Health Ministry bans swimming in 13 beaches of Attica

Greece’s Health Ministry has banned swimming on 13 beaches of Attica that are classified as “dangerous for public health.”

In a circular issued on August 7, 2025, by the Deputy Health Minister, Irini Agapidaki, swimming is expressly prohibited in specific areas of the Attica region for the summer period of 2025, due to risks to public health.

The decision to ban swimming is based on laboratory data transmitted by the competent public health and environmental monitoring services, reports iatropedia.gr.

“The quality of the waters on certain coasts of Attica does not meet the criteria for suitability for human exposure through swimming,” the circular warns.

Where swimming is prohibited

The ban applies to the following 13 categories of areas, including ports, bays, river estuaries and points with potential pollution risks:

Ports, shipyards, anchorages (general ban).
From Piraeus to Perama – due to a polluted marine zone.
Skaramangas – Aspropyrgos – intense industrial activity.
Skafaki, Stavros, Naval Cadet School, Miramare – areas with military or commercial use.
Mikrolimano to Xirotagaro coast.
EDEM coast – prohibited 100 m. on either side of the mouth of the Pikrodafni stream.
Sounio coast – in front of the “Akrogiali” restaurant.
All storm-water drain outlets – within a radius of 50 meters.
Biological treatment plant outlets – within a radius of 200 meters.
Lavrio Shipyards – outside the coast of Helmi to Thoriko (Akti Theatrou).
Rafina – outer side of the windward pier.
Nea Makri & Marathon – around the estuaries at military camps.
Asopos River – 200 m. on either side of the estuary.

Exempted from the ban is the beach of KEDA/Z.

Measures in prohibited sea areas

The decision is based on health and environmental measurements concerning pollution, sewage, industrial waste and reduced self-cleaning capacity of the waters.

The circular calls the services in charge to immediately implement the following measures:

Placement of visible warning signs on prohibited coasts.

Continuous surveillance by Municipalities, Regional Government, Port Authorities, National Tourism Agency (EOT) and local bodies.

Cleanliness and health safety on the remaining beaches that remain open.

Monitoring of water quality, with periodic sampling and data analysis.

Warning to citizens

The Health Ministry calls on citizens:

• To avoid swimming in the above points, even if the prohibition is not obvious.
• To consult the official bulletins and relevant announcements of Municipalities and Regions.
• To report the lack of signage or violations of the measures to the Port Authorities.

The decision is an act of prevention and public health policy and the Health Ministry states that the implementation of the measures will be reviewed depending on environmental developments.

The circular of the Greek Health Ministry is HERE.

PS It would be practical if the Health Ministry would also inform citizens where they can be informed about the updates and where they could report the absense of signals but …whatever.