Majority of vacationers in Greece hail from Germany
Greece, renowned for its sun-kissed beaches and crystal-clear waters, remains a top tourist destination with a record 36 million visitors in 2024. Notably, German vacationers accounted for 5.7 million of these visitors, a 12.8% increase from 2023. This trend is forecasted to continue in 2025, according to the Greek Tourism Confederation SETE.
Germans outnumbered those from the UK, who came in second with 4.7 million guests. Bulgaria ranked third with approximately 3 million tourists. The northern Aegean Sea witnessed a remarkable 40% surge in visitors, including popular islands such as Lesbos, Chios, and Samos. In total, tourists garnered around 230 million overnight stays and generated an assets turnover of over 20 billion euros. The average stay lasted six nights, with visitors spending around €523.
Regional costs for vacationing in Greece differ significantly. Last year, the average cost for a trip to Crete stood at €770, while visitors to the Epirus region in northwest Greece only spent €192 on average. The tourism sector continues to be a central pillar of Greece's economy, representing close to 30% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
According to recent trends, the number of German tourists visiting Greece has been on a steady rise over the past few years, making them the largest inbound market in 2023. This trend continued into 2024, with Germany, the UK, and Italy constituting the top inbound travel markets. By 2025, German arrivals to Greece witnessed a notable increase, accounting for 5.7 million travelers and a rise of nearly 13% compared to 2023. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2025, German arrivals surged by 35.3%, contributing to Greece's tourism revenue boost.
- The increase in German tourists, coupled with the UK and Italian visitors, has solidified Greece's community policy for attracting a diverse demographic, which significantly contributes to the economy through employment opportunities and financial gains in the tourism sector.
- Tourists traveling to Greece in 2025, particularly those from Germany, enjoyed a variety of lifestyles and experiences, from budget-friendly trips to the Epirus region to luxury vacations on popular islands like Lesbos, Chios, and Samos, contributing to a picturesque journey that generates substantial revenue for the country.
