Greece Unites With Portugal, Lithuania, Finland, Malta And Latvia In Leading Europe Towards Skyrocketing Tourism Growth In The First Half Of 2025: Everything You Need To Know

Published on September 22, 2025

In nan first half of 2025, Greece has knowledgeable a 5.7% maturation successful tourism, joining Portugal, Lithuania, Finland, Malta, and Latvia successful driving Europe’s singular tourism surge. These countries person collectively seen an unprecedented summation successful visitors, acknowledgment to a operation of factors for illustration enhanced recreation marketing, taste events, and improved connectivity. This maturation marks a beardown betterment for nan European tourism industry, revitalizing destinations and reshaping nan tourism scenery crossed nan continent.

This article explores really these nations are shaping nan early of European tourism, offering caller experiences and positioning themselves arsenic must-visit destinations for 2025 and beyond.

Greece: Strong Performance Despite Overtourism With 5.7% Rise successful Visitor Numbers

Greece experienced a 5.7% summation successful world aerial arrivals successful nan first half of 2025, totaling 10.3 million. Additionally, Greece saw a emergence successful tourism receipts, up by 11.0% complete nan aforesaid period, reflecting beardown maturation successful visitant spending. The state besides recorded a 0.6% summation successful wide tourer arrivals. However, Greece faces challenges related to overtourism, peculiarly successful celebrated destinations for illustration nan Greek islands. Residents person expressed concerns astir nan biology and societal impacts of wide tourism, starring to increasing calls for sustainable tourism practices. As Greece continues to pull millions of visitors annually, balancing economical maturation pinch responsible tourism practices remains a cardinal attraction for nan country’s tourism sector.

Greece Country Guide

Capital: Athens

Official Language: Greek

Currency: Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit: May to October for pleasant upwind and festivals

Famous Attractions:

• Athens: Home to nan iconic Acropolis and Parthenon
• Santorini: Famous for its white-washed buildings and stunning sunsets
• Crete: Known for its ancient ruins, including nan Palace of Knossos
• Mykonos: A cosmopolitan land known for its nightlife and beaches
• Rhodes: A historical land pinch medieval architecture and ancient ruins

Cuisine: Traditional dishes see Moussaka, Souvlaki, Feta cheese, and Baklava

Tourism Growth: Greece’s tourism assemblage continues to thrive pinch increases successful some tourer arrivals and receipts, though nan situation of overtourism successful definite areas is prompting nan state to attraction much connected sustainable travel.

Greece offers a cleanable blend of history, culture, and earthy beauty, making it 1 of nan astir sought-after destinations successful Europe.

Portugal: Steady Growth pinch a +2.6% Tourist Arrivals and +5.6% Rise successful Receipts

Tourist presence successful Portugal is up 2.6%, and tourism receipts person increased by 5.6% compared to 2024. This maturation is driven by Portugal’s charismatic blend of rich | taste heritage, stunning coastlines, and vibrant cities. The country’s accent connected sustainable tourism, paired pinch a boost successful aerial connections, has played a important domiciled successful drafting much world visitors. With world-renowned destinations specified arsenic Lisbon, Porto, and nan Algarve, Portugal continues to beryllium a favourite for travelers seeking history, good dining, and earthy beauty. The summation successful tourism receipts further underscores nan economical value of nan assemblage to Portugal.

Portugal Country Guide

Capital: Lisbon

Official Language: Portuguese

Currency: Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit: April to October, particularly for pleasant upwind and festivals

Famous Attractions:

• Lisbon: Explore nan historical Alfama district, nan Belém Tower, and vibrant nightlife
• Porto: Famous for its larboard wine, picturesque riverside, and historical architecture
• Algarve: Stunning beaches, cliff-lined coast, and seaside resorts
• Sintra: A UNESCO World Heritage tract pinch enchanting palaces and gardens
• Madeira: An archipelago known for its beautiful landscapes, hiking trails, and botanical gardens

Cuisine: Traditional dishes see Bacalhau (salted codfish), Pastéis de Nata (custard tarts), and Caldo Verde (green soup)

Tourism Growth: Portugal continues to turn arsenic a tourism hotspot, pinch accrued arrivals and rising tourism receipts, driven by its rich | taste offerings and earthy beauty.

Portugal remains 1 of Europe’s astir move and divers destinations, pinch a welcoming ambiance and an ever-expanding world appeal.

Lithuania: Europe’s Fastest-Growing Destination pinch +38% Rise successful Visitors

Lithuania was Europe’s fastest-growing destination successful early 2025, pinch world arrivals up 38% and tourism receipt alteration complete nan twelvemonth at 3.0%. This surge successful visitors is attributed to nan country’s focused trading strategies, amended formation connections, and increasing world liking successful little crowded destinations. The Lithuanian authorities has capitalized connected its rich | taste history, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant cities to pull much tourists, peculiarly from neighboring countries. Additionally, Lithuania’s accent connected sustainability successful tourism has contributed to its appeal, making it a premier destination for travelers seeking a quieter, much eco-friendly European getaway.

Lithuania Country Guide

Capital: Vilnius

Official Language: Lithuanian

Currency: Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit: May to September for mild weather, festivals, and outdoor activities

Famous Attractions:

• Vilnius Old Town: A UNESCO World Heritage tract pinch cobblestone streets, humanities buildings, and churches
• Trakai Castle: A picturesque land castle located connected Lake Galvė
• Curonian Spit: A stunning UNESCO-listed nationalist park, known for its soil dunes and unsocial landscapes
• Kaunas: Lithuania’s second-largest city, celebrated for its medieval architecture and vibrant taste scene

Cuisine: Traditional Lithuanian dishes see Cepelinai (potato dumplings), Kugelis (potato pudding), and Šaltibarščiai (cold beetroot soup)

Tourism Growth: Lithuania continues to spot a emergence successful some world arrivals and tourism revenue, attracting visitors for its rich | practice and beautiful earthy landscapes.

Lithuania’s maturation successful tourism reflects its expanding world appeal, offering visitors a blend of history, culture, and nature.

Malta: Rapid Tourism Growth pinch +9.3% successful Arrivals and +19.2% Boost successful Receipts

Malta was Europe’s fastest-growing destination successful early 2025, pinch world arrivals up 9.3% and tourism receipt alteration complete nan twelvemonth at 19.2%. This surge is attributed to a operation of factors, including targeted trading campaigns, amended formation connections, and nan increasing world liking successful little crowded destinations. The country’s efforts to beforehand its rich | taste heritage, earthy beauty, and sustainable tourism person proven effective successful attracting visitors. With Lithuania’s tourism manufacture continuing to thrive, nan state is progressively seen arsenic a hidden gem for those seeking a quieter and much authentic European experience.

Malta Country Guide

Capital: Valletta

Official Languages: Maltese and English

Currency: Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to October for pleasant weather

Famous Attractions:

• Valletta: A UNESCO World Heritage tract pinch stunning Baroque architecture
• Blue Lagoon: Crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches connected Comino Island
• Mdina: A medieval metropolis offering stunning views of nan island
• Megalithic Temples: Ancient structures making love backmost to 3600 BC
• Gozo: A much tranquil land pinch picturesque landscapes and beaches

Cuisine: Maltese dishes see Pastizzi (pastry filled pinch ricotta aliases peas), Rabbit Stew, and Kapunata (Maltese ratatouille)

Tourism Growth: Malta continues to turn arsenic a premier Mediterranean destination, pinch a important summation successful world arrivals and a surge successful tourism receipts, acknowledgment to its rich | history, unsocial culture, and stunning earthy beauty.

Malta’s operation of humanities sites, beautiful beaches, and vibrant civilization makes it 1 of Europe’s astir sought-after destinations.

Finland: Projected +17% Growth successful International Tourism

Finland’s tourism assemblage is experiencing notable growth, pinch world tourer arrivals up by 17% successful 2025, reaching a full of 3.06 million, and projections for 3.34 million by 2027. This maturation is supported by important investments successful infrastructure, making Finland an progressively accessible and appealing destination. Additionally, Finland’s tourism receipts person accrued by 3.2%, pinch gross expected to transcend €25 billion by 2025. The country’s beardown accent connected sustainable tourism practices, peculiarly successful nature-based tourism, eco-tourism, and responsible travel, has contributed to its increasing appeal. Finland’s pristine earthy landscapes, vibrant cities, and year-round tourism offerings are cardinal factors driving its maturation successful nan world tourism market.

Finland Country Guide

Capital: Helsinki

Official Languages: Finnish and Swedish

Currency: Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit: May to September for pleasant weather, aliases December to March for wintertime sports and Northern Lights

Famous Attractions:

• Helsinki: Known for its architecture, museums, and nan UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna fortress
• Lapland: A wintertime wonderland celebrated for nan Northern Lights and Santa Claus Village
• Rovaniemi: The charismatic hometown of Santa Claus and a awesome destination for Arctic adventures
• Saimaa Lake: Known for its beautiful waterways and nan uncommon Saimaa ringed seal
• Turku: Finland’s oldest city, location to medieval castles and archipelago islands

Cuisine: Traditional Finnish dishes see Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pasty), Ruisleipä (rye bread), and Lohikeitto (salmon soup)

Tourism Growth: Finland’s tourism continues to grow, pinch expanding world arrivals and receipts, driven by its earthy beauty, unsocial taste experiences, and eco-friendly tourism initiatives.

Finland’s tranquil landscapes, vibrant municipality life, and attraction connected sustainability make it a apical destination for travelers seeking some escapade and relaxation.

Latvia: 16% Rise successful International Arrivals

Latvia knowledgeable a robust 16% increase successful world arrivals successful early 2025, pinch a 9.3% rise successful wide tourer arrivals compared to nan erstwhile year. Riga, Latvia’s capital, saw an awesome 20% growth successful tourism successful Q1 2025, welcoming 214.1 1000 overseas visitors and signaling 381.5 1000 overnight stays. Notably, location was a important emergence successful arrivals from Denmark, Sweden, nan UK, Norway, and Estonia, which reflects Latvia’s increasing entreaty arsenic a recreation destination. Along pinch this growth, Latvia saw a 19.2% increase successful tourism receipts, demonstrating nan country’s occurrence successful attracting higher-spending visitors. These figures item Latvia’s position arsenic an emerging destination successful Europe, fueled by its rich | taste heritage, historical sites, and move cities.

Latvia Country Guide

Capital: Riga

Official Language: Latvian

Currency: Euro (€)

Best Time to Visit: May to September for nan champion weather, festivals, and outdoor activities

Famous Attractions:

• Riga: A UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its medieval Old Town and Art Nouveau architecture
• Jurmala: A coastal edifice metropolis celebrated for its agelong sandy beaches and spas
• Sigulda: Known arsenic nan “Switzerland of Latvia,” offering medieval castles and scenic landscapes
• Gauja National Park: A stunning quality reserve cleanable for hiking, vertebrate watching, and canoeing
• Rundāle Palace: A baroque palace and gardens reflecting Latvia’s aristocratic heritage

Cuisine: Traditional dishes see Grey peas pinch bacon, Rye bread, and Borscht

Tourism Growth: Latvia’s tourism continues to turn pinch rising world arrivals and expanding receipts, acknowledgment to its rich | taste heritage, vibrant cities, and beautiful nature.

Latvia is accelerated becoming a must-visit destination for travelers willing successful exploring its blend of history, culture, and earthy beauty.

In 2025, Greece saw a 5.7% tourism growth, joining Portugal, Lithuania, Finland, Malta, and Latvia successful driving Europe’s tourism surge. These countries person capitalized connected improved formation connections, targeted marketing, and a attraction connected sustainable tourism. Greece’s beardown performance, on pinch Portugal’s taste allure and Malta’s humanities charm, highlights nan increasing entreaty of these destinations.

Conclusion

In 2025, Europe’s tourism assemblage shows beardown growth, pinch countries for illustration Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, and Finland starring nan charge. Lithuania’s 38% emergence successful visitors and Finland’s 17% summation bespeak successful trading and sustainable tourism efforts. Malta’s awesome 9.3% emergence and Portugal’s 2.6% summation successful arrivals item nan entreaty of their taste practice and earthy beauty. Greece and Latvia, contempt facing overtourism challenges, proceed to thrive pinch increases successful receipts and visitant numbers. Overall, these countries exemplify nan equilibrium betwixt growth, sustainability, and taste preservation, ensuring continued occurrence successful Europe’s evolving tourism landscape.