The key facts
- Arrivals in Greece in August 2026 grew by 2.6% to 7,429,931, and overnight stays by 2.1% to 34,685,695 (ELSTAT).
- Foreigners accounted for 76.7% of arrivals and 84% of overnight stays; their growth (2.9% in arrivals) outpaced the growth of domestic tourism (1.7%).
- Rented rooms showed arrivals growth of 5.2% versus 1.5% in hotels and campsites; the average length of stay remained 4.7 days.
Overall growth in tourist traffic
Tourist flow in Greece in August 2026 continued to grow: according to preliminary data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), the number of arrivals in hotels, campsites and rented rooms increased by 2.6% compared with August 2025 and reached 7,429,931. The number of overnight stays grew by 2.1% — to 34,685,695. Arrivals growth outpaced overnight stays growth by 0.5 percentage points, indicating a relative shortening of the average length of stay.
Foreigners — the main driver of growth
Foreign tourists played a decisive role: they accounted for 76.7% of all arrivals and 84% of overnight stays, while residents of Greece accounted for 23.3% and 16% respectively. The gap in overnight stays reached 68 percentage points. Foreign arrivals grew by 2.9% versus 1.7% for Greeks, and overnight stays by 2.3% versus 1.2%.
Rented rooms are growing faster than hotels
The most dynamic segment was collective short-term accommodation — rented rooms. Arrivals there increased by 5.2%, which is 3.7 percentage points higher than the 1.5% growth for hotels and campsites. Overnight stays in rented rooms grew by 4.6% versus 1.1% in hotels and campsites. In hotels and campsites, foreign arrivals grew by 1.9% versus 0.5% for Greeks; in rented rooms — by 5.5% versus 4.2%, and overnight stays — by 5.1% versus 2.2%.
Foreigners stay longer
The average length of stay in August remained at 4.7 days, the same as a year earlier. At the same time, foreigners stayed on average 5.1 days, while Greeks stayed 3.2 days: the gap is 1.9 days, meaning foreigners' stays are about 59% longer. The same pattern is observed in both segments: in hotels and campsites — 5.1 days for foreigners versus 3.2 for Greeks, in rented rooms — 5.2 versus 3.3 days.
Summary
ELSTAT data for August 2026 confirm an increase in tourist traffic in Greece, with noticeably faster growth in the rented rooms segment and a stronger contribution from foreign visitors. At the same time, arrivals growth outpaced overnight stays growth, and the average length of stay remained unchanged.
