Residents and visitors report free access to public Agiofyli beach on Lefkada is impossible, claiming the entrance has been fenced off.

Over 11,000 complaints were filed this summer on Greece’s MyCoast platform, highlighting illegal sunbeds, blocked access to beaches, and safety gaps. Halkidiki and Eastern Attica ranked highest among reported violations

With beach tourism being a cornerstone of Greece’s summer economy and lifestyle, these enforcement efforts aim to preserve public access and environmental integrity

Restrictions will apply daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. from June to September across several municipalities on the Athenian Riviera and are aimed at enhancing safety.

The issue is not limited to people taking souvenirs back from their holidays; in fact, scientists warn that the global demand for sand is spiraling out of control.

Members of a special task force have carried out over 5,000 inspections nationwide of more than 1,100 businesses so far

Most reports filed for illegal coastal activity through the MyCoast app concerned beaches in Halkidiki, Preveza and eastern Attica

More than 1,900 reports of unauthorized sunbeds, umbrellas, and public beach violations have been filed through the myCoast app

In efforts to clamp down on beach and shoreline use violations, the Greek government is now also engaging the public through the ‘MyCoast’ app

Greek authorities hope the newly-launched, free ‘MyCoast’ app will help clamp down on public beach violations