Readers of the Dutch travel site Griekenland.net recently cast their vote for their top ten destinations in Greece for 2024. Among the Dutch, Crete is at the top of the ranking, with 16 percent of the overall vote. Samos and Corfu are tied with the second place ranking, each with 10 percent of the vote.
About Crete
As the largest and most populous island in Greece, Crete has always been a top destination for Dutch tourists. The white sand beaches, rich history, and long summer season make it an ideal pick for the Dutch. Regular flights are available between the Netherlands and the two biggest cities in Crete – Chania and Heraklion. Notably, one in three Dutch people who travel to Greece visit Crete.
About Samos
Samos is a one of a kind island in the Eastern Aegean. It is known for its lush greenery, quaint villages, and stunning beaches. Uniquely, Samos is very close to the Turkish coast, so there are daily ferries to Kusadasi in Turkey. Samos is also a great place to hop to the nearby islands of Ikaria and Fourni.
Samos was the home to Aesop and the math genius Pythagoras. Some famous philosophers like Epicurus and Melissus were also from Samos. Going further back, a myth says that the goddess Hera was from the island of Samos. The Ionic Dipteral Temple of Hera, the Great Altar, and the Sacred Road are two of the monuments that you should not miss.
About Corfu
Also known as “Kerkyra” or “The Grand Lady of the Ionian”, Corfu is a beautiful island in the Ionian Sea that offers history, culture, and natural scenery. It truly has it all, with quaint villages and ancient UNESCO Heritage sites, and foodie destinations.
Corfu’s historic old town listed on its own as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a maze of narrow streets, brightly painted buildings and impressive squares. It is a joy to wander around the old town as see numerous landmarks, like the Old Fortress, the Liston promenade, and the Spianada Square.
Other Popular Areas of Greece for Dutch Travelers
Next on the list for Dutch travelers are the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia, which are both found in the Ionian Sea. Kos, Lefkada, and the Peloponnese are next on the list.
Northern Greece
Other areas of Greece are competing to get the attention of Dutch travelers. For example, Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, and Pieria have joined forces to promote their tourism during the “Vakantiebeurs 2024” expo held in Utrecht, Netherlands. Other areas of Greece are also creating their own TikTok pages to promote their unique sites, food, and cultural experiences.
According to feedback from the Dutch expo, demand for travel in Greece is rising among the Dutch. For local tour operators SUNWEB and TUI, prebookings for 2024 are 45 percent higher than what they were last year in 2023. With the tourist season expected to start around the same time as Orthodox Easter in the beginning of May, this could be a busier tourism season than ever before.
