Greece has closed access to Navagio Beach on Zakynthos, one of its best known tourist sites, after authorities warned of a landslide risk.
The restriction means visitors cannot go down to the shoreline or approach the shipwreck that made the cove famous until 31 October. Tourists can still view the beach only from the designated lookout point above it.
The decision follows a fresh risk assessment in the area and comes after an American tourist fell from a cliff and was seriously injured last week, which authorities said had underlined the danger.
Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, sits on the island of Zakynthos in western Greece and draws large numbers of domestic and international visitors each year. Officials said unstable slopes, falling rocks and possible earth movements posed a direct threat to public safety.
Barriers have now been placed across all access routes leading to the cove. The closure is intended to prevent further accidents in an area where steep cliffs surround the narrow bay and where the wrecked vessel at the centre of the beach remains a major attraction.
The ban will remain in force through the end of the season, with no access allowed to the beach itself or to the shoreline. For now, the viewing platform above the cove is the only place from which visitors can see the bay and the shipwreck below.
Navagio has long been one of Greece’s most photographed destinations, but it has also faced repeated safety concerns because of the unstable terrain around it. Local authorities have periodically restricted access in recent years during periods of heightened risk.
The latest closure is likely to affect holidaymakers who had planned to visit the site as part of trips to Zakynthos, a popular island known for its beaches and summer tourism. The measure reflects a broader effort by Greek officials to balance visitor demand with safety at sensitive natural sites.
Authorities did not say when full access might resume beyond the 31 October deadline. Until then, the beach remains off limits and visitors are being directed to stay at the official viewing area.
Photo Credit: Sven Hansche / Shutterstock.com
