Greece holiday travel surge faces weather disruptions and police measures

Greece is experiencing a massive surge in domestic travel and maritime activity due to the August 15 holiday. Major ports, including Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio, are seeing extreme passenger volumes, with some ferry routes reaching nearly 100% capacity. However, severe weather conditions and high winds, reaching up to 9 Beaufort, have caused significant disruptions, including sailing bans at Rafina and Lavrio and several ferry cancellations in the Aegean.

In response to the holiday rush, the Hellenic Police have implemented enhanced road safety measures across the country. These include increased patrols at high-risk accident sites, urban centers, and major transport hubs like airports and ports. Authorities are focusing on preventing serious violations such as speeding, driving under the influence, and mobile phone use. Additionally, specific traffic restrictions are in place for heavy goods vehicles exceeding 3.5 tons on certain highways during peak hours to ensure smoother traffic flow.

In Crete, Heraklion Airport has reported serving over 181,000 passengers in a single three-day period, highlighting the intense pressure on regional infrastructure during this peak tourism season.