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The coasts around Attica region continue to be surrounded by fences - wire mesh, iron fences, walls, sports and tourist attractions stop free public access to the beaches. Residents of Attica for years want to be secured free access to the beaches and currently a plan is being constructed according to which the payment of entrance tickets for the organized beaches in Attica shall be abolished. More precisely, it is proposed that people should pay only for certain services, renting of a lounge, umbrella, etc.

Generally speaking, all beaches should be without entry fee, so that anyone who wants to lie down on his towel and not to use sun beds or other services, not to pay any tax, says deputy chairwoman of the consumer organization ΕΚΠΟΙΖΩ Panagiota Kalapotarakou. Most likely the entrance fee will be abolished gradually, but after the expiration of the contracts of private entrepreneurs with the municipalities, reported Vima newspaper.

The first demolishes of illegal structures on beaches also started already. "It should not be allowed to close the beaches and to be used either by the state or by private entrepreneurs and not be allowed the free access of all citizens," says Ms. Kalapotrakou. Ticket prices for the private beaches of Attica start from 5 euro and reach up to 25 euro per person.

For example in the area of Alimos from the 2.5 km. long beach people can bathe for free on beaches, which are located 1.5 km away. There are two free coasts, which are under the responsibility of the municipality and two enclosed private beaches.

Meanwhile, the list of Greek beaches prize winners was released. 421 Greek coasts will fly the blue flag, which indicates that they fulfill the requirements for the awards. Greece took the silver medal among the 49 countries and in the first place is Spain, which has the highest number of beaches. France is at the third place.

According to the Greek Company for the Protection of Nature, a coordinator of the international program in the country, during the awards, first place took the far eastern part of the island Crete called Lasiti with 42 azure shores. Overall, the coast of Crete took the first places with 97 blue flags, followed by the island of Rhodes with 33 flags, 35 for Corfu, Mitylene with 12, 8 for Zakynthos, Skiathos again with 8, 10 for Kefalonya and Koc with 5. The island with the most blue flags or otherwise with the crystal clear waters and well maintained coasts is Rhodes, and especially the area around Kallithea, which received 25 flags.