Imagine this: you arrive at a beautiful Greek beach, and early in the morning you see rows of towels and mats spread out on an empty beach, as if a war for the best spots has already begun! Yes, you read that right — Serbian tourists, along with others, leave their ‘pescaronkiri’ overnight to reserve the best places by the sea. This practice, though well-known, has sparked a massive uproar and a flood of comments in the popular Facebook group “Greek Info.” Some say it’s normal, others call it shameful, and reportedly, the Greeks are so fed up that they throw these items into the trash at night because no one has rented the spot for ten days.
According to a B92.net poll, 74% of Serbian tourists do not rush to claim a beach spot, while 15% do hurry, and 7% admit to leaving their belongings overnight. But the problem isn’t just with Serbs — Macedonians and even Greeks themselves use this tactic. In places like Pefkohori, beaches are full of mats left overnight, and hotel guests complain that sunbeds are taken before they even arrive, forcing children to sit on the tiles. Hotel supervisors try to tackle the issue, but no agreement has been reached.
In some European countries like Italy and Spain, local authorities have banned leaving items overnight, and municipal workers remove illegally placed towels and sunbeds, with tourists facing fines. But in Greece, where the season is in full swing, the situation remains chaotic. People wonder — is this a vacation or a battlefield for beach spots? If you want a good place, you have to wake up early or accept that someone will take your spot while you sleep.
This practice has become so widespread that it has triggered heated reactions on social media. Some commenters question whether it’s okay to leave items overnight, while others argue it’s part of the culture and done everywhere. But one thing is clear — good manners on vacation often stay at home, and on the beaches, a real fight for space is underway.
If you’ve ever vacationed in Greece or another popular destination, you’ve probably encountered this problem. What do you think? Is leaving towels overnight to save a beach spot acceptable, or is it just rude? Share your stories and opinions — maybe together we can find a solution to this summer chaos!
