Greeks prefer... Greece for their May Day holiday getaways

By Ioannis Karagiorgas with ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ Published on 29/04/2026 - 7:00 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp

Based on Booking.com data, Greek travellers are choosing domestic destinations this weekend.

This year's May Day, combined with the following weekend, gives Greeks the opportunity for short escapes.

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Popular destinations within Greece continue to attract strong interest, which in fact appears to be on the rise, while a similar trend is recorded for nearby foreign countries.

According to recent data from Booking.com (a member of Booking Holdings Inc.), total searches by Greek travellers for accommodation, both in Greece and abroad, increased by 19% for the period 30 April to 3 May 2026 compared to last year.

Athens and Thessaloniki continue to be solid choices, up 5% and 14% respectively. At the same time, significant growth was recorded in traditional spring destinations such as Nafplio (+84%) and Volos (+53%).

Also noteworthy is the strengthening of interest in city breaks in less crowded areas. Nafpaktos shows the biggest increase (+137%), followed by Monemvasia (+88%) and Corfu (+59%).

This trend shows that travellers are increasingly turning to places that offer authentic experiences and local character. Kalamata is also on the rise(+46%), while Ioannina maintains its popularity (+5%).

As for abroad, Rome (+7%), Istanbul (+19%) and London (+16%) are among the destinations with increased demand.

On the contrary, there is a slight decrease in interest in cities such as Budapest (-18%) and Vienna (-19%), which may indicate a change in travel preferences or their association with more winter holidays.

Overall, the data confirm the momentum of short trips and last-minute bookings. The May Day weekend is ideally suited to short breaks, with travellers choosing destinations that combine easy access, natural beauty and authenticity.

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