Travel

The biggest mistake tourists make on Greek beaches

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If there is one thing that truly belongs to summer, it is a beach day. Preferably at a beautiful sunny destination. While it is wonderful to completely switch off for a while, it is still good to pay attention and adhere to the rules. Especially in Greece, tourists seem to regularly forget one important thing. We are already warning you and providing more beach do's and don'ts, so that the locals will still find it completely okay if you come back one more time.

You really need to avoid this mistake on a Greek beach

Before you can go on vacation, a big shopping spree in search of that perfect bikini is a must. Once you finally find that one gem, it should of course be seen. At your destination, you should definitely stroll along the beach. However, you do need to pay a little attention here. As long as you are walking on the beach or sitting at a beach bar, there is nothing wrong. But as soon as you want to enter another shop or restaurant, you will need to dress a bit more appropriately. Quickly grabbing a bottle of water at the supermarket in your bikini is therefore a no-go. The locals see it as sloppy and disrespectful; especially if you are in a more traditional village. Always make sure to put on shoes, or at least flip-flops, as soon as you leave the beach. Walking barefoot is considered strange and rude, and no one wants to be seen that way.

The biggest do's and don'ts for a day at the beach

Wearing appropriate clothing around the beaches is therefore an absolute must. But there are more unwritten rules that beachgoers need to keep in mind, and these apply in other countries as well. We have listed the most important ones for you:

1. Don't take up too much space
For a nice day at the beach, you naturally need a few things. Perhaps there are already sunbeds ready, and if not, you can bring one yourself. An umbrella or chair is also not a luxury. Especially if you are with a large group, it is important to pay attention to how much space you take up. There are surely more people on the beach who also want to lie down peacefully. So make sure not to place your belongings too close to those of others. On a busy day, this might be a bit more difficult, but at least try to ensure that there is enough walking space left.

2. Don't play music too loudly
Chilling on the beach with your friends is of course even more fun with some music. But no matter how hard you have tried to create the perfect summer playlist, not everyone will want to enjoy it. So make sure not to set your speaker to maximum volume. This way, you can avoid conflicts with your beach neighbors. It will also be a special remix if everyone starts blasting music, and we better leave that mixing to the professionals.

3. Respect nature
Many beaches are beautiful, and just the view makes a visit worthwhile. That beauty must of course be preserved, and we can all help with that. For example, think about cleaning up your trash properly and not smoking in places where it is not allowed. It does spoil a bit of the magic of the beach if there are cigarette butts and papers lying around everywhere. No matter how cute it seems, feeding the animals you encounter is also not a good idea; it can disturb the local nature, and that is certainly not the intention.

4. Be considerate of others
Some celebs have it, but we can only dream of a private beach. This means we will have to share with others. To keep it enjoyable for everyone, it is good to be a little considerate. For example, do not set up a large tent that blocks your neighbor's view of the sea. Also, do not shake out your towel right next to someone else's; you wouldn't want a pile of sand on you either. A game of beach volleyball is very fun, but if the ball from someone else keeps flying over you, that is a bit less enjoyable. Pay attention to where you create the playing field. One more thing to keep in mind: there are also children on the beach. A honeymoon can of course be celebrated, but it might be better to save the really intimate conversations and moments for the hotel.

5. Pay attention to the beach flag
Let's be honest, those different colored flags on the beach can sometimes be quite confusing. Still, it is good to know what they mean. Can you go in the water or not? Is there a lifeguard present? The flags are waving for a reason and make your beach day a bit safer.

Many points are quite self-explanatory, but it is still good to occasionally reflect on them. This way, you ensure that your beach day is enjoyable and safe for everyone, and you can relax and sunbathe without worries.

Source: Frommers, Huffpost, Vandaag