Aljawaz Your guide to study abroad Greece, with its rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant culture, has become an increasingly popular destination. This is mostly the case for international students seeking a unique and enriching educational experience. With a range of world-renowned universities and colleges, as well as a thriving student community, Greece offers an excellent study abroad opportunity for those looking to broaden their horizons while enjoying a warm climate throughout the year. In this article, we will explore some of the best university cities in Greece for international students. We’ll highlight their unique features, cultural attractions, and academic offerings. This will help you choose the perfect destination for your study adventure in this beautiful country.
Read also about the main reasons to study in Greece as an international student.
Table of Contents
Athens: the oldest university city in Greece
The first in the list is among the oldest university cities in Greece, it’s also the place where democracy and Western civilization came into existence. And it’s only fair to have Athens as the very first city in our ranking. It’s also home to the oldest universities in Greece, including the highest ranked university in the country: the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
And the city offers a perfect balance between the traditional, ancient Greek landmarks and the modern yet magnificent landscapes. It’s also the birthplace of the most eminent thinkers in history. This includes Plato, the founder of the Platonic academy, one of the earliest institution of higher education in the Western world.
Along with being one of the top university cities in Greece, it’s also the top destination in the country for student mobility. Moreover, it hosts 8 universities, with 4 of them being among the best universities in Greece:
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- National Technical University of Athens
- Agricultural University of Athens
- Athens University of Economics and Business
- Harokopio University of Athens
- Panteion University
- University of Piraeus
- University of West Attica
Beside these institutions, if you aren’t at school, there is no shortage of places to visit in and around the town. This includes, the Syntagma square or Constitution square, Athens’ War Museum, Athens National Historical Museum, the Monastiraki flea market, the Agora, or Mount Lykabettos where you can enjoy some of the best views of the city.
Thessaloniki: the second-largest city in Greece
The second city that is worth our attention has 2,300 years of history behind it. Thessaloniki got its name after the sister of Alexander the Great and stands out for being a cultural hub in Greece. Being a university city par excellence, this city in Northern Greece is the best alternative to Athens, perfect for foreign students looking for the “road less travelled”.
It boasts several cafés, restaurants and places students can hang out to enjoy the European lifestyle. And this for a cheaper price! And with a large student population, it’s also a favorite student mobility destination. Add to that the fact that Thessaloniki prides to be cosmopolitan, fostering intercultural dialogues and friendships among students from all over the world.
Institutions of higher education in Thessaloniki include:
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- International Hellenic University
- University of Macedonia.
And for your free time, Thessaloniki hosts several historical and architectural landmarks worth seeing. To name a just a few, you can visit sites such as the Great Monasteries of Meteora, Halkidiki beach, the Archaeological Museum, the Mount Olympus or the Chain Tower in the Upper Town.
Patras: the regional capital of Western Greece
Home to the University of Patras, the most international university in Greece, Patras is also the third-largest city in the country. It’s also a city of choice for student mobility with a vast student population, and breeding excellence in technological education. Besides being an important scientific center, Patras in Greece is also famous for hosting in February of every year, one of Europe’s largest carnivals.
Moreover, Patras isn’t that much on the tourist trail. That’s how one of the reasons it makes it into our ranking of the best university cities in Greece. Among the sites worth visiting in Patras, there is the Archaeological Museum, the Roman Remains, the Greek Remains, the St Andrews Church, and the Patras Castle which dates back to the 6th century, and overlooking the city.
Ioannina: a historical and cheerful city in the West of Greece
The next in our list is Ioannina, located in Western Greece. It’s home to a public university with the same name. It’s also one of the hottest university cities in Greece, which stands out for its cozy atmosphere and famous historic landmarks. The place is renowned for its museums, galleries and is a center for arts and crafts, especially for silversmiths. And even today, silver from Ioannina is among the finest in Greece. And a few traditional craftsmen and workshops, still today create refined and complex silver work of arts.
Among the sites that you can visit in Ioannina, there is the Byzantine Museum. Next to it, there is the Victory Mosque, that is open to the public. Ioannina also features an archaeological museum, as it is the case for several Greek big cities. And last, a wonderful experience not to miss out if you happen to study in this city is to visit the island of Nissi on the far side of the Lake Pamvotis.
Chania: the main city in Western Crete
Located in the most appealing island of Greece, Chania stands out for its breathtaking scenery, its vibrant setting and its historical Venetian landmarks. The city is big enough to have the features of a big town yet small on a human scale. It won’t take you long to find your way around and for you to start to feel at home. When it comes to the academic setting, Chania hosts 3 universities:
- Hellenic Mediterranean University of Chania
- Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania
- Technical University of Crete
The best places to visit in Chania include its lively harbor, its historical remains and its crowded market. Moreover, the city hosts several specialized museum: an archaelogical museum, a maritime museum, the folklore museum in the southern part of the city.
Heraklion: the capital and top university city in Crete
Heraklion, also called Irakleio or Iraklion is the largest and most dynamic city of Crete. It’s a vibrant place which stands out for its rich cultural and historical heritage. The city also is well-located in the center of Crete, making it a great place to explore the rest of the island. For international students, Heraklion is home to the University of Crete, one of the best universities in Greece. The other prominent HEI in the city is the Hellenic Mediterranean University.
Moreover, wordly-famous landmarks highlight Heraklion’s beauty and historical heritage. This includes the Knossos archaeological sites, the Arsenal with its Venetian construction, the Minoan Palace, and of course the Archaeological Museum. Besides, there is the Loggia, a 17th century building which serves now as the city hall, and the Agios Titos church, which building dates back to the 16th century.
Volos: the historical gateway to the Pelion Peninsula
The last in our list of the top university cities in Greece is another historically-charged place in the country. Volos is also home to the University of Thessaly, the third-largest university in Greece. Volos puts together urban elegance and traditional and natural beauty. The city is located at the foothills of Mount Pelion. It’s at a little more than 3-hour drive from Athens and 2-hour from Thessaloniki.
The city’s main highlights include its harbor, its mountain villages and walking trails. There is also the archeological museum and the majestic Ayios Nektarios church, to name just a few. Among the villages surrounding Volos, that are worthy of a visit, there is Makrinitsa with its traditional mansions, Vizitsa or Millies. These mountain villages are perfect for weekends or summer vacation getaways during your study stay in Greece.
Read also our other articles:
The living cost in Greece for international students
How to get a student visa to Greece
