A few days ago we were on our way to take the tram to go to Athens when we saw that there was a picket outside the entrance to our beach. So, of course, we went to investigate. It was a picket by the youth section of the Communist Party of Greece, demanding free access to our beaches.
The situation on Greek beaches is becoming unbearable as it is in other parts of the world. There's been quite a lot in the press about Italian beaches, as in the Guardian recently. Exclusive beach clubs, bars and restaurants are taking more and more of the coastline in the Athens Riviera, but also all over the mainland and the islands, Paros for instance.
Until quite recently, beaches remained open to the public for free. Now, 'free' beaches are becoming rare. Privatisation of the beaches means you have to pay: to get in; for sunbeds; for unbrellas; and for the use of other facilities. Our beach is one of the most 'reasonable' in terms of prices. You pay 10 euros to get in and 6 for a sunbed. You can do the maths of what this means for a family of four who are also likely going to want to have a drink and maybe something to eat. Fortunately, we get in free because we are residents, all we have to do is show our resident's card. A sunbed costs us 1 euro. But, most people are not so lucky. In other parts of the country the prices are much higher and we feel this every time we go to one of the islands. A luxury lounger on Paros can cost up to 120 euros.
According to the leaflet that the protesters were handing out, the profit of these privarte enterpreneurs on the beaches was 23,6 bn euros in 2025.
This situation leaves people who cannot afford these prices on a limb. Sometimes you have to wallk for a very long distance to find a free beach where you can put your towel on the sand and maybe, plant your own umbrella. These 'free' beaches are invariably in remote and less attractive areas, they often have a litter issue, and no facilities, things like showers, toilets or a lifeguard.
As we were leaving we saw a part of the protesters walking towards the other entrance of the beach to picket there.
