Afonissos beach, Agistri, Greece/photo: Idit Alantan
So did you go to Greece on Passover? Here's something you should know, even for this summer: vacationers traveling to Greece in 2024 will have to follow new rules when sunbathing on the beach. The Greek government has introduced strict rules to prevent overcrowding on busy beaches, meaning 70 percent of the beach must be free of deck chairs.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shared the new rules in a TikTok video. According to him, the purpose of these changes is to deal with overcrowding and make it easier for people who cannot afford to rent a sunbed on the beaches.
Starting next month (April), the rules also state that 85 percent of beaches that are protected natural values must be without deck chairs. Sunbeds will be completely prohibited in areas marked as "no-touch beaches" due to their ecological importance.
A new rule will require a minimum distance of 4 meters between the shoreline and the sunbeds/ShutterStock
Drones will keep everyone following the rules
The popularity of small and beautiful beach spots has caused overcrowding problems on the beaches. Many businesses, such as restaurants and hotels occupy large parts of the shoreline, leaving little space for the public.
Now, a strict rule will enforce a minimum distance of four meters between the shoreline and the sunbeds. Businesses on the beach, such as cafes and restaurants that rent out sunbeds to bathers, will have to participate in online auctions to secure a spot on the beach, according to England's Bristol Live.
To monitor the issue, drones will circle the air and make sure everyone follows the new rules.
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The popularity of small beach spots has caused overcrowding on the beaches. Sunbathing in Crete/ShutterStock
A new tax for every tourist
Overcrowding of bathers at the beach is not only a problem in Greece. In the Spanish resort of Benidorm, tourists can be fined up to €1,200 for swimming between midnight and 7am, or sleeping on the beach.
Earlier this year, Greece unveiled a new charge for every tourist to their country called the Climate Resilience Levy. This is to help repair the damage caused by extreme weather, such as the fires and floods that hit the country last year.
Last summer, large fires devastated parts of Greece, including popular holiday spots such as Rhodes and Corfu. The new tax is expected to bring in 300 million in 2024 and will go into a special budget that will help rebuild areas affected by climate change.
If you go on vacation in Greece between March and October, you will have to pay this supplement. The cost will vary depending on where you stay and can range from 1 to 4 euros per night. The new tax will be added to the existing accommodation tax, so the charges will increase.
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Greece
Seaside
beaches