Cruising through Greece just got a tad pricier — especially if you fancy a stroll through Mykonos or Santorini.
As of Monday, the Greek government has rolled out a “sustainable tourism fee” targeting cruise passengers disembarking at ports during sightseeing trips. The move, part of a broader push to tame overtourism and beef up island infrastructure, brings seasonal price tags for stepping ashore.
During peak tourist madness (June 1 to September 30), cruisers dropping anchor at Mykonos or Santorini will pay €20, while those heading to less-frenzied ports will pay €5.
Shoulder season (April-May and October) offers slight relief — €12 for the big two, €3 for the rest. And in low season (November to March), the fee dips to €4 for Mykonos and Santorini and just €1 elsewhere.
Though the fee is technically on passengers, it’s the cruise lines and shipping agents who’ll handle the dirty work — collecting and remitting the dues to the state. The entire operation will be run digitally by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.
Officials say the system will help preserve Greece’s picture-perfect ports without sinking its tourism industry. Locals hope it might also trim the human tide flooding their narrow alleyways.
So if you’re cruising in, pack sunscreen, sandals — and a few extra euros.
