Greece panic as influx of tourists threatening huge historical city’s future | World | News
Residents from one of Europe’s oldest neighbourhoods are fighting back against overtourism and short-term rentals.
Dating back to Neolithic times, Placa is the oldest district in Athens and remains one of the most intact and historically important parts of the ancient country.
The district has seen an uncontrolled growth of short-term rentals, which locals claim have displaced permanent residents and transformed entire buildings into Airbnb-type accommodations.
Plaka, known as the ‘neighborhood of the gods’ is also being suffocated by noise pollution and many local shops have been forced to shut up shop.
Residents have had enough of Paca being suffocated by tourism and gathered in one of the area’s neoclassical buildings on the oldest street of one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the Western world.
The agenda included discussions on noise pollution, congestion and other modern afflictions. Much to the relief of many the city’s mayor, Haris Doukas, decided to set up a taskforce to save Plaka.
“It was the news we had all wanted to hear. Finally, measures are being taken,” said Lydia Carras, who presides over The Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, Ellet, reports The Guardian.
She added: “Finally, measures are being taken.
“Plaka is meant to be protected as it’s so unique. Thanks to special zoning laws enshrined in presidential decrees it was saved all those years ago. The reality now is that residents are leaving and not only because laws are being violated; the crowds, the noise, the chaos have made their lives unbearable.”
Meanwhile Carras, who founded the heritage society 50 years ago with her late Anglo-Greek shipowner husband, Costas, said: “The reality now is that residents are leaving and not only because laws are being violated; the crowds, the noise, the chaos have made their lives unbearable.”
The number of visitors to Athens has exploded beyond control, increasing by 120% between 2019 and 2023.
In 2025, 10 million visitors are predicted to visit Athens, a rise of two million from 2024. “Of the 35 million tourists Greece is set to receive, 10 million, nearly equal to Greece’s entire population, will visit Athens,” Mr. Doukas commented. “For the first time we’ll be Greece’s top destination, but it’s unsustainable. Plaka, in particular, is oversaturated. It can’t go on.”
The stress of overtourism has led many desperate residents to join the network of Mediterranean Historical Cities, where they exchange experiences on how to deal with such issues created by overtourism.
