Atenas
Named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Athens saw the birth of democracy, drama, and the foundations of Western philosophy. Today it remains a fascinating city full of culture, excellent museums, ancient ruins such as the Acropolis and Parthenon, and lively stalls offering food and crafts.
Though the 20th century buildings and smog can deter many, the city is well worth a visit before heading to outlying Greek islands.
Tessalónica
Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia, the nation's largest region. Thessaloniki is Greece's second major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre, and a major transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe; its commercial port is also of great importance for Greece and its southeast European hinterland. It has been traditional for the country's Prime Minister to set out his government's policies for each coming year in a speech at the annual Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.