An auction for the lease of a 450-square-metre section of “Fava” beach, one of the most well-known and heavily visited beaches in Sithonia, Halkidiki, is moving forward through the Rural Service, according to en.protothema.gr
The auction is scheduled to take place on March 16, 2026, in Thessaloniki, sparking strong reactions from local residents, business owners and community stakeholders.
The Sithonia Ecological Environmental Association has expressed concern that the move could place additional pressure on the already crowded coastal area and further reduce public access to open beach spaces.
As the association notes, “the beach ‘Fava’ is the largest beach in the area of Vourvourou, and is known throughout Greece for its beautiful and clear waters, as well as for its wonderful sandy beach.”
The group also points out that the number of accessible beaches in the region is already limited. A large portion of nearby Barra beach, for example, is currently used by rental boat operators for trailer parking and boat access.
“This particular beach is essentially the only free beach in the area, which to date has not been altered by the presence of canteens, sunbeds and umbrellas,” the association states.
According to the group, reserving part of Fava beach could significantly reduce free coastal areas and potentially lead to long-term environmental and tourism impacts for Vourvourou.
The association has called on regional authorities to intervene and highlight the potential risks of the auction, stressing the importance of protecting public access to beaches as a shared and increasingly limited resource.
Source: en.protothema.gr
