Tourists must now pay these fees to explore popular sites in Greece
Cruise Passengers Head to Greece, But Not Without a Few Extra Fees
Starting this July, vacationing on the picturesque coastlines of Greece is about to get a bit pricier. According to a recent report by "Bild," vacationers will have to pay a fee to set foot in coastal areas, with hotspots like Mykonos and Santorini charging up to 20 euros per person.
Why, you ask? The Greek government has grown weary of the influx of cruise ships and their impact on its infrastructure. So much so that it's introducing a new flat fee for cruise passengers.
If you're thinking, "Well, at least the local economy benefits from all these cruises," think again. Many passengers opt for onboard restaurants, leaving little spending for local businesses. Moreover, when they do venture on land, they often cause traffic problems, litter, and price hikes.
Greece's Tourism Strategy Shift
The new levy is part of a broader strategy to manage tourist numbers, ease infrastructure strain, and fund municipalities directly. Greece is a favorite destination for cruises, with around 7.9 million people disembarking from ships in the country last year.
The fee structure varies based on the port, time of year, and tourist season. For popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos, the fee is significantly higher — €4 during the low season and a steep €20 during the peak season (June 1 to September 30). Other Greek ports have a lower fee range, with €1 in the low season, €3 in the shoulder season, and €5 during the peak season.
Cruising in Greece Post-Fee
The increased €20 charge for Santorini and Mykonos during the peak season reflects the islands' existing overtourism pressures. The fees aim to encourage cruise lines to diversify their itineraries and promote cruising outside the peak summer months. Additionally, the revenue generated will support infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
Interestingly, this tax was initially scheduled for June 2025 but has been delayed due to seismic activity in Santorini that temporarily halted cruise traffic. It is now set to begin in July 2025.
Analysts predict that cruise lines could collectively pay around $45 million this season to cover the new tax, which is expected to be absorbed by the cruise fares. This levy offers substantial potential revenue for Greece, given that it welcomed nearly eight million cruise passengers in 2024.
This move follows discussions about potentially capping cruise ship visits to Santorini and Mykonos to address the environmental and social impacts of mass tourism on these islands. The fee is just one piece of the puzzle in mitigating overtourism while balancing the needs of the cruise tourism industry in Greece.
Key Insights: The new fee structure for cruises in Greece aims to ease infrastructure strain caused by the influx of passengers, fund municipalities, and promote sustainable tourism by encouraging cruise lines to diversify itineraries and cruise outside the peak summer months.
In an effort to address the strain caused by an increased number of cruise ships and tourists, Greece has implemented a new levy on cruise passengers, particularly targeting popular destinations like Mykonos and Santorini, who may charge up to 20 euros per person during peak season. This fee is part of a broader strategy to manage tourism numbers, generating revenue for infrastructure upgrades and municipal funding, while also encouraging cruise lines to diversify their itineraries and cruise outside the peak summer months, thus promoting sustainable tourism.
