Members of the Delian League

On Greece's popular island of Paros, a protest by residents demanding space and free access to its sandy beaches has led to a growing nationwide movement against the expansion of pricey sunbeds rented out by private companies.

The owners of three beach bars on the Cycladic island of Naxos were taken into custody on Thursday for reinstalling dozens of unlicensed sun beds and umbrellas.

All three businesses had been ordered to remove items and structures that were in violation of beach zoning and public access laws during inspections that had been carried out in the area over the past few days.

After the departure from Naxos of a Cyclades Property Service team, businesses on the iconic beaches of Plaka, Agia Anna, Agios Prokopios and Agios Georgios started again to reposition sunbeds, umbrellas and assorted beach furniture, occupying most of the coast.

Volunteer divers from Aegean Rebreath, in cooperation with the Hellenic Center for Marine Research, have discovered waste mounds in the sea off the island of Andros with a perimeter of more than 100 meters. Specifically, the underwater landfill in Andros reaches 15.7 hectares.

In recent years, we have been mere spectators in a joyless drama. From the decks of ferries and the windows of our hotels to the crowded shores of popular beaches and the tables of upscale nouvelle-cuisine-style tavernas serving ceviche, we watch helplessly as tourism swallows the Cyclades.

Amid fears of imminent inspections and the threat of legal consequences, the idyllic beaches of Plaka, Agia Anna and Agios Prokopios on the Cycladic island of Naxos were emptied of sunbeds and beach furniture. 

The move practically implies that there were either no permits or there were huge violations of the leases.

Unlicensed construction and all manner of violations, transgressions and outright real estate-related crimes have historically been the norm rather than the exception in many parts of the country, especially in areas with a lot of tourism.

Prompted by protests on popular Aegean Sea resort islands, dubbed the "beach-towel revolt," the Greek government said it remains firm in upholding the law and refrains from making concessions. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis emphasized this stance on Skai TV's morning bulletin on Thursday.

The government hopes its decision to double the minimum amount of property purchase at certain prime locations for a Golden Visa to €500,000 will dampen the excessive rally in prices and will make the market more accessible to more people, especially in areas such as Piraeus (photo).

The newly appointed Supreme Court prosecutor has ordered judicial inquiries into reported violations of the public's right of access to the beach, a right that is protected by the Greek Constitution.