Greek islands attract record Turkish tourists as Santorini bookings slip in 2026

Data from ferry‑booking platform Ferry Scanner shows that the Cyclades remain the most popular Greek islands for international travellers in 2026, with Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Ios and Santorini leading the rankings. Bookings from Turkey surged by 53.9%, the strongest growth among Greece’s 15 largest overseas markets, after the introduction of a fast‑track visa scheme that eased travel for Turkish citizens. By contrast, Santorini saw a decline in ferry bookings from traditional source markets – Australia (‑31.6%), the United Kingdom (‑25.8%), Italy (‑21.4%), France (‑16.6%) and the United States (‑14.5%) – indicating a shift toward a broader island itinerary.

Travel guides also note that Kos is emerging as a top autumn destination. September and October still offer warm sea temperatures (24‑25 °C) and daytime highs of 21‑28 °C, but with far fewer crowds, making it ideal for sightseeing, hiking and exploring historic sites such as the Asklepieion and the Castle of Neratzia. The combination of steady summer demand on the main Cycladic islands and growing interest in off‑peak travel to Kos highlights evolving patterns in Greece’s tourism sector.