Rising prices at home are prompting more Greeks to spend their holidays abroad, where travel and accommodation often prove more affordable, according to an article by Ilias Bellos in ekathimerini.com
Konstantinos and his wife, both private sector employees, compared the cost of a one-week holiday on the Aegean island of Tinos with a week in Prague or Copenhagen. They found that flights and accommodation in Northern Europe were significantly cheaper, and chose to travel there instead.
A similar decision was made by another working couple with above-average income. Planning a family holiday with their two children, they calculated that a trip to Tenerife would cost around €1,000 less than vacationing on Corfu. Such examples are increasingly common, as overseas travel is often seen as better value than the traditional domestic “sun and sea” getaway.
Bank of Greece data underline this trend. In 2024, Greeks spent €2.8 billion on trips abroad, compared with €2.2 billion on domestic holidays. In the first half of 2025 alone, spending on foreign travel reached €1.677 billion, nearly 25% more than the €1.344 billion spent within Greece.
While middle-class incomes have improved, strong foreign demand and upgrades to tourist infrastructure have pushed accommodation prices in many Greek destinations to record levels. According to a study by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE), departures for holidays abroad rose by 8% in 2024 to 6.7 million, while spending increased by 15%.
The study also notes a shift toward destinations such as France, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK, away from nearby countries like Bulgaria and Turkey. Although Greeks are choosing pricier destinations, they often remain cheaper than holidays at home, with travel demand now spread more evenly throughout the year.
Source: ekathimerini.com
