Tourism Boom Triggers Backlash in Historic Heart of Athens

Amidst a constant din of music, restaurant chatter, and the rumbling wheels of suitcases weaving between overflowing litter bins, Giorgos Zafeiriou laments how his beloved Plaka neighbourhood in Athens has become unrecognisable.

“Plaka is threatened by overtourism,”
— Giorgos Zafeiriou, Plaka resident of 30+ years and head of its residents’ association

With its cobbled alleyways nestled beneath the ancient Acropolis, Plaka, often dubbed the “Neighbourhood of the Gods,” has transformed from a tranquil historic gem into a hotspot saturated by tourists.

Surging Visitor Numbers

Athens is bracing for an expected 10 million visitors in 2025, up from 8 million in 2024, reflecting a sharp rebound in tourism since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously seen as a stopover en route to the Greek islands via Piraeus, the capital is now a key destination in its own right. In 2024, the Parthenon alone attracted 4.5 million visitors.

Historic Significance at Risk

Plaka, considered Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited neighbourhood, is rich with Byzantine churches, Ottoman relics, ancient ruins, tavernas, and artisan shops.

“We cannot see it lose its soul,”
— Lydia Carras, President, Ellet (Association for Environmental and Cultural Heritage)

Yet, locals and conservationists worry that overtourism is endangering its unique cultural identity.

Economic Gains vs. Social Strains

Tourism remains a cornerstone of Greece’s economy, vital after the crippling 2008 financial crash and subsequent Eurozone debt crisis.

“Greece is finally doing better thanks to tourism,”
— Konstantinos Marinakis, souvenir shop owner

However, the boom mirrors rising tensions in other European cities where residents are increasingly vocal about:

• Soaring rents
• Tourism-driven gentrification
• Loss of community feel

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has boasted of the capital’s ascent into the top 10 most-visited global cities. Yet, he also acknowledged:

“Areas like Plaka are saturated with tourists. We’re not yet Barcelona, but we must act before it’s too late.”

Enforcement Measures

A dedicated enforcement unit now monitors Plaka, responding to citizen reports about public space violations, such as:

• Restaurant terraces encroaching on pavements
• Illegal car parking
• Breaches of zoning rules

This unit is backed by police cooperation and echoes past successful interventions. For example, in the 1960s–1980s, Plaka was overrun by nightclubs and “bouzoukias,” leading many residents to flee. A 1993 presidential decree closed many such venues, protected residential status, and regulated hotel locations.

The Rise of Short-Term Lets

Lawyer and urban planning expert Dimitris Melissas warns that many of these zoning rules are now routinely bypassed.

“Entire houses are being split into several apartments and listed on short-term rental platforms.”

Plaka’s resident population of 2,000 swells to over 8,000 tourists daily in summer, though precise numbers are hard to verify due to aggregated census data.

Representing Ellet, Melissas has taken legal action against 16 buildings allegedly operating as unlicensed hotels under the guise of seasonal rentals. These buildings have:

• Dedicated reception desks
• Breakfast service on terraces

A ruling from the Council of State, Greece’s highest administrative court, is anticipated by the end of September, with potential to set a landmark precedent.

Government Intervention and Skepticism

The Greek government has imposed a one-year ban on new short-term rental listings in central Athens, where 12,000 active seasonal lets were recorded in 2024.

Yet Melissas remains doubtful:

“When I still read newspaper ads encouraging investment in apartments for Airbnb conversion, I question how effective this ban really is.”

He added:

“Greece’s problem isn’t with passing laws — it’s enforcing them.”