Greece has officially designated 251 beaches nationwide as protected "natural" zones where sun loungers, umbrellas, and commercial equipment are permanently banned. The measure, signed by ministers Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Stavros Papastaurou through a new Joint Ministerial Decision, includes several beaches in Crete. These shores are classified as untouched coastal areas where the natural environment takes priority over tourist infrastructure. For visitors, this means a quieter, unspoiled beach experience with no rental facilities on site. If you plan to visit one of these designated beaches in Crete, bring your own towel, umbrella, and water, as no services will be available. The full list of protected beaches is published in the official government gazette. This move is part of a broader effort to preserve Greece's most ecologically sensitive coastline from overdevelopment.