Greece is one of the most popular destinations for tourism and relocation in Europe: the country receives more than 30 million tourists annually, and the number of immigrants approaches 10% of the country’s population. People come here for the warm climate, rich culture and history, education and healthcare, friendly atmosphere, and opportunities.
When planning a move, one of the main questions becomes choosing the right place to live in the country. Greece is a large country: which city should you go to with your family? Where is the best real estate for investment? How does life in the resort towns of Greece by the sea differ from life in the main cities on the islands of Greece? Let’s choose the main cities of Greece for expats with the Astons Greece blog!
The Capital and Suburbs
Athens — The Cradle of Greek Civilization and the Oldest European Capital
Athens is the largest city in Greece with a population of over 3.2 million people including the agglomeration. It is the capital and the main cultural, historical, tourist, financial, commercial, industrial, and investment center of the country. The history, attractions, and cultural significance of Athens can be talked about endlessly: Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, Euripides, and Sophocles were born here. The first Olympic Games after their revival in 1896 were held here. The Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Zeus, the Theater of Dionysus, and many other world-famous historical landmarks are located here.
In terms of living, Athens offers the full range of metropolitan benefits: excellent transport accessibility and infrastructure, a wide job market, and high salaries, a huge selection of universities and schools, both public and private clinics. In addition, the Russian-speaking community in Athens is one of the largest in the country. However, one should not forget the downsides: higher cost of living and housing, high competition in the labor market, a large influx of tourists and newcomers, and worse environmental conditions compared to other cities. Therefore, when choosing Athens among other Greek cities for relocation, it is worth paying attention to the choice of the district and determining your goals. The southern districts — Glyfada, Voula, Elliniko, Paleo Faliro — are some of the most prestigious and expensive, as are the central districts of Plaka and Kolonaki. More budget-friendly but good areas — Cholargos, Kifisia, and Halandri — are considered suburbs but are part of Greater Athens.
Piraeus — The Largest Port City and Promising Investments
Piraeus is located 12 km from Athens and is the 4th largest city in Greece and one of the most important cities in the country. The port of Piraeus is the largest Greek and the second-largest international trade and passenger port in Europe. It has played a crucial role as a major trade and military harbor throughout history. Piraeus is not considered a tourist and resort city; however, it is popular among expats and foreign investors. A significant factor is that in Piraeus you can still purchase real estate under the Golden Visa program for €250,000, but from September 1 the minimum threshold in Piraeus will rise to €800,000. At the same time, the cost of living and real estate in the city is 10-20% lower than in Athens, and in terms of infrastructure and transport accessibility, the suburb is not inferior to the capital.
Glyfada — The Heart of the Athenian Riviera
Glyfada, a small town located 12 km from Athens, is considered the most prestigious suburb of Athens and one of the most picturesque resorts in Attica. Excellent beaches, yacht harbors, golf courses, first-class hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and nightclubs — all this makes Glyfada not only an elite resort but also an attractive investment center: foreign investors actively purchase local real estate, gaining not only a profitable asset but also the opportunity to obtain a Greek residence permit. The cost of living in Glyfada is quite high, but still lower than in the capital, which cannot be said about real estate: both purchase and rental here are almost twice as expensive as in Athens.
Mainland and Peloponnese Peninsula
Thessaloniki — The Birthplace of Cyril and Methodius
Thessaloniki is the largest city in Northern Macedonia and the second-largest in Greece with a population of 1.1 million including the agglomeration. The city is considered the cultural center of Greece. The environment here is better than in the capital, life is calmer, with no less developed infrastructure: the Macedonia International Airport is located 15 km from the city, and the port in Thessaloniki is the second most important in the country after the port of Piraeus. Thessaloniki is considered the largest railway hub in the country; the metro will open here next year. The leading university in Greece, Aristotle University, is also located here, making Thessaloniki one of the main cities for students in the country. Additionally, there is much to see in Thessaloniki in terms of history and architecture: the symbol of the city is the White Tower, and the Arch of Galerius, the Church of Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica of Saint Demetrios are also well-known.
Patras — The City of Saint Andrew the First-Called
Patras is the third-largest city in Greece and another major port of the country, often called the Western gateway of Greece to Italy. Patras combines several attractive features: it has a well-developed transport network and infrastructure, many cultural events, a more measured life than in Athens, affordable prices for real estate and goods and services, an active labor market, picturesque nature, and a mild climate with cooler summers and warm winters. At the same time, Patras is of interest to tourists — they come here to visit the Castle of Patras and the Church of Saint Andrew, shop in the city’s famous huge shopping centers, and enjoy the Patras Carnival — one of the largest in Europe.
Larissa — The Heart of Thessaly
Larissa is among the top five largest cities in Greece and is considered one of the oldest cities in the country. It can be called a “golden mean” among the popular cities of Greece for moving with family and children: excellent infrastructure; convenient location with no transport accessibility problems; beaches and mountains, safety, and comfort. The environmental situation in Larissa is much better than in the capital, and the cost of living and real estate is significantly lower. The only thing you need to be prepared for is the significant temperature difference between seasons: in summer it is about 30°C, and in winter the average temperature drops to 0°C.
Popular Cities of Greece: Islands
Greece includes more than 2,000 islands, of which about 20% are inhabited. Life on an island is a resort classic: beaches, clean water, hot summers, and mild winters, picturesque nature. However, when choosing islands as a place to live, it is worth remembering the peculiarities: seasonality and remoteness from the mainland. If life on an island does not appeal to you, at the very least, these Greek cities are worth including in the list of places to visit.
Heraklion — The Most Beautiful Resort City in Greece
Crete is the largest island in Greece, the center of the ancient Minoan civilization, and Heraklion is the largest city on the island and its administrative center. Many call Heraklion the tourist pearl of Greece. The city is known for the archaeological excavations of Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia, considered the most significant finds in archaeology. The Fortezza fortress and the Samaria Gorge are also well-known, and according to legend, the Dikteon Cave was the abode of the goddess Rhea, who hid there with the infant Zeus.
Living in Heraklion, like any major resort on the islands, depends on seasonality — this applies to both the availability of work and the level of income. Nevertheless, Heraklion is very popular with expats: it has one of the largest Russian-speaking communities in Greece. Crete, as the main island, stands out favorably with its well-developed infrastructure and transport accessibility, and Heraklion is among the top five largest cities in Greece. Additionally, Crete is known for its educational institutions — many come here for education.
Chania — The Greek Venice
Chania is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. It is located in the north of Crete and has absorbed the traditions of Greek, Venetian, and Byzantine cultures. The small port city is divided into two parts: the old town around the old Venetian harbor and fortress and the new town in the southern part. Chania attracts with its atmosphere and unhurried rhythm of life, beautiful beaches, and extraordinary architecture. Living here is a pleasure for those who prefer the coziness of small resorts to the frantic pace of megacities.
Rhodes — The Jewel of the Mediterranean
Rhodes is a city on the island of the same name, one of the popular places in Greece among tourists and expats. Rhodes can rightfully be called the jewel of the Mediterranean: local resorts are world-famous for their hotels, sandy beaches, and night discos. Orfanidou Street is the center of nightlife, with many bars and nightclubs, and as night falls, the entire street turns into a disco. History and ancient monuments enthusiasts will find the Fortress of Rhodes and the Acropolis of Lindos, and in the Port of Mandraki was once one of the most short-lived of the seven wonders of the world — the Colossus of Rhodes.
Living in Rhodes is suitable for those who are ready for seasonality: from September to May the island quiets down, and in summer it never sleeps. However, it is not difficult to find affordable rental real estate here — especially for long-term rentals. The cost of living in Rhodes is relatively low, with picturesque nature and excellent ecology as bonuses.
The Best Way to Move to Greece
Greece is a wonderful country not only for vacation but also for living. There are several grounds for legalization in the country: a residence permit can be obtained through employment, family reunification, as a financially independent person. However, the fastest and most effective option is obtaining Greece’s Golden Visa. By purchasing one or several real estate properties worth at least €250,000 (in some municipalities — from €500,000), the investor receives a residence permit for 5 years for themselves and their family members within 5-6 months without requirements for a minimum stay in the country, knowledge of the language, and other restrictions. The main requirements for the investor are being at least 18 years old, being able to confirm the legitimacy of the financial source, having no criminal record, and having health insurance.
At the moment, Greece’s investment residence permit is the fastest and most affordable immigration program in Europe: from August 31, the Greek Government raises the minimum participation threshold in the program to €400,000-€800,000 in most of the regions mentioned above.
Astons experts are ready to help with the prompt acquisition of Greece’s Golden Visa without risks — contact us for a free consultation.