Members of the Delian League

A few days before the big Easter exodus of huge numbers of visitors and with the start of the summer season looming, concern is growing over the serious shortcomings of the National Health System (ESY) units on the Greek islands. 

Medical staff shortages is the norm on popular tourist islands such as Kos, Santorini, Naxos, Corfu, Zakinthos and Tinos, to name just a few.

Three foreign nationals were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the fire that raged in an area of woodland on the Cycladic island of Paros on Monday.

Three Cyclades islands - Sifnos, Serifos, and Folegandros - have been named among Europe's seven most endangered heritage sites for 2024, as announced this week.

In an unexpected turn, Bulgaria and Turkey have been notably absent from the list of the ten cheapest European summer destinations for British tourists, revealed by consumer group "Which?". The ranking, which is typically dominated by traditionally affordable locations, has this year favored surprising choices like the Italian coast of Amalfi and various Greek islands.

As Greece prepares to welcome the highest number of foreign visitors in its history this year, around 35 million according to expert estimates, basic public infrastructure remains woefully inadequate.

The Greek islands are reaping the rewards of the seven-day "visa express" granted to Turkish citizens, with arrivals in the first 10 days of April tripling compared to last year.

The data presented exclusively by Kathimerini show indicatively that arrivals on Lesvos reached 3,800 compared to 390 in the corresponding period (April 1-10) in 2023.

For the fifth year in a row, the island of Paros is first in the Cyclades in the number of new building permits, according to data from Greece's statistics agency published a week ago.

From teen partygoers to young families, from gourmet couples to wizened hikers, from stylish art lovers to island hopping students, Paros welcomes all-comers with open arms

Since 2021, a team of researchers from the Swiss School of Archeology in Greece and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands has been exploring the top of Mount Hellanion, the highest peak on Aegina island, as well as the entire Saronic Gulf. A sanctuary dedicated to Zeus previously stood where the Analipsi Chapel stands today, overlooking the gulf.

One after another, islands that until today were considered alternative or generally far off the beaten track are changing in appearance. Astypalaia is now heading in this direction, with plans to build a new village of tourist residences the size of the island's capital, Chora.