Holidaymakers heading to Greek islands for a bit of relaxation on the beach could be landed with a huge fine if they make this simple mistake during their visit
As the UK faces cold, rainy months ahead, many people will be hoping to escape and enjoy some winter sun abroad. British tourists heading to the Greek Islands – a European holiday hotspot – with the hope of lounging on the beach and getting some much-needed relaxation, need to be aware of making one simple mistake, however. It could land them in hot water and leave them facing a massive fan that would be bound to turn their holiday sour quickly.
Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, and over 4.5 million UK holidaymakers travelling to the country in 2023 to soak up the culture, ancient history, and stunning coastlines of the mainland and islands. However, this strict law regarding beach etiquette on one of the Greek islands could see you slapped with a huge fine.
The law in question is in place at Lalaria Beach on the island of Skiathos – as reported in Tyla – and it is fundamentally in place to protect the coastline. However tempted you are to pick up a pebble from the beach during your visit as a souvenir, you should resist the urge.
It’s illegal to take pebbles from the beach – this might seem like overkill, but imagine if every visitor to the stunning beach did so, incredibly quickly the beach would diminish in size and this could have serious impacts on coastal erosion caused by the tides.
Instead of grabbing shells and pebbles from the beach, you would be better off heading to a local gift shop and buying some postcards, or another souvenir to take home. If rocks and pebbles are seriously your jam then consider filling up an album of photographs or even sketching some of them, but absolutely leave the pebbles themselves behind.
Any tourist who is caught taking stones from the beach is slapped with a £770 or €900 – which would be a huge extra cost on top of your hotels, flights, and meals whilst you are away.
The island of Skiathos isn’t the only popular holiday destination that has implemented rules like this, in the name of protecting their coastlines and beaches.
Sardinia reportedly levies even bigger fines on anyone collecting sand and trying to take it away from its beaches – with people doing so facing fines of £2,569, or €3,000.
Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.com
