The unspoilt Greek island that could be ‘completely wrecked’ by cruise ships

An unspoilt Greek island considered to be one of the most beautiful could be facing an influx of cruise ship tourists.

The peaceful Cycladic island of Amorgos is renowned for boasting crystal clear waters and stunning beaches.

Here, beautiful tavernas dot the beaches, and many locals spend their summers snorkelling and diving or walking along the island’s rugged ancient paths.

The 21st-century stresses seem distant, with people miraculously managing to avoid the sirens of mass tourism and cruise liners.

However, much to the anger of locals, this could soon change as the local mayor, Eleftherios Karaiskos, is planning to fast-track a plan for a cruise liner terminal in Katapola, the island’s port.

The 7,000-sq metre concrete extension of the quay will include parking for cars, trucks and tour buses directly between tavernas and their sea views. 

Many residents feel powerless to stop the proposals; when asked, a local shopkeeper looks across the bay and heartbreakingly says “I just want to look at this beautiful bay. While I still can”.

The budget for the cruise line terminal would be provided by European structural funding known as ESPA for Transport and administered by the Greek government, according to the Greek Ministry of Shipping website. 

Amorgos is not exactly a tourist destination. The small island does not have any must-see attractions, and the stony beaches can only be reached by climbing down steep slopes.

Rania Thiraiou, secretary of the local association of hotel and rental owners, believes the main purpose of the extended port would be “to maximise the revenues derived from cruise liner business”.

She said: ”The local use of the port will have been hijacked. The interests of the local people will hardly be a priority for an unaccountable private company.”

The decision to overwhelm a small island with streams of tourists seems strange after the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said it would address the overwhelming over-tourism effects in Santorini and Mykonos.

In 2024, Santorini saw an average of almost 10,000 visitors a day, which can reach over 15,000 on peak days. The island’s population is just over 15,000.

Some 33 million people visited Greece in 2023, around five million more than in 2022, according to the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), which makes it the tenth most visited country in the world.