Holiday theme parks are emerging as a powerful driver of winter tourism in Greece, giving seasonal destinations a decisive competitive edge. From Drama to Trikala, hoteliers report weekend occupancy rates approaching 90%, noting that Christmas parks have evolved from festive attractions into strategic development tools.
Trikala: A Mill That Redefined Winter Travel
In Trikala, the “Mill of Elves” has become one of the country’s most successful Christmas experiences. Running from 21 Nov. 2025 to 6 Jan. 2026, the park draws visitors from across Greece and abroad. According to the president of the local Hoteliers Association, demand has surged throughout the region.
“Thanks to the Mill, weekends reach 90% occupancy, while weekdays hover around 40%,” he says.
Improved infrastructure, including a new highway that cuts the Athens–Trikala journey to just three hours, has further strengthened the destination’s appeal. Visitors now explore the wider area—Meteora, mountain villages, and the ski resort—creating a broad regional tourism loop.
Most visitors are Greek, but arrivals from European countries and former Eastern Bloc nations, are growing. South Korean travelers also make a notable appearance, drawn by winter landscapes and the iconic Meteora.
Drama’s Oneiroupoli: Northern Greece’s Early Season Magnet
Opening on 4 December, with its official launch one day later, Drama’s Oneiroupoli (Dreamland) is expected once again to attract visitors from Greece and neighboring countries. “Oneiroupoli significantly increases arrivals from Bulgaria and Turkey while boosting domestic tourism,” says the president of Drama’s Hoteliers Association and secretary general of the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers. Theme parks, he notes, enrich destinations and extend the tourism season.
A Growing Network of Festive Parks
Inspired by these successes, more cities are investing in their own holiday attractions. Kastoria transforms its Traffic Education Park into the “Magic Lakeside City” from Dec. 8 to Jan. 8; Volos welcomes visitors to its pastel-pink “Sugarland,” while Loutra Pozar hosts the “Fairytale Land.” Thessaloniki’s “Asterocosmos,” Athens’ Christmas Factory, and numerous smaller local parks round out a rapidly expanding festive map.
For many Greek towns, the holiday season is becoming not just a celebration, but a pathway to sustainable winter tourism growth.
