greece travel warnings

Greece Travel Advisories and Warnings

In addition to planning trips and packing, travelers have another item on their to-do list: checking for current travel advisories related to their destination. Travel advisories are complex, and deciding whether or not to travel when there is a travel advisory or warning in place, is not an easy decision. The U.S. Department of State provides up-to-date information that will help a traveler decide whether or not to travel in Greece.

It is recommended that travelers sign up for the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) which helps the embassy alert you in times of trouble. STEP is a free service allowing U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The program also assists family members in contacting you during your travels should there be an emergency.

About U.S. Travel Advisories

The United States issues two types of advisories, the "Travel Warning" and the "Travel Alert." Though the wording may be a little confusing, The "Travel Warning" is actually the more serious of the two and tends to be put in place when a country is so unstable that travel may be actively dangerous. At any given time, several dozen continuously unstable or dangerous countries may be on the list. There is a general "Worldwide Caution" in effect as of July 2018. When a Worldwide Caution is put in place, the advice from the State Department is, "U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness."

The less-serious "Travel Alert" is usually issued in response to a particular event or condition such as a storm, planned protests, potentially contentious elections, even sporting events with a history of generating violent outbursts among fans. Usually, there are five or six countries listed for various reasons. If there is an expected problem in any country, it would most likely generate a "Travel Alert," usually for a relatively short period of time.

Understanding advisories are made more complicated because some news services, bloggers, or social media outlets may hear of a "Travel Alert" or "Travel Advisory" and rephrase it as a "Travel Warning" when they mention it. So don't assume your trip is at risk until you check the details directly with the State Department.

Travel Alerts and Warnings in Greece

Greece is rarely under a travel alert or travel warning, and in general, it's a very safe country to visit compared with some other nations. Though strikes and protests occur and often garner media attention, for most Greeks it's business as usual. And, there are steps travelers can take in Greece to have a safe trip.

The U.S. State Department is advising citizens to carry their passports with them at all times. It's always good practice to carry your passport and/or a color copy of your main passport pages on you as a proof of your identity and citizenship. And, if it's convenient, add a copy of the page showing your entry stamp into Greece once you are in the country.

Although, as of July 2018, there is no warning or alert listed for Greece , specifically, the U.S. Department of State warns of the potential of transnational terrorist attacks in European countries. The warning indicates that all European countries are potentially vulnerable to terrorist attacks focused on public areas where tourists and locals may gather and provides detailed  safety information  to help tourists avoid becoming an opportunistic target.

If there is a current Travel Warning or Alert for Greece from the U.S., it will be listed on the  Travel Advisory  page of the U.S. State Department website.

You may also want to check the official U.S. Department of State General  Information Sheet on Greece. Aside from providing travel information for those going to Greece, the page links to the American Embassy in Athens and to any special announcements the Embassy releases.

Other nations may issue similar travel warnings and alerts but generally, the U.S. alerts are based on the same information and reflect the situation accurately. Frequently, mild warnings are just included under the general "Travel Advice" pages on the various nations' websites.

Traveling Safely in Greece

How to Stay Safe on a Trip to the Dominican Republic

2020 Travel Warnings for Countries in Africa

Guide to Planning a Trip to Israel

Is It Safe in Mexico?

Is It Safe in Europe?

Is It Safe in Egypt?

How to Register Your Trip With the US Department of State

Cuba Travel Restrictions and Warnings: What You Need to Know

Is It Safe in London?

Is Bangkok Safe?

Travel to Mexican Border Towns From the American Southwest

Is It Safe to Travel to Morocco?

Is It Safe in Tanzania?

Is It Safe in Africa?

Is It Safe in Finland?

HOW TO TRAVEL

Covid-19: current travel rules in greece and other european countries.

Pandemic’s latest spike in cases has prompted tougher measures around the continent

BY TRAVEL TEAM

Translated by george kolyvas, published 16 november 2021, photo: unsplash.

European countries have stopped enforcing full lockdowns, but the recent rise in Covid-19 cases around the continent has prompted new restrictions in some parts of Europe. In the Netherlands, for example, restaurants have been forced to impose opening-hour restrictions since last Saturday.

Conditions around Europe can change from day to day, so anybody planning to travel abroad should check with official local sources for any new restrictions. See below a rundown of current travel rules valid for a number of European countries at the time of this article’s publication.

Holders of EU digital COVID certificates (EUDCC) may enter Greece without being subject to further restrictions (tests or quarantining).

Unvaccinated individuals are now required to present negative rapid or PCR tests in order to enter shops, banks, public services, outdoor sections of entertainment venues (bars, restaurants, cafes), as well as for entry to other retail outlets such as hair and beauty salons. Entering the indoor areas of entertainment venues is now limited to fully vaccinated individuals and holders of recovery certificates.

The use of face masks is mandatory inside public service spaces, public transport as well as outdoor spaces with large crowds such as sport stadiums.

Fully vaccinated travellers holding vaccination certificates may enter the country without restrictions but must fill out a form declaring that they are free of any COVID symptoms.

Unvaccinated persons from France’s green-list countries, currently including all EU member states and a number of other countries, among them Switzerland and Canada, need to present negative PCR or rapid tests, or recovery certificates. Additional measures apply for unvaccinated persons entering from Belgium.

Entrance to cultural venues, bars, restaurants, shopping centres and other indoor areas requires presentation of a Pass Sanitaire, a certificate proving that its holder is either fully vaccinated or has recovered from COVID. Mouth and nose must remain masked inside public transport and public spaces. Mask-wearing was once again made mandatory for students a few days ago.

As a general rule, anybody arriving to Germany either by plane, vehicle, train or vessel needs to present a vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative test. Persons arriving from countries deemed high-risk locations – at present, these include the UK, Bulgaria and Croatia, among others – without full vaccination or recovery certificates need to quarantine for 10 days. They are entitled to cut short this quarantine period if testing negative test on the fifth day.

Strictly imposed public health measures such as social distancing (1 ½ metres) and mandatory mask-wearing at indoor public areas, as well as public transport, continue to apply. At present, officials are discussing the introduction of further measures for unvaccinated persons. Also, each German state maintains the right to decide on local measures.

Beginning November 15, the social lives of unvaccinated persons in Berlin have been severely restricted through a first stage of measures, valid until at least November 28, not permitting access to restaurants, sport and cultural events, including theatres, cinemas, museums and gyms, as well as hair and beauty salons, zoos and botanical gardens. Berlin’s renowned nightclubs were already subject to this measure.

The number of cases in Italy has leveled out. Even so, the country’s COVID state of emergency has been extended until December.

Individuals travelling to Italy from any EU member state or a Schengen Area country must present a vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative PCR test, valid for 48 hours. Travellers entering Italy from all other countries are subject to a complicated system demanding various test and quarantining conditions, depending on their country of origin.

Italian authorities have introduced a four-tier grading system – white, yellow, green and red – for geographical regions, determined by COVID contagion risk. At present, all regions in the country, except for Sicily, have a lowest-risk “white” grading. Entrance to sport events, museums, theatres, bars, restaurants, spas, luna parks and other entertainment venues is limited to persons with full vaccination or recovery certificates, or negative tests. This also applies for passengers on domestic flights, trains or boats.

Mask-wearing remains mandatory for indoor public spaces, outdoor areas attracting crowds, as well as public transport. Social distancing is advised. Temperature checks are conducted at entrances to public buildings and some shops. Regional authorities maintain the right to impose additional measures, locally, should COVID cases rise.

Curfew measures have been lifted as the number of new COVID cases appear to be under control, but public gathering restrictions continue to apply in certain regions. All people travelling to Spain must fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) ahead of their journey. Spanish authorities consider many EU member states to be high-risk COVID transmission countries. Travellers hailing from such countries need to present vaccination or recovery certificates, or a recent negative test. Attendance capacity limits may apply in certain Spanish regions. Mask-wearing is compulsory on public transport and at indoor public spaces.

On November 1, the UK removed the remainder of countries from its red list, which requires travellers from red-list countries to quarantine upon entering the UK. Vaccinated travellers need to undergo a rapid test on their second day in the UK. If its result is positive, they must follow up with a PCR test, free of charge. The tourism and entertainment sectors have opened for all, vaccinated or not. Mask-wearing is not compulsory.

On 19 November the Austrian government announced a full national lockdown starting on Monday. The lockdown will last for 10 days at least or 20 days maximum , as announced by by Chancellor Alexander Salenberg during a press conference in Tyrol after meeting with regional governors.

The Austrian chancellor also announced the introduction of compulsory vaccination from 1 February.

A full vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative test is required to enter Croatia. Prior to or upon arrival, travellers need to provide contact information as well as an address and specified duration concerning their stay. Cafes, bars, restaurants and bakeries are open, while customers are advised to wear masks, except for when eating or drinking. Cinemas, theatres, museums and other cultural spaces are subject to capacity restrictions.

The Netherlands

Travellers from most Schengen Area countries, including Greece, need to present a vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative test to enter the Netherlands.

The country returned to a partial lockdown last Saturday as hospital capacities have been pressured following a fast rise in the number of COVID cases.

The lockdown measures apply to the entire population, not just unvaccinated persons. Bars, restaurants and shops selling essential supplies can remain open until 8pm, while clothes and footwear shops as well as hair salons must close by 6pm.

The new lockdown measures were announced at a news conference by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who noted that “the virus is everywhere, throughout the country, in all sectors and among all age groups.”

Entry is permitted only for travellers from EU member states with vaccination or recovery certificates or a negative PCR or rapid test. Pandemic conditions have improved in Portugal, the number of COVID cases dropping since late July. Bars, restaurants, shops and cultural spaces are operating with limited capacities. Face masks are compulsory in public transport, indoors and at outdoor spaces where the accumulation of crowds cannot be avoided. Negative tests or vaccination certificates are required for entry to many indoor activities.

Czech Republic

Travellers need to fill out a digital form prior to entering the country. Quarantining or undergoing a COVID test is not necessary for travellers arriving from an EU member state if vaccinated or recovered from COVID within the previous 180 days.

A recent rise in COVID cases has prompted the Danish government to reintroduce a rule requiring the presentation of a vaccination or recovery certificate or a negative test at venues such as bars and restaurants. Previously, Denmark had lifted all restrictions as of September 10 after the country’s health ministry announced the pandemic was under control and no longer posed a threat to society.

RELATED ARTICLES

Your Guide to the Cyclades

UNKNOWN GREECE

The hidden monasteries of mt grammos.

ARTS & CULTURE

May day in greece: flowers, community and tradition.

EXPERIENCES

The island-hopping series: naxos – paros – antiparos.

Covid: Greece ends lockdown measures and opens to tourists

• Published 14 May 2021
• Coronavirus

Greece has launched its tourist season, lifting most remaining restrictions on movement and declaring "we are putting the lockdown behind us".

Although an average of 2,000 daily Covid cases are still being reported, vaccinations are being rolled out.

German tourists have begun flying in. From 17 May it will not be illegal for Britons to travel to "amber list" Greece, but they are advised not to.

Only for "green list" countries such as Portugal will rules ease significantly.

Although the UK has a relatively low infection rate, Germany has said it will be classed as a Covid risk area from Sunday because of cases of the Indian variant in some areas. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday the Indian variant could pose "significant disruption" to lockdown easing on 21 June.

How Greece is opening up

Greece still has several restrictions. However, the big changes are that residents no longer have to send text messages to a hotline whenever they leave their homes or go shopping, movement is allowed between regions, and a night-time curfew has now been limited to between 00:30 and 05:00.

A fifth of Greece's economy is seen as dependent on the tourism sector and 20% of workers are employed by it.

"We are opening our tourist industry to the world," Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis announced on Thursday evening in front of the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion outside Athens.

What tourists have to do

Visitors from a list of 53 approved countries have to fill in a passenger locator form (PLF) the day before they travel, listing where they are staying and supplying a vaccine certificate, a negative PCR test or a documentation of recent recovery from Covid.

The rules are a precursor to the EU-wide digital certificate that is scheduled to help free up travel by the end of June.

• How is Europe lifting lockdown restrictions?
• The passport helping Denmark open up after Covid

Flights from several German airports, including Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Hanover and Stuttgart, landed at Heraklion airport in Crete on Friday morning. Travel giant Tui said it was resuming flights to Kos, Rhodes and Corfu on Saturday and the rest of Greece next month.

Charter flights were also landing at Rhodes, mainly from Poland and Israel.

Greece had hoped that British tourists would be able to start flying in freely from 17 May, but Greece has been placed on the UK's "amber list".

Anyone travelling as a tourist would be going against government advice and would face issues. Anyone returning to England or Scotland would have to quarantine for 10 days.

The government in Athens has launched a glossy video showing a selection of prospective tourists dreaming of escaping to the sun for a natural tan and tasting "real food", with the message "all you want is Greece". The campaign is described as the national tourism organisation's biggest in a decade.

• What are the rules for holidays and can I visit Portugal?

Why Greece is focusing on the islands

Friday was also an important day for Greek tourists, as it marked their first chance to travel to the islands since November.

The port of Piraeus near Athens was described as busy, as people headed away from the mainland with the required green pass to travel. Museums were also opening across Greece for the first time in six months, although numbers were being limited. In shops one customer is allowed per 25 sq m (269 sq ft).

So far one in four Greeks have received a first vaccination, and the Greek government is accelerating its campaign on dozens of islands, particularly tourist destinations.

Ministers say 32 smaller islands have completed their programmes and dozens more with populations of up to 10,000 will be vaccinated by the end of May. Residents on the biggest islands will be given the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the end of June, officials say.

In a separate move on Friday, Italy said it was scrapping from Sunday quarantine requirements for visitors from the rest of the EU and the border-free Schengen zone, as well as Israel and the UK. Only a negative PCR test will be required. But Italy will also be on the UK's amber list from 17 May.

Italy still has a curfew that starts at 22:00 but almost the entire country has now been designated as lower risk.

What about Portugal?

Travellers from England and Scotland are to be allowed to go on holiday to several countries from Monday without having to quarantine when they return, including Portugal, which extended its state of calamity on Thursday to 30 May.

The government in Lisbon said anyone arriving would need to take a negative PCR test before departure.

• British tourists allowed into Portugal from Monday
• Covid live page

Some 12,000 Chelsea and Manchester City fans are to fly into Portugal on 29 May to see their teams in the European Champions League final in Porto.

The supporters will be subject to a series of Covid restrictions, flying in and out on the same day in a "bubble situation". Fans will have to pass through a separate airport zone and take a negative Covid test.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

EU plans for a 'vaccine passport' to allow travel

Related Topics

• Coronavirus lockdown measures

More on this story

Spain plans to welcome tourists under EU scheme

• Published 28 April 2021

How are travel rules being relaxed?

• Published 11 February 2022

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Learn about your destination

Take 90 seconds for safer travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

New health warnings for travel to Greece following the lifting of most lockdown measures

Editor's Note

Too much, too soon?

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has issued warnings against non-essential travel to Greece's 13 south Aegean islands including popular Mykonos and Santorini just a month after Greece officially launched its tourist season and ended most restrictions related to the lockdown.

Locally, Greek Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias has also expressed concern about rising COVID-19 cases in Mykonos and Ios, as well as Zakynthos, Tinos, Lefkada, Santorini, Paros and Rhodes.

"We are opening our tourist industry to the world," tourism minister Haris Theocharis had declared in June in front of the Temple of Poseidon just outside of Athens. According to the BBC , visitors from Germany had already begun arriving in the country. Travelers from nations on the EU's "green list" have begun making their way to Greece now that tourists are able to visit. In addition, travelers from the United States, Serbia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are welcome, as long as they have been vaccinated or can show negative COVID-19 test results.

Greek officials said they are "putting the lockdown behind us" thanks to the success of its vaccination rollout. Museums have now reopened, and retail shops can now operate without requiring appointments, though limits on capacity will apply to keep up with social distancing protocols.

Authorities say Greece ranks fourth out of all EU countries in the rate of inoculation per 100 residents.

While several restrictions remain in place, the government has relaxed many measures implemented during lockdown. For example, residents no longer have to send text messages to a hotline whenever they leave their homes or go shopping, people are allowed to travel between regions, and late evening curfew hours are now limited to between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Greece has been aggressive in planning its reopening. It debuted an expensive promotional campaign to celebrate the reopening of its borders to visitors. Tourism is tremendously important to the nation's economy, with as much as a fifth of its workforce employed in the tourist industry.

Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more travel news!

Travelers entering from the above countries will not have to quarantine provided they have proof they are fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result carried out 72 hours prior to arrival. All tourists will have to abide by any of Greece's remaining lockdown restrictions, such as the late-night curfew.

"The whole country is safe," tourism minister Haris Theocharis had said to parliament back in April in outlining the sun-soaked European nation's plans to reopen.

Related: 12 mistakes most tourists make in Greece

That plan to reopen to all travelers included a "five lines of defense" strategy. Those lines include:

• All visitors must be fully vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test result;
• A checking system at Greece's airports and borders, where passengers can be selected randomly to take a rapid test;
• Any visitor who tests positive for coronavirus will be isolated in a "quarantine hotel";
• All tourism industry workers must be vaccinated (they will move up the priority list once the most vulnerable Greek citizens get the vaccine); and
• Strict adherence to safety protocols such as social distancing.

What does this all mean for U.S. citizens looking to return to Athens, or make their first visit to one of the Greek Isles like Santorini or Mykonos ? Despite Greece's reopening for tourism, the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Embassy in Greece says American visitors should "reconsider" traveling to the country.

Related: Greece is reopening; How I'm planning my dream trip

Greece is a key element of European airlines' summer bounce-back plan. The resumption of tourism is expected to lead to an increase in flights coming into the country. Already, low-cost airline Ryanair has added extra flights from the U.K. to the Greek Isles. British Airways, anticipating the resumption of Greek tourism, is considering re-routing some of the larger planes in its fleet — like Boeing 787s and 777s — that are sitting idle at Heathrow Airport and using them for shorter flights to the Mediterranean . Emirates has resumed its nonstop fifth-freedom route from New York (JFK) to Athens (ATH) .

Bringing tourism back is essential to Greece's economic bottom line. Many cities and towns in the southeastern European nation rely on the money spent by visitors, and the effects of the year-long pandemic have been incredibly harmful to many local businesses.

You can read all of The Points Guy's coverage of Greece on our hub page here.

Additional reporting by Emily McNutt and Ben Smithson.

Greece to lift quarantine rule for more travelers from next week-official

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou Editing by Bernadette Baum

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

Thousands of Israelis protest to demand hostage return

Thousands of Israelis protested on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept a ceasefire agreement with the Islamist movement Hamas that would see the remaining Israeli hostages brought home from Gaza.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Mark Rutte joined around 4,000 people on Saturday for the country's annual World War Two remembrance ceremony amid restricted public access and heightened security due to the war in Gaza.

Greece travel warning as holidaymakers face 'violent' risk in popular spots

A warning has been shared ahead of an event in Athens

By Sarra Gray

Published: 30/11/2023

Updated: 01/12/2023

Britons in Greece have been given a serious safety warning

Don't miss, jimmy carr slammed for 'disgusting and disrespectful' heckling of tv chef live on air, full list of store closures in may 2024, including m&s and whs smith, labour win in new east midlands authority, clarkson's farm star diagnosed with cancer as jeremy admits 'he's terrified', reuben owen admits 'it's the end' as he highlights struggles with tractor business: 'incredibly skint', bbc the repair shop's jay blades splits from wife as she shares emotional statement, bbc the repair shop fans 'broken' by dominic chinea's gesture to guest: 'sobbing', sadiq khan admits tories' chance of winning has 'skyrocketed' as polls close in mayoral race, virgin money offers 12% interest on savings in 'brand-new' offer, trending on gb news, peter andre and wife emily unveil unique baby name for newborn daughter.

Tourists are urged to be careful when visiting popular parts of Greece.

A safety and security warning has come as Britons flock to the country for a football match today.

A fresh update has been given by the UK Government ahead of the UEFA Europa League game that takes place today.

Britons may have travelled to Athens to watch the AEK and Brighton match.

Demonstrations are likely in Athens, particularly on a date next week

The FCO warns: "If you are travelling to Athens for the match, you should plan your movement around the city to arrive at the stadium well in advance of the match kick-off.

"Follow the instructions of the local authorities and take care of your personal possessions including passports, especially in crowds and on public transport."

This comes as holidaymakers visiting lots of popular parts of the country are urged to be vigilant.

Advice explained demonstrations are likely and could have dangerous effects.

"Avoid demonstrations wherever possible and follow the advice of the local authorities," the FCO continued.

"Some demonstrations in the past have turned violent. If you do find yourself unexpectedly near a demonstration, move away to the last known safe place.

"Security forces often use tear gas to break up demonstrations, which can harm your breathing and vision."

They added demonstrations are particularly likely on certain dates, including next week on December 6.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Ryanair launches new routes from 9 UK airports to Spain, Italy and more starting in December
• British expats are heading to a beautiful European country with lots of sunny beaches for a happier life
• Italy war on tourists as Venice rolls out daily tax for anyone over 14 visiting during peak times

Britons should be cautious in Greece

Such protests and demonstrations can happen across the country but they are particularly likely in tourist areas, such as central Athens.

Britons planning a holiday have recently been warned when travelling to a number of destinations.

Flights to Iceland have been disrupted as the "danger zone" grows due to the threat of a volcanic eruption .

In other news, cruisegoers have been stranded as a £90,000 luxury three-year cruise is cancelled days before departure .

You may like

Listen live

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Greece Announces New Plan to Protect Some of Its Pristine Beaches

The government has pledged to crack down on rapid development, and on seaside businesses seeking to take advantage of a tourist boom. But some residents and conservationists are unimpressed.

By Niki Kitsantonis

Reporting from Athens

The Greek government on Friday published a list of 198 “untrodden beaches” that it said are now off limits to bars, restaurants and large public gatherings in its latest attempt to contain development and address the backlash to the throngs of tourists that descend on the country’s coastlines each year.

The move comes amid growing frustration among residents of Greek islands and parts of the coastal mainland that are popular with foreign visitors. Protests ballooned into a nationwide “beach towel movement” last summer as disgruntled locals complained that they were being pushed off their own beaches by businesses seeking to take advantage of a tourist boom that brought more than 32 million foreign visitors to Greece last year .

On the country’s Cycladic islands, local residents joined forces with the authorities to push back against a wave of construction .

Greece’s conservative government has pledged to crack down on the development, and on seaside businesses that violate regulations. In February it passed a law aimed at regulating the use of the country’s coastline, imposing penalties of up to 60,000 euros for businesses occupying more than 50 percent of Greek beaches with umbrellas and sun beds.

Critics said the law did not go far enough to curb the problem, with some claiming that the government was perpetuating the issue by not tackling illegal land use more comprehensively.

The list of “untrodden beaches,” unveiled in a joint agreement between Greece’s finance and environment ministers, is part of a broader effort to restore balance, the government said. “The main goal is to combine environmental protection with sustainable development,” Kostis Hatzidakis, the economy and finance minister, said on Friday.

“The environment is a valuable component of the Greek tourist product,” he said.

Under the new initiative, the government was putting public assets “under a strict framework of rules, penalties and obligations,” Mr. Hatzidakis said. Inspections and transparency would be increased, as would “the enforcement of the law,” he added.

The beaches on the list are in areas included in the European Union’s Natura program, a network of vulnerable habitats across Europe that are protected under European law. Among the beaches listed on Friday are spots on popular islands such as Milos, Naxos, Lesbos, Samothrace and in the southern Peloponnese peninsula.

The islands were selected based on the advice of the country’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency and are all “areas of high ecological importance,” Theodoros Skylakakis, the environment and energy minister, said on Friday.

Under the new initiative, no section of those beaches can be auctioned off for commercial use, and the presence of sun-loungers and umbrellas will be prohibited, as will the organization of public events involving more than 10 people.

Another initiative being introduced by the government is a new app called “MyCoast,” on which people can report violations.

Some environmentalists in Greece were not impressed by Friday’s announcement. Eleni Andrianopoulou, a resident of Naxos and a member of a local “Save the beaches” group, said the government’s original plan had been for more than 1,000 beaches nationwide to be covered, adding that Natura areas require “real protection.”

“From the beginning we had stressed that this reform for untrodden beaches was a fraud.”

Demetre Karavellas, director of the World Wildlife Fund Greece, said the authorities were jumping the gun with their list of pristine beaches, noting that there are more than 100 marine and coastal areas in Greece that are recognized by the Natura program but have yet to be effectively managed or conserved.

“The government should start by complying with its basic legal obligations before creating new vague categories of protection,” he said.

Niki Kitsantonis is a freelance correspondent for The Times based in Athens. She has been writing about Greece for 20 years, including more than a decade of coverage for The Times. More about Niki Kitsantonis