Tourism in Greece has once again set new records, according to the latest monthly report from INSETE covering January to July 2025.

The country’s traditional hotspots hit historic highs, while emerging destinations also gained momentum—further proof of Greece’s steady rise as one of the world’s most dynamic travel markets.

Athens and Thessaloniki Lead the Way

Athens International Airport was the standout performer, welcoming 4.9 million international arrivals—a 9.5% increase. The numbers confirm the capital’s dual role as both a thriving city-break destination and a key hub for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Thessaloniki’s Macedonia Airport also saw impressive growth, handling 1.5 million international arrivals (+9.3%), cementing its role as a gateway to northern Greece and Halkidiki.

Islands at the Forefront

Crete held onto its crown as Greece’s top island destination, drawing 3 million international arrivals overall. Heraklion alone accounted for 2.1 million (+5.3%), while Chania attracted 863,000 (+1.7%). Crete also led in domestic travel, with 811,000 arrivals (+11%).

The Dodecanese islands—driven by Rhodes (1.7 million, +1.3%) and Kos (738,000, +2.6%)—welcomed 2.4 million international visitors, making the island group Greece’s second-biggest draw after Crete. Domestic travel there also saw an uptick (+5.5%).

In the Ionian Islands, arrivals climbed to 2.2 million (+4.5%). Corfu surpassed 1.1 million (+4.8%), while Zakynthos (600,000, +4.2%), Kefalonia (214,000, +3.2%), and Aktion (233,000, +4.8%) also recorded steady gains.

Smaller destinations are increasingly making their mark: Skiathos (161,000, +4.8% international and +11.3% domestic) and Kalamata (89,000, +7.9% international) strengthened their presence. Kavala saw one of the sharpest surges in domestic arrivals (+25.9%).

Western Greece also benefited, with Aktion Airport serving 232,700 international travelers (+4.8%), while Araxos in the Peloponnese welcomed over 45,000 visitors (+13.1%).

Cyclades Buck the Trend

The only outlier was the Cyclades, which posted a 7.4% drop in international arrivals (638,000 total). Santorini was hit hardest, with 348,000 visitors (-14.5%) and a sharp decline in domestic arrivals (-21.9%).

Mykonos managed a modest rise in international traffic (+2.8%) but fell in the domestic market (-8.9%). The bright spot was Paros, which bucked the trend with a 6.3% increase in domestic arrivals.