As solo travel continues to evolve from a niche trend into a mainstream way of exploring the world, Greece has secured a place among the top ten destinations for international travelers in 2026, according to a new report by FTLO Travel.

The ranking reflects not only where travelers want to go next, but also how solo travel is changing – with longer planning horizons, experience-led itineraries and a growing appetite for immersive destinations.

A modern boutique travel company catering to travelers aged 25-39, FTLO analyzed booking timelines and destination wish lists to offer an early snapshot of where solo travelers are setting their sights for the year ahead.

The findings suggest that many travelers are still in the inspiration phase, planning well in advance and prioritizing destinations that offer depth, culture and variety.

Greece ranked seventh on the list, surpassing destinations such as Thailand, Iceland, Peru and Switzerland, underscoring its growing appeal among independent travelers seeking a balance of history, landscape and authentic local experiences.

When it comes to bucket-list travel for 2026, two regions tied for first place: Australia/Oceania and Asia.

Europe followed closely in third place, with South America and Africa rounding out the top five.

According to FTLO Travel, the results highlight a strong interest in long-haul, once-in-a-lifetime journeys, alongside destinations that support slower, more meaningful travel.

This regional interest was also reflected in the most sought-after individual countries. Australia, Japan and New Zealand emerged as the top three destinations overall, followed by Argentina, Italy and South Korea.

What solo travelers are looking for

According to the report, solo travelers are increasingly prioritizing experiences over nightlife and party scenes. Nightlife ranked last, with just 13 percent of respondents citing it as a deciding factor when choosing a destination.

Asked about their primary travel motivations, nearly 74.6 percent said their goal was simply to “see the world”.

Adventure followed at 44 percent, while fun (40 percent) and connection (35.5 percent) also ranked highly. By contrast, personal growth (20.2 percent) and rest (15.1 percent) were less influential, suggesting that many solo travelers are seeking active, outward-facing experiences rather than purely reflective or wellness-focused trips.

When it comes to travel inspiration, friends and word of mouth topped the list at 65 percent, closely followed by Instagram at 63 percent. TikTok ranked third, but at a significantly lower level, with just 22 percent of respondents citing it as a primary source of inspiration – reinforcing the continued influence of personal recommendations and visual storytelling over short-form trends.

Source: news.gtp.gr

On 9 and 10 February 2026, the Technopolis City of Athens will host the inaugural Athens Gastronomic Forum. This significant development for the local meetings sector marks the first international gastronomic conference to be held in Greece, positioning the city as a focal point for the global culinary community.

Initiated by the respected food critic Dimitris Antonopoulos, the forum is designed as a platform to redefine the industry’s scope, moving beyond culinary techniques to explore gastronomy as a form of cultural dialogue and social driver. The event aims to bridge the Greek culinary scene with the international community, fostering innovation and sustainability.

The programme features a distinguished lineup of world-renowned speakers, including Joan Roca, Rasmus Munk, and Albert Adrià, who will lead the conversation on the “Gastronomy of Tomorrow”. Attendees can expect a comprehensive agenda comprising interactive workshops, cooking demonstrations, and specialised masterclasses on topics ranging from coffee and wine tasting to future menu trends.

For professionals in the meeting and hospitality industries, the Athens Gastronomic Forum offers a vital opportunity for high-level networking and knowledge exchange. It seeks to strengthen the strategic synergy between agriculture, gastronomy, and high-value tourism, enhancing Athens’ competitive edge as a destination.

Source: athensgastronomicforum.com/en/

Greece’s tourism industry shattered records in 2025, welcoming nearly 37 million visitors and generating 23 billion euros ($24.4 billion) in revenue, according to Bank of Greece data.

The figures underscore the sector’s resilience as the primary engine of the Greek economy. Between January and November 2025, travel receipts jumped 8.9% compared to the same period in 2024, while arrivals increased by 4.6% to 36.7 million.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni hailed the results as proof that the government’s strategy to extend the travel season is working.

November alone saw a striking 27.7% surge in revenue, signaling that Greece is successfully transitioning into a year-round destination.

“The data confirms that Greek tourism is not just growing in volume, but in quality and duration,” Mrs. Kefalogianni said.

Germany remained the top source market, sending 5.8 million travelers, followed closely by the United Kingdom with 4.8 million visitors.

High-spending markets also performed well, with revenue from the U.S. rising despite a stabilization in arrival numbers.

The boom comes as the government faces pressure to balance economic gains with sustainability.

While the 23 billion euro windfall provides fiscal stability heading into 2026, officials are increasingly focused on managing the strain on infrastructure and housing in popular hotspots like Santorini and Athens.

Full-year data is expected next month, but 2025 is already confirmed as the strongest year in the history of Greek tourism.

Sources: iefimerida.gr

Greece continues to rank among the leading Mediterranean destinations for travel over the next 12 months, reinforcing the strong tourism brand it has built in recent years across major Western European markets and further improving its international image.

According to the latest findings, Greece places third among preferred outbound travel destinations in both Germany and Italy, fourth in France and the United Kingdom, and sixth in Spain. Compared with 2024, the country has gained one position in the UK and Spanish markets, a notable development given that the United Kingdom and Germany together represent Greece’s most important source markets for inbound tourism in terms of both visitor numbers and revenue. In the remaining markets examined, Greece’s ranking remained stable.

The data come from a study published in January 2026 by the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE) titled “Brand Greece: How attractive is Greece as a tourism destination? A comparison with competing Mediterranean destinations.” The research focuses on five key European markets—Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy—and is based on surveys conducted by GWI in two waves during 2025, involving 7,402 respondents, as well as comparable research carried out in 2024. The study examines travel intentions for the next 12 months, including the peak summer period that is critical for Mediterranean destinations.

Collectively, these five markets generate almost half of Greece’s inbound tourism revenue, based on official data from the Bank of Greece for 2023 and 2024.

Across all markets surveyed, Greece features within the top five destinations that Europeans are considering for international travel, ranking third or fourth in most cases.

Spain is the only market where Greece falls just outside the top five, in sixth position, although even there it has improved its standing compared with the previous year.

Importantly, in both the UK and Spanish markets, the difference in preference between Greece and the destination immediately above it is only around two percentage points, indicating strong competitive momentum.

In Germany, Italy and Spain lead the rankings, with Greece securing third place and attracting close to one in five German travelers considering trips abroad. In France, Spain and Italy again dominate, followed by Portugal, while Greece holds fourth place.

Among British travelers, Spain and Italy top the list, followed by France, with Greece close behind in fourth position. In Spain itself, Italy and France lead, with Portugal also ranking ahead of Greece, while in Italy, Spain and France take the top two positions and Greece ranks third.

The findings are particularly significant given Greece’s geographical position. Unlike Spain, France or Italy, which benefit from extensive cross-border road travel, Greece relies far more heavily on air connectivity. Despite this structural disadvantage, Greece continues to perform strongly in Western European markets, underscoring the strength and recognisability of its tourism offering. The study also notes that in the Italian and Spanish markets, other Mediterranean competitors such as Croatia and Turkey do not feature in the top ten preferred destinations.

Commenting on the results, INSETE General Director Elias Kikilias said that Greece’s tourism brand has now reached a mature phase within an increasingly competitive Mediterranean landscape dominated by Spain and Italy. He stressed that future success will depend on strengthening sustainability and resilience, safeguarding the identity of destinations, and further diversifying the tourism product through a long-term, coordinated strategy that aligns public and private sector efforts.

Source: dnews.gr

Greek cuisine has earned global recognition in the 2024 World Culinary Awards, with two standout restaurants from Greece making the prestigious list.

Makris Athens by Domes, located on Ermou Street in Athens, was named the best restaurant in Greece, while Makris @ Domes of Elounda in Crete won the title of the best hotel restaurant in the country.

The World Culinary Awards, which celebrate the finest dining experiences across the globe, revealed their top picks for 2024, voted on by the public.

Leading the way as the best restaurant in the world is Mezzaluna at the Lebua State Tower in Bangkok, Thailand.

This two-Michelin-starred restaurant is famed for its seasonal seven-course tasting menu, with chef Ryuki’s signature wagyu beef dish stealing the spotlight. It also took home the awards for best restaurant in Thailand and all of Asia.

In Europe, the top honor went to Alléno Paris, a dazzling French restaurant in Paris, while Epice, an innovative restaurant in Franschhoek, South Africa, was named the best in Africa.

Beyond restaurants, the World Culinary Awards highlight top gastronomic destinations.

This year, Lisbon claimed the title of the best culinary destination in Europe, further cementing its status as a foodie paradise

(Πηγή: iefimerida.gr)

The first phase in the restoration of the Byzantine Church of Saint Nicholas in Mesopotam (or Mesopotamos in Greek), a predominantly ethnic Greek village in southern Albania, has been completed, Greece’s Culture Ministry has announced.

The project is part of a cooperation agreement signed in September 2021 between the Thessaloniki-based European Center for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments and the Albanian Ministry of Culture for the restoration of the church’s frescoes, marble elements and floor.

The first phase involved investigative incisions across all surfaces of the church up to a height of 8 meters, followed by extensive removal of later plaster and lime coatings. A notable discovery during the process was a large section of the fresco decoration that had previously been obscured.

Believed to have been built in 1224 or 1225 church is part of a now abandoned monastery and is regarded as one of the finest specimens of its kind.

(source: ekathimerini.com)

One of the most remarkable sites in Greece, the Petralona Cave where a prehistoric skull was found, has reopened to the public after five years of upgrade and restoration works.

The cave, which was discovered by chance in 1959 by a local shepherd looking for water, dates back to more than one million years ago and became headline news when a prehistoric human skull came to light in 1960.

Dubbed the “Petralona Man” or “Homo heidelbergensis”, experts initially said it was between 240,000 and 160,000 years old and belonged to one of the first species to inhabit Europe.

According to anthropologist Aris Poulianos, however, the Petralona skull is approximately 700,000 years old making it the oldest human Europeoid found in Europe.

Paleontologists point out that the condition of the skull found in tact is what makes it a unique find.

The restoration and upgrade works on the cave and the museum which include special lighting and expansion are budgeted at 1 million euros and were covered by EU funds.

The cave is a key tourist attraction in the Halkidiki peninsula.

Currently, only 10-20 percent of the 10,000m2 cave is accessible.

(Source: tovima.com)

The Greek Minister of Tourism Vassilis Kikilias, says his “priority is to set up the office of the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) in Melbourne”

He also emphasised wider Greek and Australian bilateral relationships.

Talking to Neos Kosmos, Mr Kikilias highlighted “new initiatives of aimed at closer cooperation between Australia and Greece, using the Greek community in Australia as a “bridge”.

“Relations between Greece and Australia are close and based on both historic and Hellenic Diaspora ties.

“For decades the Greek Diaspora contributed to the formation, sustainability and strengthening of relations between the two nations,” Mr. Kikilias said.

Two years into an unprecedented pandemic, and with the Australian border closed for that period, Greek Australians are thinking of Greece, their families there and holidays. Many have already booked their tickets to visit for Greek summer.

“I know from my friends, the great desire of the Greek Australians to come to their homeland to see their loved ones again, to experience our unique beauties, to recreate ‘memories’ of images, tastes, fun, culture, and everything else that is our Greece”, said Mr. Kikilias.

As a tilt towards those who still have concerns due to COVID-19, or the developments in Ukraine Mr Kikilias emphasised that Greece “is a hospitable and safe country”.

It is worth noting that the Minister was to speak to Australians on Tuesday, 12 April 2022, as part of the Greek Australian Dialogue Series, possibly delving into more detail about the potential of an EOT office being established in Melbourne. However, due to contracting COVID-19 the online event has been postponed. The new date will be set soon, and published in Neos Kosmos.

Read the full interview:

Neos Kosmos: Minister, what has changed from the summer of 2019 to now for Greece, specifically in tourism and travel in relation to COVID-19? And what should Greek Australians who travel to Greece have in mind – and what documents do they need?

Vassilis Kikilias: In 2021 tourism to Greece exceeded all expectations. Revenues that were budgeted at the beginning of 2021, doubled by November. We had formulated specific protocols that were strictly followed by tourism professionals.

As a former Minister of Health, who was responsible for this area, I can say confidently that our work paid off. Worldwide, travel selection criteria have also changed.

People travel where they feel safe, and Greece is a safe country. Also lifting of the obligation to show a negative coronavirus test for fully vaccinated travelers from Australia will have a positive effect in attracting more Australians.

Neos Kosmos: What does your Ministry know in terms of tourism traffic from Australia this year? Was the absence of Greek Australian, and other Australian tourists, in the two last years noticeable?

Vassilis Kikilias: As I said in the previous question, entry into Greece now has fewer restrictions, but we still have a goal of health security. On February 18, I had a meeting with the Ambassador of Australia in Athens, Arthur Spyrou, at the Ministry of Tourism. I said that it is important for Australia to remove travel restrictions for vaccinated citizens from February 21, which will significantly increase tourism from Australia to Greece in 2022. The Ambassador believes that 2022 will be a successful tourist year, as booking data show an already impressive number of Australian travelers and of course Greek Australians planning to visit Greece.

We wait for them with pleasure. For us, Greek Australians are “ambassadors of tourism”. They promote Greece as a country of great beauty, and a country where holidays acquire their true meaning.

Neos Kosmos: To what extent has the war in Ukraine impacted on tourism to Greece, particularly as some specific regions, rely heavily on Russian and Ukrainian tourists? What do you say to those who are worried about their safety, and fear war in Greece’s neighborhood?

Vassilis Kikilias: My job is to work every day to increase our tourism, so that we have a better year for Greece. However, this is a tragic situation, with grave loss of human life.

We are in solidarity with Ukraine and provide practical support. We are here to welcome, care for and accommodate refugees. We provide them with the opportunity to work in our hotel industry, in jobs that were not covered by the locals.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with them and support them in every possible way.

Regarding your question, we are working on a plan to support industry professionals working exclusively in these two countries.

We are also focused on target markets, such as Australia, USA, Canada, France, Israel to attract even more visitors. TUI Holidays, the largest tour operator in Europe, named Greece a No1 preferences for travelers, along with Spain. TUI Holidays CEO, Friedrich Joussen, in a teleconference with our Prime Minister on January 19, expressed the view that he will bring twice as many people to Greece in 2022, with his estimates reaching more than three million, and there are over three million seats available from France to Greece. Greece has unique beauty and is a hospitable and safe country.

Neos Kosmos: What is the state of Australian bilateral relationship, especially in tourism? Years ago, we had a memorandum of understanding for the issuance of a holiday visa, with the right to work, to 500 young people per annum from each country. How is this going and given the large presence of Greeks in Australia, are there prospects for closer cooperation and even new initiatives between the two countries, similar to what you recently announced with the United States?

Vassilis Kikilias: Yes, we are preparing new initiatives in cooperation with the other ministries, as this memorandum concerns the Greek government in general.

Neos Kosmos: Are you still looking to set up an EOT office in Melbourne?

Vassilis Kikilias: It is my priority and personal conviction that an EOT office will operate in Melbourne.

Neos Kosmos: What is your strategy and what are the initiatives for Tourism in Greece?

Vassilis Kikilias: Tourism is the engine of the Greek economy and contributes directly and indirectly to 25 percent of the country’s GDP. At the same time, many sectors, such as construction or the agri-food sector, lean on tourism.

The millions of visitors annually are potential ambassadors for Greece. Greek Tourism supports the economy and society, it benefits the average Greek family directly and creates jobs. Our strategy can be summarised in three points, upgrading the tourism product, high level services, and the extension of the tourism product.

Neos Kosmos: Finally, as we mentioned above, Greek Australians and other Australians are expected to travel to Greece this year, will you visit the Antipodes?

Vassilis Kikilias: I want it, believe me, I want it very much. I hope I can and meet you all up close. Until then, we are waiting for you, in your spiritual home for the summer holidays, and not only.

Sources: neoskosmos.com, panhellenicpost.com

The Acropolis Museum is going on its summer schedule as of Friday (April 1), extending its opening hours into evening and keeping its terrace restaurant open to midnight every Friday and Saturday, it said on Thursday.

The museum’s hours are as follows, from April 1 to October 31:

Monday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm 
Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, and
Friday, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm

The archaeological excavation beneath the Museum can be visited at the same times listed above except for Friday: Monday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and Tuesday-Sunday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.

Tours of the excavations are available in two languages, English (Saturdays, Mondays at 11:00 am) and Greek (Saturdays, Mondays at 1:00 pm). The tour duration is 45 minutes and registration is required at the museum’s information booth, following payment of museum entrance (10 euros general admission). A maximum of 20 people are allowed per group.

Gallery talks for adults are continuing. More information is available at https://theacropolismuseum.gr/en/gallery-talks (in English).

Source: AMNA

As the world opens up to tourism once more, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines is opening a wider window on Greece’s blissful blue skies, mirror clear seas and silk sand beaches.

For travellers seeking to discover a more authentic side to the sun-soaked country, EasyJet has teamed up with Sky Express, Greece’s most popular no-frills carrier, to offer UK travellers the chance to book flights via a single platform to more than 20 lesser-known Greek destinations.

These are the ones that should be at the top of your list.

The cultured one: Syros

With its twin hilltop settlements – topped by a snow-white Catholic cathedral on one side and a blue-domed Orthodox church on the other; streets bursting with magnificent old houses built by wealthy sea captains during the 19th century (when the island oozed wealth); and marble-lined capital Ermoupolis – Syros is one of the Cyclades’ most intriguing cultural gems. 

The wild one: Naxos

Mykonos and Santorini might grab the headlines, but with its lost-in-the-past villages, endless sandy beaches and low-key tavernas serving succulent local dishes, their Cyclades sister Naxos offers a calmer – and more charming – alternative. 

From immense kouroi statues to flamingo-flecked salt lakes, the region’s largest island has plenty of attractions too. Bask on Alyko’s glorious sand dune-studded beaches, backed by cedar forests, and get lost in the narrow alleys of the mountain village of Chalki, where they make punchy local lemon liqueur Kitro. 

The otherworldly beauty: Milos

Santorini might be Greece’s volcanic poster child, but the lesser-known Cycladic island of Milos, where Alexandros of Antioch’s celebrated Venus statue was discovered in 1820, is equally spectacular. 

Take time to marvel at the copy of the Venus de Milo in the island’s tiny museum, and then be wowed by brightly painted syrmata fishing huts and lunar-like beaches – including Sarakíniko, where blindingly white rocks rise dramatically out of transparent waters.

The holistic haven: Skyros

Skyros, the wild Sporades archipelago’s southernmost gem, where British poet Robert Brook (author of The Soldier sonnet) lies buried and where legend says Theseus (he of the Minotaur) was hurled from a cliff by lairy king Lycomedes, is best known for its alternative vibe; yoga and wellness retreats are ten-a-penny.

But there is more besides, from its unique breed of Skyrian ponies and pretty pine-studded landscapes, to the capital Chora spilling like white lava over a cliff topped by a biscuit-coloured Byzantine castle.

The miraculous one: Ikaria 

Known as the island ‘where people forget to die’, you can expect to see a lot of tanned elderly folk when you hop off the plane in Ikaria; one in three inhabitants make it to their 90s on this tiny island 30 miles from Turkey’s western coast, making it one of only five Blue Zone destinations (famed for their residents’ longevity) in the world. 

Apart from health-giving hot springs and pristine beaches, locals will tell you that even the hearty red wine on their island (where legend says Dionysos was born) has miraculous powers. 

The war hero: Leros

These days peace emanates from Leros’s sweet-scented forests and pebble-lined coves. During WWII, however, Mussolini used this tiny island off the coast of Turkey as his military HQ and the capital Lakki is considered to be one of the best examples of rationalist-fascist architecture outside of Italy. 

This Dodecanese island was also the setting for Alistair MacLean’s wartime classic, The Guns of Navarone, and is famed for its fish restaurants that serve some of Europe’s best oysters.

The mainland gem: Kastoria

Built with cash earned from the region’s centuries-old trade in fur pelts, this city in the mainland region of Western Macedonia sits above a lake framed by pine-studded mountains and scattered with pelicans, swans and fisherman sculling their traditional plava flat-bottomed boats. Rustic tavernas serving hearty food abound here. Dishes to try include tzigerosarmades, made from rice, lamb mince and offal, and sarmadakia: parcels of cabbage leaves packed with spiced beef. 

The Cretan charmer: Sitia

Sitia’s gleaming new international airport opened a few years ago, offering easier access to the – hitherto little explored – eastern half of Greece’s biggest island. 

Far from Chania’s crowded cobbled shopping lanes you’ll find unspoilt beaches, including Vai, home to Europe’s only palm forest; authentic tavernas serving slow-cooked kleftiko lamb; and the Unesco-listed Sitia Geopark, a vast swathe of wilderness dotted with hiking trails and picturesque villages.

The green goddess: Astypalaia

Currently getting a green makeover with the help of German car giants Volkswagen (who’ve brought electric vehicles and renewable power technology to this butterfly-shaped Dodecanese island), Astypaleia is a magnet for beach lovers, who come here to laze in secluded coves lapped by sparkling waters and linked by a network of dirt tracks. 

Away from those glittering seascapes, island capital Chora’s taverna-lined streets, Byzantine castle, and eight picturesque windmills are the main lure.

The really remote one: Karpathos

Karpathos might have been mentioned by Homer in the Iliad (in a classic typo he refers to the island as ‘Krapathos’) but the second largest of the Dodecanese islands is rarely found on tourist radars. 

Topped by Olympos, a mountain village with ancient houses the colour of faded lego bricks, where women clad in traditional garb (very) firmly rule the roost, this lovely rugged island 27 miles from Rhodes is renowned for its tiny villages and secluded sand-strewn coves where rare Mediterranean monk seals love to frolic.

Source: telegraph.co.uk