Higher charges expected across several districts
Price increases for sunbeds and umbrellas on organised beaches are being introduced this year in several districts across Cyprus, with consumers already expressing concerns over the additional costs they will face during the summer months.
The issue was discussed during the programme Mesimeri kai Kati through a report by journalist Irene Artaka, who presented the new charges by district, as well as the positions of municipalities and the Cyprus Consumers Association.
Reporting live from a beach in Larnaca, Artaka said that despite a yellow warning for strong winds, many people had chosen to head to the beach to enjoy the sea and the first summer atmosphere.
However, she noted that the main issue now concerning beachgoers is the new pricing for sunbeds and umbrellas, as several areas of Cyprus are expected to implement increases compared with previous years.
New maximum pricing approved
According to the report, most organised beaches charged €2.50 per sunbed and €2.50 per umbrella until last year.
However, the Central Beaches Committee has decided to raise the maximum permitted rates for this year, allowing sunbed prices to reach up to €3.50 and umbrella prices up to €3.
The picture differs depending on the district.
Larnaca keeps prices unchanged
In Larnaca, prices remain unchanged for now at €2.50 for a sunbed and €2.50 for an umbrella, with no increases applied for this season.
In contrast, in the free Famagusta district, the new prices have been set at €3.50 for a sunbed and €3 for an umbrella. It was clarified that these charges are already being applied within the municipal boundaries of Ayia Napa.
Higher charges are also being recorded in Limassol and Paphos.
In Limassol, the maximum approved rate is also €3.50 for sunbeds and €3 for umbrellas, although final prices depend on the offers submitted by contractors and private operators managing the beach areas.
In Paphos, according to the report, the same increased prices have already been in effect since 1 May.
Municipalities decide final charges
The programme also featured the president of the Beaches Committee and Larnaca municipal councillor, Yiangos Yiangou, who explained how prices on organised beaches are determined.
He said the Central Beaches Committee sets the maximum permitted ceiling, but each municipality has the right to decide whether to apply the maximum rates.
Yiangou noted that from 2008 until 2025 the maximum charge remained fixed at €2.50 for both sunbeds and umbrellas, but this year increased to €3.50 and €3 respectively.
Despite this possibility, Larnaca Municipal Council unanimously decided not to proceed with increases.
According to Yiangou, the decision took into account geopolitical instability in the region, the war in the Middle East and the financial pressures households are facing because of inflation and the rising cost of living.
“We wanted, at least for this year, to keep pricing at the same levels as previous years,” he said.
Consumer concerns over rising costs
The president of the Beaches Committee also clarified that Larnaca’s pricing policy will apply uniformly across the city’s beachfront, including Oroklini and Livadia following the merger of municipal districts.
As a result, beachgoers will pay €2.50 for sunbeds and €2.50 for umbrellas at municipal facilities throughout the area.
During the discussion, reference was also made to the distinction between municipal and private beaches or facilities.
Artaka pointed out that the report concerns only charges imposed by municipalities, while private operators and hotels are free to determine their own prices for umbrellas and sunbeds.
On behalf of the Cyprus Consumers Association, legal adviser Virginia Christou said the organisation has received a large number of questions and complaints from citizens in recent days regarding the new beach charges.
She noted that increasing sunbed prices from €2.50 to €3.50 represents an increase of around 40%, while the umbrella increase from €2.50 to €3 represents around 20%.
Although the increases may appear small individually, she said the total cost for families using multiple sunbeds and umbrellas becomes significantly higher.
Public still entitled to free beach access
During the discussion, the issue was also raised as to whether the public has the right to visit organised beaches without renting sunbeds or umbrellas.
Christou clarified that consumers retain full rights to free access to beaches, regardless of whether municipal or private facilities operate there.
She explained that operators may occupy up to 50% of a beach’s capacity with organised services, while the remaining 50% must remain freely accessible to the public.
Closing the discussion, Yiangou invited the public to visit Larnaca during the Kataklysmos period and throughout the summer months, describing the city as one of the most affordable and family-friendly destinations in Cyprus.
“We tried to maintain our prices and keep our beaches as well organised as possible,” he said, adding that the municipality’s goal is to keep beach access as affordable as possible for everyone.
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