Athens maintains a steady presence on the European real estate map, according to the new Emerging Trends in Real Estate Europe 2026 report by PwC and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The Greek capital ranks 26th out of 32 European cities, showing improvement compared to previous years and recording signs of a revival in investment interest, mainly through private equity and family offices.
In the same ranking, which is based on investment and growth prospects for 2026, the top four are occupied by London, Madrid, Paris and Berlin, while Athens is above Istanbul and Sofia, with a notable increase compared to the lowest levels of the period 2018-2021.
At this point, it should be emphasized that this year’s report recognizes the reemergence of Southern European cities as attractive to investors seeking higher returns and relative macroeconomic stability. As noted, Greece is now attracting non-institutional investors – family offices, high net worth individuals and private equity funds – who see opportunities in hospitality, student housing and energy-efficient renovations.
Although Athens is not yet among the “first” markets in terms of liquidity, it is considered a growth market with a strong tourism background and growing demand for short- and medium-term rental housing. The report highlights that European investors are turning to cities that combine political stability, improved infrastructure and a growing service sector, with Athens combining these characteristics more than any other capital in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to PwC, the strategic shift of the market in 2026 focuses on three axes:
Income and liquidity resilience,
Decarbonization and green renovations,
Digital transformation of real estate.
In this context, Athens is considered a city with emerging opportunities in sectors such as data centers, tourist housing, student housing and the regeneration of historic buildings through sustainable development programs. The report “Emerging Trends in Real Estate Europe 2026” is based on the views of 1,276 senior executives in the industry and is considered the most important barometer of the European real estate market, influencing both investment decisions and urban development strategies.
