It’s no surprise that “best Greek beaches” gets Googled all the time. Some of the best beaches in all of Europe are in Greece. When you picture a unique beach, with either white sand or smooth pebbles surrounded by some of the clearest water you have ever seen, it’s likely a beach in Greece.
With 13,676 km of coastline, Greece has some of the longest coastlines in Europe. From the mainland to the Greek islands, there are beaches everywhere. We have been to well over 70 beaches in Greece throughout the years, and would recommend these ones to anyone searching for the best beaches in Greece – and yes – we have personally visited all of these Greek beaches!
FAQ About Greek Beaches
- After exploring many of the Greek Islands, we have found that the beaches around the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Ithaca, Zakynthos) are the most beautiful.
- For a party beach try Paradise Beach on Mykonos.
- We have found the most family-friendly island to be Naxos. Beaches and water here are calm and perfect for children, especially Agios Georgios Beach. Naxos is also known as one of the best spots in Greece to go kiteboarding and windsurfing. If you don’t know how to do these activities you can enjoy an intro course on Naxos.
- The best time to visit the Greek beaches is between May and October. Though the later in the year, the warmer the water temperatures will be. May will still be chilly, while September sees great water temperatures in Greece. You likely won’t want to be outside long without taking a dip in the water in July and August!
- We have found some of the most unique beaches on Crete and Milos island.
- Many beaches in Greece are not sandy, but instead rocky and full of pebbles. Water shoes may help save your feet!
- Many of the best Greek beaches require some work to get to (beyond just hopping out of the car). We often find we have to take short walks (15 minutes) to reach some of the most beautiful locations.
- This means you’ll want to always have water, sunblock, and snacks with you as you won’t want to have to hike back off the beach just to get these items.
- The bluest water in Greece is on Lefkada island, although most of the Mediterranean water is pretty darn blue.
- Many Greek beaches have chairs and umbrellas for hire (at least the very accessible beaches do). You can expect to pay at least €5 per chair, and sometimes the umbrella is included. The more poshy islands like Mykonos and Santorini, expect to pay more. We have found that in most cases buying a drink or food item does not get us free chair access in Greece, but it all depends on the location.
- Our favorite thing to do in Greece is actually not sit on a beach at all. It is to rent a boat for the day and explore each islands little coves and sandy shores from the water. Tourists can rent up to 50 horsepower motored boats in Greece as long as you have a standard drivers license, you’re a competent boat driver, and are confident on the water. For anything more you will need a boating license recognized by the EU.
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The Best Beaches in Greece
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Island
Sarakiniko Beach is easily the most popular thing to see on Milos Island. It’s likely what drew you to visit the Greek island in the first place and fair enough, this Greek beach is out of this world.
Stepping onto Sarakiniko Beach feels like stepping onto the moon. It’s not your typical beach with white sand. Over the centuries, the Aegean Sea and wind have shaped this volcanic rock into majestic columns, and Sarakiniko is where pure white rock meets turquoise blue water.
There’s no vegetation here and no sand. Sunbathing here means placing a towel on the hard rock, which may not be the most comfortable. You’re not here for comfort, but instead to enjoy the unique landscape and possibly do some cliff jumping
There are endless cliff-jumping opportunities at Sarakiniko, from varying heights. There’s a long, shallow, and safe inlet where visitors can take a swim as well.
20 Best Things to do in Milos, Greece
Porto Katsiki, Lefkada
The Ionian Island of Lefkada has some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece in our opinion. There are many beaches on Lefkada, but Porto Katsiki is not only the most beautiful one on the island but perhaps in the whole of Europe.
Steep, white cliffs surround the beautiful beach. You have to descend 80 steps to get down to it, so make sure to bring your umbrella and beach chairs with you.
The beach features clear, blue waters perfect for a refreshing dip. Bring everything you’ll need for the beach, once you may your way down the steps it’s unlikely you’ll want to hike back up for a bite to eat.
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Paralia Afales, Ithaca
Try the homeland of Odysseus for some truly remote and less frequented beaches in Greece.
Paralia Afales is a remote beach with rugged cliffs on one side and olive groves on the other. It is located in Northern Ithaki and is a completely unspoiled beach (no rows of sunbeds or umbrellas) where you can spend the day swimming, snorkeling and watching the sailboats. The waters are exceptionally clear and warm and best for morning swimming.
You’ll walk downhill for about 20 minutes to reach the beach, so bring drinking water and good walking shoes.
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Antisamos Beach, Kefalonia
One of Kefalonia’s biggest draws is its collection of pristine shores to explore. Antisamos Beach is certainly a favorite cove on the island, and one of the best beaches in Greece. It’s surrounded by high forested hills and instead of sand, Antisamos is covered in small white pebbles.
The water here is crystal clear, making it the perfect candidate for some snorkeling. It’s famous for appearing in the acclaimed film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. There are a few bars where you can grab a drink and a bite as well as a couple of loungers to rent for ultimate comfort while sunbathing.
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Lindos Beach, Rhodes
One of the most beautiful beaches in Greece is Lindos Beach. This is a stunning sandy beach at the foot of the village of Lindos, one of the most scenic places to visit on the island.
The water here is very calm and clear, making it a wonderful place to swim. The sand here is a bit of a rarity as many of the beaches on Rhodes are smooth stones. Spending the day at Lindos Beach is one of the best things to do in Rhodes for families and children.
You can either drive to Lindos, walk down to the beach or take a boat cruise along the coastline.
20 Best Things to do in Rhodes, Greece
Golden Beach, Paros Island
Golden Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Paros Island in the Cyclades. It takes its name from the fine Golden sand found across a stretch of 700 meters. It’s a fantastic sand beach in Greece, perfect for sunbathing.
Golden Beach has pretty windy conditions, which is excellent for kitesurfers and windsurfers. Like many other Greek beaches, this blue flag beach is well known for its extreme beauty.
Best Things to do in Paros, Greece
Firopotamos Beach, Milos
Firopotomos Beach is easily accessible from the little town of the same name on the north coast of Milos. The beach is small and pebbled but it’s a great family-friendly spot for swimming and sunbathing in the clear water. Milos is full of great beaches, but this one is particularly beautiful as it’s quiet – much quieter than Sarakiniko. Once you get here, you’ll see some of the bluest water of your life.
There is a canteen at this beach, and it’s a great place where many young people chill out for the day. We found some of the clearest and bluest water in Firopotomos Bay, and you’ll definitely want to take a dip here, or rent a kayak on a calm day.
There are also a few very cute syrmatas here for rent if you want to stay nearby. What is a syrmata? This is a traditional boat-shaped house found mainly in Klima on Milos. These houses were built by local fishermen and is where they could live and house their boats. Made of stone and are built into the rocky hillsides near the sea they have a distinctive boat-like shape, with a pointed roof and a curved bow that faces the sea.
The interior of a syrma is usually quite small, with one or two rooms, and was traditionally used as a shelter for fishermen and their families, as well as for storing fishing equipment and boats. They are an icon of the island, and although many were abandoned, now a syrmatas primary focus is for converted Airbnbs.
Egremni Beach, Lefkada
Egremni or Egremnoi is a remote beach on the southwest of Lefkada. Its remoteness doesn’t mean it’s not popular though, as it is one of the most popular Greek beaches.
Beachgoers must transcend a neverending 350 or so steps to reach the beach. Don’t worry, the view is worth it – until you have to climb back up in the sweltering heat.
Once you reach the beach, you’ll enjoy beautiful white pebbly sand the clearest blue water you have ever seen. You’ll want to bring all that you need down to the beach with you as there is nothing on the beach beside a few locals selling water and umbrella rentals.
Getting to Egremni Beach by boat from Nidri or Vasiliki port is also possible.
Kolympethres Beach, Paros
This is one of the best beaches in Greece, but not for its sand and relaxing laid back environment. Kolympethres Beach on the island of Paros has unique rock formations that are a big draw for many people. This beach near the popular town of Naousa has rock formations I have not seen anywhere else in Greece. The unique formations create small swimming “pools” to swim in.
It’s not all wild though – there are still many amenities are available including a beach club and water sports facilities where you can rent equipment for sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing.
Firiplaka Beach, Milos
Firiplaka Beach is one of my favorite beaches on Milos and is well worthy of spending the day at. This is a long beach with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a beach day without others on top of you.
White sand and calm blue waters are what make this beach so special. Although I really loved the huge colored rock formations along the coastline. It’s one of the more unique beaches on Milos and all of Greece. If you have extra time don’t miss Tsigrado Beach right around the corner from Firiplaka!
Tsigrado Beach, Milos
Milos Island has more than 70 beaches, and Tsigrado is one of the most secluded and beautiful you can find. Located just a short five-minute drive away from Firiplaka Beach mentioned above, this is a great place to come for adventure lovers.
Why do I say, adventure lovers? Because you have to climb down a bit of a scary and exposed ladder to access the beach!
That’s right, unless you arrive by boat or kayak, the only way to access this beach is via a steep and narrow crevasse with a rope and ladder at the end. If you are afraid of heights, or not sure footed, it’s probably best to admire the beauty of this beach from above.
Once on the beach, it’s not such a big area, but that’s okay since many won’t venture this way. The water is glistening, with a small cave nearby and soft sand to lay in (just no beach chairs, so bring a towel).
Arrive here earlier in the day. After 3:00 pm, the small beach area becomes shaded.
Balos Beach, Crete
Located on the very western tip of Crete past Kissamos is Balos Beach. To many, this is one of the top things to do in Crete and definitely one of the best beaches in Crete. To reach Balos Beach you’ll have to drive your Crete rental car down a long dirt road, park and then continue walking down to the beach, but we promise it’s worth it.
The entire way down, you will have the most stunning view of Balos beach and all the different colors of blue that encompass it. Spending the day here is relaxing, cool, and idealistic.
Save your drinking water though, for the only way out is to walk up all the stairs you just came down. It is possible to hire a donkey, but we wouldn’t recommend it as these donkeys aren’t kept in the greatest condition.
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Elafonisi Beach, Crete
Also in the Chania region is Elafonissi Beach, which is well known throughout the world of Greek beaches. Elafonisi is an absolutely magical beach, because of its stunning pink sand. The beach is technically a small islet connected to the mainland by a very shallow reef, so you can simply walk across when the water is low and calm.
Elafonisi is well known as the sands here are incredibly soft and colored pink and white, taking its color from millions of crushed shells. Many refer to it as “the pink beach” of Greece. Though we have found the sun has to hit it just perfectly for optimal pinkness.
As usual in Greece, the waters are crystalline, warm, and great for families with small children.
Shipwreck Beach, Zakynthos
This best beaches in Greece list couldn’t be complete without listing one of the most photographed sites in Greece! The famous Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) is a whole other experience to see in real life and one of the best places to visit in Europe. It is a true spectacle with surreal views of stunning white sandy beaches and impossibly blue waters.
The beach is home to the rustic remains of the MV Panagiotis, a ship that became stuck in the cove in the 1980s and has a fascinating history behind it. Located in the northeast of Zakynthos, there are two main ways to see the beach – by water or from the white limestone clifftops.
Well signposted, the viewing points are easily accessed by land; this is where your best vantage point will be. It’s also the best place to grab a photo of the beach. However, no tracks lead directly to the beach, so if you’re looking to head for a swim in the water or get up and personal with the shipwreck, the only option is by boat. You can hop on a boat tour for €25 with Shipwreck Zakynthos.
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Rovinia Beach, Corfu
Rovinia Beach, near Paleokastritsa Harbor, is one of my favorite beaches in all of Corfu. Like most Greek beaches, it’s a trek down to this little beach, but it is well worth it once you are there. You can access Rovinia Beach by boat, but it’s also popular to park and walk down.
It’s a pretty secluded beach that sees far fewer people than many of the other Corfu beaches, in part because of its slight difficulty to access it. Once at the beach, you’ll be able to enjoy the calm waters, and take a swim around the bay.
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Seitan Limania, Crete
Seitan Limani – also called the “Paralia of Stefanou” or Stefanou Beach – is just outside of Chania, on the eastern coast of the Akrotiri peninsula. The name comes from it’s “devilishly” strong currents here.
Warning – the drive to Seitan Limania (otherwise known as Stefanou Beach) is heart-stopping, and once you decide to take the path down to this beach, there is absolutely no turning back. The road down is narrow, zig-zagged, and straight down. If you are up for the adventure you won’t regret visiting this Greek beach.
Once you park your car you will still have to walk down 15 more minutes through rough terrain to get to the sand, so bring some tennis shoes. Make sure to bring some snacks and drinks while you’re at it too, trust me, you don’t want to have the make the trek back up for goodies.
When we first visited years ago, it seemed no one knew about this beach, but it has since grown in popularity and is now one of the best beaches in Greece.
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Porto Timoni, Corfu
Porto Timoni is a double beach that is the most beautiful beach in Corfu and the most iconic on the entire island! It’s nеаr Afiοnаs villаgе, and you’ll have to hike down to reach the beach by land, but it’s well worth it, and we consider it one of the best things to do in Greece.
The hike down is steep, and it’s recommended to wear trainers instead of flip-flops for the trek. Expect the walk to take you about 30-35 minutes one way, which is best to start from the town of Afionas. If you don’t want to walk, you can hire a boat from one of the nearby resorts to take you to Porto Timoni.
This beach is wonderful, and there’s a viewpoint on the hike down for photos. The two bеaches fоrm twο bаys, one faсing Agios Geоrgiοs and thе other оne lοoking tоwаrd Mathraki island. Take your pick for the day or hop between the two!
Agios Prokopios, Naxos
Agios Prokopios is just a short drive away from Chora, the main town on Naxos Island. It is a fantastic Blue Flag beach that is a whopping 1.5 kilometers in length! Here you’ll find golden sand, and of course bright blue water.
Agios Prokopios is the perfect place to come and spend a day at. Along the beach are multiple restaurants and tavernas, and in the summertime, you’ll find plenty of places to hire out beach chairs and umbrellas. Don’t forget to bring your towel and other beach essentials though!
This Naxos beach is a great place to come for families as the water is calm and warm, but it is also where you will find groups as friends and couples, as well as a few nudist beachgoers.
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Plaka Beach, Naxos
A little further south from Agios Prokopios beach is Plaka Beach. Plaka Beach used to be a complete nudist beach but now is enjoyed by all. Though you will likely still see a few naked bodies lounging around.
Plaka beach extends for 4 kilometers, meaning you can find some peace and quiet even in the busy Greek summers. Plakas Beach is truly what beautiful Greek beaches are made of. Picture endless soft, white sand, brilliant water, and delicious tavernas nearby.
It’s where you can come to really be lazy and lounge the day away with a good book. Make sure to eat and drink at Tortuga restaurant! For €20, you can also grab a stand-up paddleboard from Plaka watersports.
Paradise Beach, Mykonos
Mykonos isn’t exactly known for having the best Greek beaches, but perhaps the most famous one is Paradise Beach. This is the trendy, party beach with packed beach bars, plenty of drinking, and fun to be had (if you’re in your twenties).
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Perissa Black Sand Beach, Santorini
Some of the best black sand beaches in Greece are located on Santorini! One of the best ones on the island is Perissa Black Sand Beach. It’ll be painful if you’re walking barefoot in the hot sub, but at least you can say you did it.
Santorini island in particular, is famous for its unique beaches. An interesting Greek fact is that Santorini is a volcanic island. The reason for their color is from past volcanic eruptions that have not only shaped Santorini into what it is today, but also creates the unique phenomena of a black sand beach.
Be sure to wear foot protection and slather on a liberal dose of sunblock to avoid the real damage the sun can do here. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, and when you’re ready to call it quits, you can head to one of the cool cafes just behind the beach.
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Kolimvithra Beach, Tinos
One of the best beaches in Greece is located on the Cycladic island of Tinos. Here you’ll find open sand and crystal clear water. However that’s not why we fell in love with this beach so much. We fell in love because it’s possible to visit in the heat of a European summer, and not be bumper to bumper with other beachgoers. Talk about pure bliss!
There is a relaxed beach bar in a retro school bus that you literally can’t miss if you visit this beach. This bar area has a nice bohemian vibe that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Bali. We rarely find these kind of laid-back beach bars on Greek beaches, so make sure to enjoy it!
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Paralia Vagia, Serifos
Paralia Vagia is a beautiful little beach located on the Greek island of Serifos. Known for its crystal clear waters and golden fine sand, it’s a secluded destination for both locals and tourists.
The beach is surrounded by stunning cliffs, providing a unique and breathtaking landscape to swim in or just lay by the beach.
It’s also a great spot for snorkeling, as the waters here are calm and clear. Visitors can find sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, as well as a small eatery so you don’t have to go far when hungry.
Galissas Beach, Syros
Galissas Beach may be one of the most popular beaches on Syros, but in the grand scheme of Greek beaches, this is one of those places that is still relatively unheard of. Head here on any sunny day, even in mid-July, and find plenty of space to relax and enjoy the clear calm waters.
Syros is full of sandy beaches, and Galissas is no exception. Walk the long sandy beach that stretches for 700 meters, surrounded by hills and greenery. Or don’t walk the beach, but instead get in the calm waters and swim between cliffs. Spending on your swimming skills and fitness swimming the full length of the beach and back won’t take more than 30 minutes, and is an excellent workout.
The village of Galissas is located just a short walk away from the beach and has a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants for visitors to explore. For a little something extra hike to the small church of Agia Pakou, right on top of the hill overlooking Galissas Beach.
Seven Martyrs Church and Beach, Sifnos
The Church of Seven Martyrs in the village of Kastro on Sifnos Island may not seem like your typical best beaches in Greece, but there are some nice places to lounge, take in the views, get in a bit of Greek religion, and cliff jump.
The Church of Seven Martyrs is the most photographed spot on the island, and almost every visitor to Sifnos will walk down the picturesque stairs to view the small blue and white church placed perfectly in the Aegean Sea. However, not many people will bring a bathing suit and a towel, and enjoy the waters surrounding the church – that’s where you come in!
The church is perched on top of a rocky islet that emerges from the sea and can be reached via a winding cobblestone staircase that takes no more than five minutes to walk down.
Once you’ve explored the church and taken photos, head down a little further to the rockpools in the small cove for a refreshing swim, there are stairs leading down to the rocky area. Here, you can relax, or jump in the water. We found numerous places to cliff jump varying in height! However, be cautious when cliff jumping and check the water’s depth before taking the plunge!
Valtaki Beach, Gytheio, Peloponnese
I couldn’t only list Greece beaches on the Greek islands as the mainland has some amazing coastline too! Valtaki Beach is a beautiful Blue Flag Beach in the Peloponnese.
On top of being a nice place for locals to relax at Valtaki Beach is famous for the abandoned shipwreck of the Dimitrios. A ship that has been stranded on the shore since the 1980s. The ship is said to have transported illegal cigarettes between Turkey and Italy, but the exact history of the ship is unknown.
Visitors can also explore Selinitsa Beach, located on the other side of the shipwreck. Here there’s an important nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles during the right season. If you happen to get lucky enough to see sea turtles please do not interfere with them.
When is the Best Time To Visit These Greek Beaches?
Personally, our favorite time to visit Greece in general, is in September. Summer crowds are slowly disappearing and the beaches are far less crowded. Plus the water is still holding onto it’s warmth from August.
On popular islands like Naxos and Paros, it’s unlikely you’ll have a beach to yourself in September. However on less popular islands like Tinos or Ithaca, it’s entirely possible for you to arrive to a beach with no one on it (this happened to us on September 15th in Tinos – vendors were practically shut down for the season!)
READ MORE GREECE TRAVEL TIPS
I hope you enjoyed this guide on the best Greece beaches! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few relevant articles for more travel around Greece!
- How Much Does a Trip to Greece Cost?
- Things to Do in Hydra Island (Greece)
- The Best Things to do in Corfu
- The Best Things to do in Milos
- The Best Things to do in Santorini
- The Best Things to do in Rhodes
- The Best Things to do in Paros
Greek Travel Planning Resources
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Yasou” and “Efharisto”
- Currency: Euro – (EUR) – €
- Visa: Schengen visa. Which is 90 days in the European Union out of 180. Many nationalities are granted this on arrival for free. Check with your embassy to see if that is you.
- Weather: The weather in Greece is a Mediterranean climate. This means winters are mild and rainy, while summers are warm and dry with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
- What to Pack: Warm weather clothes and a swimsuit, don’t forget a good pair of clothes to go and a jacket for cool nights. Read about what to wear in Greece.
- Budget: If you’re in the initial stages of planning check out our awesome post that breaks down how much a trip to Greece costs.
- Rent a Car: We suggest most visitors consider renting a car for the best trip possible. Try Discover Car Hire to compare quotes from different rental agencies. Check Price Here!
- Protect Your Trip: Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance! We always carry travel insurance to protect from injury, theft, or a canceled trip.
- Tours in Greece: Check out our list of the best tours you can enjoy in Greece!
- Travel Adapter: Make sure you find a good adapter to keep your personal electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
