Tourism: Greece easing pandemic-related travel restrictions ahead of summer season

Thousands of tourists and locals flocked to the Acropolis on Saturday as Greece offered free admission to all state-run archaeological sites and museums in honor of World Heritage Day.

New data for 2025 shows mixed trends in Greece’s cultural sites, with modest changes in visitor numbers but significant increases in revenue, particularly in archaeological locations where earnings more than doubled in some periods.

Athens moves to extend Yannis Stournaras’ tenure at the Bank of Greece, underlining confidence in monetary policy and financial stability.

A brief ceasefire initially boosted bookings for Greece, but renewed geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East has disrupted momentum, leaving the tourism sector balancing cautious optimism with concerns over rising travel costs and demand volatility

Athens responds firmly to remarks by Turkey’s foreign minister, stressing its independent decision-making and commitment to regional stability through international partnerships

European NATO members, including the UK and France, say they will not take part in a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports ordered by Donald Trump, instead pushing for a multinational mission to restore navigation once hostilities end

Kyriakos Pierrakakis is in Washington for the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings and his first in-person G7 sessions as Eurogroup President, holding key talks with global financial leaders and taking part in discussions on global economic uncertainty

New data shows the average pension remains relatively low despite recent increases, with more than half of recipients earning below €1,000 and significant differences between private and public sector payouts

New national data reveal widespread chronic health conditions, lifestyle-related risks, and limited access to care, highlighting concerns over mental and physical wellbeing across age groups

The touching evening mass on Holy Saturday has psalms read out and Resurrection hymns recited by the lay chanters, recounting Christ’s descent into the underworld.

The most solemn day in the Greek Orthodox calendar brings the country to a near-standstill, as churches, streets and coastlines fill with candlelight, flowers and quiet grief

According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), low innovation and the slow adoption of technology by businesses are additional problems

Four businessmen convicted in the first instance of involvement in a surveillance scandal will face a retrial in December 2026, as investigations continue into possible espionage charges and additional suspects

As emphasized by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the primary objective remains the smooth execution of the long-standing tradition, ensuring that the Holy Light reaches every parish nationwide

Labor authorities outline how employees working during the Easter holiday period are compensated, including wage increases, rest entitlements and restrictions on business operations across Holy Week and Easter Monday

The government plans a nationwide digital restriction aimed at limiting minors’ access to social media platforms, citing concerns over mental health, sleep, and online pressure among young users

Addressing departing travelers, the minister extended his wishes for a happy Easter, saying he hoped Greeks would enjoy the holiday period on the country’s islands.

Brent crude hovered near 111 euros per barrel, up 0.7% from the previous session, while West Texas Intermediate settled around 115 euros, marking its highest close since June 2022