Tourist arrivals in Greece reached 7,429,931 in August 2026, marking a 2.6% increase compared to August 2025, according to provisional data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). Overnight stays rose by 2.1% to a total of 34,685,695. Foreign visitors accounted for 76.7% of arrivals and 84% of overnight stays, while Greek residents represented 23.3% and 16%, respectively.
Year-on-year growth for foreign and Greek visitors
Arrivals from foreign tourists increased by 2.9% year-on-year, outpacing the 1.7% rise in arrivals by Greek residents. Overnight stays by foreign visitors grew 2.3%, compared with a 1.2% increase for Greek residents.
Tourist activity by accommodation type shows variation
Short-stay accommodation in rented rooms recorded the fastest growth. Arrivals at
rented rooms increased by 5.2%, surpassing the 1.5% growth seen in hotels and campsites. Overnight stays in rented rooms grew by 4.6%, while hotels and campsites saw a 1.1% rise.
Accommodation-specific visitor trends
Within hotels and campsites, foreign visitor arrivals rose by 1.9%, and Greek resident arrivals by 0.5%. Overnight stays by foreigners in these accommodations increased by 1.2%, with Greek residents’ overnight stays increasing by 0.8%. In rented rooms, foreign visitor arrivals grew by 5.5%, while Greek arrivals climbed 4.2%. Overnight stays by foreigners in rented rooms increased 5.1%, and those by Greek residents rose 2.2%.
Average length of stay remains stable
The average length of stay in
August 2026 remained at 4.7 days, unchanged from August 2025. Foreign tourists stayed an average of 5.1 days, approximately 59% longer than Greek residents, whose average stay was 3.2 days. Foreign visitors spent 5.1 days in hotels and campsites versus 3.2 days for Greeks, and 5.2 days in rented rooms compared to 3.3 days for Greek residents.
Summary of trends
Growth in tourist activity was stronger in rented rooms than hotels and campsites, with foreign visitors largely driving increases in arrivals and overnight stays. This highlights the stronger contribution of international demand to Greece’s accommodation sector in August 2026.
