Imagine that to Tel Aviv would come tourists more than ten times the number of residents – this is how it is in Athens – one of the cities most loved by Israelis in the world, and probably also by other tourists.
The mayor of Athens warns that the Greek capital is on the verge of a tourism collapse, and commits to take dramatic steps to save the historic city center from an uncontrollable flood of visitors.
In the heart of ancient Athens, among the narrow alleys and archaeological sites, groups of tourists are seen at almost every corner, trailing behind guides. In the past the authorities used to welcome such sights – but today, according to Mayor Haris Doukas, this is a real danger. "Athens cannot operate like a giant hotel," Doukas said in an interview published in the British Guardian. "There is a need for restrictions and rules. Cities must also have control over how they develop".
Freeze building permits for new hotels
Last year more than 8 million tourists visited the city – a record for a metropolis that in the past was considered mainly a transit stop on the way to the Greek islands. A study commissioned by the municipality found that the number of overnight stays in the Plaka area below the Acropolis has more than doubled since 2018.
The municipality warns that time is running out: Rental prices are soaring and local residents are being pushed out, while infrastructure struggles to cope with the load. "We are digging all over the city to keep up," said Doukas, "building electricity, water, drainage and communication networks. When there are about 700,000 residents alongside 8 million visitors – the pressure is enormous".
Doukas, who took office in 2024 with the support of the opposition party PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement), set himself the goal of making Athens greener – as part of which thousands of trees were planted in the city center. But at the same time, he is fighting what he calls "uncontrolled development" in tourist areas.
Among other things, he is clashing with developers and construction companies seeking to build high-rise buildings near the Acropolis, as well as with the proliferation of rooftop bars and restaurants – many of them without permits. Recently the struggle intensified, when Doukas announced that he intends to promote a law that will completely ban the opening of new tourism businesses in the historic center. "We will stop any tourism investment in Plaka. There is no more space – not for short-term rentals, not for serviced apartments, not for hotels," he said. "It is time to say: Enough".
The possibility of freezing permits for new hotels has also been raised – a step that would join restrictions already imposed on short-term rentals in areas overlooking the Acropolis.
Athens cannot become Barcelona
To his surprise, Doukas also received support from figures in the hotel industry. The chairman of the Hotels Association, Evgenios Vasilikos, suggested limiting the number of hotels in the city, similar to Barcelona, where no licenses for new hotels have been issued since 2017.
According to Doukas, "When the entire center of Athens becomes a hotel area – I cannot be the only one warning. Athens cannot become Barcelona".
He even draws inspiration from Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni, who recently announced a complete ban on short-term rentals starting in 2028 – a step intended to return the city to its residents.
As in Barcelona, in Athens too the housing problem has become critical. "We created a social housing office that will identify buildings for renovation using European Union funds," said Doukas. "We want to encourage young couples to stay in the center. Athens belongs first and foremost to its residents – not only to those who want to exploit it".