Data from the annual “Visitor Satisfaction Survey” conducted by the Athens–Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association (EXAAA) in collaboration with Athens International Airport (AIA) and GBR Consulting.

The satisfaction index of Athens visitors, with the city recording 7.9 million international arrivals last year, shows an upward trend in recent years. However, the city’s long-standing issues—both for visitors and, even more so, for residents—persist.

Data from the annual “Visitor Satisfaction Survey” conducted by the Athens–Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association (EXAAA) in collaboration with Athens International Airport (AIA) and GBR Consulting, rates Athens as a destination with 8.3/10 overall, with culture and the behavior of locals ranking highest. However, public cleanliness, road conditions, squares, and sidewalks did not fare as well.

“The issue of city infrastructure is one of the key problems we need to address because it’s the be-all and end-all for both residents and visitors,” commented EXAAA President Eugenios Vasilikos during the presentation of the survey.

Despite overall visitor satisfaction remaining stable, certain areas in downtown Athens fall behind the city’s average and need improvement for both locals and tourists.

“In the broader area of Omonia, Karaiskaki Square, and Theatrou Square, the picture is not as good. The sense of safety is affected not only by crime but also by cleanliness and the presence of drug users,” noted Stefan Merkenhof from GBR Consulting. The state of sidewalks and squares is particularly problematic in many areas, highlighting the urgent need for upgrades. Accessibility ratings reflect these challenges, with respondents scoring it 6.1/10 overall, while those with special accessibility needs rated it even lower, 5.1/10.

Residents of Athens also voiced similar concerns in a survey conducted by Athens Airport among a sample of over 1,000 people towards the end of 2024. According to Maripola Kotsi, head of the airport’s survey, the top concerns for Attica residents are, in order: traffic congestion and lack of parking, poor road conditions and infrastructure, and safety. Meanwhile, the issue of overtourism ranked 15th.

In a separate survey of residents from other parts of Greece, the top three concerns were poor roads and infrastructure, inadequate healthcare services, and traffic congestion/lack of parking. Overtourism ranked 6th. “The problem of overcrowding is mainly found on the islands, whereas in some areas of Central Macedonia and mainland Greece, residents seem to be looking for more tourists,” the survey reported.

The Positives

On the bright side, the friendly attitude of locals significantly influences visitors’ sense of safety. In Athens, local hospitality is considered one of the city’s most important quality attributes, ranking second only to its rich cultural heritage, which scored 9/10.

Another positive development is that more visitors are now aware of Attica’s coastline and the islands of the Argosaronic Gulf. “In 2017, only 40%-45% knew that we had a Riviera and beaches, whereas now 1 in 2 visitors go to these areas. This is very promising for the future, though the islands still need more promotion,” noted Mr. Vasilikos, adding that alternative mainland destinations should also be marketed.

The country’s popularity and reputation are excellent in the summer but slightly lower in the winter, which “is something we need to focus on to boost tourism during the off-season,” city officials emphasized.

Athens International Airport’s Communications & Marketing Director, Ioanna Papadopoulou, highlighted the record-breaking performance of “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport last year, with a 13% increase in passenger traffic and a 12% rise in foreign visitors compared to 2023. “However, we have now reached some very high levels where the challenge is to maintain and further increase them,” she noted.

In terms of tourist spending in Athens, the daily expenditure per person in 2024 remained nearly the same as in 2022-2023, at €123, showing an increase from €115 in 2019.