night, and many of them make better bases for exploring the country than you might expect.

The Acropolis and Parthenon rising above central Athens, seen from Lycabettus Hill, with the city stretching to the Saronic Gulf — *The Acropolis rises above central Athens, with the city spreading all the way to the sea at Piraeus.*

To rank them, we used the official 2021 census results published by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), the most recent full count of the country's population. We ranked cities by the population of their municipality, but counted Greater Athens and the Thessaloniki urban area as one city each, because otherwise suburbs such as Peristeri, Kallithea, Acharnes and Kalamaria would fill half the list.

One thing to keep in mind as you read the numbers: Greek municipalities often take in surrounding villages, and in one case on this list a whole island, so each figure tells you how many people live in and around a city rather than in its old town alone. In total, Greece counted 10,482,487 residents in 2021, and more than a third of them live in Attica.

The 15 largest cities in Greece

1. Athens

Red-tiled rooftops of Plaka and central Athens stretching toward the mountains, seen from Theorias Street — *Red-tiled rooftops in Plaka give way to the rest of Athens, seen from Theorias Street below the Acropolis.*

Athens is in a league of its own. The Municipality of Athens had 643,452 residents in 2021, but that covers only the historic core. The five regional units that make up the continuous built-up area most people mean by Greater Athens (central, north, west and south Athens, plus Piraeus) counted 3,059,764 people between them, and the wider Attica region 3,814,064. Piraeus, a city of 168,151 in its own right and the country's main ferry port, is folded into Athens here because the two grew into one long ago.

Most people come for the Acropolis, and it deserves the attention, but Athens rewards a few extra days. Spend a morning in the National Archaeological Museum, walk the pedestrian promenade that links the ancient sites below the Acropolis, eat your way through the neighbourhoods of Psyrri and Koukaki, and climb Lycabettus Hill around sunset for the view in the photo above. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots, with warm days and none of the July heat that empties the streets at midday.

2. Thessaloniki

The round stone White Tower of Thessaloniki beside pine trees on the seafront — *The White Tower, Thessaloniki's best-known landmark, stands at the end of the seafront promenade.*

Thessaloniki is Greece's second city and, for many Greeks, its favourite. The municipality had 319,045 residents in 2021, and the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki, which takes in the suburbs and the towns around them, had 1,092,919. Founded in 315 BC and named after a half-sister of Alexander the Great, the city has Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers stacked on top of each other, and its early Christian and Byzantine monuments are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, including the Rotunda and the church of Agios Dimitrios. Most of the big sights, from the Arch of Galerius to the White Tower on the seafront, sit within an easy walk of each other.

It is also a serious food city, from bougatsa at breakfast to meze in the lanes of Ladadika and the stalls of the Kapani and Modiano markets. The long seafront promenade is where the whole city seems to stroll in the evening, and with a large student population it stays lively all year, so autumn and winter are as good a time to visit as summer.

3. Patras

The domed Church of Agios Andreas in Patras with flowers in the foreground — *The Church of Agios Andreas in Patras is dedicated to the city's patron saint.*

Patras is the third largest city in Greece, with 215,922 residents in its municipality. It is the main port of the western Peloponnese, with ferries across the Adriatic to Italy, and its carnival, held in the weeks before Lent, is the biggest in the country and takes over the whole city. There is a Roman odeon and a hilltop castle in the upper town, the huge church of Agios Andreas dedicated to the city's patron saint, and just outside town the Rio-Antirrio bridge crosses the Gulf of Corinth. Ancient Olympia is an easy day trip.

4. Heraklion

The Venetian Koules fortress lit up at night beside sailing boats in Heraklion's old harbour — *The Venetian Koules fortress guards the entrance to Heraklion's old harbour.*

Heraklion, the capital of Crete, had 179,302 residents in 2021, which makes it the largest city on any Greek island. Many visitors only pass through on their way to the beaches, but it deserves at least a full day. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds the finest Minoan collection anywhere, the Palace of Knossos is only a few kilometres south of the centre, and you can walk along the Venetian walls to the tomb of the writer Nikos Kazantzakis before finishing at the Koules fortress on the old harbour. Thanks to Crete's long season, Heraklion works from April to early November.

5. Larissa

Stone seating and stage ruins of the First Ancient Theatre of Larissa — *The First Ancient Theatre of Larissa sits right in the middle of the modern city.*

Larissa, the capital of Thessaly, had 164,095 residents in 2021. It sits on the Thessalian plain beside the Pineios river and is one of the most cafe-filled cities in Greece, with a young crowd and plenty of life in its pedestrian centre. Its ancient theatre, one of the largest in the country, sits right in the middle of town. Larissa is also a practical base for the region, with Mount Olympus, the Vale of Tempi and the monasteries of Meteora all within reach by car.

6. Volos

Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf seen from the green hills above the city in early morning light — *Early morning over Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf, seen from the hills above the city.*

Volos had 139,670 residents in 2021. It sits on the Pagasetic Gulf at the foot of Mount Pelion, and according to myth this is where Jason and the Argonauts set sail. Today it is best known for its tsipouradika, small places where every round of tsipouro arrives with a plate of meze, usually seafood. Volos is also a ferry port for the Sporades, so it pairs well with an island hop to Skiathos or Skopelos, or with the stone villages of Pelion in any season.

7. Rhodes

The round stone towers of the Palace of the Grand Master in the Medieval City of Rhodes — *The Palace of the Grand Master rises over the Medieval City of Rhodes.*

Rhodes is a special case, because its municipality covers the whole island, which had 125,113 residents in 2021, up from 115,490 in 2011. The town itself is a treat for history lovers, with its Medieval City listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights. Add Lindos and the island's long beaches and it is easy to see why Rhodes stays busy from spring to late autumn.

8. Ioannina

View across Lake Pamvotis to the wooded castle promontory of Ioannina and the Fethiye Mosque — *Lake Pamvotis, with the castle and the Fethiye Mosque on the shore of Ioannina.*

Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, had 113,978 residents in 2021. Its old town sits inside a castle on the shore of Lake Pamvotis, where Ali Pasha ruled in the early 19th century, and a short boat ride takes you to the small inhabited island in the middle of the lake. The city is known for its silverwork and its university, and it is the natural base for the stone villages and gorges of Zagori. If you are heading there, our guide to Ioannina and Zagori in autumn covers the season when the region looks its best.

9. Chania

The Venetian lighthouse at the end of the stone breakwater in Chania's old harbour — *The Venetian lighthouse marks the entrance to Chania's old harbour.*

Chania, in the west of Crete, had 111,375 residents in 2021. Its Venetian harbour and lighthouse, with the lanes of the old town behind them, make it one of the most photogenic towns in Greece. It is also the gateway to the Samaria Gorge and to beaches such as Balos and Falassarna, so it suits travellers who want a city base with plenty of nature close by. For ideas, see our list of things to do in Chania.

10. Chalkida

The Evripos strait and the old bridge in Chalkida with the waterfront and mountains behind — *The narrow Evripos strait and the bridge that links Chalkida to the mainland.*

Chalkida, the capital of Evia, had 109,256 residents in 2021, up from 102,223 in 2011, which makes it one of the fastest growing municipalities on this list. It sits on the narrow Evripos strait, famous for a current that changes direction several times a day, and a bridge links it to the mainland. Roughly an hour's drive from Athens, it is a favourite escape for Athenians who come for seafood by the water and for the beaches of central Evia.

11. Agrinio

Agrinio at dusk, with city lights below and a lake and mountains in the distance — *Agrinio at dusk, with Lake Lysimachia and the mountains of western Greece beyond.*

Agrinio, the largest town in Aetolia-Acarnania in western Greece, had 89,691 residents in 2021. It grew prosperous on tobacco in the 20th century, and old tobacco warehouses still mark the town. It is a working city rather than a tourist one, but it makes a handy base for Lake Trichonida, the largest natural lake in Greece, and for the mountain villages and quiet coast of the region.

12. Katerini

Heroes Square in central Katerini with a bust of Alexander the Great and flags — *Heroes Square in the centre of Katerini, with its bust of Alexander the Great.*

Katerini, the capital of Pieria, had 82,892 residents in 2021. It lies between Mount Olympus and the sea, and that is its biggest selling point: in one day you can walk among the ruins of ancient Dion, hike the lower trails of Olympus from Litochoro and be back on the beach at Paralia Katerinis by evening. The coast is busiest in July and August, while the mountain is at its best in late spring and early autumn.

13. Trikala

The iron Central Bridge of Trikala over the Lithaios river, lit up at night — *Trikala's iron Central Bridge, built in 1886, crosses the Lithaios river.*

Trikala had 78,605 residents in 2021. The Lithaios river runs through the centre, the old Varousi quarter climbs toward a Byzantine fortress with a clock tower, and the flat streets make it one of the most bike friendly towns in Greece. In recent winters its Christmas theme park, the Mill of the Elves, has drawn families from all over the country, and Meteora is only a short drive away, which makes Trikala a calmer alternative to staying in Kalambaka.

14. Serres

Stone ruins of the Tower of Orestes on the Byzantine acropolis of Serres — *The Tower of Orestes, part of the Byzantine acropolis above Serres.*

Serres, in Central Macedonia, had 74,004 residents in 2021. It is a relaxed regional city with a Byzantine hilltop citadel and a strong food tradition, including its own style of bougatsa. The big draw nearby is Lake Kerkini, one of the best places in Europe for bird watching, where Dalmatian pelicans gather in winter.

15. Kalamata

The twin bell towers of the Church of Ypapanti on a street in Kalamata's old town — *The Church of Ypapanti stands at the heart of Kalamata's old town.*

Kalamata rounds out the list with 72,906 residents in 2021, up from 69,849 a decade earlier. The name is famous worldwide thanks to its olives, but the city itself is a pleasant surprise, with a long beach right in town, a compact old quarter below its castle and its own international airport. From here you can reach the Mani peninsula, Ancient Messene and the beaches of Messinia, which makes Kalamata an easy place to start a trip around the southern Peloponnese.

Just outside the top 15

Alexandroupoli, the main city of Thrace and the gateway to the Evros Delta, just missed the cut with 71,751 residents. Behind it come Kozani (67,224), the central municipality of Corfu (67,112), Xanthi (66,875), Lamia (66,657), Kavala (66,376) and Komotini (65,243), all close enough that a few thousand people would reshuffle the bottom of the list.

Whichever cities you choose, they are at their best outside the peak of summer, when the weather is mild, prices are lower and you see everyday Greek life rather than a holiday version of it. Pair one of the big two with a smaller city from this list and you will come home with a much fuller picture of the country.

Are you planning a trip to one of these cities? Each has more to discover than a quick visit shows, from old town walks and food tastings to day trips into the countryside nearby. Browse our GetGreece tours and activities to find experiences in the places you're visiting and book something that makes your trip.

Photos: View of the Acropolis of Athens from Lycabettus (cover and opening image) by Jakub Hałun, licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Athens (Plaka) by George E. Koronaios, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Thessaloniki (White Tower) by Annatsach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Patras (Agios Andreas) by Annatsach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Heraklion (Koules fortress) by Stu's Images, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Larissa (First Ancient Theatre) by ApostleKtenas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Volos by Holger Adams, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Rhodes (Palace of the Grand Master) by Julian Lupyan, CC0 public domain dedication, via Wikimedia Commons; Ioannina (Lake Pamvotis) by Cosal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Chania (Venetian lighthouse) by Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Chalkida (Evripos bridge) by Jebulon, CC0 public domain dedication, via Wikimedia Commons; Agrinio by Efthimios Skandalis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Katerini (Heroes Square) by Fred Cherrygarden, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Trikala (Central Bridge) by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Serres (Tower of Orestes) by Vasgala, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kalamata (Church of Ypapanti) by Maesi64, CC0 public domain dedication, via Wikimedia Commons.