Greece’s cruise sector hit record levels in 2025, with over 6,100 ship calls recorded across the country’s ports, according to ELIME.
Regional ports across Greece recorded notable growth in 2025, highlighting a broader spread of cruise activity beyond traditional hotspots, according to data released by the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME).
The figures point to a gradual redistribution of cruise traffic, as cruise lines expand itineraries and increasingly include secondary destinations, both to ease congestion and diversify the travel experience across the country.
Among the key performers, Corfu handled 467 ship arrivals and 894,179 passengers, reaffirming its strong position in Ionian cruise routes. Heraklion followed with 281 cruise calls and 536,543 passengers, while Rhodes recorded 418 arrivals and 547,549 passengers, reflecting steady growth across regional ports.
Chania, Katakolo, Kefalonia, Lavrio, Patmos and Thessaloniki also recorded notable increases in cruise traffic, underscoring a shift toward more balanced cruise deployment.
Greece’s overall cruise performance remains strong
Heraklion emerged among the growing regional cruise hubs in 2025, with Greece recording over 6,100 ship calls nationwide, ELIME data shows.
The expansion of cruise traffic beyond the country’s most popular destinations signals a strategic move by operators to optimize routes and reduce pressure on high-demand locations, while also supporting tourism development in emerging destinations.
Within this broader picture, Greece’s cruise sector continued to perform strongly overall, with total ship calls exceeding 6,100 and passenger traffic surpassing 7 million in 2025, according to ELIME.
Piraeus remained the country’s leading cruise hub, recording more than 800 ship calls and over 1.5 million passengers, while Santorini and Mykonos continued to rank among the busiest island destinations, with 1,222,748 and 1,203,052 passengers respectively.
Overall, the data points to a record year for Greece’s cruise industry, while also marking a gradual shift toward a more geographically diverse and resilient cruise landscape.
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