Greece on Friday, April 24, named over 250 beaches in environmentally important areas that must be left in their natural state, amid ongoing efforts to limit the impact of overtourism in its multi-billion-euro travel industry.
The initiative bans the use of umbrellas and sunbeds for hire in areas both on the mainland and islands, including many protected marine Natura 2000 sites, some of which are vital grounds for endangered species such as loggerhead turtles and monk seals.
The initiative "seeks to ensure the effective protection of beaches that have particular aesthetic, geomorphological or ecological value, as well as the preservation of the habitat types and the plant and animal species found on these specific beaches," the government said in a ministerial decision. The updated list for 2026 includes 251 beaches compared to 238 last year, and 198 in 2024.
Amid growing concerns over the impact of overtourism on Greece's natural environment, authorities in recent years have dismantled illegal construction on coasts. On Thursday, crews accompanied by riot police tore down beachfront shacks on the small island of Gavdos south of Crete that the local municipality had deemed a fire risk.
