The Acropolis in Athens. Photo: Amit Cotler Greece continues to establish its position as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Europe, and it is evident that the impact of the security situation in the Middle East is hardly noticeable in tourism data.
According to data from the INSETE research institute of the Hellenic Tourism Association (SETE), in the first half of 2026, approximately 10.7 million passengers arrived in the country on international flights, an increase of 3.8% compared to the same period last year. In June alone, approximately 4.1 million air arrivals were recorded, an increase of 2%.
Athens remained the main gateway to Greece with approximately 3.8 million international passengers, a similar figure to last year. Thessaloniki continued its growth trend with approximately 1.2 million passengers - an increase of 5.6%.
Among regional airports, Crete stood out with around 2.1 million international flights, an increase of 8.8%. Heraklion airport recorded a growth of 7.1%, while Chania jumped by 13.2%. Corfu also recorded a growth of 9.3%.
The Cyclades Islands saw a 6.7% increase, with Mykonos standing out with a 13.2% jump in the number of visitors. Santorini was content with a slight increase of 2%. Kos saw a decrease in the number of passengers.