Athens overtourism crisis mayor plans ban on hotels and rentals

Published: 25 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The mayor of Athens has issued a stark warning that the Greek capital risks losing its identity under the weight of mass tourism, pledging urgent action to reclaim the historic city centre for residents increasingly pushed out by rising rents and unchecked development.

Haris Doukas, who took office in 2024, says the city has reached a tipping point. With a population of around 700,000 residents and more than 8 million annual visitors, Athens is facing mounting pressure on housing, infrastructure and daily life.

Walking through districts such as Plaka, beneath the shadow of the Acropolis of Athens, the signs of overtourism are increasingly visible. Narrow streets are crowded with tour groups, while short-term rentals and hotels have expanded rapidly in recent years. Overnight stays in Plaka alone have more than doubled since 2018, reflecting a surge that has transformed the area into one of Europe’s most heavily visited urban heritage zones.

For Doukas, the consequences are clear and deeply concerning. He argues that entire neighbourhoods are being hollowed out as local residents are priced out, replaced by short-term visitors. “Athens cannot operate as if it were a giant hotel,” he said, emphasising that stronger regulation is now essential to preserve the city’s social fabric.

City officials say infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with demand. Large-scale works are underway to expand electricity networks, water supply systems, drainage and telecommunications capacity. But even with increased investment, the strain remains evident, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

Doukas has proposed a series of measures aimed at curbing what he describes as “runaway development.” Central to his plan is a push for stricter land-use controls, including a potential ban on new tourism-related businesses in already saturated areas of the historic centre. This would apply not only to hotels but also to serviced apartments and short-term rental properties.

The mayor has also suggested freezing permits for new hotel construction, echoing policies introduced in other European cities grappling with similar challenges. He argues that investors should be encouraged to develop projects in less congested parts of Athens, helping to distribute economic benefits more evenly across the city.

The debate has gained momentum with support from parts of the tourism industry itself. Leading figures within the hotel sector have acknowledged that unchecked growth could ultimately harm the city’s long-term appeal. Some have pointed to the example of Barcelona, where authorities have imposed strict limits on new hotel licences in an effort to control overtourism and protect local communities.

Athens and Barcelona are among a group of European cities collaborating on housing and urban development strategies, reflecting a broader recognition that mass tourism can create serious social and economic imbalances. Across the continent, policymakers are increasingly exploring ways to balance visitor demand with residents’ quality of life.

For Doukas, housing affordability has emerged as the most pressing issue. The rapid expansion of short-term rental platforms has reduced the availability of long-term housing, driving up rents and forcing many younger residents to leave central areas. In response, the municipality has established a social housing office aimed at identifying properties that can be renovated and returned to the residential market with support from European Union funding.

The mayor’s broader vision also includes environmental improvements and urban renewal projects. Since taking office, his administration has prioritised green initiatives, including the planting of thousands of trees across the city. Plans are also under discussion to repurpose certain urban spaces, including demolishing outdated structures to create parks, playgrounds and public areas.

This approach reflects a shift in priorities, away from purely economic growth driven by tourism toward a more balanced model of urban development. Doukas argues that Athens must remain a living city rather than becoming a destination primarily designed for visitors.

The challenge, however, lies in implementing these changes in a complex political and economic environment. Tourism remains a vital pillar of Greece’s economy, and any restrictions are likely to face resistance from businesses that rely on visitor spending. At the same time, public pressure is growing as residents demand action to address rising living costs and declining quality of life.

Urban experts note that Athens is not alone in facing these dilemmas. Cities across Europe are grappling with similar tensions as global travel rebounds and visitor numbers continue to rise. The question increasingly confronting policymakers is how to ensure that tourism remains sustainable without eroding the very character that attracts visitors in the first place.

For now, Doukas appears determined to push ahead with reforms, framing the issue as one of long-term survival rather than short-term convenience. His message is clear: Athens must adapt its development model or risk becoming a city where residents can no longer afford to live.

As the debate unfolds, the future of Athens may well serve as a test case for how historic cities worldwide navigate the growing pressures of overtourism in the 21st century.