Greek coastal authorities are increasingly removing umbrellas, sunbeds, and other items left overnight on public beaches in an effort to stop illegal space “reservation” by tourists.
In popular coastal regions such as Halkidiki, municipal teams are clearing beaches early in the morning, often using machinery to remove unattended equipment left on the sand. Local officials say the practice of “saving” beach spots by leaving personal items overnight has become widespread, but remains strictly prohibited.
Tourists frequently leave umbrellas, sun loungers, and small tables on the beach and even secure them with padlocks in order to mark their place for the following day. Authorities stress that this does not grant any rights to the space, as all public beaches must remain accessible to everyone.
Local mayors in Halkidiki underline that only licensed beach businesses are allowed to occupy sections of the coastline, as they operate under formal agreements with municipalities and pay rent for the space they use. Public beaches, they emphasize, are otherwise free and cannot be privately reserved.
“The beach is free for everyone. No one has the right to reserve a part of it for themselves,” municipal representatives noted, reinforcing the rules governing public access.
