The municipalities that have been historically associated with the Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area (and are part of the current Thessaloniki Urban Area), in descending order of population are Thessaloniki, Kalamaria, Neapoli-Sykies, Pavlos Melas, Kordelio-Evosmos, Ampelokipoi-Menemeni and the municipal unit of Pylaia.
However, with urban sprawl, more municipalities are being interconnected with the growing region.