Easter Tourism Boom: Greece Sees 18.3% Surge in Hotel Bookings

Direct hotel bookings in Greece’s top travel destinations have skyrocketed by 18.3% this Easter compared to the same period last year, according to new data analyzed by digital tourism firm Nelios. The rare alignment of Orthodox and Catholic Easter dates appears to have played a pivotal role in boosting demand, with two out of three Greek destinations reporting double-digit growth.

Bookings have been made from an impressive 112 countries, each contributing at least one reservation, and domestic tourism is also on the rise. Greek travelers booked 12.6% more stays compared to last year’s Easter, highlighting a robust rebound in internal demand.

Across nearly every region of Greece, the tourism outlook is positive. Travelers are clearly gravitating toward destinations that offer authentic local experiences—none more so than Crete, which has emerged as the undisputed front-runner, recording an 82.4% increase in direct bookings compared to last Easter.

Strong performances are also seen in the Dodecanese Islands (+37.6%), the Peloponnese (+23.6%), Attica (+22.9%), and mainland Greece (+19.3%). The Ionian Islands, while more modest, still reported an uptick of 4.6%.

However, not all regions shared in the Easter tourism boom. The Cyclades bucked the trend, posting an overall 11.4% decline, with Santorini in particular seeing the steepest drop at -20.2%.

With few exceptions, most destinations are seeing growth, especially those offering authentic Easter experiences. Patras leads the way with a striking 80.2% jump in bookings, marking its strong comeback as a holiday hotspot.

Kos and Rhodes have also seen impressive growth, up 38.3% and 37.6% respectively, underscoring the Dodecanese’s rising appeal. Meanwhile, Corfu—thanks to its famed Easter customs—remains a favorite, with bookings up 32.8%.

Greece’s major cities are also enjoying the holiday momentum, with Athens reporting a 12.9% increase in direct hotel bookings and Thessaloniki close behind at 19.3%.

International Markets Powering the Growth

Among foreign markets, Israel has emerged as the biggest growth driver, with hotel bookings more than doubling—up 178.5% year-on-year. Improved air connectivity and Greece’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination are thought to be key factors.

Other markets showing strong growth include Romania (+36.2%), Italy (+26.1%), Spain (+22.8%), and the Netherlands (+22.1%).