Greek Easter Bookings to Give Airbnb Hosts Big Boost

Greek Orthodox Easter religious service outside a church on the island of Mykonos.

Increased bookings for short-term rentals for the Easter holiday in Greece are set to give providers a much-needed boost ahead of the summer season, according to data released by the Panhellenic Network of E-Real Estates.

Top picks this year for the extended Easter holiday weekend on April 14-17  are the islands of Mykonos, Patmos, Hydra, Spetses, Aegina, and Corfu, where pre-bookings are at 90 percent.

Overall, prebooking levels are currently at 80 percent, setting the pace for the upcoming summer.

Photo © Greek Travel Pages

In terms of prices, three nights on Hydra start from 441 euros, from 364 euros on Spetses, from 226 euros on Tinos, from 247 euros on Syros, from 280 euros on Patmos from 241 euros on Skiathos and Skopelos, and from 247 euros on Aegina.

“Many people have moved quickly and planned their Easter holiday mainly for the period April 14-16 period. Prebookings for properties registered on short-term rental platforms, suitable for families, are recording high demand, especially on the islands and in mainland Greece,” said Themistoklis Bakas, president of the Panhellenic Network of E-Real Estates.

Greeks are traveling this year

Echoing Bakas, the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Tourist & Travel Agencies (fedHATTA) confirms a growing demand among Greek travelers for trips in Greece and abroad, which it says is three times greater than in 2022 in many cases.

Top destinations in demand according to travel agencies in Greece is Corfu, followed by Nafplio, Kastoria, Pieria, Messinia, Xylokastro, Meteora, Porto Heli, Zagorochoria, Rhodes, Patmos, Crete, Zakynthos, Chios, Mytilini, Syros, Skyros, and Kythera.

In terms of travel abroad, top picks by Greeks are Italy, Spain, France, Paris, Budapest, Strasbourg, Cyprus, Vienna, Bruges, the US, Jerusalem, Istanbul and Egypt.

According to FedHATTA, the largest number of bookings concern trips abroad.

“The Greek market and the intent of Greeks to travel has proven to be resilient and has great scope for further growth. It is also an important supplier of Greek destinations,” said Lysandros Tsilidis, FedHATTA president.

At the same time, Greece is among the 10 most searched for destinations in Europe for Easter.