Tourist arrivals in Greece totaled 7,429,931 in August 2026, marking a 2.6% increase from August 2025, according to provisional data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). Overnight stays also grew by 2.1% year-over-year, reaching 34,685,695, with the rise in arrivals exceeding the increase in overnight stays by 0.5 percentage points.
Foreign Visitors Drive August 2026 Tourism Growth
Foreign tourists accounted for 76.7% of total arrivals and 84% of overnight stays in Greece during August 2026. Greek residents made up 23.3% of arrivals and 16% of overnight stays. Arrivals of foreign visitors rose 2.9%, outpacing the 1.7% growth in Greek resident arrivals. Overnight stays followed a similar pattern,
with foreign visitor nights up 2.3% compared to a 1.2% increase for Greek residents.
Stronger Increases in Rented Rooms Compared to Hotels and Campsites
The rented rooms category experienced the most rapid growth in August 2026. Tourist arrivals in rented rooms increased by 5.2%, significantly higher than the 1.5% rise recorded in hotels and campsites. Overnight stays in rented rooms grew by 4.6%, contrasted with a 1.1% increase for hotels and campsites, indicating a faster expansion of short-stay accommodations over traditional lodging.
Distinct Growth Patterns by Visitor Type and Accommodation
In hotels and campsites, arrivals of foreign visitors increased by 1.9%, while Greek residents’ arrivals rose by 0.5%. Overnight stays in these accommodations were up 1.2% for foreign
guests and 0.8% for Greeks. Conversely, rented rooms welcomed a 5.5% increase in foreign arrivals and a 4.2% increase among Greek visitors. Overnight stays in rented rooms rose by 5.1% for foreigners and 2.2% for Greeks, amplifying the disparity in accommodation preferences and growth rates.
Average Length of Stay Remains Stable with Longer Stays for Foreigners
The average length of stay in August 2026 remained steady at 4.7 days compared to August 2025. Foreign visitors stayed an average of 5.1 days, nearly two days longer than Greek residents who stayed 3.2 days on average. This pattern was consistent across accommodation types: in hotels and campsites, foreign tourists stayed 5.1 days versus
3.2 days for Greeks; in rented rooms, the averages were 5.2 days for foreigners and 3.3 days for Greek residents.
ELSTAT data for August 2026 confirms accelerated growth in Greece’s tourism sector, primarily fueled by international demand. The notable expansion of rented rooms contrasts with slower rises in hotel and campsite utilization. While arrivals increased more sharply than overnight stays, the overall duration of tourist visits remained unchanged year-over-year.
