The coastal environment faces increasing pressures from human activities but are also vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise. This study aims to assess and compare the vulnerability and erosion of highly touristic coastlines in three regions of the Eastern Mediterranean (Cyprus, Greece (Lesvos Island), and Montenegro). The coastal risk assessment was analyzed using the Coastal Vulnerability Index, Visitation and Tourism parameter, and the Coastal Erosion Index. The InVEST Coastal Vulnerability model evaluates up to seven bio-geo-physical components, establishing a vulnerability index, while the InVEST Visitation Recreation and Tourism model estimates tourist visitation. The XBeach model simulates the nearshore processes under time-varying storm conditions that contain a time-dependent wave action balance solver. Coastal vulnerability percentages reveal high and very high vulnerability for Cyprus (56%), Lesvos (40%), and Montenegro (34%), due to different local conditions. The InVEST Visitation Recreation and Tourism model highlights Molyvos and Petra (Lesvos), Kotor and Budva (Montenegro), and Paphos and Limassol (Cyprus) as the most tourist destinations in the study zones. According to the results of Coastal Erosion, Coral Bay’s beach appears more vulnerable, with shoreline retreat exceeding 14 m for the selected climate scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). In contrast, Budva’s beach shows a retreat of more than 12 m for RCP 4.5 and 16 m for RCP 8.5 scenario. Notably, Petra’s beach exhibits the least retreat, with higher values reaching 4 m for RCP 4.5 and 13 m for the RCP 8.5 scenario. These findings contribute to suggesting coastal management strategies for shoreline conservation and tourism sustainability.

Shoreline configurations are a complex outcome of the dynamic interplay between natural forces and human actions. This interaction shapes unique coastal morphologies and affects sediment transport and erosion patterns along the coastline. Meanwhile, ephemeral river systems play a vital role in shaping coastlines and maintaining ecosystem sustainability, especially in island settings. In this context, the present study seeks to develop a holistic approach that views coast and watershed systems as a continuum, aiming to investigate their relationships in an island environment, while accounting for human interventions in the river regime. For this task, the empirical USLE method was employed to quantify sediment production and transport from the catchment area to the coast, while hydraulic simulations using HEC-RAS were conducted to assess sediment retention within flood-affected areas. Moreover, coastal vulnerability to erosion was evaluated by applying the InVEST CVI model in order to identify areas at risk from environmental threats. The coastal zone of Petra–Molyvos, Lesvos, Greece, was selected as the study area due to ongoing erosion issues, with particular emphasis on its interaction with the Petra stream as a result of significant human intervention at its mouth. According to the study’s findings, the examined coastal zone is highly vulnerable to combined erosion from wind and waves, while the river’s mouth receives only a small amount of sediment from water fluxes. Evidently, this leads to an increase in beach retreat phenomena, while highlighting the necessity for integrated coastal–watershed management.

Mediterranean coastal heritage sites face escalating threats from climate change, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. These risks endanger both the physical preservation of archeological sites and thei socio-economic significance/contribution. This review evaluates advanced tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GISs), remote sensing, and flood modeling for assessing vulnerabilities and supporting adaptive conservation strategies. Significant research disparities among Mediterranean regions are identified, underscoring the need for equitable and collaborative frameworks. The findings emphasize the integration of innovative technologies with sustainable practices to safeguard cultural heritage, ensuring resilience against climate-induced risks and contributing to long-term conservation goals.

Mediterranean coastal cultural heritage sites are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events, which endanger both their physical integrity and their cultural and economic value. Safeguarding these vulnerable cultural assets requires approaches that integrate technological innovation with effective governance and management strategies. This study presents a systematic review of research published between 2000 and 2024, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and transparency. Searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, limited to English-language studies explicitly addressing coastal cultural heritage in the Mediterranean. A total of 77 studies were analyzed using bibliometric and spatial techniques to examine thematic trends, methodological orientations, and regional patterns. Results reveal a sharp rise in scholarly output after 2014, with Italy, Greece, and Cyprus emerging as dominant contributors. The literature demonstrates a strong emphasis on tangible cultural heritage, particularly archaeological sites and monuments, while cultural landscapes and nature–culture systems receive comparatively limited attention. Methodologically, the field is dominated by digital and technology-driven tools such as GIS, remote sensing, 3D documentation, and climate modelling, with socially grounded and participatory approaches appearing in less than 5% of studies. More than 70% of the reviewed works adopt case study designs, which constrain comparative and generalizable insights. In contrast, a predominance of future-oriented assessments highlights a persistent lack of present-day monitoring and baseline data. Collectively, these findings clarify the paper’s exclusive focus on coastal cultural heritage, underscore the need to broaden geographical coverage, integrate socio-institutional dimensions with environmental diagnostics, and prioritize empirical, present-focused approaches. In this direction, future research will advance an integrated framework for assessing coastal vulnerability at both site-specific and regional scales, supporting proactive and evidence-based conservation planning.