Lois Larson
Greece is known for its ancient architecture, archaeological sites, and stunning landscapes. It is one of the most famous countries in the world, attracting tourists from all over. The country is home to 15 international airports, with the largest and busiest being the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, located 30km from the city centre. The airport is named after a prominent Cretan political figure and Prime Minister of Greece, who contributed significantly to the development of Greek aviation. Other notable international airports include Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of International Airports | 15 |
| Largest Airport | Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos |
| Busiest Airport | Athens International Airport |
| Second-Largest Airport | Thessaloniki Airport |
| Second-Busiest Airport | Heraklion Airport |
| Other Notable International Airports | Santorini Airport, Mykonos Airport, Corfu Airport, Kos Airport, Zakynthos Airport |
| Domestic Flights Recommended For | Visitors travelling to the islands |
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What You'll Learn
- Athens International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Greece
- International Airports in Greece are located mostly on islands
- Airports in Greece include Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos
- Athens Airport is named after Elefthérios Venizélos, a Cretan political figure and Prime Minister of Greece
- Greece has 15 international airports
Athens International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Greece
Athens International Airport, officially named El. Venizelos, is the largest and busiest airport in Greece. It is located 20-33km outside of Athens, in the towns of Markopoulo, Koropi, Spata, and Loutsa. It opened in 2001, replacing the old Ellinikon International Airport, and is named after Elefthérios Venizélos, a prominent Cretan political figure and Prime Minister of Greece who contributed significantly to the development of Greek aviation and the Hellenic Air Force in the 1930s.
Athens International Airport is the main base for Aegean Airlines and other smaller Greek airlines. It is easily accessible by bus, suburban railway, metro, and highway from Athens. The airport has two parallel runways, one 4km long and the other 3.8km long, and covers an expanse of 16,000 acres, making it one of the largest airports in Europe and the world in terms of land area.
As of 2024, Athens International Airport was ranked as the 16th busiest airport in Europe and the second busiest in the Balkans, after Istanbul Airport. It serves both domestic and international flights, receiving direct flights from most European capitals and some smaller European cities. Intercontinental direct flights are also available to and from the US, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Athens International Airport is a crucial hub for travellers visiting the Greek islands, as most foreign visitors arrive in Greece via this airport and then catch a connecting flight or take a ferry to their final destination. It is well-connected to other airports in Greece and offers a range of parking options and transportation links, making it a convenient gateway to the country's rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural offerings.
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International Airports in Greece are located mostly on islands
Greece has a range of international airports, which serve both domestic and international flights, and national airports, which serve only domestic flights. The country's international airports are located in various places in Greece and on its islands. The largest and busiest international airport in Greece is the International Airport of Athens "Eleftherios Venizelos", which is located near the city centre of Athens. This airport is connected to all other airports in Greece and also receives direct flights from most European capitals and some smaller European cities. Intercontinental direct flights between Athens and the US, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are also available.
Athens International Airport is ranked as the largest international airport in Greece and is located at a distance of 30 km from the city. It is also the busiest airport in Greece and the 19th busiest airport in Europe. The airport receives the majority of foreign visitors arriving in Greece, who usually catch a connecting flight to travel to the Greek islands or get to one of the ports of Athens to travel to the islands by ferry.
The second-largest international airport in Greece is the Airport of Thessaloniki, which is quite popular among those vacationing in the northern part of the country. Other notable international airports in Greece include those in Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos, which serve several seasonal international flights and can get quite crowded during the summer.
There are seven main islands and nine smaller ones in Greece, with approximately 1,400 islands in total, of which 227 are inhabited. The islands that have international airports, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Skiathos, Corfu, and Kefalonia, are usually connected to other islands via ferry crossings, which tend to be cheaper than plane tickets.
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Airports in Greece include Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos
Greece has several airports, including a number of international airports serving domestic and international flights, and national airports serving domestic flights. The largest and busiest international airport in Greece is the International Airport of Athens "Eleftherios Venizelos", located near the city centre of Athens. Athens International Airport is connected to all Greek airports and receives direct flights from most European capitals. It is easily accessible by bus, suburban railway, or metro from the city centre.
The second-biggest international airport in Greece is Thessaloniki Airport, which is popular among those vacationing in the northern part of the country. The airport is accessible by bus or taxi.
Other notable international airports in Greece include Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos, which serve several seasonal flights from abroad and can be quite crowded during the summer. These airports are located on Greek islands, making it possible to travel directly from several locations outside Greece without needing a connecting flight through Athens. However, for islands without an international airport, travellers will need to catch a connecting flight through Athens or take alternative transportation such as a bus, train, private transfer, or ferry.
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Athens Airport is named after Elefthérios Venizélos, a Cretan political figure and Prime Minister of Greece
Athens International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Greece. It is located 20-30km from the city of Athens, serving as the main international airport in the country. It is also one of the busiest airports in Europe, ranking 16th in 2024. The airport has two terminals and is accessible by bus, suburban railway, metro, and the Attiki Odos toll highway.
Athens Airport is named after Elefthérios Venizélos, a prominent Cretan political figure and Prime Minister of Greece. Venizelos made significant contributions to the development of Greek aviation and the Hellenic Air Force in the 1930s. The airport is officially named Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, commonly abbreviated as AIA.
Eleftherios Venizelos played a crucial role in shaping the aviation industry in Greece. As a respected political leader, he recognised the importance of air travel and worked towards establishing a robust aviation infrastructure in the country. Venizelos' contributions laid the foundation for what would become one of the busiest and most well-connected airports in the region.
Athens International Airport replaced the now-closed Ellinikon International Airport, which had reached its maximum capacity with no room for further expansion. The construction of the new airport began in the 1970s, and it finally commenced operations on March 28, 2001, just in time for the 2004 Summer Olympics hosted by Athens.
The airport is currently operated by AIA S.A., with ownership divided between the Hellenic Republic (Greek State) and private investors. It serves as the main base for Aegean Airlines and other smaller Greek airlines, connecting Athens to various domestic and international destinations.
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Greece has 15 international airports
The largest and busiest international airport in Greece is the International Airport of Athens "Eleftherios Venizelos", located 20-30km outside the capital's city centre. The airport is named after a prominent Cretan political figure and Prime Minister of Greece, who contributed significantly to the development of Greek aviation and the Hellenic Air Force in the 1930s. It is the main base of Aegean Airlines and other smaller Greek airlines. The airport covers 16,000 acres, making it one of the largest in Europe and the world in terms of land area. It is easily accessible by bus, suburban railway, or metro from Athens city centre. Athens International Airport handles the majority of foreign visitors to Greece, many of whom catch connecting flights to other Greek islands or take ferries from Athens' ports.
The second-largest international airport in Greece is the Airport of Thessaloniki, also known as Makedonia Airport. It is the main airport in Northern Greece and is quite popular among tourists visiting the northern part of the country.
Other notable international airports in Greece include Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos, which serve several seasonal flights from abroad. These airports are located on popular tourist islands, allowing travellers to fly directly to their destination without needing to catch a connecting flight through Athens.
In addition to its international airports, Greece also has National Airports that primarily serve domestic flights, with some offering charter flights from abroad during the summer season.
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Frequently asked questions
Athens International Airport, officially named Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is the largest airport in Greece. It is located 20-30km outside of Athens and can be reached by bus, suburban railway, or metro from the city centre.
Athens International Airport is the busiest airport in Greece, serving 28.17 million international and domestic passengers in 2023. It is the 16th-busiest airport in Europe.
There are 15 international airports in Greece, mostly located on the islands. The second-largest international airport is Thessaloniki Airport, also known as Makedonia Airport. Other notable international airports include Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos.
Greece has several domestic-only airports, known as National Airports. These include Heraklion Airport, serving the island of Crete, and the Hippocrates Airport, located near Andimachia village on the island of Kos.
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