An auction for the lease of an area of 450 square meters on the beach “Fava”, one of the most famous and frequented beaches of Sithonia of Halkidiki, the Rural Service is moving forward.

The auction process is expected to take place on 16 March 2026 in Thessaloniki, a fact that has provoked strong reactions from residents, professionals and stakeholders in the area.

According to a statement by the Sithonia Ecological Environmental Association, this will lead to a greater burden on the already stressed coastal front of the area and an even greater restriction of open spaces for residents and visitors.

As noted, “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 available beaches in our area are limited, especially considering that the beach of Barra has in fact been significantly reduced, as a large part of it is used by hundreds of rental boats (trailer parking, boat departure and approach).”

“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 Sithonia Ecological Environmental Association stresses.

“If this beach is also reserved, the scope for free use of the coastline will be even more limited and the wider area of Vourvourou may suffer significant and long-term degradation.

Finally, it asks the competent bodies of the region to highlight the risks of the auction of the beach to the land service for the local community and the professionals of the area.

In detail the announcement of the Ecological Environmental Association of Sithonia on Facebook:

“We have been informed that the Land Service is putting up for auction 450sqm at the “Fava” site in Vourvourou.
This procedure will take place on 16/03/26 in Thessaloniki.

Based on the information we have about this beach, we consider it appropriate to point out the following:
*The wider area of Vourvourou during the summer season hosts thousands of visitors every day.
* 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 available beaches in our region are limited, especially if you take into account that the beach of Barra has in fact been significantly reduced, as a large part of it is used by hundreds of rented boats (trailer parking areas, sailing and approaching boats).
*This beach is practically the only free beach in the area, which has not been altered by the presence of canteens, sunbeds and umbrellas.

It is therefore obvious that if this beach is also reserved, the scope for free use of the coastline will be even more limited and the wider area of Vourvourou may suffer significant and long-term degradation.

Indicative of the situation is an article published by the newspaper Kathimerini on 02/03/26 entitled
“The territory of the deckchair and the canteen”, in which Sithonia is highlighted as the “queen of the deckchair”, as the lease of 126 beaches for three years, with a total area of 17,505 sq.m. is planned for 2026.

Most of the square meters are for beaches in Agios Nikolaos, Vourvourou and Trani Amoudia, followed by Sykia.
We demand that the competent bodies of our region take charge of the issue, putting to the land service the risks that such a development entails for the local community and the professionals of the area. A further reduction in the number of free beaches will negatively affect both the quality of the tourist product and the sustainable economic development of the area.

Beyond the economic impact, however, the most important issue is to ensure the right of all citizens to free and unhindered access to beaches. This is a public good that must be protected, especially at a time when open spaces on the coast are decreasing year by year.”