Greece is currently witnessing a major revolution known as the Beach Tower Revolt. This movement has been initiated by Greek islanders who are fighting for free access to beaches in the region. One of the notable members of this movement is the famous film director Panos Kekas, who has produced a short film about the ongoing struggle against the privatisation of beaches.

However, this issue goes beyond just beach access. The islands and beaches in Greece are grappling with the problem of overtourism. Most of the Greek beaches are so overcrowded with sun loungers that visitors are struggling to even find a small space to place their towels or mats. This overcrowding is due to the uncontrolled spread of sun loungers, and as a result, the beaches are losing their natural charm.

To make matters worse, some of the beach cafes and lounger rentals are charging exorbitant fees for their services. For instance, a luxury lounge on Paros island in the Cyclades is charging a whopping €120 (INR 10,938) per day for a sun lounger by the sea. This has sparked protests in some regions, as visitors do not want to pay the high rental prices for sun loungers. Some have even claimed that they cannot afford these expenses, thereby preventing them from accessing the beaches altogether.

The locals on Paros island have also started fighting back against the high rental prices in a bid to reclaim the beaches. Therefore, it’s not just about the right to access beaches but also the need to maintain their natural beauty and prevent overtourism from destroying them.