Athens Tourism Boom Creates Problems for Locals in Historic Plaka Area

Post by : Priya

  Photo:AFP

Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, is witnessing an unprecedented surge in tourism in 2025. This year, the city expects to welcome nearly 10 million visitors, a significant jump from the 8 million tourists who arrived in 2024. Once seen merely as a gateway to the idyllic Greek islands, Athens is now asserting itself as a prime destination in its own right. The increased footfall is a sign of growing global interest in the city’s blend of rich history, culture, and Mediterranean charm. However, this tourism boom is creating deep unease among those who live in its historic centre, particularly the famed Plaka district.

The Charm of Plaka and Its Growing Troubles

Plaka, often called “the neighborhood of the gods,” lies under the shadow of the Acropolis and its iconic Parthenon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known as Europe’s oldest neighborhood continuously inhabited since ancient times, Plaka is characterized by narrow winding streets, traditional cafes, Byzantine churches, souvenir shops, and neoclassical homes with terracotta roofs. It is a living museum and a cherished symbol of Athens’ long and layered history.

Yet, today Plaka is overwhelmed. The number of residents, now approximately 2,000, dwindles during the summer months when tourists can outnumber locals by up to four times. The quiet charm of the district is disrupted by hoards of visitors pushing suitcases along crowded lanes, blaring music from restaurants and street vendors, and overflowing litter bins that strain municipal services. Many residents lament that Plaka no longer feels like home but has become a noisy tourist zone.

Economic Lifeline Meets Quality of Life Concerns

Tourism is vital to Greece’s economy. After years of harsh austerity following the global financial crisis and the eurozone debt calamity, the sector’s rebound has breathed new life into the country, providing jobs and supporting local businesses. Small shop owners and restaurateurs in Plaka thrive on the influx of tourists. As Konstantinos Marinakis, a souvenir shop seller there puts it, “Greece is finally doing better thanks to the good health of tourism which allowed the economy to recover and create jobs.”

However, this growth is a double-edged sword. Housing prices and rents in central Athens have surged, driven by properties being converted into short-term rentals targeting tourists. Entire old houses are subdivided into multiple apartments and promoted on platforms designed for vacations rather than stable residency. This practice crowds out locals and threatens to erase the residential character of neighborhoods like Plaka.

Legal Loopholes and Enforcement Challenges

Though Plaka is protected under a 1993 presidential decree that restricts hotel construction to certain streets and forbids some commercial activities, many property owners exploit loopholes to convert homes unofficially into tourist apartments. Some apartments masquerade as serviced apartments or small hotels with reception areas and breakfast terraces, blurring regulatory lines.

Local advocacy groups, such as the Ellet association dedicated to preserving heritage and environment, have taken legal action. A key case concerning 16 buildings allegedly transformed into seasonal rentals was brought before Greece’s top administrative court, the Council of State, with a ruling anticipated by the end of September 2025.

Meanwhile, the government has imposed a temporary ban on registering new short-term rental properties in central Athens. Still, critics argue that articles promoting investment in Airbnb conversions continue to circulate, questioning the effectiveness of enforcement. As lawyer Dimitris Melissas puts it, “The problem in Greece is not voting laws but enforcing them.”

City Measures and the Road Ahead

Recognizing the urgency, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas has formed a special “intervention unit” backed by police to monitor and enforce regulations in Plaka. Residents can report illegal restaurant terraces encroaching on sidewalks or unauthorized parking, aiming to reclaim public spaces for locals and maintain order.

Mayor Doukas acknowledges the challenge: “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.” While Athens is not yet facing the extreme pressures seen in cities like Barcelona or Venice, he stresses the need for proactive measures before the damage becomes irreparable.

Balancing Tourism With Heritage and Residents’ Rights

The struggle unfolding in Plaka reflects a broader dilemma for many historic cities worldwide: how to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of cultural heritage and the wellbeing of residents. Without careful management, the very character that attracts visitors can be lost under the weight of overcrowding, commercialization, and degradation.

Athens stands at a crossroads. The city’s treasure trove of ancient monuments and charming neighborhoods like Plaka give visitors a glimpse of a bygone era, a story told through stones, streets, and traditions that have survived millennia. Protecting this heritage is about more than bricks and mortar; it means sustaining a way of life, a living community, and a sense of identity.