The results of the freeze on new short-term rental licenses in Athens are proving significant, according to data published on Tuesday (28/7) by the Sustainable Tourism Observatory. While tourist pressure on the Greek capital continues to rise, the data shows that in the districts where the suspension of new short-term rental (STR) licenses was implemented — the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Municipal Communities — growth rates fell dramatically. After expanding between 18% and 20% during the 2023–2024 period, STR growth slowed to just 1.7%–5.4% in 2024–2025.
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Tourism rebounds strongly after the pandemic
Data covering the period from 2018 to 2025 makes it clear that following the temporary downturn caused by the pandemic, tourist activity has rebounded with exceptional momentum, now significantly surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
In 2025, the Municipality of Athens recorded 19,071 active tourist accommodation units, up from 14,288 in 2018, while the total number of available beds has now exceeded 105,000 — a 24.3% increase. The short-term rental segment has been particularly dynamic, with STR units now reaching 18,769 — a 33.5% increase compared to 2018 and nearly 60% higher than 2021 levels, when the market was still recovering from the pandemic’s impact. Meanwhile, the hotel sector continues to expand, with the number of hotels growing by 29.1% over the same period.
Tourist pressure is intensifying
Beyond the rise in accommodation supply, the updated study reveals that actual tourist pressure is growing even faster. Overnight stays per resident nearly tripled over the past eight years (+183.7%), while tourists per resident increased by 142.2%.
These figures reflect the fact that the intensity of tourist activity in Athens’ neighborhoods is growing at rates far exceeding the simple increase in available accommodation — making it even more critical to continuously monitor the impact on housing, infrastructure, and the daily lives of local residents.
Where tourist activity is most concentrated
The analysis confirms that the highest concentration of tourist activity remains in the 1st Municipal Community, which accounts for nearly 60% of the municipality’s total tourist beds. The core areas of tourist specialization have remained consistent over time and include the Commercial Center, Monastiraki–Plaka, Psyrri–Koumoundourou, Makrigianni, Thissio, Agios Konstantinos–Plateia Vathis, Kallirois, Dourgouti (Neos Kosmos), and Plastira (Pangrati).
The Commercial Center stands out in particular, where short-term rental units nearly tripled over the eight-year period. Significant growth has also been recorded in neighborhoods such as Koukaki and Exarcheia, indicating that tourism development is beginning to spread well beyond the traditional core of the historic city center.
Athens needs tourism — but also neighborhoods that remain livable for residents
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas emphasized that “Athens needs tourism, but it also needs neighborhoods that remain alive for the people who live in them. Today, 60% of the municipality’s tourist beds are concentrated in the 1st Municipal Community. That alone shows we cannot treat all areas the same way.”
Particularly noteworthy are the results observed following the suspension of new short-term rental licenses in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Municipal Communities. While STR growth ranged between 18% and 20% during 2023–2024, it was limited to just 1.7%–5.4% in 2024–2025. These figures represent the first concrete indication that the measure is functioning as a brake on the further expansion of short-term rentals. However, since the existing accommodation stock remains active, tourist pressure is stabilizing rather than declining.
A permanent monitoring mechanism
“The most important conclusion of this updated report is not simply that tourism development continues at an intense pace. It is that the Municipality of Athens now has a permanent monitoring mechanism — one that allows us to identify pressures in a timely manner, assess the effectiveness of our measures, and design policies based on solid, evidence-based data,” said Elissaios Sarmas, CEO of Athens Development Agency.
