Greek islands in the Aegean have opened the season under pressure after a sharp rise in visitors from Turkey during the Eid holiday, with long queues forming at ports and passport control points. Local authorities have warned that weak infrastructure is struggling to cope with the influx.
The crowded start to the summer comes as new research points to severe tourism pressure on several islands, including Santorini, Mykonos, Salamis, Thira, Rhodes and Tilos. Researchers said some islands now host more than 4 tourists for every permanent resident, raising questions about how much more visitor growth they can absorb.
The study, carried out by Ege University, found that in some places summer density reaches 1,300 tourists per square kilometre. Scientists said the scale of tourism, together with short-term rentals and holiday homes, is leaving municipalities unable to provide services properly.
The surge was especially visible over the holiday period, when many Turkish travellers headed to the islands. The increase added fresh strain to ports and border checkpoints, where travellers waited in long lines.
Researchers said Santorini, one of the region’s best-known luxury destinations, faces particularly intense pressure. They said the island has 1,164 people and beds per square kilometre, while Salamis exceeds 1,100 during busy holiday periods.
The findings add to wider concerns about overtourism in the Aegean and the long-term impact on island life. Scientists said better planning and new measures are needed to protect local quality of life and make tourism more sustainable in the coming years.
The issue is not limited to accommodation or transport. The study said the combined burden of tourism, short-term rentals and holiday homes can overwhelm small island economies, leaving councils unable to keep up with public services.
Such warnings have become more urgent as travel demand returns strongly to popular Mediterranean destinations. The latest pressure on the Greek islands suggests that visitor numbers, especially during peak holiday periods, are now testing the limits of local infrastructure.
For island communities, the challenge is balancing tourism income with livability. The researchers said without better control and planning, the strain on roads, ports, water systems and other services could deepen in future seasons.
