Spring is an ideal season for weekend breaks in Greece. The days are longer, the weather is mild, and the trees are blooming. Bonus: the cities are not crowded with tourists. That means you will find better accommodation deals! Today I’ve rounded up 5 Greek cities ideal for a weekend escape. I have rounded up tips on what to do once you get there (visit, walk, shop and eat)!
Athens
Well, a proper city break guide for Greece should start with the capital right? (*cough, cough*), which happens to be my hometown as well!
Visit: The Acropolis as well as the Acropolis museum. If you’re up for something different, you can visit the Numismatic Museum, which has a nice outdoor cafe as well.
Related: The Museums of Athens
Walk: The historic center is pretty full of pedestrian streets, so there lots to see and explore. I recommend a walk around the Acropolis, as well as a visit in the National Garden.
Shop: Ermou is the busiest shopping street in Athens and a pretty central one, so it’s difficult to avoid! If you’re into luxury shopping you can visit Kolonaki and especially Voukourestiou street.
Eat: Tzitzikas and Mermigas for Greek cuisine with a twist. Il Postino for delicious Italian cooking.
Stay: 4 design hotels you should check out in Athens. Book a room for your next visit in Athens!
Related: Brunch at Estrella Athens, Saturday Walk in Athens
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city. It’s built along Thermaikos Gulf, which means one thing: a killer promenade for (romantic) walks.
Visit: Byzantine Museum, TV Tower (for the view), the White Tower by the promenade
Related: The essential guide to Thessaloniki
Walk: Along the promenade. Tsimiski street for window shopping. Aristotelous square for pigeon “hunting”.
Shop: Thessaloniki has a really “rich” shopping center and you can find a cool store in the most unexpected places. My favorite streets are Tsikimiski, Proxenou Koromila, and Mitropoleos
Eat: Make your way to Ladadika neighborhood which is filled with interesting restaurants. I also like Kitchen Bar by the port (the view is amazing) as well as the cafe/bar of Byzantine Museum for a drink!
Stay: Book a room for your next visit to Thessaloniki!
Related: Foodie Guide to Thessaloniki
Heraklion
Heraklion has become my “adopted” hometown in the past 3 years since my husband is from Crete. I even got married there in beautiful and unique church!
Visit: you can start from the Archeological Museum which is the city center. Then venture out to Knossos, which is just 6km far from the city. Here you’ll visit King Minos’ Palace. This visit isideal for first timers and people who haven’t visited for ages. Also check out Saint Titus Church (ehm, the one I was telling you above!)
Related: Visiting Knossos, Europe’s oldest city
Walk: Around the old port. Αlong the promenade. Αlong 25th August pedestrian street. Ιn the old market
Shop: Dedalou and Kalokairinou streets are the obvious choices here!
Eat: One thing is for sure, the food here is delicious. I particularly like Peskesi and Pecora Nero for my Italian cuisine fix!
Stay: Book a room for your next visit to Heraklion
Related: The Essential Info Guide to getting around the Greek Islands
Nafplio
Related: Day Trip to Nafplio
Volos
Volos is a 4-hour drive north of Athens, on the way to Thessaloniki. It’s the hometown (then named Iolkos) of the legendary Jason. Jason sailed along with the Argonauts to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. I prefer Volos as a gateway to Mount Pilio (where the Centaurs used to inhabit).
Visit: Mount Pilio and especially Markinitsa, Portaria and Milies.
Walk: Along the promenade or in the cobblestone shopping streets.
Shop: Ermou street is one of the most popular shopping streets in Volos.
Eat: You’ll find a lot of restaurants along the promenade. Volos is famous for a particular (shot) drink called Tsipouro, which you will find in all these restaurants. My favorite one is Monosandalos and it’s located near Agios Konstantinos church.
Stay: Book a room for your next visit to Volos.
I'm Anna and this is my lifestyle and travel blog! 
next stop, Thessaloniki!!
it’s been years since I visited! Want to go this year hopefully!
I’m dying for spring right now! These photos are gorgeous and it’s interesting to read about places beyond Athens.
Silly Medley: Lifestyle and Travel
Greece has sooo many places beyond Athens! Will feature Greek islands too before summer comes!
I’ve been dying to visit Greece for so long now! Spring break is sounding extra appealing at the moment 🙂
Spring is the best time to visit (esp. May) as it’s less crowded and the weather is pleasant!
Awww what a lovely guide! I would love to visit Naplio, I’ve never been there and from what I hear it’s a beautiful place! 🙂 x
It’s very beautiful! Ideal for a daytrip!
Athens and Santorini have been on my “must visit” list for ages, and I’m hoping to cross them off in the next year. I live in Spain now, and my favourite spring break destinations are Valencia (beautiful beaches), Granada (charming and magical) and San Sebastian (GREAT food!).
Ah never been in any of this cities! As Spain goes I’ve been twice to Barcelona and spent a couple of hours in Madrid during a layover!
This is a helpful guide! I’ve never been to Greece but it looks like such a gorgeous place. And the food! Looks like a perfect spring break trip.
thank you! Well the food is amazing and spring is an ideal season to visit!