Department of Forests suspends Platania campsite operations for major upgrades

The Department of Forests in Cyprus has suspended operations at the Platania camping site to initiate a comprehensive overhaul of the facility. This decision, announced following briefings held in November 2025, aims to bring the site into compliance with modern standards for fire safety, public hygiene, and forest conservation. The closure is expected to last for at least one year as the scale of the necessary infrastructure improvements cannot be completed while the site is occupied by campers and caravans.

Beyond physical infrastructure upgrades, such as the designation of specific parking areas for caravans, the authorities are working with the Legal Service to reform the regulatory framework for state-operated campsites. New rules regarding booking procedures, maximum duration of stay, and usage fees are currently being developed to address issues such as unauthorized extensions and the permanent appropriation of camping spots. These legislative changes are expected to be submitted to Parliament for review in the coming months.

This project was prompted by a broader push for safety following the devastating forest fires in the mountainous Limassol region during the summer of 2025. The authorities emphasized that the reorganization is essential to ensure efficient emergency access and evacuation routes, prioritizing public safety over the previous status quo of uncontrolled camping activity.