13 Best Places To Live In Greece

Greece is a popular destination for expats hoping to relocate to a new country. With beautiful weather, delicious cuisine and stunning views, moving to Greece has plenty of advantages.

We’ll be taking a look at some of the best places in Greece to relocate to for work, immigrants, families and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at some of the best places to live in Greece.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Greece

City	Reason
Athens	Best for work
Patras	Best for affordability
Athens, Glyfada	Best for families
Thessaloniki	Best for immigrants
Crete	Best for retirement
Mykonos	Best for young adults
Thessaloniki, Centre	Best for students
Athens and Mykonos	Best for food and nightlife
Crete	Best for singles
Mykonos	Best for the LGBT+ community
Rhodes	Best for the weather
Corfu	Best for beaches
Karytaina	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Greece for Work

Athens, Greece’s capital city, is one of the best cities for expats who are looking to work. As well as its outstanding architecture and impressive cultural spots, Athens also is a busy hub of business and commerce.

The main work industries in Athens include tourism, shipping, food and tobacco processing. There are also plenty of job opportunities for teaching English as a foreign language.

Do keep in mind that Greece does have a high unemployment rate in comparison to other countries in Europe, so it’s a good idea to try and secure a position before relocating. If not, then you may find that there is competition for work.

Thessaloniki is another good option for expats hoping to relocate to Greece and find work. The city is known to be a high-tech city with lots of research institutions and universities.

Cheapest Places To Live In Greece

Greece is a very affordable country in comparison to the rest of Europe and North America. Expats hoping to relocate to the country with a small budget will be pleased to know that most cities are affordable, with the bigger cities costing slightly more than more rural locations.

An affordable city that still has all the amenities one would expect of a modern city, Patras is a large port city located in the west of Greece. The cost of living and the cost of housing in Patras is affordable, particularly in comparison to Athens.

Nafplion is another good option for expats hoping to relocate to an affordable city. It’s centrally located which is ideal for those who are hoping to easily travel the country and has some fantastic cultural spots.

Best Places To Live In Greece for Families

Athens is one of the best cities for expats with families to consider relocating to as the cost of living and cost of housing is very affordable in comparison to other modern cities and there are several outstanding cultural spots.

A popular neighbourhood with expats is Glyfada, which is located close to the beach and near several hotels and resorts. Several parks and playgrounds are located near Glyfada as well as upscale shopping options.

For those hoping to relocate somewhere slightly more rural, Chania is a great option. It’s located on the northwest coast of Crete and has a charming Old Town as well as a safe and friendly reputation – it’s smaller than other Greek cities so may not have as many amenities as others.

Best Places To Live In Greece for Immigrants

One of the most popular cities in Greece for immigrants is Thessaloniki. Located in the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, the city is the second largest after Athens and has a large existing expat community.

There is a thriving economy in Thessaloniki which is ideal for those hoping to find work, while the cost of living and housing is very affordable in comparison to other European cities. Thessaloniki also has a vibrant social scene, with lots of cultural ruins and historical sites for family-friendly fun, as well as a bustling nightlife scene.

Athens is another good city for immigrants to consider. As the capital, there is a large English-speaking expat community located in the city and the city in general is as developed as one would expect and need of a modern city.

Best Places To Live In Greece for Retirement

Greece is a very popular destination with expats hoping to retire somewhere warm with ample choice of delicious cuisine and plenty of surrounding historical culture. One of the best places to consider retiring in Greece is Crete.

Crete is one of the largest Greek islands and ticks many boxes for those hoping to find a good place to retire. There’s a strong medical infrastructure in Crete, alongside an affordable cost of living and housing and outstanding natural scenes such as pristine beaches and awe-inspiring mountain landscapes.

There is also a large existing expat community in Crete which is perfect for those hoping to find new community and friends after relocating.

Another good option for expats looking to retire in Greece is the city of Corfu which is an island located on Greece’s northwest coast. The island has plenty of expats and is known for its beautiful scenery and easy access to the port and the airport.

Best Places To Live In Greece for Young Adults

Mykonos is located in the centre of the Cyclades island group and is a great city option for young adults looking to relocate to Greece. The island is known for having a vibrant social and nightlife scene and is ideal for young adults hoping to spend their evenings at beach parties, bars or clubs.

Prices can get expensive during the summer as it is a well-loved party destination. Those hoping for a quieter lifestyle can head further inland to some of the local villages.

English is widely spoken on the island and there is a great community for those hoping to find new friends. It’s also a great island for digital nomads who can enjoy working near, by or on some of the many beaches by the sea.

Santorini is another good option for young adults considering relocating to Greece – particularly those who may have a slightly larger budget as the prices can rise during the summer. There are plenty of exciting opportunities for travel in Santorini, though do keep in mind that as one of the most iconic spots in the Mediterranean, Santorini can be very busy, especially during summer.

Best Places To Live In Greece for Students

The best city in Greece for international students is Thessaloniki, a port city with a huge amount of historical and cultural significance. Several buildings and ruins have been preserved over time within the city, and it attracts thousands of visitors each year due to its authentic charm.

Some of the most important universities in Thessaloniki include the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the International Hellenic University and the University of Macedonia.

The cost of living is very affordable and there are plenty of good social spots in the city to find new community, as well as a large student population.

Athens is another good university city for international students and is home to the top university in all of Greece. As the capital, Athens has a lot to offer international students and is a great option for those hoping to dive into Greek culture.

Best Places To Live In Greece for Food and Nightlife

Athens, Greece’s capital is one of the best cities for food lovers to experience authentic Greek cuisine. Greek cuisine is encapsulated by its use of olive oil, wheat and wine. Commonly used ingredients include olives, vegetables, fish and rabbit.

Athens is full of tavernas, ouzeries and koutoukia (traditional, typically family-run restaurants) as well as more fine dining options. There is also plenty of exceptional street food in Athens as well as some good options for those who enjoy a drink.

When it comes to nightlife, Greece is famous for some of its party islands – Mykonos, in particular. It is the largest island known especially for its nightlife scene which ranges from extensive, all-night-long club experiences to more intimate live music venues.

Best Places To Live In Greece for Singles

Crete is an ideal location for singles hoping to relocate to Greece. Not only is the island exceptionally beautiful, but the cost of living and housing makes it ideal for anyone working with a smaller budget.

There is a large single community in Crete and the island is particularly loved by digital nomads. Crete has a charming and authentic atmosphere with an Old and New Town that offers insight into Greece’s rich history and culture.

Crete also has a steadily growing economy which is perfect for those hoping to find work or engage with local businesses on the island.

Another good option for singles is Corfu. Singles who enjoy the nightlife scene will thrive in Corfu which has a well-known and well-loved party scene as well as getting to experience the outstanding beaches and cultural sites on the island.

Best Places To Live In Greece for the LGBT+ Community

Mykonos is one of the best places in Greece for the LGBT+ community as there are several beaches and clubs which cater for the queer community here. Do keep in mind that much of Greece is still Greek Orthodox with traditionally conservative views regarding homosexuality.

In Mykonos, there are several gay beaches such as Elia Beach and Agrari Beach. Most of the queer scene can be found in Mykonos Town with several hotels, bars and clubs that cater for members of the LGBT+ community.

Athens is another Greek city to consider if you’re part of the LGBT+ community and hoping to relocate to Greece. Athens has a distinctive gay neighbourhood which includes shops, cafes, bars and clubs that cater for the community.

Best Places To Live In Greece for the Weather

One of the best islands in all of Greece for year-round good weather is Rhodes. Located in southeastern Greece, Rhodes is ideal for those relocating to soak in the sun.

As a Mediterranean climate, Rhodes experiences mild and wet winters and hot and humid summers, with potential snowfall in some of the mountainous areas. As well as experiencing gorgeous sunshine, Rhodes has a bustling social scene and breathtaking natural beaches and landscapes.

Another island which experiences exceptional weather is Crete, which is known for its hot and dry summers. You should expect some differences in conditions depending on regional location, however, as being further to or away from the coast will impact the weather.

Best Places To Live In Greece Near Beaches

When choosing a location to relocate to in Greece near good beaches, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. However, Corfu is one of the Greek islands that offers everything and more a beach-lover could need.

Located off Greece’s northwest coast in the Ionian Sea, Corfu has a range of spectacular beaches as well as a thriving nightlife scene. A popular tourist destination, Corfu can get particularly busy during the summer months but several areas remain relatively peaceful.

Some of the best beaches in Corfu include Dassia Bay, Kontokal and Barbati.

Another good option for beach-lovers who may want a slightly more authentic Greek atmosphere is Paros which is known for its outstanding beaches and traditional Greek villages.

Best Places To Live In Greece Near Mountains

Greece is a primarily mountainous country, with several islands acting as the home for some of the most famous mountains in the world. One of the most well-loved mountain villages in Greece is Karytaina which is located in Arcadia.

The village has a rich history and draws in many tourists eager to climb the peak to witness the dramatic beauty of the island.

There are several mountains and mountain ranges across the Greek islands – Thessaloniki is a great city to consider relocating to as some of the most famous and spectacular mountains, such as Mount Olympus, are very close by and easy to get to.