ATHENS – With Greece now becoming a year-round destination for foreign travelers, Americans are leading the parade, according to a survey showing that a million of them are coming to Athens, more than doubling the numbers since the previous record year of 2019.

The capital, traditionally just a brief stopover en route to the islands and other parts of the country, is enticing visitors to linger longer, drawn by its vibrant neighborhoods and short-term rentals that keep people in the city.

However, there’s also concern, as another survey found that while visitors enjoy the city’s buzz and its unique destinations, coffee shops, taverns, and cultural and archaeological attractions, they also find Athens to be dirty and marred by graffiti.

The city suffers from having relatively little green space, chaotic parking, sidewalks that are difficult to navigate, and signs of overtourism, with short-term rentals draining neighborhoods of residents, detracting significantly from their charm.

Following the Americans are the British, with about 687,000 visitors; Germans (478,000); French (462,000); Italians (410,000); Australians (150,000); and just 95,000 from China, a market Greece is actively trying to attract.

These were among the findings of the 19th Athens-Attica Visitor Satisfaction Survey conducted in 2023 by the Athens-Attica and Argosaronic Hotel Association (AAAHA) and GBR Consulting on Athens hotels, in collaboration with Athens International Airport (AIA).

The survey highlighted 2023 as a record year for tourism in terms of spending, which brought in more than €20 billion ($21.7 billion) and attracted 30 million people, three times the country’s population, making Greece a hot spot.

There were more than 7 million non-resident international arrivals at Athens Airport, an increase from 6.4 million in 2019 and more than double the 3.4 million tourist arrivals recorded in 2014, a decade earlier.

Tourist satisfaction has improved over the past decade, rising from a low score of 7.7 in 2017 to 8.4 in 2022 and 2023, despite complaints about the streets and buildings being dirty.

The archaeological sites of Athens, especially the Acropolis—which receives so many visitors that a daily cap of 20,000 has been set—are the main attractions for tourists.

About 83% of visitors who traveled for leisure to Athens visited the Acropolis, while 56% were drawn by its archaeological sites and cultural significance, especially the Acropolis Museum.

The research identified a diverse array of travelers interested in Athens, from culture enthusiasts to nightlife seekers, shoppers, fans of the famed cuisine—especially seafood—and a mix of professionals and transients.

The port of Piraeus, now operated by the Chinese management firm COSCO, has also become an important tourist hub. Visitors arrive there before heading into Athens to explore its attractions.