Shorter Trips and Budget-Friendly Choices
The duration of holidays has also shrunk: three- and four-day trips have become the norm, while full-week vacations are now the exception. Many Greeks opt for multiple short trips rather than one long, extended holiday.
According to data from the Greek ferry search and booking platform Ferryscanner for the period June–August, the top five destinations this year for Greek travelers were:
- Tinos
- Paros
- Mykonos
- Aegina
- Naxos
Aegina saw the most significant rise, replacing Syros in the top five with a 12.65% increase in bookings. Other close and “value for money” destinations also saw a surge in popularity, including:
- Agistri: +13.46%
- Kythnos: +5.5%
- Kea (Tzia): +2.05%
Mykonos continues to grow steadily as a destination, with a 5.82% increase in demand.
Drop in Premium Destinations
In contrast, traditionally expensive or premium destinations saw a decline. Notably:
- Santorini saw a 5.33% drop, possibly affected by recent seismic activity.
- Chania recorded a sharp 26.54% decrease, the largest among major destinations.
On the other hand, Heraklion in Crete showed a slight increase, suggesting an internal shift in tourist demand within the island.
Vacation Trends in Numbers
- 49.2% of Greek travelers chose 1–3 day trips
- 35.6% opted for 4–6 days
- Only 15.2% went on 7+ day holidays
Rise in Last-Minute Bookings
Another notable trend is the rise in last-minute bookings:
- 59.3% of Greeks booked their trips within one week of departure (up from 56.9% in 2024)
- 12.2% booked within two weeks
- 15.2% booked within a month
Source: pagenews.gr