Nation / PlaceGR

South Aegean

Greek region covering the Cyclades and Dodecanese; with Crete took half of 2025 overnight stays.

Half of all Greek tourist nights in 2025 were spent in South Aegean and Crete, ELSTAT figures released on 27 July show, yet the region's islands sit outside every Greek short-let freeze.

Last refreshed: 3 October 2026

Key Question

Why do the islands taking half of Greece's tourists face no short-let restrictions?

Timeline for South Aegean

#14 5 Sept

Mentioned in: Greece plans to keep Athens lets frozen

Nomads & Communities

#12 26 Jul

Greece's freezes miss half its nights

Nomads & Communities

View full timeline →

Background

South Aegean is one of Greece's 13 administrative regions. It covers two island groups, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, and includes destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes. Its economy rests on tourism to a degree few European regions match.

Greece recorded 38.2 million arrivals and 156.3 million overnight stays in 2025, and South Aegean and Crete together took 49.3 per cent of those nights, according to final figures the statistics agency ELSTAT published on 27 July 2026.

That weight sets the region apart in Greek housing policy. The country's short-let registration limits apply in Athens and Thessaloniki, which between them host roughly a quarter of arrivals. The islands, which carry about half of all tourist nights, face no comparable limit on new listings.

Key Issues

Tourist lets

The islands escape the short-let freeze

On 27 July the statistics agency's final count for 2025 gave South Aegean and Crete together 39.5 per cent of national arrivals and 49.3 per cent of overnight stays. No other part of Greece comes close to that weight in tourist nights.

The registration limits on new short lets cover central Athens and Thessaloniki only. On 5 September the government said those city freezes will run to the end of 2027, and named no island district. For the Cyclades and Dodecanese, that leaves new holiday lets free to register while the two cities stay closed.

Common Questions

Half the nights face no restriction

Could Greece extend short-let restrictions to the South Aegean islands?

Not yet. As of July 2026 Greece's short-let registration freezes cover only Athens and Thessaloniki; officials are reviewing further caps for island destinations including Santorini and Paros.Source: ELSTAT

Where does Greece restrict short-term rentals?

Only in Athens and Thessaloniki; the South Aegean, taking half the country's overnight stays, has no such restriction.Source: ELSTAT

How many tourists visit the South Aegean islands?

South Aegean and Crete together took 39.5 per cent of Greece's 2025 arrivals and 49.3 per cent of overnight stays, per ELSTAT.Source: ELSTAT

Reference

What islands are in the South Aegean region?

South Aegean covers the Cyclades and Dodecanese island groups, including Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes.

How the World Sees Them

Greek national government

Athens has so far confined short-let restrictions to Athens and Thessaloniki. Officials say island caps are under review but not yet decided.

South Aegean tourism operators

Operators point to the region's 39.5 per cent share of national arrivals as proof restriction isn't needed here. They warn Athens-style caps would hit island economies hardest.

Cyclades and Dodecanese residents

Some islanders link unrestricted short-let growth to rising local rents. Others depend on the same tourist trade for their livelihoods.

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 3 October 2026. Editorial standards.