A picturesque beach in Greece has been described as 'hell on earth' due to an overwhelming influx of tourists. Video captured at Balos Beach, located on the northwest tip of Crete, reveals the popular beauty spot swamped by visitors, with more arriving by boat even as the shoreline was densely packed.
The sheer volume of people made movement on the beach extremely difficult. Balos Beach is renowned for its turquoise waters and scenic views, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
This summer has seen many locations across Greece flooded with holidaymakers. Earlier in August, Santorini experienced similar issues, with large crowds forming queues through the island's streets. Oia, a village famous for its blue-domed churches and often promoted as an Instagrammable spot, saw two-hour-long queues as visitors sought the perfect photograph.
Social media videos have highlighted the reality of visiting the Aegean island, which processes over 2.4 million passengers through its airport each year. Authorities in Santorini have implemented limits on cruise passenger numbers to manage overcrowding. However, some tourists have expressed frustration with others who spend extended periods waiting for photos, leading to public disputes.
Despite the challenges of crowds, the picturesque viewpoints continue to be promoted by social media influencers. One content creator shared a video showcasing long queues for a photo opportunity, followed by polished images of herself posing at the location. This has led to criticism, with some social media users commenting that 'social media has ruined tourism,' lamenting that the experience of queuing for hours overshadows the actual enjoyment of the destination.