Smoking Areas at Greece Airports

Greece follows the broader Mediterranean European pattern: indoor smoking banned, outdoor terraces airside as the replacement. The 2010 indoor smoking ban (Greek Law 3868/2010), strengthened in 2019, closed indoor smoking lounges at every Greek airport. Outdoor terraces — typically post-security at major hubs — replaced them. Greek climate makes the experience pleasant year-round at most airports, particularly the popular tourist island airports where outdoor smoking is genuinely enjoyable.

For European transit travellers, Athens is the airport that matters most. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) handles substantial transit traffic between Western Europe and the Middle East, and its airside outdoor terraces work well for layovers.

How Greek Airport Smoking Works

The 2010/2019 ban prohibits indoor smoking in enclosed public spaces. Greek airports built outdoor terraces post-security as replacements. Terraces are:

Airside, accessible from the secure transit zone
Marked with clear Greek/English signage
Free to use, no fees
Open-air with partial cover at major airports
Mediterranean climate friendly most of the year

Enforcement of the ban tightened significantly in 2019 — Greek airports now actively monitor for violations indoors.

The Major Hubs

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH). Greece’s primary international airport, named after the early 20th-century Prime Minister. Outdoor terraces in both Schengen and non-Schengen zones, post-security and free to use. Major transit hub for Western Europe-Middle East itineraries.

Thessaloniki Makedonia (SKG). Northern Greece’s main airport, important for Balkan connections. Outdoor smoking terrace at the international terminal.

Tourist Island Airports

Heraklion (HER). Crete’s main airport, serves substantial summer tourism. Outdoor terraces.

Santorini (JTR). Iconic island airport. Compact terminal with outdoor smoking zones.

Mykonos (JMK). Party island airport. Outdoor zones near terminal entrance.

Rhodes Diagoras (RHO). Dodecanese island airport. Outdoor terraces.

Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias (CFU). Ionian island airport. Outdoor smoking zones.

Tips for Smokers at Greek Airports

Greek airport terraces are typically airside — easy transit smoking
Mediterranean climate makes Greek outdoor smoking pleasant most of the year
Cigarettes in Greece are mid-priced for Europe (~€5-6/pack)
Vapes and IQOS welcome at the same outdoor terraces
Island airports are particularly pleasant in summer; can be windy/cool in winter
Athens is the most reliable transit option year-round

Smoking at Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) – ATH

ATH

Outdoor smoking areas at Athens International Airport (ATH). Main terminal and satellite locations. …

Smoking at Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis) – HER

HER

Outdoor smoking areas at Heraklion Airport (HER) in Crete. Terminal locations and Greek smoking …

Smoking at Thessaloniki Airport (Macedonia) – SKG

SKG

Outdoor smoking areas at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). Terminal locations and Greek airport smoking …

Last updated: May 3, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Greek airports?

Yes — at designated outdoor terraces. Greece banned indoor smoking in enclosed public spaces in 2010, with stricter enforcement starting 2019. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), Thessaloniki Makedonia (SKG), Heraklion (HER), and the popular tourist island airports (Mykonos JMK, Santorini JTR, Rhodes RHO, Corfu CFU) all have outdoor terraces, most airside (post-security). Mediterranean climate makes outdoor smoking comfortable year-round at most Greek airports.

Where can I smoke at Athens Airport (ATH)?

Yes — Athens Eleftherios Venizelos has outdoor smoking terraces accessible from the transit zone. The Schengen and non-Schengen zones each have dedicated areas. Athens is well-designed for transit smokers — terraces are post-security, free to use, and pleasant most of the year given Athenian climate.

Which Greek airport is best for smokers?

Yes — the Greek island airports are particularly pleasant. Heraklion (HER, Crete), Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), and Rhodes (RHO) all have outdoor terraces with island climate making them comfortable from spring through autumn. Athens Airport works well year-round with its airside terraces. Thessaloniki Makedonia (SKG) is similar.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Greek airports?

Yes — vaping is legal in Greece and most airports treat it the same as smoking. Greek law on indoor vaping has tightened since 2019, restricting vaping in enclosed public spaces alongside cigarettes. At airports, use the designated outdoor terraces for both vapes and cigarettes. Heat-not-burn devices like IQOS are sold openly.

Can I smoke during a Greek airport layover?

Yes — most Greek airport terraces are airside (post-security), so transit passengers can use them without re-clearing security. Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion all have airside terraces. Mediterranean climate makes the experience pleasant most of the year. Walking time gate-to-terrace is typically 5-10 minutes.