Popular tourist hot spot moves to strip beaches of sunbeds and umbrellas in tough new ban

Officials say the total number of protected beaches stands at 250, though some international media have put the figure at 251.

The list has grown from 238 beaches in 2025 and 198 the year before, according to news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Greece's Ministry of the Environment and Energy.

Officials did not specify which beaches were included in the latest update, the statement said.

In some areas, the measure is aimed at protecting marine life, including endangered species such as monk seals and loggerhead turtles, AFP reported.

The ministry's statement said, "In particular, it expands the number of coastlines and beaches within areas included in the National List of the European Natura 2000 ecological network, where the granting of commercial use and any activity that could harm their natural form or ecological integrity is now prohibited."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy for comment.

The move comes as Greek officials deal with mounting overtourism pressure, particularly on Greece's busiest islands.

"We really need to see if and how many more hotels we need and where," Doukas said in response to a question from Euronews at an event.

"We need to see and think about how much extra tourist load we can lift and where."

Travel to Greece hit a record 38 million visitors in the last year, according to Bank of Greece statistics obtained by AFP, up 5.6% from the previous year.

Arrivals from the European Union rose by 2.8%, while non-EU visits increased by 10%, AFP previously reported.

Jessica Mekles of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.