Greece’s museums experienced a 3.8% decrease in visitors in December 2024 compared to the same month the previous year, with free-admission visits dropping even more sharply by 12.9%, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
However, despite the decline in visitors, museum revenue surged by 53.3% during this period. In contrast, annual figures for 2024 present a more positive picture. Museum visits rose by 14.7% across the year, free-admission entries increased by 2.5%, and total revenue climbed by a significant 22.3%.
Archaeological sites also saw a decrease in visitor numbers in December. Overall attendance dropped by 8.2%, and free-admission visits declined by 29%.
Nevertheless, revenue from ticketed admissions increased by 8.1%.
Over the twelve-month period from January to December 2024, archaeological sites showed modest growth:
- +4.5% in total visitors
- +4.1% in free-admission visitors
- +4.7% in revenue
Most Visited Sites and Museums (December 2024)
Museums:
- Acropolis Museum
- National Archaeological Museum
- White Tower of Thessaloniki
- Delphi Archaeological Museum
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Crete)
Archaeological Sites:
- Acropolis of Athens
- Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon)
- Mycenae
- Epidaurus
- Vergina (Royal Tombs of Aigai)
The data suggests that while visitor numbers may fluctuate seasonally, cultural tourism in Greece remains a strong economic contributor, with increasing revenue even in months with lower attendance.