Naxos

A few days before the big Easter exodus of huge numbers of visitors and with the start of the summer season looming, concern is growing over the serious shortcomings of the National Health System (ESY) units on the Greek islands. 

Medical staff shortages is the norm on popular tourist islands such as Kos, Santorini, Naxos, Corfu, Zakinthos and Tinos, to name just a few.

As Greece prepares to welcome the highest number of foreign visitors in its history this year, around 35 million according to expert estimates, basic public infrastructure remains woefully inadequate.

Several Cyclades islands are among the most popular destinations in Greece. They are also running out of water.

It's not just the increased consumption that the crowds of visitors bring. The islands are going through a period of drought. 

A center dedicated to the study of the Cycladic civilization is being established on the island of Naxos. Slated for completion in 2026, it will specifically focus on investigating the origin and authenticity of Cycladic artifacts.

Police on the Cycladic island of Naxos announced on Thursday the arrest of six individuals for violating laws protecting beaches and the public's access to the coast.

The infractions were noticed on Wednesday when the respective task force ascertained unauthorized occupancy of coastlines and beachfronts.

Marking one of the most important holidays in the Greek Orthodox calendar, the Naxos Festival (naxos festival.gr) is holding its own "panigiri" at the Bazeos Tower on August 15.

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.

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.