Mykonos, one of Greece’s most famous tourist destinations, is facing a fresh environmental setback after sewage overflowed onto Platis Gialos beach, directly in front of a restaurant.

The spill was caused by pipelines managed by the island’s municipal water and sewage company, with officials attributing the incident to both poor maintenance and the strain placed on the network during peak tourist season.

Recurring problem on the island

This is not the first time Mykonos has experienced such issues. In 2024, sewage flooded the narrow streets of Ornos due to overbuilding and network overload, while in 2023, a leak at the Old Port created suffocating odors that forced tourists and locals to leave nearby restaurants and cafés.

Wider concerns across the Aegean

The news from Mykonos comes as the nearby island of Patmos is also grappling with wastewater problems. Malfunctions at its sewage transfer pipeline and treatment plant have reportedly led to untreated sewage reaching the sea. While local officials deny claims that waste has entered homes through water taps, emergency crews have been dispatched to inspect a 100-meter underwater pipeline in search of the fault.

Both incidents highlight the mounting pressure on the infrastructure of popular Greek islands, where booming tourism and rapid development are increasingly testing the limits of essential services.