Greece Leads Balkan Tourism to Italy, Boosting Travel to Rome, Florence, Venice, Bologna, and Turin in 2025: What You Need To Know

Visitor traffic from leading Balkan markets, Greece in 2025 ranks as leader, will be greatly boosted with positive economic impacts for Italian renowned destinations like Rome, Florence, Venice, Bologna and Turin.

Pressenza London according to government sources, such the Italy’s official tourism board, Enti and financial statements published by the Bank of Italy, Greek tourists are important contributors to Italy’s tourism industry.

Official data reveals that more than 254,000 Greek visitors traveled to Italy within the first half of 2025 alone. This impressive influx marks a substantial increase of 7.3% compared to the same period in 2024, emphasizing Greece’s pivotal role in Italian inbound tourism.

Government figures underscore how the geographic proximity, strong cultural connections, and improved air connectivity between Greece and Italy have significantly facilitated travel for Greek visitors.

The significant rise in Greek tourism to Italy has important economic implications, notably in visitor spending. According to the Bank of Italy, Greek tourists contributed substantially to the Italian economy, spending a total of €367 million in 2024, thereby surpassing other Balkan countries such as Albania, which accounted for €363 million, and Croatia with €290 million.

The financial data provided by the Italian central bank demonstrate how Greece’s tourism impact extends beyond mere visitor numbers.

The spending power of Greek tourists plays a crucial role in supporting various sectors within Italy, notably hospitality, retail, gastronomy, and cultural attractions. Greece’s leading position as the highest-spending Balkan country in Italy reaffirms the strong economic ties and shared cultural heritage between the two nations.

Greek travelers consistently prioritize cultural tourism, demonstrating considerable interest in Italy’s rich historical and artistic heritage.

Destinations such as Rome, renowned for its historical monuments and vibrant urban culture, attract significant numbers of Greek tourists annually. Florence, famous for its Renaissance art and architecture, also remains a key destination favored by Greek visitors.

Venice, with its distinctive canals and rich artistic heritage, continues to be a perennial favorite among Greek tourists. Smaller Italian cities such as Bologna and Turin are similarly gaining popularity, offering Greek travelers unique cultural experiences.

Bologna attracts visitors with its renowned gastronomy and historical architecture, while Turin appeals to tourists seeking luxury accommodations and high-end travel experiences.

The consistent preference of Greek tourists for cultural and luxury travel experiences in Italy has positively influenced the development and promotion of these sectors. Italian government and tourism authorities continue to recognize the strategic importance of Greek inbound tourism, implementing policies and initiatives aimed at further enhancing the visitor experience.

This growing trend aligns with Italy’s broader strategy of promoting cultural tourism, gastronomy, art, and luxury hospitality. Government initiatives focus on sustaining this growth trajectory by improving infrastructure, enhancing cultural offerings, and expanding air travel connectivity between Greece and Italy.

Enit’s recent tourism forum, “Bridging Destinations,” held in Rome, highlighted the importance of fostering closer tourism relationships between Italy and Balkan countries, with Greece playing a central role. Government representatives and tourism industry experts underscored the necessity of continuous investment in these relationships to maintain and increase visitor flows.

Overall, Greece has a considerable positive effect on Italy’s international tourism in 2025 and this feature has been traceable in anticipation of robust bilateral tourism relations between the two countries.

The improved air links, common cultural points and aggressive promotional campaign of the respective government tourism agencies ensure that Italy remains a popular destination for Greek visitors.

This new “fashion” is expected to continue and major tourist attractions in Italy, such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Bologna and Turin are expected to enjoy growth, reconfirming the dominant position of Greece in the Balkans for travelers who also visit Italy.