Surprise tax raids on Santorini’s cruise boats uncovered violations on nearly half of vessels inspected, with €14,140 in fines imposed for receipt fraud and illegal cash transactions.
Tag: Santorini
Santorini and Mykonos, Greece’s iconic island destinations, are seeing a dip in tourist arrivals this season. Santorini reports a 7% drop in ferry bookings and a 19% decline in international flights, driven by early 2025 seismic activity, while Mykonos holds steady with a 2% uptick in June arrivals, buoyed by strong domestic demand. Despite challenges from key markets like the US and Australia, Greek travelers are boosting both islands, though not enough to offset the overall downturn.
The yacht of prominent Greek lawyer Apostolos Lytras ran aground and sank off Santorini after hitting a reef. Lytras’ wife sustained minor injuries, and the couple was rescued by the Santorini Port Authority.
Paros has been named the best island in Europe in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 “World’s Best Awards,” leading a strong showing for Greece with five islands in the top 15. The Cycladic island impressed readers with its natural beauty, fresh cuisine, and warm hospitality.
Panagiotis Papastefanou is quietly making waves in the music world with his soulful voice, heartfelt…
Greece expects relief from the current heatwave as temperatures drop to seasonal norms, but August 2025 brings varied weather with potential heatwaves, thunderstorms, and strong Aegean winds, per YouWeather’s forecast.
Hotels in Mykonos and Santorini are offering deep discounts and showing surprising availability for mid-August, traditionally the peak of Greece’s summer season. Amid rising competition from short-term rentals and increased operating costs, many hotels across popular destinations are turning to last-minute deals to boost occupancy.
Greece solidifies its position as the world’s top destination for luxury yacht charters in 2024, driven by its 6,000+ islands, crystal waters, and robust demand. With a 40% share of global bookings for motor yachts over 20 meters, the country outperforms competitors like Croatia and Turkey, despite global challenges.
12 years ago, Stefanos Tsipas and Michele Kavanaugh stood on the summit of the tallest hill in Santorini. That moment sparked the birth of ‘Santorini Heights’.
Greece is introducing a new “Cruise Fee” starting July 21, requiring passengers disembarking from recreational cruise vessels to pay a seasonal charge, with higher rates for popular destinations like Mykonos and Santorini. The fee aims to boost state revenue from tourism and will be collected electronically by cruise operators and shipping agents.
A tourist in Santorini describes the Greek island as “dead” due to low visitor numbers, highlighting discounted hotel rates and a quiet season. With other islands like Crete facing similar trends, travelers can snag bargains amidst Greece’s scorching summer heat.
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.
A new cruise passenger fee, effective July 21, will apply to passengers disembarking at Greek ports, with rates varying by season to encourage off-peak travel. Fees range from €20 in peak season for Mykonos and Santorini to €1 in winter for other ports, paid quarterly by cruise companies via a digital platform.
Santorini, Greece’s iconic “Instagram Island,” is facing an unexpected tourism slump despite its stunning beauty and influx of up to 17,000 daily cruise ship visitors. Local tour operator Gianluca Chimenti describes the island as a “ghost town” at night, with hotels under 30% capacity and businesses struggling. He argues that social media exaggerates overcrowding, deterring off-peak visitors, and calls for better crowd management, like directing tourists to archaeological sites, to balance the island’s appeal and sustainability.
Europe, the world’s cultural gem, is buckling under a record-breaking tourism surge, with 747 million visitors last year overwhelming its iconic destinations. Greece, hosting nearly four times its population, faces water and housing shortages on islands like Santorini and Mykonos. As locals protest and resources strain, governments scramble with measures like cruise taxes and rental restrictions to balance tourism’s boon with preserving local life.
Basketball legend Magic Johnson has touched down in Greece once again, continuing his love affair with the country’s sun-drenched islands.
What does it really take to retire to a Greek island? Lynn Roulo, who made the move to Athens over a decade ago, shares six islands that don’t just look the part, they work for real life too.
Planning a Santorini getaway? Watch out—a small parking mistake could cost you a hefty €80…
On June 23, 2025, Greece’s Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, unveiled the revitalized Archaeological Museum of Thera in Santorini, the 27th museum transformed since 2019. A cultural beacon for the Cyclades, the museum showcases the iconic “Kore of Thera” and hosts the “Cycladites” exhibition, celebrating women’s stories across millennia. The reopening marks Santorini’s ascent as a global hub for cultural tourism.
Starting July 1, Greece will introduce a new cruise passenger levy, charging €20 ($21 USD) per person at Santorini and Mykonos during high season, and €5 ($5.25 USD) at other ports. Aimed at supporting infrastructure and preserving ecosystems, the fee is part of efforts to balance tourism with the capacity of Greece’s popular islands.
For decades, Mykonos and Santorini have been synonymous with Greek island glamour, but soaring prices and overcrowding are pushing tourists toward quieter shores. According to Ferryscanner, bookings for these iconic destinations dropped significantly in 2025, with Mykonos down 33% and Santorini 50%. Meanwhile, islands like Aegina, Poros, and Lefkada are seeing explosive growth, with bookings surging over 200% as American and British travelers seek authentic, tranquil escapes.
Discover why now’s the perfect time to visit Santorini! With fewer crowds after early 2025 earthquakes, enjoy the Greek island’s stunning views and vibrant charm. Book your dream getaway today!
Starting July 1, a cruise passenger fee of up to €20 will be implemented for visitors disembarking in Santorini and Mykonos, aimed at funding infrastructure improvements.
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In a race against time, Greek Navy cardiologist Lieutenant Commander Anastasios Milkas was airlifted to Mytilene and Santorini to save two men from life-threatening heart attacks. Performing emergency angioplasties at Mytilene Hospital’s Hemodynamic Laboratory, Dr. Milkas and his team stabilized a 41-year-old local and a 49-year-old Egyptian worker, showcasing the critical role of rapid medical intervention in the Aegean islands.
Greece has emerged as a top-five EU destination for luxury hotel investments in 2024, adding 12,000 new rooms, including 8,500 in four- and five-star properties. With €438 million across four high-value deals, the country boasted Europe’s highest average transaction value at €109.5 million. The Grand Hyatt Athens acquisition, the continent’s largest by room count, underscored Greece’s growing appeal for premium hospitality investments.
Discover Greece with these 14 essential tips! From visa checks to choosing the perfect season or island like Nafplio, plan an unforgettable trip with our guide to culture, beaches, and more.
Alexander Ludwig, known for Vikings, honeymooned with wife Lauren Dear in Greece, praising Santorini, Milos, and Paros on social media, jokingly saying he might move to Paros.
Tourists Advised to Stay Calm and Prepared After Greece Earthquakes
