Rhodes 'drowning' in tourists: Over 1 million passengers and 55 cruise ships

The Greek island of Rhodes is experiencing a robust tourism season, with projections indicating that visitor numbers will surpass 3 million this year. The season commenced strongly in late March and is expected to maintain its high pace through November. Last year, Rhodes welcomed over 3 million visitors, marking a 2% increase from the previous year.

Passenger traffic at Rhodes' 'Diagoras' Airport saw a notable surge in June 2026, with 1,093,044 passengers recorded, an increase of 3.6% compared to June 2025. International arrivals alone exceeded 1 million, reaching 1,007,567 passengers, up by 4%. The United Kingdom led international arrivals with 281,159 passengers, followed by Germany, Poland, Italy, Israel, and Sweden.

Cruise tourism is also contributing significantly to the island's economy. Fifty-five cruise ship arrivals are scheduled for August, further stimulating tourism and commercial activity. August 10 is anticipated to be a particularly busy day, with four cruise ships docking simultaneously. The combination of increasing air arrivals and sustained cruise ship presence solidifies Rhodes' position as a leading Greek tourist destination.