Santorini has been named the Best Island in Europe for the twelfth year in a row at the 2025 Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards. The award comes from Global Traveler, a leading travel magazine in the United States. It highlights Santorini’s lasting appeal to tourists, especially from the United States.
Greece also won the title for Best Historical Attractions, International, for the fourth year in a row. These wins confirm Greece’s strong position in global tourism.
Why Santorini Keeps Winning
Santorini is famous for its white buildings, blue rooftops, and stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Tourists visit to see its volcano, sunsets, and unique architecture. These features make it one of the most photographed places in the world.
Many visitors find Santorini to be the perfect place to relax while also enjoying history and culture. It is especially popular with travelers from North America.
About the Awards
The Leisure Lifestyle Awards are chosen by readers of Global Traveler. The magazine is well-known among business travelers and luxury tourists. In the 2025 survey, almost 550,000 readers voted.
These readers are experienced travelers. Around 93 percent travel internationally each year. Most of them stay in luxury hotels and fly often for work and vacation. On average, they spend over 200 nights per year in hotels.
The survey ran from September 2024 to January 2025. The results were published in the May 2025 issue of Global Traveler. The awards covered 67 categories, including airlines, hotels, and travel destinations.
Greece Wins for Historical Sites
In addition to Santorini’s award, Greece as a country won for its historical attractions. This is the fourth time in a row that Greece received this honor. The country is home to famous sites like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and many ancient temples and ruins.
Tourists often visit Greece not only for the islands but also for its history. Cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Delphi are known for their historical importance. The country offers a mix of old and new experiences.
Who Will Attend the Ceremony
The award ceremony will take place on May 22, 2025, in Miami. It will welcome tourism officials and travel experts. Representing Greece will be Konstantinos Harokopos, who leads the Greek National Tourism Organization office in North America.
He will receive the awards on behalf of Santorini and Greece. His presence also shows Greece’s strong commitment to promoting its destinations to American tourists.
What Makes Greece a Top Choice
Greece remains a top travel spot for many reasons. It offers great beaches, rich culture, good food, and friendly locals. The islands are a big draw, but the mainland also has many attractions.
Over the years, Greece has invested in its travel industry. Roads, ports, and airports have improved. New hotels and resorts continue to open across the country. Lesser-known islands are now being promoted to spread out tourism and offer new experiences to visitors.
Travel Trends Highlight Familiar Favorites
Santorini’s repeated win shows that travelers still love familiar and proven destinations. While new travel spots gain attention, places like Santorini remain at the top. This is because they offer both comfort and unique beauty.
In recent years, travelers have looked for more than just beach holidays. They want culture, food, and good service. Santorini offers all of these in one place. That is why it keeps winning awards and attracting visitors.
What This Means for Greece
These awards help boost Greece’s image as a high-quality destination. They also support the country’s economy by drawing more tourists. In 2024, Greece welcomed over 32 million visitors, and tourism made up a large part of its income.
With the 2025 summer season starting, the awards come at a perfect time. Travel companies and airlines are now promoting Greek destinations more actively. This includes special offers and new flight routes to places like Santorini.
