As one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in Europe, it’s no surprise that many beautiful places in Greece are overwhelmed by overtourism. In Santorini, tourists crowd the streets trying to take photos at the most iconic Instagram spots. Meanwhile, the Acropolis of Athens has introduced entry slots to tackle the overwhelming tourist numbers.
Generally, tourism has a positive impact on a country, boosting economies, increasing job opportunities, and improving the lives of local communities. Unfortunately, Greece is also finding that tourism can cause problems, such as environmental damage, overcrowding, and strain on public services. To learn more, here are 12 places in Greece suffering from overtourism.
The Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Unfortunately, the Acropolis of Athens’ history of being one of Europe’s most famous tourist attractions has made it one of the most overwhelmed by overtourism places in Greece. Standing proudly above the capital of Greece, this ancient citadel is home to several remains of immense historical and architectural significance.
However, overcrowding at the site has led to safety concerns, damage, and worries about the future well-being of Greece’s greatest treasure. To tackle overcrowding, timed entry slots have been introduced to limit the daily number of visitors to 20,000.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini, a picture-perfect Greek island in the Aegean Sea, has a population of approximately 25,000 people. However, according to the Guardian, it’s set to welcome more than three million visitors in 2024, making it one of the most overcrowded places in Greece. Everything looks rosy in Santorini from the outside, but the truth is very different.
Unfortunately, the island struggles to keep up with the sheer demand of the tourist industry. Public services, such as waste management and water supplies, are under immense pressure. Locals are left feeling frustrated by overcrowding and increased living costs, and visitors have to queue to access the most famous attractions and viewpoints.
Mykonos Town, Mykonos
Mykonos Town, also known as Chora, is a charming town on Mykonos. While the island is best known for its picturesque coastline, turquoise waters, and whitewashed streets, Mykonos Town is starting to gain a reputation as one of Greece’s most overwhelmed by overtourism destinations. Once a peaceful fishing village, Mykonos Town is now a haven for party-going tourists, and it can’t keep up with the demand.
Besides being overcrowded by tourists, Mykonos Town’s infrastructure and public services are strained. In a bid to prevent overtourism, Greece has released plans to impose a €20 ($21.50) tax on cruise ship visitors. You can help by visiting lesser-visited parts of Mykonos, such as Ano Mera and Ornos.
Rhodes Old Town, Rhodes
Like many places in Greece, Rhodes has seen the benefits of tourism. Unfortunately, it’s also facing the negative side of tourism through overtourism. Millions of tourists visit Rhodes yearly, many heading to Rhodes Old Town to explore the winding cobblestone streets and iconic attractions like the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes.
Considering the Old Town is home to approximately 6,000 people, the warning signs should’ve been there. Unsurprisingly, Rhodes Old Town has struggled with uncontrollable overcrowding, creating an unpleasant experience for locals and travelers. Long queues and delays can be expected. There are also concerns over resource depletion and increased strain on public resources like waste management and water supplies.
Lindos, Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town isn’t the only beautiful Greek tourist destination overwhelmed by overtourism in Rhodes. Sadly, Lindos, a once sleepy fishing village, is also suffering from the sheer number of tourists who visit yearly. Lindos is a beautiful village famed for its exotic beaches and 10th-century Acropolis, but large crowds have caused much disruption.
Even in the off-season, it’s not uncommon for the most popular tourist destinations in Lindos to be entirely overwhelmed by tourists. You can expect to queue at tourist attractions, fight for space on the best beaches, and wait for a seat in the most popular restaurants. In a report from the Express, some tourists claimed that too many tour buses are causing most of the issues.
Hydra
Hydra, a small island belonging to the Saronic group in the Aegean Sea, is an excellent example of overtourism overburdening even Greece’s lesser-visited tourist destinations. This breathtaking island is somewhat of a hidden gem, but that hasn’t stopped large crowds of tourists from descending so they can claim their small slice of paradise.
Unfortunately, some of the many things that made Hydra an appealing tourist destination, such as being car-free and having fewer crowds, have started to cause the most significant problems. The island’s increased popularity has led to larger crowds, busier restaurants, higher prices, and less space on the once tranquil beaches. When speaking to Fortune, one resident said Hydra “can’t take any more people.”
Corfu Town, Corfu
Corfu Town, the vibrant capital of Corfu Island, is renowned for its mesmerizing Venetian architecture, weaving cobblestone streets, and UNESCO-protected Old Town, all of which are a sight to behold. Because of its beauty, millions of tourists visit the town yearly, which has caused it to become overwhelmed by overtourism.
Corfu Town’s enormous popularity and cruise ship tourism has the potential to destroy everything that makes it a famous tourist destination. While tourism helps support the local economy, the massive influx of visitors has led to congestion, waste management issues, increased prices for locals, and the destruction of the town’s authentic charm. For obvious reasons, this has angered many locals, who hope things change sooner rather than later.
Meteora, Thessaly
While many tourists don’t know what Meteora is or where to find it, this unique rock formation in Northwestern Greece is one of the most visited places on mainland Greece, welcoming millions of visitors yearly. It’s best known for its stunning rock formations and impressive monastery complexes, which sit high above the ground.
Sadly, though, overtourism threatens to overwhelm this awe-inspiring location unless something changes soon. Tourism is the most significant threat to Meteora’s environment, religion, and culture. With more tourists comes more traffic, noise pollution, and increased needs for infrastructure and waste management. As you would expect, this has the potential to diminish Meteora’s impressive beauty while also damaging local ecosystems.
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
Honestly, it’s unsurprising to find Navagio Beach on our list of the most beautiful places in Greece that have been overwhelmed by overtourism. After all, it is widely considered the most photographed beach in Greece. Nestled away in a beautiful cove in Zakynthos, Navagio Beach is famed worldwide for its sparkling sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and mysterious shipwreck.
However, the beach’s popularity has caused it to fall victim to its own success. The constant stream of tourists means that the beach is often overcrowded. Not only does this make the beach unpleasant, but it also causes environmental damage. Worse yet, the shipwreck that helped make the beach so famous is covered in graffiti.
Chania, Crete
Overtourism is getting so out of control in Chania that many locals try to avoid the Old Town altogether in the summer. Chania is a beautiful medieval town on the northwest coast of Crete, best known for its breathtaking 14th-century Venetian harbor, glorious beaches, and vibrant architecture. Like many places in Greece, its popularity has led to overtourism.
Unfortunately, large crowds are common in Chania, especially in the summer. Furthermore, the town’s increased popularity has increased rental prices and authentic buildings have been transformed into hotels and Airbnbs. To make matters worse, the town is a significant port city, so thousands of travelers arrive daily by ship, putting pressure on local infrastructure.
Elafonisi Beach, Crete
Near the southwesternmost end of Crete lies another place in Greece overwhelmed by overtourism: Elafonisi Beach. This gorgeous beach has crystal-clear turquoise water and dazzling pink sand. Understandably, the pink sand draws thousands of people a day. Over 6,000 people visit daily between July and August, resulting in large crowds.
Imagine battling for space on a beach with thousands of other people. It doesn’t sound fun, does it? The beach also isn’t a pretty sight when it’s covered in beach towels and sun loungers. However, those aren’t the only issues caused by overtourism at Elafonisi Beach. Sadly, the beach also suffers environmental damage from tourists dropping litter and taking the sand.
Paros
Like Santorini, Paros is well known for its whitewashed architecture, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxury summer vacation resorts. However, Paros is also suffering from overtourism. The local government and residents face enormous challenges related to increased tourist traffic and insufficient infrastructure.
Simply put, the island can’t keep up with the demand of the massive influx of tourists. Public services, including waste management and water supplies, are strained, locals have to fight through large crowds of tourists to go about their daily lives, and the overall charm and authenticity of the island is put at risk. Some locals have claimed that up to 70% of the island’s beauty has been ruined by littering and overcrowding.