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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism in Greece - statistics & facts

What are the leading inbound tourism markets in greece, outbound and domestic tourism in greece, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Greece 2019-2022

Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Greece 2019-2022, by type

Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Greece 2019-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Travel and tourism: share of GDP in the EU-27 and the UK 2019-2022, by country

Leisure Travel

Leading international travel markets in Greece 2019-2022, by arrivals

Related topics

• Travel and tourism in Europe
• Travel and tourism in Spain
• Travel and tourism in Italy
• Travel and tourism in France
• Travel and tourism in the United Kingdom (UK)

Leisure travel market in Europe

• Cruise industry in Europe
• Package holidays in the United Kingdom (UK)

Recommended statistics

• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Greece 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism: share of GDP in the EU-27 and the UK 2019-2022, by country
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Greece 2019-2022, by type
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Greece 2019-2022, by tourist type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Greece 2019-2022

Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in Greece 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in Greece in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros)

Share of travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in European Union member countries (EU-27) and the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022

Distribution of travel and tourism spending in Greece in 2019 and 2022, by type

Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in Greece 2019-2022, by tourist type

Distribution of travel and tourism spending in Greece in 2019 and 2022, by type of tourist

Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in Greece 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in Greece in 2019 and 2022 (in million jobs)

Inbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourists in Greece 2005-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading international travel markets in Greece 2019-2022, by arrivals
• Premium Statistic Average duration of stay by inbound tourists in Greece 2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourist visits to Greece 2019-2022, by region
• Premium Statistic International travel receipts in Greece 2003-2022
• Premium Statistic International tourist expenditure in Greece 2019-2022, by purpose of trip

Number of inbound tourists in Greece 2005-2022

Number of international tourists in Greece from 2005 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Leading inbound travel markets in Greece from 2019 to 2022, by number of arrivals (in 1,000s)

Average duration of stay by inbound tourists in Greece 2022, by country

Average length of stay of international visitors in Greece in 2022, by country (in number of overnight stays)

Number of inbound tourist visits to Greece 2019-2022, by region

Number of international visits to Greece from 2019 to 2022, by region (in 1,000s)

International travel receipts in Greece 2003-2022

Value of international travel receipts in Greece from 2003 to 2022 (in million euros)

International tourist expenditure in Greece 2019-2022, by purpose of trip

Value of international travel receipts in Greece from 2019 to 2022, by purpose of travel (in million euros)

Inbound tourist destinations

• Premium Statistic Number of international air arrivals in Athens, Greece 2010-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of international air arrivals in Thessaloniki, Greece 2010-2023
• Premium Statistic International air arrivals to South Aegean region of Greece 2010-2023, by island
• Premium Statistic Number of international air arrivals in Crete, Greece 2010-2023
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in Crete, Greece 2019-2022, by number of visits
• Premium Statistic International air arrivals on the Ionian Islands, Greece 2010-2023, by island
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound tourist markets in the Ionian Islands, Greece 2019-2022

Number of international air arrivals in Athens, Greece 2010-2023

Number of international air arrivals in Athens, Greece from 2010 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of international air arrivals in Thessaloniki, Greece 2010-2023

Number of international air arrivals in Thessaloniki, Greece from 2010 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

International air arrivals to South Aegean region of Greece 2010-2023, by island

Number of international air arrivals on selected islands in the South Aegean region of Greece from 2010 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of international air arrivals in Crete, Greece 2010-2023

Number of international air arrivals on the Greek Island of Crete from 2010 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Leading inbound travel markets in Crete, Greece 2019-2022, by number of visits

Number of inbound tourist visits to the Greek Island of Crete from 2019 to 2022, by country of origin (in 1,000s)

International air arrivals on the Ionian Islands, Greece 2010-2023, by island

Number of international air arrivals on the Ionian Islands in Greece from 2010 to 2023, by island (in 1,000s)

Leading inbound tourist markets in the Ionian Islands, Greece 2019-2022

Leading inbound tourist markets in the Ionian Islands in Greece from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000 visits)

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Total number of domestic trips in Greece 2015-2021
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic trips in Greece 2015-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight trips in Greece 2015-2021, by purpose
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight trips in Greece 2015-2021, by transport
• Basic Statistic Domestic tourism spending in Greece 2019-2022

Total number of domestic trips in Greece 2015-2021

Total number of domestic trips in Greece from 2015 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Number of domestic trips in Greece 2015-2021, by type

Number of domestic trips in Greece from 2015 to 2021, by type (in 1,000s)

Number of domestic overnight trips in Greece 2015-2021, by purpose

Number of domestic overnight trips in Greece from 2015 to 2021, by purpose (in 1,000s)

Number of domestic overnight trips in Greece 2015-2021, by transport

Number of overnight domestic trips in Greece from 2015 to 2021, by mode of transport (in 1,000s)

Domestic tourism spending in Greece 2019-2022

Domestic tourism expenditure in Greece in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros)

Outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourists from Greece 2005-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading outbound travel destinations from Greece 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Outbound travel expenditure in Greece 2003-2022
• Premium Statistic Outbound travel expenditure by Greek residents 2016-2022, by destination

Number of outbound tourists from Greece 2005-2022

Number of outbound travelers from Greece from 2005 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Leading outbound travel destinations from Greece 2016-2022

Leading destinations for outbound travelers from Greece from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Outbound travel expenditure in Greece 2003-2022

Value of international travel payments by residents of Greece from 2003 to 2022 (in million euros)

Outbound travel expenditure by Greek residents 2016-2022, by destination

Value of international travel payments by residents of Greece from 2016 to 2022, by country of destination (in million euros)

Accommodation

• Basic Statistic Number of tourist accommodation establishments in Greece 2013-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of nights in tourist accommodation in Greece 2013-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of tourist accommodation establishments in Greece 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of hotels and similar accommodation in Greece 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Travel and tourism revenue in Greece 2017-2027, by segment

Number of tourist accommodation establishments in Greece 2013-2022

Number of travel accommodation establishments in Greece from 2013 to 2022

Number of nights in tourist accommodation in Greece 2013-2022

Number of overnight stays spent at travel accommodation establishments in Greece from 2013 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of tourist accommodation establishments in Greece 2022, by type

Number of travel accommodation establishments in Greece in 2022, by type

Number of hotels and similar accommodation in Greece 2013-2022

Number of hotels and similar accommodation establishments in Greece from 2013 to 2022

Travel and tourism revenue in Greece 2017-2027, by segment

Revenue of the travel and tourism market in Greece from 2017 to 2022, with a forecast until 2027, by segment (in million U.S. dollars)

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INSETE: Greek Tourism 2020 Performance in Numbers

INSETE , the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE) research body, recently released data which reveal the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on Greece’s tourism industry in 2020.

The data focuses on air, road and cruise travel, as well as coastal shipping.

More specifically, citing data of the Bank of Greece, INSETE said that the country’s travel receipts in 2020 decreased by 76.5 percent compared to 2019 and reached 4,280 million euros .

The number of inbound visitors to Greece fell by 76.5 percent to 7,375 thousand against 31,348 thousand in 2019.

The smallest decrease was recorded in arrivals from the Eurozone countries with the number of travelers and revenue dropping by 69 percent . This was also evident in international arrivals:

– During January – December 2020 , international arrivals at Greek airports reached 5.9 million against 21.5 million during the same period in 2019, down by 72.5 percent or 15.6 million arrivals.

– During the same period, international road arrivals reached 2.6 million instead of 12.3 million, down by 9.7 million or 78.7 percent .

– Inbound passenger traffic on ferry lines between Greece and Italy, in 2020 decreased by 70 percent , with the number of passengers reaching 450 thousand compared to 1.5 million in 2019.

– In 2020, cruise arrivals reached 64 thousand compared to 5.5 million in 2019, down by 99 percent .

Domestic traffic down

Domestic travel was also impacted by the coronavirus crisis, with the number of airport arrivals reaching 3.1 million instead 8.1 million in 2019, down by 61.4 percent or 5 million arrivals.

In coastal shipping, the number of domestic travelers dropped by 50 percent to 9.4 million against 18.8 million in 2019.

Hotel revenues plunge

The drop of tourism activity in Greece was also evident in hotel revenue and overnight stays.

According to the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP) , in 2020, hotel revenues dropped by 78.1 percent to 1.8 billion euros against 8.3 billion euros in 2019.

In addition, 278 million euros of revenue were never collected, while advanced payments for 2021 were down by 744 million euros.

Meanwhile, according to data by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) for the first nine months of 2020, arrivals to Greek hotels dropped by 69.3 percent compared to 2019, while overnight stays were down by 73.2 percent.

Despite the severe drop of arrivals, the number of foreign visitors during the summer months (July, August, September) was higher than the number of domestic travelers.

However, during the third quarter of 2020, the number of employees in accommodation and F&B services reached 396 thousand instead of 429 thousand during the same period in 2019, down by 8 percent, possibly affected by the Covid-19 support measures undertaken by the Greek government.

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2023 Record-Breaking Tourist Season In Greece

Despite the ongoing challenges, the 2023 tourist season in Greece concludes on a positive note, and a new record in tourist numbers.

The 2023 tourist season in Greece wraps up with great success

Despite facing numerous challenges, the 2023 tourist season in Greece will conclude on a high note.

This year, certain major tour operators have chosen to extend their programs this year. As a result, a few prominent hotels, primarily located in Crete and Rhodes will remain operational until mid-November.

In 2023, the tourism season in Greece kicked off with very high expectations. Last year’s great recovery after COVID, in combination with an excellent start of the season, led to a lot of excitement and optimism in the tourism industry.

Indeed, the 2023 season commenced in February, witnessing the arrival of predominantly German tourists in the Peloponnese. They were all eager to indulge in a round of golf at the magnificent Costa Navarino courses .

In early March, TUI encouraged travelers to quickly secure their holiday bookings in Greece, as 50% of hotel rooms in various destinations have already been reserved.

Around mid-March, hotels and local authorities in Crete, Rhodes , Corfu , Santorini , Halkidiki and other areas started welcoming their first guests, who came primarily from European countries.

As we moved into mid-April and May, an increasing number of smaller hotels and rooms to let in major destinations, such as the Cyclades , opened their doors to visitors.

A promising start, but a disappointing follow-up

The celebration of Catholic and Greek Orthodox Easter drew numerous foreign tourists to our country, enriching their holiday experience and contributing to increased traffic in April.

However, the month of May proved to be a disappointment for hoteliers nationwide, defying expectations and abruptly bringing the April season to a halt. Hotels in nearly every destination experienced moderate occupancy rates and a lack of anticipated last-minute bookings.

There were multiple factors contributing to this, including the significant rise in airfare prices and the increase in rates for Greek hotels. As a result, the cost of organized packages surged by up to 30%.

Despite the record arrivals reported by the country’s airports, hoteliers, catering services, and trade were left unsatisfied. The “pie” is now divided among many, as there has been a significant increase in both hotel beds and AirBnB accommodations.

Additionally, foreign tourists did not spend as extravagantly as they did in 2022, but rather showed moderation.

Late June was a turning point for tourism 

Starting in June, hoteliers nationwide launched sales and promotions to attract last-minute bookings for the remaining summer season.

The first weeks of June were plagued by unpredictable weather, which posed additional challenges. Fortunately, the last ten days of the month marked a turning point, bringing some much-needed stability to the industry.

The following months showed a positive trend, as nearly all tourist destinations experienced a rise in foreign visitor numbers. The cruising industry, in particular, witnessed a significant surge.

However, this growth has brought increased scrutiny to popular ports like Mykonos and Santorini . The high volume of disembarking passengers has put a strain on public infrastructure and inconvenienced visitors staying on the islands.

Unprecedented numbers of arrivals in 2023

Based on the data collected until September, Greece has been steadily approaching the number of international air arrivals recorded in 2022. This doesn’t take into account the official figures for October, which have not been released yet.

By the end of September, Greece has already welcomed a staggering 21 million tourists, almost reaching the total arrivals of 21.3 million recorded in 2022.

So, even if air arrivals in the last quarter of 2023 return to levels seen in the previous year, Greece is on track to set an all-time record , with over 23.5 million tourists arriving via air travel.

Meanwhile, road tourism is displaying notable signs of recovery after experiencing a steep decline in the previous year. While it may not reach the levels seen in 2019, when it surpassed 12 million tourists, the optimistic trend is certainly encouraging.

This trend highlights the growing momentum and positive trajectory of Greece’s tourism industry, a remarkable achievement considering all circumstances.

Record-breaking earnings

In terms of tourism earnings, the Bank of Greece’s figures for the first eight months of 2023 appear to support the initial estimates, which projected over 20 billion euros.

From January to August 2023, travel earnings saw a notable increase of 15.3% compared to the same period in 2022, reaching a total of 14.6 billion euros.

With four months remaining to be accounted for, optimistic estimations suggest further growth.

The winners and losers of the season

According to the data, Athens has emerged as the top-performing destination this season. The Greek capital is rapidly establishing itself as a sought-after destination, with Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport reporting monthly double-digit growth in international passenger traffic.

Thessaloniki emerges as the second top-performing destination, boasting a remarkable 20% surge in passenger traffic from abroad between January and September. Notably, Kavala and Mytilini also experienced significant double-digit growth.

Corfu witnessed a commendable increase of over 8%, while Chania saw nearly 8% growth. Kos and Heraklion exhibited more modest yet positive performance, with a 5.5% and 5% increase, respectively.  

Despite the huge challenges posed by the devastating forest fires in July, Rhodes concluded the list with a growth rate of 2%.

Following the remarkable surge they witnessed in 2022, Santorini and Mykonos experienced a decrease in tourist arrivals this year. However, it is important to note that the decline only amounts to a few thousand tourists for each destination.

Let’s see what 2024 brings!

Related article: Overtourism in Athens

1 thought on “2023 Record-Breaking Tourist Season In Greece”

As a Greek American, thanks for the info and Greece deserves a great break from all they have been through with the refugees!

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If you’re planning a trip to Greece in 2024, visit these 10 top destinations

Mar 4, 2024 • 6 min read

From iconic islands to major cities to the lesser-known, wild region of Epiros, our list of essential Greek destinations has a bit of everything © Georgios Tsichlis / Shutterstock

As its mythical Sirens were reputed to do, Greece has long lured travelers to its scintillating shores.

Across an expansive island archipelago, traditional whitewashed villages, azure seas and waterfront tavernas enchant visitors. Greece’s mountainous mainland, rich in UNESCO World Heritage–listed ancient sites, treasure-filled museums and spirited cities, is no less fascinating. As you contemplate your dream Greece itinerary, consider these 10 favorite places to add to it.

Wherever you walk in Greece’s storied capital, the ancients have walked before – whether you see the evidence or not. From the Acropolis  (whose jewel in the crown is the fifth-century BCE Parthenon ) to the underground metro (where some stations feature archaic finds), Athens  is teeming with historical sites , monuments and museums. A combo card affords entry to the Acropolis and six more sites; the Acropolis Museum is also a must-see.

Easy to tackle on foot, Athens is also one of Europe’s liveliest metropolises – and strolls through neighborhoods like old-town Plaka , flea market–famous Monastiraki and hip Pangrati are highlights. By night, catch a live band in gritty Gazi , catch a movie at an outdoor cinema in Thission or go bar-hopping off the main commercial street Ermou.

Local tip: Book tickets online for a reinvented Greek tragedy or dance troupe performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus amphitheater as part of the  Epidaurus Festival , which takes place each summer.

A collection of over 70 beaches, sea caves hidden beneath limestone cliffs and technicolor traditional boat houses are just some of the reasons why mineral-rich Milos has won the hearts of many travelers. Evidence of its volcanic origins can be seen in the almost lunar landscape of Sarakiniko , where the more daring dive into a jade-colored Aegean. Arrive early at Gerondas beach to nab the generous shade of caves and enjoy floating silently in still waters.

Planning tip: Save a couple of days to spend on Kimolos, a small island northeast of Milos reachable by ferry. One of its most impressive beaches is Prassa, where coarse, blindingly white sand shows off shallow, aquamarine waters to full effect.

Rhodes has long been the Dodecanese ’s biggest draw thanks to its atmospheric UNESCO World Heritage–listed medieval old town . Transformed in the Middle Ages by the Knights of the Order of St John into a formidable fortified city, it fell to the Ottomans, who erected mosques, baths and houses, many of which have been restored. Youngsters might envision armored men on horseback thundering down the cobblestoned Street of the Knights .

Make sure you visit the Palace of the Grand Master , which features stunning Roman and Early Christian floor mosaics, and the Church of Our Lady of the Castle.

Planning tip: Book a state-licensed tour guide to show you around the old town for a full picture of its long and fascinating history.

4. Santorini

Whether you’re coupled up or not, it’s hard not to fall for Santorini ’s charms. Whitewashed and pastel-hued, cube-shaped homes cling to steep cliffsides above a cobalt Aegean and the island’s famed caldera, formed by volcanic eruptions over millennia.

Weave your way through the narrow alleyways of the postcard-perfect village of Oia amid blue-domed churches. Bathe in thermal springs warmed by an active volcano, splay out on black-sand beaches and don’t miss the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri , which features an advanced drainage system.

Planning tip: Book a private tour of Santorini ’s smaller wine estates, whose new generation of vintners is breathing new life into traditional wines like mezzo and Nychteri.

In Greece’s west lies Epiros , a remote region of soaring mountain peaks, fast-flowing rivers and hidden rock canyons. Hike to the alpine heights of Mt Tymfi’s Dragon Lake, which freezes over in winter, or traverse the thick forests, inclines and descents of spectacular Vikos Gorge . Whitewater rafting thrills and spills await in the Voidomatis or Arachthos rivers, while canyoning enthusiasts can choose from routes of varying difficulty.

6. Kythnos and Serifos

If peaceful sandy shores, unassuming waterfront tavernas and sleepy villages are more your style, the low-key West Cyclades isles of Kythnos and Serifos are worth a stop. Kythnos has deep, sheltered bays and tamarisk-dotted silver-sand beaches, among them Lefkes and Naousa.

Wallet-friendly tavernas line the laid-back fishing settlements of Loutro and Meriha, while wind-whipped Serifos , a two-hour ferry ride from Piraeus , features sweeping sandy beaches, sheltered bays, ghostly mining relics and a jewel-like hilltop capital whose neoclassical town hall stands sentinel over the buzzy main square.

7. Thessaloniki

At the crossroads of East and West, where the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have held sway over the centuries, Thessaloniki tempts serious foodies. Bougatsa , a phyllo pastry pie usually filled with semolina custard, spinach or mince meat, makes for a hearty breakfast. Pick up olives and spices at the olfactory-awakening open-air markets and Pontic cheeses from indoor food hub Modiano , which dates back to 1922. In the former oil merchant district of Ladadika, mezedopolia serve dishes revealing strong Anatolian and Middle Eastern influences, customarily with the fiery clear spirit tsipouro .

Planning tip: Thessaloniki is also renowned for its fish and seafood, served with fervor and pride whether it’s a backstreet taverna or an upscale restaurant. Bookings are recommended for the latter.

Tranquil, turquoise seas, fir-studded hillsides and a regal capital make Corfu one of the most beautiful parts of the country to go sailing. The Ionian isle is the ideal starting point for novices who can take a sailing course and gain certification.

Afterward, join a flotilla for a leisurely cruise around Corfu, dropping anchor at Kalami Bay (of The Durrells fame) and lush Paleokastritsa. In Corfu Town , admire Venetian fortresses, the French-designed Liston Arcade and The Palace of St Michael and St George , built during the island’s British administration.

Planning tip: Few venture to Erikousa island, northwest of Corfu, which is blessed with pristine beaches and shallow cerulean seas.

Greece’s largest island, Crete  abounds in historical sites, well-preserved monuments and modern museums. A wander through the Minoan-era palaces of Knossos , Malia , Phaestos and Kato Zakros  won’t disappoint any fan of classical culture.

Stroll along the Venetian Harbour in Hania , lined with Ottoman monuments such as the Kioutsouk Hasan Mosque . Trek up to Byzantine and Venetian fortresses such as the Fortezza in Rethymno and Kastelli in Hania. In the east, the 16th-century Venetian fortress on Spinalonga islet reveals a harrowing, more recent past as a leper colony.

Among noteworthy museums are the Heraklion Archaeological Museum , Chania’s Maritime Museum of Crete , and the Museum of Ancient Eleutherna in Rethymno.

10. Mykonos

In the 1960s and 70s, Mykonos hosted roving hippies, celebrities and moneyed jet-setters who flirted and danced till the sun came up. While new five-star hotels and swanky brand-name restaurants may have altered the landscape and driven up prices, the fabled Cycladic isle still reigns supreme when it comes to summer nightlife in the Mediterranean.

Revelers can choose from the thumping bars lining Little Venice in Hora , as well as beach bars, cabaret restaurants and iconic clubs like seaside Cavo Paradiso , where illustrious music DJs fire up the crowd.

Planning tip: August is Mykonos’ busiest month. It’s also when you can witness the hottest DJs and surprise appearances by music artists, including prominent hip-hop names.

This article was first published July 2021 and updated March 2024

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‘Without rules we cannot live’: Greece seeks ways to tackle ‘overtourism’

Residents of some Greek islands struggle with cost of living and environmental issues due to excessive tourist numbers.

Oia, Greece – As the mythical Greek summer season winds up, visitors pack the small, white-washed streets of one of the country’s most iconic destinations: the island of Santorini.

Tourism is a lifeblood of the Greek economy, accounting for about 25 percent of it, and 90 percent of Santorini’s economy is dependent on selfie-stick-wielding visitors.

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It has become a double-edged sword for Santorini as the island’s 15,000 residents can see up to two million yearly visitors. Placards placed around Santorini’s villages remind tourists to respect the homes and holy sites.

George Sarelakos, founder and president of Aegean Rebreath, an organisation working to protect the marine environment, told Al Jazeera that high visitor numbers also presented an increasing environmental risk to Santorini, particularly given the island’s lack of drinkable tap water.

“You can imagine all these thousands of tourists being on the islands, buying one or two bottles of water per day. We’re talking about a crazy amount of plastic that ends up at the bottom of the sea,” he said.

‘Not viable’

Aegean Rebreath has undertaken activities such as encouraging many of the luxury yachts which dock on the island for onboard recycling and has organised harbour-cleaning activities.

“I won’t forget the facial expression of the tourists when they saw a tonne of marine litter coming out from the harbour,” Sarelakos said.

He said it was essential drinkable tap water solutions were found to make the island more sustainable.

“We really believe as Aegean Rebreath that the path Santorini and other islands in Greece are on is not viable,” Sarelakos said.

With many Greeks earning only about 800 euros ($857) a month, rising costs have also meant some are priced out of popular tourist destinations with the average price for a hotel in Santorini being about 150 euros ($160).

Beach piracy

Paros, a Cycladic neighbour of Santorini which has a total of 12,000 permanent residents, saw 560,479 ferry arrivals in 2021 and has also had renewed focus on tourist footfall.

This summer locals protested against the swarms of privately owned sunbeds and parasols taking up large stretches of sand and charging about 100 euros ($107) for a set, leaving no space for others to use the beach.

Some businesses received permits to use the beach, but residents pointed out they often started putting loungers well beyond the agreed limits, meaning others could not lay their towels on the sand.

Christos Georgousis, a retired teacher and permanent resident of Paros, said residents were tired of the continuous occupation of swaths of sand by expensive sunloungers.

“Without rules, we cannot live. And these rules seemed to be flouted by the beach pirates,” he said, adding that the protests had so far largely been successful.

He said arrests had been made and action taken by the power of the residents’ protest with a Facebook group dedicated to “Saving Paros Beaches” made up of more than 12,000 members.

Struggling key workers

Paris Tsartas, professor of tourism development at Harokopio University of Athens, told Al Jazeera that the issue of “overtourism” was particular to a number of oversaturated destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos, presenting problems notably for key workers such as doctors who often struggled to find accommodation.

“The rents are sky high. And this is, of course, related to overtourism. So they prefer to rent their houses to the tourists, and not to the people who are involved in all these very vital sectors,” he said.

Tsartas said he expected overtourism to become a bigger headache in the next five to 10 years.

Meanwhile, Greece expects another bumper year for tourism.

Data from MarineTraffic, a ship tracking platform, revealed Mykonos hosted 209 cruise ships from June to August this year, a 35 percent increase from last year during the same period. June peaked with 72 arrivals.

Meanwhile, Santorini saw 203 vessels, with July leading at 74 arrivals.

Georgios Hatzimanolis, head of global communications at Kpler, which owns MarineTraffic, told Al Jazeera that this summer Mykonos averaged two cruise ships a day with peaks of six.

“This means, potentially 14,000 passengers could flood the tiny island in just one day,” he said, warning the island’s “already strained infrastructure” could buckle under the pressure.

“The surge in cruise tourism is not only an environmental concern but also threatens to tarnish Mykonos’ luxury reputation.”

Protecting the Acropolis

Efforts are already being made to tackle some of the potential harm of mass tourism.

At the country’s most iconic landmark, the Acropolis, there are plans to limit visitors to 20,000 a day with a timed ticketing system to tackle overcrowding and protect the historic site.

“Obviously, tourism is desirable for the country, for all of us. But we must work out how excessive tourism won’t harm the monument,” said Lina Mendoni, Greece’s culture minister.

Authorities have previously said tackling overtourism is a “top priority”.

Tsartas said authorities had increased efforts to tackle the issue, including campaigns encouraging people to visit other parts of Greece and throughout the year rather than just the busiest summer months.

Some steps already taken, such as individual destinations setting up their own organisations to deal with tourism, were helping the situation, he said.

“But the fact is that we should have had them 20 years ago,” Tsartas added.

10 things I wish tourists knew before visiting Greece, from a local

• I'm from Athens, and I've seen plenty of tourists make mistakes while traveling to Greece .
• Pace yourself if you're planning on staying out at the bars and clubs all night.
• It's worth it to do some research on smaller islands and local cuisine before your trip.

Thanks to its ancient ruins, picturesque beaches, and incredible food, Greece is one of the top tourist destinations. In 2023, over 32 million people visited.

I was born in Athens and currently split my years living between the US and Greece , so I've spent plenty of time in the beautiful European country.

Here are 10 things I think tourists should know before visiting.

There’s so much more to see in Greece than the popular islands.

It seems like everyone visits Mykonos, Santorini, and maybe Paros, but Greece has over 220 inhabitable islands. Plus, most of them are more budget-friendly than the popular spots.

I recommend looking into places like Kimolos, Astypalaia, Paxoi (also known as Paxos and Paxi), or Folegandros.

The Greek mainland is also beautiful. There's a lot to see there, from UNESCO sites at Delphi and Meteora and the turquoise waters of the Peloponnese to the stunning mountains and villages of Epirus.

Athens is more than the Acropolis.

Athens has great nightlife , restaurants, museums, and cool neighborhoods like Plaka, Exarcheia, Psyrri, and Pangrati.

Tourists who just swing by to check the Acropolis off their list are missing out. I've always found it to be one of the liveliest cities in the world.

You don’t need to tip 20%.

Greek servers generally rely on hourly wages, so there isn't the same tipping culture as the US .

I normally just round up the bill or leave a couple of Euros on the table as a tip — unless I had exceptional service or dined at a more formal (and tourist-oriented) restaurant.

Pace yourself when drinking alcohol.

A lot of travelers take advantage of Greece's lax attitude toward alcohol restrictions. Coupled with the fact that Greek bars and clubs close pretty late (like 4 a.m. late), some tourists get sloppy.

Locals usually intersperse drinks with food and water so they can last the whole night, and I recommend tourists do the same.

Slow down and take Sundays off.

Greeks have a pretty relaxed relationship with time — people often arrive late and stores may open half an hour after they said they would.

Service in Greece can seem slow to people from more fast-paced places, especially on the quieter islands . A lot of stores and supermarkets are also closed on Sundays, even in Athens.

I know this can be annoying at times, but I recommend just enjoying the slower pace of life.

Don’t try to visit too many islands on one trip.

So many people ask me if they can fit four or five islands into a seven-day trip, and I never recommend it. Take your time and enjoy each destination for at least a couple of days.

Half the joy of the Greek islands is getting to destress. If you're hopping from ferry to ferry and running around to cover the highlights, you'll miss out on the best parts of the country.

Be sensitive about natural disasters.

I never thought I'd have to say this, but I have seen multiple tourists in the last few years posting about how "pretty" the skies or sunsets are thanks to the glow from raging wildfires .

At a time when a lot of Greek people are wondering if their houses are still standing or their loved ones have gotten to safety, it's a pretty insensitive thing to do.

Don't skip out on experiencing a traditional taverna.

Athens and other popular Greek destinations now have a lot of upscale restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. But make sure to eat in a traditional taverna at least once.

A taverna is a casual restaurant with family-style dining. Diners can spend hours in them chatting with friends while sharing food paired with some great wine or ouzo (a Greek aperitif).

Greek food is more than just gyros.

Well-known dishes like gyros and souvlaki are truly delicious, but Greek cuisine is so much more than that.

For example, a lot of Greeks start their day with a tiropita (cheese pie) and freddo coffee. Each region also has local specialties that I recommend inquiring about.

In tavernas, popular menu items include calamari, octopus, all kinds of fish, grilled and fried cheeses (like saganaki and halloumi), and side dishes like fava.

Learn a few local words.

Most younger Greek people understand English, but you may run into problems communicating with older people — especially in more rural areas.

Even if a local person can understand you, I think it's nice to learn a few simple words and phrases like "good morning," "thank you," and "how are you?"

It's nice when tourists make a little bit of an effort.

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