July 8th, 2012 
Tushar Mathur City Breaks in Greece
While tourism in Greece is mainly associated with hot, balmy weather, sandy beaches and a lively nightlife, it still remains one of the most historically significant and interesting places in the entire world. While many of the mainland’s cities remain untouched by tourism, for many these are by far the best reason to visit Greece. Taking a holiday to a mainland city allows unrivalled opportunities for historical discovery and immersing oneself in local cultures.
With that in mind, we looked at the top 5 city destinations on the Greek mainland.
Athens
The natural place to begin any review of the best cities to visit in Greece is without question the capital, and largest city, Athens. While being an amazing holiday resort in its own right, there are also daily ferry services from the harbour that run to many of the Greek islands situated nearby.
The city itself is home to many landmarks and sightseeing opportunities, with the ancient Parthenon atop the acropolis of Athens perhaps the most significant. There are also many hidden jewels to be discovered throughout the city, so although a famed resort steeped in history, there is still much for tourists to explore and find.
Thessaloniki
This city is always extremely busy, and is a key business centre serving much of Eastern Europe. There are several ancient Greek and Roman built churches, monasteries and other landmarks throughout Thessaloniki, which is home to 15 UNESCO world heritage sites.
When visiting Greece, Thessaloniki is a must for anyone interested in history, with the iconic Mount Olympus also nearby for anyone sporting their climbing boots.
Patras
Like almost every city in Greece, Patras is steeped in a rich history, with many landmarks and ancient monuments indicating the past lives of previous civilisations. One of the best attractions in Patras is the ancient fortress, which offers panoramic views of the city and out across the Mediterranean Sea.
Larissa
Larissa is an ideal city for those looking to visit Greece, experience the rich history of the country, and avoid large groups of tourists. Inland, away from coastal areas, Larissa offers many opportunities for cultural discovery, while also being central enough to encourage travel across the country, be that through organised trips or car hire.
Agrinio
Agrinio is another resort ideal for those looking to escape hordes of tourists, while being more secluded and offering fewer possibilities for discovering the rest of the country. This smaller city does contain several landmarks, however, as well as a number of restaurants and bars that will allow you to melt easily into the background, and enjoy a stress free visit to Greece.
Touristorama is a leading travel website specialising in information for people to visit Greece. The website highlights tourist attractions, provides hotel information, and higlights transport opportunities.
