Greece offers the right destination for every type of holiday. For better orientation and travel planning, we present the 13 regions of the country and the most popular Greece Destinations and holiday regions. Each region, whether islands or mainland, has its own peculiarities and an unmistakable charm.
“There is no such thing as typical Greek, every region is different and has its own charm!”
The typical Greek, as conveyed to us by the travel catalogues, does not exist everywhere. In many respects, Western Macedonia in northern Greece and the islands of the southern Aegean Sea are worlds apart. After all, the north-south extension of Greece is about 750 kilometers, for example between the mountain village of Nymfaio and the small island of Kasos.
Greece Mainland regions
You can imagine these regions of Greece like federal states in your country. In Hellas, they are distributed both on the mainland and on the Greek islands.
The individual Greek regions will be given as much as possible political self-governments Awarded. With the exception of the region of Western Macedonia, all others even have direct access to the sea.
Over the centuries, different cultural, architectural and linguistic features developed inside of Greece. It is this versatility that makes the country so unique to us, and there are countless different destinations in Greece that cater to the needs of holidaymakers.
- Attica – Athens
- Epirus – Ioannina
- Central Greece – Lamia
- Eastern Macedonia and Thrace – Komotini
- Peloponnese – Tripoli
- Thessaly – Larissa
- Western Greece – Patras
- Western Macedonia – Kozani
- Central Macedonia – Thessaloniki
The regions of the Greek islands
- 10. Ionian Islands – Corfu
- 11. Crete Island – Heraklion
- 12. North Aegean – Mytilene
- 13. South Aegean – Ermoupoli
#1 The Attica region
Attica (Αττική, Attiki), with 3.8 million inhabitants, is the most populous region in Greece. The capital and cultural and economic center is the city Athens. Attica is located in the south of Greece.
With Piraeus, the largest Greek seaport, the Attica region forms the gateway to Greek islands.
Popular Greece destinations in Attica:
- Acropolis of Athens
- Athens Old Town including the districts of Plaka, Anafiotika and Psirri
- The volcano of Methana
- The thermal Vouliagmenis Lake
- Attica Coast and the Athens Riviera
- Saronic Gulf and the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra
- The Kythira Island between the Peloponnese and Crete
- Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
#2 The Epirus
Epirus (Ήπειρος, Ípiros) is located entirely in the Northwest of Greece. The region borders Albania to the north and the Ionian Sea to the west. In addition to the beautiful coast, also known as the Greek Caribbean, the Eprius has a largely mountainous terrain.
The landscape of Epirus is one of the most pristine in the country. The capital of Epirus is the lively town Ioannina.
Popular Greece travel destinations in Epirus:
- Ioannina and Lake Pamvotida
- Zagorochoria and the picturesque Zagoria villages
- The Vikos Gorge in the Pindos Mountains
- The Stone Bridges of Epirus
- Ambracian Gulf
- The Tzoumerka Region
- The cities of Arta and Preveza
- Parga, Syvota and the Greek Caribbean
Ours detailed travel reports about this beautiful region can be found here:
- The mountainous region of Epirus Zagori
- Parga and the Greek Caribbean
- Arta and the diversity of Epirus
#3 Central Greece
As the name suggests, the region of Central Greece (Στερεά Ελλάδα, Stereá Elláda) almost in the center of the country. Economically, it is the most prosperous region in Greece.
Euboea, the second largest Greek island, and the island of Skyros also belong to Central Greece. The capital is the town of Lamia and the touristic highlight of the region is definitely Delphi.
Popular Greece destinations in Central Greece:
- Oracle of Delphi
- Mountain village Αrachova in Mount Parnassus
- The picture-perfect seaside village of Galaxidi
- Rock Monastery of Proussos near Karpenisi
- Harbour town of Nafpaktos on the Gulf of Corinth
- The region of Thermopylae
- Skyros Island and the Skyros Ponies
- Evia Island and the Edipsos Thermal Springs
#4 Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
The geographically northernmost administrative region of Greece consists of the Greek territory of Thrace and the eastern part of Macedonia (Ανατολική Μακεδονία και Θράκη, Anatoliki Makedonia & Thraki). The region borders Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the west.
The capital is the town of Komotini. Eastern Macedonia and Thrace are among the most diverse regions of the country. And yet they are hardly known to tourists.
Popular Greece destinations in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace:
- Islands of Thasos and Samothrace
- The old town of Xanthi
- Dadia-Lefkimi-Souflion, Rhodope and Nestos National Parks
- The Evros Delta
- Pomakochoria Villages of the Greek-Turkish Pomaks
- The port city of Kavala
- Philippi and Amphipolis Archaeological Sites
- Stalactite Caves of the Drama Region
#5 The Peloponnese Peninsula
The Peloponnese Peninsula or the Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnisos) is located in the very south of the Greek mainland. In principle, it is even an island due to the artificial canal of Corinth. The Peloponnese is an ideal destination for Greece explorers.
In addition to many archaeological sites, beautiful beaches and a fascinating landscape await you. Tripoli, in the heart of Arcadia, is the capital of the Peloponnese. An overview of the peninsula can be found in our article Peloponnese Holidays.
Popular Greece destinations in the Peloponnese:
- The mountainous region of Arcadia
- Sparta and the fortress of Mystras
- Mani and Greece’s Southern Cape
- Medieval fortress Monemvasia
- Picture-book city of Nafplio
- Epidaurus and Corinth
- The region of Kalamata
- The mysterious Mycenae
From our personal highlights on the peninsula we report at: Peloponnese Tour
#6 The region of Thessaly
Thessaly (Θεσσαλία, Thessalía) is located above central Greece and borders the Thermaic Gulf in the west. The archipelago of the Northern Sporades also belongs to the region. The capital of Thessaly is Larissa with 160,000 inhabitants.
In the north of Thessaly is the mighty Olympus Mountains with the 2,918-meter-high seat of the gods. The Meteora monasteries near Kalambaka are considered a popular destination for a Greece Tour.
Popular Greece destinations in Thessaly:
- Meteora Monasteries at Kalambaka
- Pelion (Mountains and peninsula)
- Pelion Railway Narrow Gauge Railway
- Picture-book village of Makrinitsa near Volos
- Mountain range Olympus (National Park)
- Dion Archaeological Park
- The Tempe Valley on the Pinios River
- Northern Sporades: Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos
#7 Western Greece
The region of Western Greece (Δυτική Ελλάδα, Dytiki Ellada) extends on both sides at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. Off its coast lie the Ionian Islands. The capital of the region is Patras with one of the most important seaports in the Mediterranean.
With the Ancient Olympia Western Greece has one of the most famous historical sites in Greece.
Popular Greece travel destinations in Western Greece:
- Ancient Olympia
- Patras and the Rio-Andirrio Bridge
- Castles Fortress Agia Mavra, Grivas and Vonitsa
- Ambracian Gulf
- Lagoon town of Messolongi
- Harbour town of Nafpaktos on the Gulf of Corinth
- The largest natural lake in Greece, Lake Trichonida
- Odontotos Rack Railway from Diakopto to Kalavryta
#8 Region of Western Macedonia
The region is located in the North of Greece, on the border with Albania and North Macedonia. The capital is Kozani. Western Macedonia (Δυτική Μακεδονία, Dytikí Makedonía) is considered the economically weakest region of Greece. Slowly, however, tourism is establishing itself here as well.
So far, Western Macedonia with its varied nature and originality has been considered a real Greece Insider Tip.
Popular Greece travel destinations in Western Macedonia:
- The Prespa National Park and Lake Prespa
- The city of Kastoria and the Dragon’s Cave
- Picture-book village Nymfaio
- Wineries in Western Macedonia
- Picturesque stone bridges in the Pindos Mountains
- Mountain villages of Mesolouri, Dotsiko, Spilaio
- The Portitsa Gorge
- The Aliakmonas, the longest river in Greece
Check out this unspoilt region You can find out more in our article: Round trip through Western Macedonia
#9 Region of Central Macedonia
Central Macedonia (Κεντρική μακεδονία, kendriki makedonía) with its capital Thessaloniki is located in the north of Greece. With the sun-drenched Halkidiki Peninsula The region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
By the way, the characteristic three fingers of Halkidiki are called Cassandra, Sithonia and Athos. The latter is home to the monastic republic of the same name, which is over 1,000 years old.
Popular Greece destinations in Central Macedonia:
- The Metropolis Thessaloniki
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Vergina and Aigai
- Edessa Waterfalls
- Olympic Riviera
- Ancient site of Dion near Katerini
- Castle of Platamon
- Monastic Republic of Athos
- Pangeo Mountains and their monasteries
- Beaches in Halkidiki
#10 Ionian Islands
The administrative region of the Ionian Islands (Ιόνια Νησιά, Iónia Nisiá) is located in the West of Greece. It is a group of islands in the Ionian Sea with the main islands (from north to south): Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.
The archipelago is one of the most popular destinations in Greece. A visitor magnet is the Shipwreck of Zakynthos on the beautiful Navagio Beach. The administrative centre of the Ionian Islands is Corfu Town, also known as Kerkyra.
Here you can find our travel reports about the Ionian Islands:
#11 Crete Island
Crete (Κρήτη, Kriti) is the largest Greek island and at the same time its own administrative region in Greece. The capital Heraklion with 170,000 inhabitants, it is also considered the fourth largest city in the country.
Crete is basically like a country in its own right, no other island is so varied. 2,400-metre-high mountains, beautiful beaches and lush plains characterize the island. One Crete Holidays alone is not enough to explore the island extensively.
You can find all the information about the most popular island in Greece here in our guide about theIsland of Crete, as well as in the article about the most popular Crete Resorts.
#12 North Aegean
The region of the North Aegean (Βόρειο Αιγαίο, Vorio Egeo) manages numerous islands, which extend about 300 kilometers from north to south along the Turkish west coast. The main town is the lively coastal town Mytilene on the island of Lesvos.
Other large islands are Limnos, Chios, Ikaria and Samos. Except for the latter, the other islands are considered by connoisseurs to be true Greece insider tips.
Here you can find our travel reports about the islands of the North Aegean:
#13 South Aegean Sea
The South Aegean region (Νότιο Αιγαίο, Notio Egeo) includes the Greek Islands between Crete and the North Aegean Sea. These are the two Archipelagos Dodecanese and Cyclades. The seat of the municipality is the city of Ermoupoli on the island of Syros.
Together with its islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes and Kos, the region is one of the most touristic destinations in Greece.
Here you can find our travel reports about the islands of the South Aegean:
- Dodecanese Islands
- Cyclades Islands
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