There are places in Europe where tourists are no longer just fleeting guests. During the summer season, they fill the beaches, hotels, restaurants, and streets, and at times it seems their numbers far exceed those of the local residents. Now, the figures are coming in to illustrate just how widespread this phenomenon is. New data based on Eurostat figures reveal the regions with the highest tourism density in the European Union. Topping the list is a region well-known to Israelis: the South Aegean in Greece, which includes Rhodes, Kos, Santorini, and Mykonos. In this region, there were no less than 127.2 tourist overnight stays per local resident recorded in one year.
What Does This Figure Really Mean?
Before panicking, it’s important to clarify: the figure does not mean there are 127 tourists for every resident on the islands at any given moment. The metric combines all the nights tourists stayed in hotels and accommodations throughout the year and compares them to the number of people residing in the area permanently. This helps to understand the extent of tourist presence relative to the local population. This is a different metric from the usual visitor count. A large city like Paris can host millions of tourists, but it also has millions of residents. On a small island, however, even a lower number of visitors can create a much more noticeable burden. In the case of the South Aegean Islands, the numbers are particularly exceptional.
First Place: Rhodes, Kos, Santorini, and Mykonos
The South Aegean region recorded more than 41.5 million overnight stays in hotels and accommodations in 2024. This is against a local population of about 326,000 residents. The result is 127.2 tourist overnight stays per resident – the highest figure recorded in all EU regions. The area includes two main island clusters: the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. It features some of Greece’s most well-known destinations, including Rhodes, Kos, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Karpathos. Some of these islands are very popular with Israelis, thanks to direct flights, short flight times, large hotels, and relatively affordable prices for a summer vacation. However, this popularity comes at a price. At the peak of the season, hotels fill up, roads become congested, queues for attractions lengthen, and famous beaches struggle to accommodate the number of visitors. On small islands like Santorini and Mykonos, the arrival of large cruise ships can bring in thousands of additional visitors within a few hours.
Second Place: Corfu and Zakynthos
Second place in the ranking also belongs to Greece. The Ionian Islands, including Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Lefkada, recorded 102.6 tourist overnight stays per resident. In total, the area registered more than 20.5 million overnight stays, while the local population numbers about 200,000 people. Corfu and Zakynthos attract many tourists each summer thanks to their beaches, bays, hotels, and charter flights from many European countries. Here too, a relatively small local population hosts a vast number of vacationers during the summer season. The gap between the top two places and the rest of the ranking is particularly large: the South Aegean and the Ionian Islands are the only regions that exceeded the threshold of 100 overnight stays per resident.
Italy, Croatia, and Spain Also at the Top
In third place is the province of Bolzano in northern Italy, with 68.9 overnight stays per resident. Bolzano is considered one of the main gateways to the Dolomites. The area attracts visitors almost all year round: hikers and cyclists in the summer, and ski and snow landscape enthusiasts in the winter. Following it is the Adriatic coast of Croatia, including popular destinations like Dubrovnik and Split, with 67.5 overnight stays per resident. In recent years, Croatia has become one of Europe’s standout destinations. Alongside travelers coming for a few days’ vacation, its coastal cities also deal with thousands of cruise passengers disembarking in the ancient centers simultaneously. In fifth place are the Balearic Islands in Spain, including Mallorca and Ibiza, with 60 overnight stays per resident.
And Crete? It’s Also on the List
Crete, one of the most beloved destinations for Israeli tourists, ranks sixth with 55.6 overnight stays per resident. This is not particularly surprising. The island hosts thousands of hotels, guesthouses, and vacation apartments, and is connected by direct flights to dozens of countries. During the summer months, numerous flights land in Crete daily – including from Israel. Three out of the top six regions in the ranking are, therefore, in Greece: the South Aegean, the Ionian Islands, and Crete.
The Busiest Destinations in Europe
According to the published data, these are the six standout regions in the ranking:
- South Aegean, Greece – 127.2 overnight stays per resident
- Ionian Islands, Greece – 102.6 overnight stays per resident
- Bolzano, Italy – 68.9 overnight stays per resident
- Adriatic Coast of Croatia – 67.5 overnight stays per resident
- Balearic Islands, Spain – 60 overnight stays per resident
- Crete, Greece – 55.6 overnight stays per resident
For comparison, in most EU regions, fewer than 15 overnight stays per resident were recorded. Even in the North Aegean, which includes islands like Lesbos, Chios, and Samos, only 14.9 overnight stays per resident were recorded. This is significantly lower than the figures recorded in Rhodes, Kos, and neighboring islands, although it was still enough for 24th place in Europe.
And Which Area Has Almost No Tourists?
At the other end of the ranking is Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean considered part of the European Union. The area recorded only 0.5 overnight stays per resident. The area surrounding Warsaw in Poland also recorded a particularly low ratio of 0.7 overnight stays per resident. The data do not necessarily mean that Warsaw is not touristic. The measured area includes a large local population, so the ratio of overnight stays to residents is much lower than that of small islands.
Tourism Brings Money – But Also Creates Pressure
For many island residents, tourism is the main source of income. It provides jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, shops, and attractions, and brings large sums of money into the local economy. On the other hand, a large number of visitors in a small area can create heavy pressure on roads, water systems, waste collection, and public transportation. In some areas, tourism also affects housing prices, as many apartments are rented to tourists instead of local residents. In the Balearic Islands and some Greek islands, calls have already been heard in recent years to limit the number of visitors, reduce the entry of cruise ships, or raise tourism taxes.
So When Is the Best Time to Visit?
The ranking is not a reason to skip Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Crete, or Mallorca. Millions of travelers choose them every year for their beaches, weather, hotels, and accessibility – and not without reason. Those who want to enjoy these destinations with less crowding can try to travel outside the peak season. In the months of May, June, September, and sometimes even October, the weather on the islands can still be very pleasant, but the number of visitors is usually lower than in July and August. Another option is to move away from the major resort areas. Sometimes a short drive from the main city or
