Discover Greece

20/01/2025

New Airbnb Legislation in Greece: Key Amendments and Exemptions

The Greek Parliament has passed new regulations for short-term rental properties, introducing significant last-minute changes to the proposed bill.
The amendments aim to set clearer standards for Airbnb-style accommodations while addressing stakeholder concerns and opposition critiques.

Revised Specifications for Short-Term Rentals
The most notable change involves Article 3, which originally required properties to be classified as “residential.” This term has been removed, allowing non-residential premises, such as former offices or workshops, to qualify as short-term rental accommodations. However, properties that were converted from commercial or industrial use after 2011 are excluded from this provision, impacting some existing investments in urban centers.

The revised bill mandates that short-term rental properties meet specific safety and functional standards. These include natural lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, fire safety measures, liability insurance, and the availability of first-aid supplies.

cont.... https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/01/20/airbnb-greece-amendments/

17/01/2025

Hilton Garden Inn Athens Syggrou Avenue has officially opened its doors, heralding the arrival of the Hilton Garden Inn brand in Greece for the first time. Nestled in central Athens, this latest addition offers sophisticated lodging and an enhanced experience suited for both leisure and business visitors.

The hotel has undergone a comprehensive renovation, introducing the esteemed Hilton Garden Inn brand to a dynamic district of Athens. It features 129 tastefully appointed rooms and suites that merge sleek design with the brand’s signature comfort and meticulous attention to detail. Each accommodation is furnished with ample workspace, plush bedding, and cutting-edge technology to meet the varied preferences of its guests.

David Kelly, senior vice president, Continental Europe, Hilton, said, “We’re excited to introduce Hilton Garden Inn Athens Syggrou Avenue, our first Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Greece. With Athens experiencing dynamic growth as a global destination for business and leisure, this opening underscores our commitment to providing upscale, affordable accommodations in sought-after locations. Guests can experience Athens’ rich history and dynamic culture while enjoying the modern comforts and warm, glowing service that define the Hilton Garden Inn brand, ensuring a memorable stay.”

Perfectly placed on Syggrou Avenue, the hotel provides convenient access to Athens’ main sights and business sectors. The proximity to Syggrou-Fix Metro Station allows for effortless transit to the city center and the scenic Athenian Riviera. Guests can explore iconic sites such as the Acropolis, Parthenon, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the historical neighborhood of Plaka, and the vibrant Kallithea district. Additionally, Athens International Airport is a mere 30-minute drive away.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/hilton-garden-inn-debuts-in-greece-with-new-athens-syggrou-avenue-location/

16/01/2025

Stunning seas in Halkidiki

Greece Halkidiki

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16/01/2025

Skyros Holidays Unveils Transformative 2025 Programme
Skyros Holidays Unveils Transformative 2025 Programme: Where Areté Meets Creativity, Community, and Personal GrowthThe Skyros Centre, Skyros Island, Greece (31 May – 5 July)

Set in the heart of charming Skyros Town, the Skyros Centre offers a rich line-up of immersive masterclasses:

Amanda Hamilton, one of the UK’s top super-nutritionists, leads One Day at a Time: Transformative Health Habits for Success, offering practical insights into gut health and sustainable wellbeing.
Logan Murray, celebrated comedy coach, returns with Adventures in Comedy Writing, helping participants bring their wit and creativity to life.
Carl Smith, award-winning chef, presents A Taste of Greece, a hands-on culinary journey through the island’s seasonal flavours, including foraging and visits to local artisanal producers.
Skyros favourites Dina Glouberman, Mez Packer, Claire McGowan, and Kate Daniels bring their expertise in transformational imagery, writing, crime storytelling, and singing to the programme, ensuring something for everyone.
With morning yoga, afternoon art and music workshops, and optional treatments, participants can craft their experience to suit their journey of self-discovery.

Atsitsa Bay, Skyros Island, Greece (5 July – 20 September)

Nestled on the pine-forested Aegean coast, Atsitsa Bay offers a holistic retreat combining creativity, activity, and relaxation. With eight facilitators per holiday, participants can choose from courses in yoga, kayaking, mosaics, writing, comedy, and even astronomy, led by astronomer Rita Roushdy under the island’s pristine skies.

The Atsitsa experience is flexible, allowing guests to shape their schedules, whether it’s through creative workshops, adventurous activities, or simply unwinding by the sea.

A Sanctuary of Connection and Growth

Skyros Holidays provides a unique blend of shared experiences and personal exploration. Solo travellers are warmly welcomed, with 70% of participants travelling independently and leaving with lifelong connections.

Special Offers

To celebrate the launch of the 2025 programme, early bird discounts are available until midnight, 28 February 2024.

Experience the Essence of Areté

Skyros Holidays invites you to reconnect with yourself and others, find balance, and live with intention in 2025.

For more information and bookings, visit www.skyros.com.

14/01/2025

Nestled between the Aegean Sea and the majestic Mount Olympus, Zélia Resort & Spa Halkidiki is set to open its doors in April 2025. The adults-only haven epitomises effortless luxury, offering a seamless blend of natural beauty, exceptional gastronomy, and world-class wellness. Situated on the picturesque coastline of the Kassandra peninsula, just 50-minutes from Thessaloniki International Airport, and 25-minutes from the centre of Nea Moudania, the new resort is primely positioned to explore the very best of the region.

At the heart of Zélia’s offerings lies an extraordinary culinary experience, overseen by the award-winning Chef Vassili Papatheodorou. A graduate of the esteemed Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Vassili has crafted a gastronomic journey that combines international influences and local produce. Dine across four distinctive restaurants where each menu showcases unique flavours; indulge in Mediterranean delights at Mesogaea, gourmet bites at H**e Café, fresh feasts at Zest and Japanese Peruvian fusion at Shizen. For an intimate supper club experience, book Syntrofi – set within a rustic olive grove, diners can pluck fresh herbs and vegetables from the kitchen-garden and watch in wonder as the culinary team prepare an indulgent spread of signature dishes designed to be savoured in great company.

Complementing the dining experience, guests are invited to raise a glass at Zélia’s two chic bars, where handcrafted cocktails and small plates are served up within an atmosphere of effortless sophistication. Order crisp Moschofileros or complex Agiorgitikos from the expansive wine list, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of the lounge where plush sofas frame outdoor fire pits and a shallow pool. As the night draws in, the lounge will play host to and array of musicians and DJs with jazz, funk and soul soundtracking the sunset. For the ultimate hassle-free escape, guests can opt for Zélia’s all-inclusive offering and dine freely across the restaurants and bars throughout stays.

The 104 rooms and suites have been thoughtfully appointed to provide the ultimate comfort and style, with king-sized beds and premium Le Labo toiletries, each offers sweeping views of the Aegean’s azure waters or lush garden canopies surrounding the resort. For serene seclusion, opt for the Swim-Up Suite complete with a spacious private terrace for lounging in the Grecian sun, or the Loft Sea View Suite; set across two floors it boasts a private balcony perfect for morning coffees and intimate night caps.

Promising relaxation and rejuvenation, the Zélia Amazonia Spa offers a tranquil oasis immersed in lush flora & fauna. With a heated indoor pool, whirlpool bath, sensory showers and dedicated quiet room, choose from a range of personalised treatments before unwinding further in the sauna and steam rooms. The state-of-the-art Fitness Hub is equipped with Pilates reformers and Technogym equipment, and personal trainers are on hand to create bespoke workouts, providing everything guests need to maintain their wellness whilst away.

By day, cool down in one of the resort’s two pools or stroll down to the beach – accessible via a short coastal path – to enjoy Zélia’s private deck, embellished with complimentary sunbeds and parasols. Encouraging guests to head out and explore the region’s natural beauty, the concierge can share curated hiking routes to the Petralona Cave or picturesque Wetlands home to a flamboyance of flamingos. E-bike tours are also available, with routes taking guests through sand dunes and coastal forests, peppered with pitstops to soak up breathtaking views, whilst those wanting to take to the water can do so on a kayaking adventure.

Combining refined elegance with a relaxed, laid-back ambiance, Zélia Resort & Spa Halkidiki is the perfect setting for couples and discerning travellers looking to unwind and reconnect. Experience the beauty of Greece, the richness of its culinary traditions, and the serenity of its unspoiled landscapes from the comfort of this coastal haven.

Zélia Resort & Spa Halkidiki will open in April 2025. For bookings and further information, please visit: https://www.zeliaresort.gr/

13/01/2025

Mykonos, Greece

📸: kwest/Shutterstock.com

13/01/2025

Greece Corfu Island
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13/01/2025

Santorini, Greece 🇬🇷

13/01/2025

Paros island Greece 🇬🇷

12/01/2025

Delphi, Greece.

Photo credit: Paul Williams.

11/01/2025

A love letter to Patmos: the most serene of all the Greek islands
Saint John lived in a cave here and wrote about the Apocalypse, but these days the quiet shores of beautiful Patmos nurture happier thoughts

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/jan/11/patmos-the-most-serene-greek-island

10/01/2025

The Greek Island of Crete was voted in the top 10 best of best destinations 2025 in the globally renowned travel website Tripadvisor’s “Travelers’ Choice Awards”, securing the 9th spot on the list.

The online travel platform, largely regarded as one of the most reliable sources for tourism information in the world, presented Crete, the largest island in Greece, as the birthplace of modern European civilization urging travelers to “Soak up the charming atmosphere of Chania Town’s Old Venetian Harbor or the fortresses and monasteries of Rethymnon.”

The short synopsis on the site praises the birthplace of the king of the mythological Olympian gods, Zeus, as the Mediterranean jewel lauding the island’s rich archaeological and mythological history that’s reflected in its ancient ruins and cultural attractions.

https://www.tovima.com/tourism/crete-in-tripadvisors-top-10-best-of-best-2025/

08/01/2025

Athens, Greece

Offering a Riviera experience without the price tag, you can’t escape history in Athens, no matter which way you turn.

No trip to the Greek capital is complete without a visit to the Acropolis and Parthenon, which date back to the 5th Century BC and are the most famous of the many archaeological ruins that dominate the city.

From there you can wind your way down to the Plaka, the neighbourhood of cobbled streets filled with boutiques and restaurants, or check out one of the many museums — the Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museums are both worth your time.

The Post Office’s City Costs barometer put a weekend in Athens at a humble £289.40.

It was also ranked as the fourth cheapest European city for accommodation, at £140 for a weekend, and the second cheapest for eating out. A three-course meal for two with a bottle of house wine was estimated at £49.95.

Flights to Athens from London Luton start at £31, with Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet all offering direct routes.

https://metro.co.uk/2025/01/08/9-cheapest-places-a-weekend-break-europe-2025-22311427/

06/01/2025

Airbnb Demand in Greece Surges, 2025 Set to Break Records

Demand for short-term rental accommodations in Greece, particularly through Airbnb, is poised to reach new heights in 2025, with projections indicating a record-breaking year for the market.

Demand for short-term rentals, particularly Airbnb, is expected to break records in Greece in 2025, with projections showing a strong start to the year. Pre-bookings are up by 10% to 15%, and rental capacity has expanded significantly, with 205,000 accommodations now available. As Greece ranks sixth...

06/01/2025

Athens halts new short-term rental licences for one year amid housing crisis

Greece has introduced a one-year ban on new short-term rentals in Athens in a bid to resolve a national housing crisis. Effective from 1 January 2025, the measure sees a moratorium on new short-term rental registrations in various districts across the capital.

The move comes against a background of huge growth in short-term rental units in Greece, despite a suite of moves to make it harder for property owners to rent their homes ad-hoc: owners with more than two properties for rent were required to register as professionals, as well as adhere to health and safety regulations and liability insurance rules.

But by August 2024, short-term rentals in Greece numbered in excess of a million – a significant milestone as it was the first time the supply of short-term rental beds had outstripped the 887,740 hotel beds around the country, according to reports in local newspaper Ekathimerini.....

Greece has introduced a one-year ban on new short-term rentals in Athens in a bid to resolve a national housing crisis. Effective from 1 January 2025,

02/01/2025

Greece Santorini Island
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