Greece's islands face water shortages amid tourism surge

Tourists are advised to visit Greece in May, June or September, when temperatures stay between 24 °C and 28 °C, crowds are thinner and accommodation prices are up to 30 % lower than in the peak summer months. These months also offer pleasant sea temperatures of about 25 °C and reduced strain on infrastructure.

At the same time, many Greek islands are experiencing acute water scarcity. Islands such as Astypalaia, Karpathos, Tinos, Alonissos, Symi, Corfu, Leros, Meganisi, Patmos and Egina have been placed under emergency due to prolonged drought and a sharp rise in tourist numbers. In 2025, Greece recorded a third consecutive year of tourism growth with 38 million international visitors, generating more than €20.2 billion in revenue. The surge has increased water consumption dramatically – nine‑fold on Mykonos, 500 % on Santorini and over 300 % on several other islands – leading to a 35 % loss of water in distribution networks. Although 62 desalination plants have been built, experts warn they are energy‑intensive and should be a last resort.