Greece's iconic beach is closing to tourists for the entire summer

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The beach is a firm favourite with tourists (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The beach is a firm favourite with tourists (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Brits hoping to explore one of Greece's world-famous beaches this summer are set to be disappointed, as it's being closed to tourists.

Navagio beach, renowned for being the home of the Zakynthos Shipwreck, has long been a firm favourite thanks to its golden sands, gorgeous bay and world-famous shipwrecks that make for a brilliant selfie backdrop.

Unfortunately, the tourist hotspot is going to be closed for the entire summer, according to local reports.

The new rules will see all access to the bay banned, including both sea and land. While some boat tours will still be able to run, you won't be able to disembark to hit the beach itself, but rather instead take in the views from afar.

Officials have decided to make the move due to a risk of landslides in the area, according to local reports.

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The beach is expected to remain closed to tourists until the end of October, in a blow for the summer holidays.

Greece's iconic beach is closing to tourists for the entire summer (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Still, Brits flocking to the island for party hotspot Zante will no doubt find plenty to keep them busy. Laganas has long been a firm favourite with young Brits looking to party abroad, thanks to its strip with bars and clubs lining the street and free shots being handed out liberally to young party-goers.

The notorious 18-30s holiday packages to the area are immensely popular, no doubt thanks to the amazing beaches, glorious sunshine and cheap hotels.

Unfortunately, boozy Brits have gained quite the reputation, with tourists slamming the party town for the amount of drinking, partying and debauchery that can be found.

While Navagio may be closing, the good news is that there are plenty more dramatic shipwrecks you can visit around Europe, including another spot in Greece.

The Olympia was a commercial ship that was driven ashore near the town of Katapola on Amorgos island in Greece, due to stormy weather.

Greece's iconic beach is closing to tourists for the entire summerThe ship was abandoned by the crew during a storm (Getty Images/Westend61)

It's said the captain was trying to find shelter, but attempts to throw the anchor were unsuccessful and the ship ploughed into the rocks, prompting those aboard to abandon the vessel in fear of their lives.

According to unconfirmed legend the ship’s crew was made up of contemporary pirates heading from Cyprus to Greece.

After an unsuccessful attempt to pull the ship out of the gulf, it was abandoned in the shallow lagoon to become one of Amorgos Island’s most popular and most melancholy landmarks.

The island can be reached via a two hour ferry from Athens.

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If you're after something a little more long-haul, then you may want to take a trip to Canada, which is home to a lake so full of lost ships that it's been called the shipwreck capital of the country.

Julie Delahaye

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