Why Everyone’s Coming to Greece in 2025 (and How to Travel Smarter)
Tourism to Greece is booming like never before. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 10 million people arrived by air, up 15% from last year. Athens International Airport is setting new records, Santorini and Mykonos are packed before June, and even smaller islands like Paros and Naxos are seeing major surges in arrivals.
It’s exciting, yes. But it also raises a few questions for anyone planning a trip.
Where do you go when the classics feel too crowded? How do you find that same Greek magic without the queues and overpriced beach beds? And what does this surge in visitors mean for locals, infrastructure, and the future of travel here?
Here’s what the numbers say, and what to do about it.
What’s Behind Greece’s 2025 Tourism Boom?
According to the latest data from INSETE, more than 10.1 million passengers landed in Greece between January and June 2025. That’s a 15% jump from the same period in 2024. Athens International Airport handled over 6.5 million of those, with island airports like Heraklion, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, and Corfu not far behind.
So, what’s driving the spike? We’re in a strange moment. The post-COVID travel boom hasn’t worn off yet. Many of us are still chasing the trips we couldn’t take in 2020, 2021, and even 2022. Add to that a global cost of living crunch, and you’d think people would be staying home. But they’re not. They’re flying to Greece in record numbers.
International travel has never been more expensive, especially for Australians. With the Aussie dollar sitting around 60 euro cents, it’s essentially double the cost. And yet, Greek beaches and airport lounges are full of Australians spending big. The emotional pull of Greece is clearly stronger than economic logic.
Then there’s TikTok. Travel creators are shaping how entire generations think about holidays. In the past 12 months, TikTok searches for Greece travel tips, Greek island hopping, and Athens hidden gems have exploded. Hotels are being booked because of a single viral video. Koufonissia, once virtually unknown, is now facing overcrowding thanks in part to TikTok tourism. The ripple effect is real.
Greece is no longer just a destination. It’s a moment, a mood, a digital dream playing out in 30-second reels and cinematic montages. And everyone wants in.
What This Means for Your Holiday Plans
With this kind of demand, the classics are getting crushed. Flights and ferries are selling out weeks earlier than expected. Accommodation prices on major islands have jumped, especially in Santorini, Mykonos, and now even Paros. Restaurants are fully booked by early evening. And local spots like Delphi or Hydra that used to feel like an escape are now part of the rush.
Even Koufonissia, once a serene pocket of the Small Cyclades, has been flagged by Greek TikTokers as "swarmed" under tourist pressure. Ferries are overloaded, rubbish collection is behind, and the energy of the place just isn’t what it used to be.
How to Travel Smarter (and Kinder)
We’re not saying don’t come to Greece. Quite the opposite. Greece is still one of the most welcoming, soul-nourishing places you can visit. But if you want to experience it in a way that feels meaningful for you and for the people who live here, it’s worth thinking more carefully about how you travel. That might mean choosing less crowded destinations, coming outside of peak season, or just slowing down and staying a little longer in one place.
Choose the less obvious island. Think Serifos, Andros, Kythira or Tinos. Beautiful, authentic, and still holding onto their identity.
Avoid July and August if you can. May, June, September and even early October are gold.
Stay longer in fewer places. It’s better for the environment and more relaxing.
Book local. That means family-run hotels, Greek-owned bed and breakfasts, and slow tavernas instead of beach clubs run by non-Greek investors.
Be present. Learn a few words in Greek. Say hello. Shop small. Respect the local pace.
Our Picks for a Better Summer
If the data feels overwhelming and the classic spots seem impossible to enjoy, you’re not alone. There are still places that feel like the Greece you dream about—calm, unhurried, and connected to something real. Here are a few we’d return to in a heartbeat:
Tinos. No cruise ships, brilliant food, and walking trails that link quiet villages where people still say hello in the street.
Andros. Green, generous, and underdeveloped in the best way. Expect waterfalls, mountains, and uncrowded beaches.
Kythira. A ferry ride south of the Peloponnese and worlds away from the chaos. Perfect for writers, swimmers, and anyone who loves a quiet taverna.
Lefkada. Technically accessible by road, but it feels every bit an island. Crystal-clear beaches, dramatic cliffs, and a more relaxed pace than its Ionian siblings.
So Where Should You Actually Go?
This year’s numbers prove what many of us already felt. Greece is hotter than ever. But you don’t have to follow the crowd. There’s still space for quiet, beauty, and that deep, grounding Greek feeling. You just need to know where to look.
And that’s what we’re here for.
