Tag: Halkidiki

Airbnb Demand in Greece Projected to Soar Again in 2025

Greece Extends Airbnb Ban in Central Athens, Eyes Restrictions in More Tourist Hotspots

Greece is tightening rules on short-term rentals, extending the ban on new Airbnbs in central Athens until 2026 while considering similar restrictions in tourist hotspots like Santorini, Thessaloniki, and Chania. From October 1, 2025, stricter safety standards, inspections, and heavy fines will apply to all rental properties.

Sunbeds and Chaos: Greece Struggles to Curb Beach Violations

Greece’s beaches face a crisis of illegal occupations, with businesses exploiting public coastlines using sunbeds and beach bars, a new Court of Audit report reveals. Despite 41,737 citizen complaints via the MyCoast app in 2024, only a third were inspected, with hotspots like Halkidiki and the Dodecanese leading in violations. Understaffed authorities, reliant on outdated tools like measuring tapes, struggle to enforce regulations, allowing illegal operations to thrive throughout the summer.

Greek Island Short-Term Rentals Face Decline in 2025

This summer, Greece’s iconic islands, including Mykonos and Santorini, are grappling with a surprising decline in short-term rental bookings. Data reveals a 25-30% drop in international arrivals to Santorini, worsened by a recent earthquake, while Mykonos reports falling prices for luxury villas. Other islands like Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu also face a 15-20% dip in demand. Meanwhile, road tourism to Halkidiki is surging, with Central European visitors driving growth. Industry experts cite rising costs as a key factor eroding Greece’s appeal as an affordable destination.

Vougliameni Xaplostres

Greek Beaches Face Crackdown on Illegal Activities Amid Surge in Complaints

A surge of 3,500 complaints on the MyCoast app has exposed illegal activities on Greek beaches, with Halkidiki, Eastern Attica, and Aitoloakarnania topping the list. Authorities are cracking down, removing illegal sunbeds and planning drone inspections in August to ensure public access. Fines up to €60,000 and bans loom for violators.

Luxury Retreats: Europeans Invest Big in Greek Vacation Properties

European investors are flocking to Greece, building luxury vacation homes in prime coastal destinations like Crete, Rhodes, and Lefkada. Dutch, Belgian, and German entrepreneurs are leading the charge, developing upscale villas and apartments to meet growing demand. According to Elxis – At Home in Greece, these projects not only cater to affluent buyers but also boost the Greek economy by creating jobs and stimulating local industries, despite challenges from stricter “Golden Visa” rules and rental regulations.

Greece Showcases Its Tourism Appeal at Leading UK Digital Travel Event

Greece took the spotlight at a major UK travel influencer event in London, promoting its diverse and sustainable tourism offerings to top British content creators. As the only country officially represented, the Greek National Tourism Organisation showcased the growing appeal of destinations like Crete, Rhodes, and Halkidiki in the UK’s digital travel market.

Greek Housing Crisis: Soaring Rents Push Households to the Brink

Skyrocketing rental prices are pushing Greek households to their limits, with the average monthly rent hitting €440 in April, according to ELSTAT. The surge, driven by high demand, limited supply, and a shift to short-term rentals, has made affordability a distant dream for many. The Cyclades lead as the priciest region at €14.2 per square meter, while areas like Kilkis and Vasilika offer some relief with lower rents. As the housing crisis deepens, families across Greece face mounting pressure with no immediate solution in sight.

Sani Festival 2025 Welcomes Music Icon Grace Jones

Global music icon Grace Jones will headline Sani Festival 2025 in Halkidiki, Greece, with a highly anticipated performance on August 2. Known for her boundary-breaking style and electrifying stage presence, Jones joins a stellar international lineup that includes Nouvelle Vague, Norah Jones, Gloria Gaynor, and more, in one of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated cultural events.

Uh-oh! It looks like you're using an ad blocker.

Our website relies on ads to provide free content and sustain our operations. By turning off your ad blocker, you help support us and ensure we can continue offering valuable content without any cost to you.

We truly appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you for considering disabling your ad blocker for this website