Attempts to bring seaplanes to Greece have been going on for years. Finally, it sounds like the excitement is about to be made a reality. Recently in the port of Lavrio, which is south of Athens, Hellenic Seaplanes operated one of its first test flights, with the goal of launching regular services this summer.
Deputy Transport Minister Christina Alexopoulou was on board the test flight with Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, and she was quoted saying that “today is an important day for the transport sector in Greece.” Hellenic Seaplanes plans to start this summer in western Greece with the areas that are already licensed, like Patra, Corfu, and Paxi. The timetables are not yet released.
Alexopoulou then added that Greece’s transport ministry supports the creation of a comprehensive waterway network and seaplane ports across Greece. For example, the seaplane port was approved by Greek authorities in September 2022 and plans to be the first location in Attica to make seaplane flights to the Cyclades islands.
Prices for seaplane flights with Hellenic Seaways depend on the duration of the flight. For example, a half-hour flight will cost 80-85 euros. It is also possible to charter one of their planes for a group. In total, the capacity is either 9, 12, or 19 people, depending on the size of the seaplane.
Resort Transfers
It is also possible to be taken directly to a resort, provided that the resort has the infrastructure to host seaplanes.
Imagine that you want to get from Sifnos to Tinos in the Cyclades island group. Normally, you would take a ship, which makes the same journey in 4 hours and 20 minutes, with a stop in Mykonos as well. In contrast, a seaplane journey from Sifnos to Tinos would take 17 minutes. Seaplanes are generally useful for islands that don’t have airports, or which have rare connections via boat.
Hellenic Seaplanes hopes to create what they call the Hellenic Water Airports network. In other words, this will be a network of ports in Greece that can manage seaplane traffic. Some of these Water Airports are already built, others are under construction, and others are waiting for permits. Out of the Aegean islands, there are already water ports in Tinos, Patmos, and Sifnos, with plans in place for other islands.
Hellenic Seaplanes's Water Airports can be split into 2 categories. The first picture below shows where Water Airports already exist. The second picture shows where permits have been granted (but there is no physical Water Airport built yet).
Water Airports Already BuiltWater Aiports Waiting for Permits
A third Cretan beach, Falassarna, also appears in the global top 20, ranking 11th. Alongside them, Paleokastritsa in Corfu takes 14th place, giving Greece one of the strongest national showings in the ranking. At the very top of the list is Isla Pasión in Mexico, praised for its tropical scenery and distinctive natural shape. But while Mexico may hold first place, Greece clearly dominates the podium, with Crete claiming two of the three highest positions.
Law 5293/2026 introduces a framework that redefines the role of the notary in property transfers in Greece. The notary is designated as a “one-stop shop” for the completion of transactions involving the transfer of property rights. The provisions apply to transfers arising from sale, donation, parental gift, or inheritance.
Let’s start with the data. According to Visa, foreign visitors in Greece increased their card usage by 12% in 2025, while the number of tourists using Visa cards rose by 13%. These figures point to steady growth in both arrivals and spending, as well as a broader shift toward digital payments. Beyond convenience, this trend offers a clearer picture of how visitors engage with the Greek tourism economy throughout the year.
A notable shift is also taking place beyond the peak summer months. Growth is no longer concentrated in July and August, as spending during the off-season continues to rise. February 2025, in particular, recorded the highest percentage increase, highlighting a gradual reduction in seasonality. This trend suggests that Greece is steadily expanding its appeal as a year-round destination, rather than relying primarily on summer tourism.
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