12 Beautiful Places on the Greek Islands Overwhelmed With Overtourism

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Greece is one of the most visited destinations in the world, and after visiting some of its cities and islands, you will quickly see why everyone wants a slice of this paradise on Earth. Whether for beaches, partying, watersports, food and wine culture, mountains, history, or beach and island hopping – Greece has it all, and fortunately and unfortunately, the whole world knows. While it is good for the country’s economy, overtourism also severely strains locals and natural resources.

In this article, we look at some of the beautiful places that every tourist in Greece wants to explore. While they deserve the hype, thanks to their beauty, they only end up grappling with the effects of overtourism.

Oia, Santorini

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Oia steals the show with its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and unparalleled sunsets. Have you even visited Santorini without taking glamorous photos at Oia? Unfortunately, the secret is out, and Oia struggles under the weight of overtourism, especially in summer.

A publication by HVS, a global consulting organization focused on the hospitality industry, revealed that Oia is too small for the number of tourists it hosts. Spanning about 19.4 kilometers squared, this coastal town experiences overcrowding and traffic jams repeatedly.

Though popularity has taken a massive toll on Oia, the dramatic setting, traditional architecture, and vibrant arts scene cement Oia as an Aegean gem that everyone wants to visit. To avoid overcrowding and traffic, consider visiting in shoulder months, rising early, and venturing beyond the main drag to discover its timeless charm.

Mykonos Town (Chora), Mykonos

Greek Places Overwhelmed with Overtourism_Mykonos Town — © Fokke baarssen / Shutterstock

Chora, the main town on the island of Mykonos, is a perfect example of the damage overtourism can cause. Once a quiet fishing village, its whitewashed streets are now overrun with crowds and selfie-taking tourists during the summer season. By mid-morning, the peace shatters as buses disgorge thousands of visitors into the tiny town.

Aside from being overcrowded, Mykonos Town is struggling with strained infrastructure. Furthermore, there are concerns that commercial interests are now taking over public beaches.

When in Mykonos, venture further and explore other neighborhoods and villages like Ano Mera, Ornos, Psarrou, Kalafati, Klouvas, and Platys Gialos. If you must explore Mykonos Old Town in summer, do it early in the morning.

Fira, Santorini

When arriving in Santorini’s capital city of Fira, you’ll be greeted by the blinding white facades of the cliffside Cycladic houses and the azure blue sea and sky. However, the sheer number of people cramming the narrow streets, hotels, and entertainment joints can be overwhelming. It is one of the places that does not sleep.

The daily arrival of massive cruise ships disgorging thousands of tourists into the town has led to overcrowding issues. Today, Fira’s tiny port can’t handle the numbers, leading to hours-long waits to get on and off the ships. For instance, in April 2024, Sun Princess, a luxurious cruise ship, notified its guests of the intention to skip this Greek island because of congestion.

Rhodes Old Town, Rhodes

Greek Places Overwhelmed with Overtourism_Rhodes Old Town — © DaLiu / Shutterstock

While Rhodes has seen many benefits from tourism, it is also facing the negative side of it, which is heavy on the island. Today, Rhodes Old Town grapples with overcrowding, destruction of natural resources, and waste management issues.

Over 5 million visitors toured Rhodes in 2023, most stopping by Rhodes Old Town. The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes attracts enormous crowds, with people cramming into its courtyard and pushing through narrow passageways. Also, the Street of the Knights of Rhodes, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe, is almost always packed with tour groups moving slowly between souvenir shops and restaurants. If possible, spend a night in the old town after the daytrippers have left—you’ll experience the magical atmosphere without the crowds.

Corfu Town, Corfu

Greek Places Overwhelmed with Overtourism_Corfu Town — © DaLiu / Shutterstock

Corfu receives over 4 million tourists annually. This island’s stunning Venetian architecture, cobblestone streets, and UNESCO-protected old town are a sight to behold.

Corfu’s town, the charming capital of Corfu island, is a maze of cobblestone streets, squares, and pastel-colored Venetian architecture. However, its immense popularity and cruise ship tourism threaten to destroy the destination. While tourism supports the local economy, the massive influx of visitors, especially during summer, leads to congestion, traffic jams, and waste issues that threaten the charm and authenticity of this historic town.

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos

Greek Places Overwhelmed with Overtourism_Zakynthos

Tucked away in a secluded cove on the west coast of Zakynthos, Navagio Beach is one of Greece’s most iconic beaches. Surrounded by tall cliffs and only accessible by boat, the white sands and turquoise waters seem like paradise.

Unfortunately, the beach has become a victim of its popularity. The constant stream of tourists has severely damaged the beach and surrounding environment. Erosion is accelerating, trash is piling up, and the beach’s famous shipwreck has suffered graffiti and structural damage from visitors.

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If Navagio Beach is on your bucket list, aim to visit in the shoulder months of April to June or September to October when the crowds dwindle. An early start or late afternoon arrival can also help you beat the masses.

Lindos, Rhodes

The picturesque town of Lindos on the island of Rhodes is a prime example of a place struggling with the overuse of natural resources due to overtourism. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, Lindos was once a sleepy fishing village. Now, cruise ships regularly dock in Rhodes, letting in thousands of tourists who flock to Lindos to explore the town’s narrow alleys and whitewashed buildings.

The tiny alleys get jammed with people and vehicles as the day goes on. Restaurants fill up quickly, and the famous beaches around Lindos, like Pallas Beach and St. Paul’s Bay Beach, may have little room to lay down your towel. Overtourism is threatening to destroy the very atmosphere that makes Lindos so alluring.

Tourism revenue keeps the local economy afloat, but the huge number of tourists could irreparably damage this historic gem.

Elafonissi Beach, Crete

Greek Places Overwhelmed with Overtourism_Elafonissi Beach — © Zakhar Mar / Shutterstock

Known for its pink sands and turquoise waters, Elafonissi is everyone’s dream beach. With so much beauty and uniqueness comes popularity, which only damages the beach. During the July and August peak season, the beach hosts approximately 2,500 daily visitors.

During this peak season, umbrellas and beach chairs become scarce, showers and changing rooms become overcrowded, and lifeguards find it hard to keep up with all the swimmers.

If you want to visit this beach in summer, let it be early in the morning or later in the afternoon. It would give you an excellent opportunity to experience the beach’s beauty without facing crowds.

Naoussa, Paros

Naoussa is a picturesque fishing village on the island of Paros with beautiful sunsets, traditional Cycladic architecture, cobblestone streets, and a charming marina. Once a quiet, authentic Greek island destination, Naoussa has become popular recently. The marina is now crammed with expensive yachts, the narrow streets are packed with selfie-snapping tourists, and loud bars blaring pop music.

Naoussa still has its charms; you just need to outsmart the peak-season hordes. Going in with realistic expectations of possible crowds and planning to get there early and stay late will allow you to uncover the picturesque paradise this village once was. The natural beauty and laid-back vibe of Paros are still there—you may just have to look a little further and harder to find them.

Firiplaka Beach, Milos

Greek Places Overwhelmed with Overtourism_Firiplaka Beach — © AcropolypsePhotography / Shutterstock

Firiplaka Beach is a charming paradise that showcases the beauty of the Cyclades. This white sand beach is hugged by rocky cliffs that plunge into the turquoise Aegean Sea. The dramatic cliffs behind the beach also contain an extensive network of sea caves formed by volcanic activity on Milos. You can explore the caves by kayak or stand-up paddle board, spotting tiny sheltered beaches accessible only from the water.

Firiplaka Beach’s beauty has been widely shared on social media platforms, travel blogs, and tourism websites, attracting many visitors annually. However, the influx of tourists has also brought about several environmental challenges, including marine pollution and erosion.

Halki, Naxos

Halki’s Venetian architecture, Byzantine churches, and quaint alleyways offer a glimpse into its storied past. Popular attractions in this town include the Panagia Drosiani Church, one of the oldest in Greece, and the Tower of Barozzi, a 17th-century castle.

Over the past decade, Halki has seen a steady rise in the number of visitors. The numbers, though, come at a hefty price.

Overtourism has tangible effects on Halki’s inhabitants’ quality of life. Increased noise levels, traffic congestion, and overcrowding diminish the town’s peaceful atmosphere, making daily life challenging for residents. Furthermore, the strain on public services and infrastructure has led to reduced accessibility and quality of essential services.

Balos Beach, Crete

Greek Places Overwhelmed with Overtourism_Balos Beach — © Dima / Adobe Stock

Balos Beach is one of Crete’s most stunning beaches, with turquoise waters and soft sand. However, its pristine beauty and Instagram-worthy landscapes have made it an overly popular destination, especially in summer. The beach now struggles with uncontrolled development, traffic congestion, and pollution.

While the main beach area can get packed, there are a few secluded coves along the coastline that you can walk to for more privacy. Pack lightly, as the path down to the beach is rocky, and the walk back up in the heat can be tiring. When leaving the beach, make sure that you bring your trash back with you, as waste management has become a problem.