Top 10 Summer Travel Trends in Greece for 2025

• 29 August, 25

More expensive, more intense, and more crowded — that’s how many people are describing Greece’s summer tourism season in 2025. From rising hotel prices to new food trends and beach habits, here are the 10 key trends shaping Greek tourism this year.

Six People Sharing One Double Room

Spending summer holidays in the Aegean Islands has long been a rite of passage for young Greeks. But with accommodation and ferry prices soaring, many Gen Z travelers can no longer afford it. To make their “Cyclades dream” come true, some now sleep on the beach or squeeze six or seven people into one double room — a budget solution for destinations like Santorini and Mykonos.

Ceviche and Creative Raw Dishes

Raw food has become a staple on restaurant and taverna menus across Greece. This year brings even bolder twists: “ceviche stew,” “fish tartare casserole,” and “lemon-egg sashimi” — unique fusions that combine international influences with local flavors under the Greek sun.

Athens Riviera’s Packed Beaches

The southern Athens coastline, especially Vouliagmeni, has turned into a “local Mykonos.” Sunbeds for two now cost over €100 per day, often requiring advance booking through the Plazz app. Fully booked weekends and upscale services highlight a new, luxury beach lifestyle.

Jellyfish Invasion

Large swarms of purple jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) are appearing in the Pagasetic Gulf and Evia Gulf, troubling both visitors and the local economy. Experts blame climate change, overfishing, and marine infrastructure. Their sting is painful — and sometimes dangerous — casting a shadow over Greece’s “carefree summer.”

Paros or Paris?

For Greece’s middle class, the question is no longer just which island to visit, but whether it’s cheaper to vacation abroad. In 2024, Greeks spent €2.8 billion on overseas travel, compared to €2.2 billion on domestic trips. As a result, many now choose Paris, Berlin, or Copenhagen instead of the Cyclades.

Festivals Everywhere

Traditional Greek church fairs (panigyria) made a big comeback after the pandemic, especially among Gen Z. Now, the trend has spread into cities, where “urban panigyria” take the form of folk-inspired music festivals. While less authentic than village celebrations, they still offer community spirit and cultural connection.

Folding Tents on the Beach

With sunbed prices skyrocketing, portable beach tents have become the new must-have. Families bring tents big enough for coolers, pets, and kids — making beaches look more like pop-up markets than sandy escapes.

Former Tourism “Champions” Lose Shine

Santorini saw fewer visitors after early-year seismic activity. Mykonos dropped below its 2022–23 peak popularity. In Halkidiki, hoteliers worry about low occupancy rates. The reasons are similar: overtourism, overpriced housing, unchecked development, and alienated locals.

Dining Inside Airbnb

Even though hotels and beaches are full, many traditional restaurants remain empty. More travelers cook at their Airbnb apartments to save money. Supermarket sales of drinks, coffee, and ready-to-eat items have surged, and even wealthier tourists are following the trend.

Fewer Camper Van Visitors

A new law in early 2024 banned camper vans from parking on beaches, near archaeological sites, or at forest edges. The result: around 50,000 camper tourists from Central Europe stayed away. Although the rules have since been softened, Greece’s camper van tourism market has already taken a hit.

Summer tourism in Greece in 2025 is marked by higher costs, shifting habits, and new lifestyle trends. From Gen Z’s budget hacks to luxury coastal escapes, the country is experiencing a new phase in its travel industry.

Cre: ekathimerini