It’s one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why.
Turquoise waters and bright blue skies, whitewashed cities, and a laid-back way of life – what’s not to love?
If you’re looking for beautiful beaches spread over 160,000 kilometers of coastline and some of Europe’s most important cultural attractions then there’s nowhere better to be.
A Surge In American Travelers
Of course we’re talking about Greece.
Not only was 2023 a record year for tourism in the country, but Greece has started 2024 with a bang, too.
Historically, January is the slowest month for tourism in Greece, but this year, they have experienced the best January ever. 737.3 thousand overseas visitors arrived in the country in one month alone.
What’s more a huge number of those travelers were from the U.S.
Travelers to Greece from the United States in January increased by a whopping 260.2% year on year according to the Bank of Greece.
American travelers are also spending more in Greece than ever before, with expenditure up by 63.6%.
So why is Greece seeing such a huge surge in American travelers?
Easy To Reach
This year, there are more non-stop flights from the U.S. to Greece than ever.
Delta and American Airlines are offering non-stop flights from New York JFK.
If your starting point is Boston then you can take a daily flight with Delta. This is the fastest possible non-stop route between Greece and the U.S.
You can fly between Chicago or Philadelphia and Greece with American Airlines.
United Airlines offers a non-stop route from Washington. And if you want to head out from Atlanta then Delta is the airline for you.
All of these flights have Athens as their arrival city, which is a great place to start your Greek adventures. And from there it’s easy to reach almost any of the most beautiful Greek islands by jumping on a short flight or taking a passenger ferry.
A huge number of Greek island cruises from Athens depart from the port of Piraeus in the city too, so this is a great place to start if you want to hop from island to island and see as much as possible in your trip.
It’s also worth noting that U.S. travelers don’t need a visa to travel to Greece, which makes visiting the country even more straightforward.
A Rich Cultural Heritage
Cultural and historical destinations are always popular with American travelers. Greek is said to be the first and, therefore, oldest civilization in Europe.
Many important ancient attractions in the country are remarkably well-preserved thanks to its dry, Mediterranean climate, which means there is an abundance of things to see and do for culture vultures.
If you’re planning to island hop then you should schedule a couple of days in Athens first, as this is where you’ll find some of the most well-known and well-preserved cultural highlights of the country.
This includes the Acropolis and the Parthenon, a citadel which sits on a hilltop above the city. It’s worth noting that this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Greece and visitors have been limited to 20,000 a day to tackle overtourism.
So, pre-book tickets and arrive early.
You can also explore the ancient Agora of Athens, which is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora in the country. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is also based in the city and is a great spot for fans of ancient mythology.
Exceptional Islands
Greece is famed for its breathtakingly beautiful islands, and one of the most popular ways to explore the country is by going on an island-hopping tour.
Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete are the 3 most popular islands for American travelers interested in island hopping.
When you think of a typical white and blue Greek island, you’re probably thinking of Santorini.
Though it can become overcrowded during the summer months, this stunning island and its traditional architecture are well worth exploring.
And this is a great place to relax on golden sand beaches too.
Mykonos is a party island, and it offers the best nightlife, beach clubs, and parties for tourists and locals alike.
If you want to experience the best beaches in Greece, then I recommend visiting the island of Kos.
From beachside thermal pools to huge swathes of family-friendly sand like Mastichari Beach, you’ll be spoilt for choice for beautiful beaches here.
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