Early Bookings for Greek Destinations in 2026 Surge, With Price-Sensitive Travelers Securing New Lower Rates for Islands and Mainland Regions of Greece

Published on November 21, 2025

Early booking momentum for Greek destinations in 2026 is gaining significantly, mostly on the back of price-sensitive international travelers who book well in advance to secure lower rates. According to new analysis from Nelios, one of Greece’s leading digital marketing agencies specializing in hotel direct bookings, there has been a 33.3% rise in pre-bookings and a 19.2% revenue increase compared to the same period last year, based on data compiled through the end of October. This surge now points toward a very optimistic outlook for Greek tourism as travelers adapt to new trends of booking behavior, characterized by early reservations that secure more affordable pricing.

Island Destinations Lead the Charge: Kos and Paros Shine

The strong early demand for Greek destinations is reflected across nearly all major leisure spots, but Kos and Paros stand out as the biggest winners. Kos saw an extraordinary 170% increase in pre-bookings, while Paros followed closely with a 139.5% jump. These impressive numbers are paired with even more substantial revenue gains, with Kos recording a 132.5% increase in revenue and Paros posting a 47.2% rise. The significant boost in bookings and revenue signals a robust future for these island destinations and positions them as key players in Greece’s expanding tourism market.

Crete and Ionian Islands: Solid Performance and Strong Growth

Additionally, Crete continues to be a strong performer, leading the national rankings with an impressive 117.5% rise in bookings and an even more remarkable 164.66% increase in revenue. The Ionian Islands, led by Corfu, also posted strong results, with Corfu showing 69% growth in bookings and 146% in revenue. These destinations continue to benefit from their unique combination of natural beauty, historical attractions, and pristine beaches, drawing travelers who seek both relaxation and adventure.

Mixed Performance Among Popular Islands: Santorini and Mykonos Face Challenges

However, not all island destinations are seeing the same level of growth. Santorini and Mykonos, two of Greece’s most iconic islands, are experiencing declines in revenue. Santorini saw a 7.4% dip in revenue, while Mykonos reported a more significant 19% decrease. Despite this, Mykonos saw a 15.1% increase in early bookings, suggesting rising interest in the destination, although challenges remain in maintaining price competitiveness for these mature tourism hotspots.

Meanwhile, Zakynthos and Rhodes showed more moderate reductions in early bookings and revenue. These islands’ mixed results reflect the broader trend of shorter booking windows, where travelers are opting for last-minute reservations for popular destinations, although the increasing trend toward early bookings continues to shape the broader tourism landscape.

Mainland Greece: Thriving Urban and Leisure Destinations

While the islands are seeing robust growth, mainland Greece also shows strong early demand, especially in urban centers and leisure destinations. Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, leads with a 67.7% increase in bookings and 56.2% revenue growth, followed by Athens, which posted 24% growth in bookings and 29.22% in revenue. These cities are benefiting from increased international interest in cultural tourism, business travel, and historical sites, with travelers increasingly looking to explore more than just beach destinations.

Among mainland leisure destinations, Parga saw impressive growth, with 83.8% more bookings and 56% more revenue, while the Peloponnese region posted 63.8% growth in bookings and 67.8% revenue increase. These figures highlight that both urban tourism and nature-focused leisure destinations are thriving, driven by the growing diversification of the Greek tourism sector.

Price Sensitivity Driving Early Booking Behavior

According to Dimitris Serifis, CEO of Nelios, the surge in early bookings reflects a significant shift in traveler behavior. “We see that international travelers are extremely sensitive to pricing, and this pushes them toward early booking offers,” Serifis said. “The strong rise in pre-bookings for 2026 reflects exactly this pattern: the intention to travel is high, but many book early to secure lower rates.”

The increase in early bookings indicates that travelers are becoming more price-conscious, searching for deals and discounted rates well in advance of their planned trips. This change in behavior reflects broader trends in global tourism economics, where affordability and value-driven offers are key motivators for planning travel.

Festive Season 2025 Also Shows Strong Demand

Alongside the surge in 2026 bookings, hotels in Greece are also seeing strong demand for the 2025 festive season. Early bookings for the Christmas and New Year period are up by 19.3%, while revenue has jumped 32.5%. The region of Arachova dominates, with bookings up 137.5% and revenue increasing by 161%, followed by Metsovo. Athens and Thessaloniki are also showing healthy growth in festive bookings, which bodes well for the continuation of holiday tourism in Greece.

The Future of Tourism in Greece: A Positive Outlook

Looking ahead, Emmanouela Kouka, Digital Business Optimization Expert at Nelios, said the pattern of early demand has become a trend they can recognize. “We are seeing the same booking curve emerge: strong early demand, then a pause, and finally a surge of last-minute reservations,” she said. “It is clear that today’s travelers operate with strong price sensitivity, and offers shape significantly the rhythm of the early bookings for the new season.”

Positive growth in both island and mainland destinations underlines very favorable prospects for Greece’s tourism to 2026, supported by value-for-money booking behavior. The further development of the early bookings trend and sensitivity to price prove that Greek tourism is moving into line with the shifting demands of international flows while reinforcing its position among the leading global destinations.