The Best Beaches in Greece To Visit

Greece has numerous beaches worth exploring thanks to the reliably sunny weather, the warm Mediterranean Sea, and abundant coastline. The beaches come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from rocky inlets to expansive white sandy beaches or small pebbled coves.

We’ll never stop exploring the beaches of Greece. The sun-soaked beaches are perfect for lazily exploring, while seaside tavernas sell delicious subsistence and local products. After years of traveling the country, we’re ready to share some of our favorite beaches.

---

The Best Beaches in Greece

---

Sarakiniko Beach, Milos Island

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 is no vegetation or sand, so sunbathing involves lounging on hard rock. However, the beach has an otherworldly landscape, calm waters for swimming, and various cliffs perfect for a dive. It’s a popular spot on the island of Milos and one of our favorites.

---

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada

The Ionian Island of Lefkada has some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. While many beaches in Lefkada are fantastic, Porto Katsiki stands out with its towering white cliffs, sand, and dazzling blue water. It is little wonder the beach is renowned for its natural beauty throughout Europe.

A beach trip requires effort, as access is via a steep staircase in hot weather, and there are few to no beach facilities. You’ll want to pack your umbrella, beach chairs, and picnic essentials. However, the lack of development is also one of the reasons why I love the beach and its refreshing waters. The only downside is the occasional tour boats that briefly dump dozens of travelers on the beach.

---

Paralia Afales, Ithaca

Try the home of Odysseus for some truly remote and less frequented beaches. The small islands hold some real gems, and Ithaki is one of our favorites. Paralia Afales is a remote beach in northern Ithaki with rugged cliffs on one side and olive groves on the other. It is completely unspoiled, with no rows of sunbeds or umbrellas.

You can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and watching the sailboats. The waters are exceptionally clear and warm, and morning swimming is best. To reach the beach, you’ll walk downhill for about 20 minutes, so bring drinking water and good walking shoes.

---

Antisamos Beach, Kefalonia

One of Kefalonia’s biggest draws is its collection of pristine shores. Antisamos Beach is certainly a favorite cove on the island. High forested hills surround it, and Antisamos is covered in small white pebbles instead of sand.

The crystal clear water here makes it the perfect candidate for 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 with loungers to rent for ultimate comfort while sunbathing.

---

Lindos Beach, Rhodes

Lindos Beach is a stunning sandy beach at the foot of the village of Lindos, one of the most scenic places to visit on the island. It’s a long crescent-shaped gold beach with a hilltop town and castle that sit high above and provide the perfect backdrop.

The water here is 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. You can drive to Lindos, walk down to the beach, or take a boat cruise along the coastline.

---

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 700-meter stretch. It’s a fantastic sand beach, perfect for sunbathing. Golden Beach is prone to windy conditions, providing excellent conditions for kites and windsurfers. Like many other Greek beaches, this blue flag beach is known for its beauty.

---

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. It’s well known for the small row homes of fishermen, known as syrmatas, that line the coastline around the beach—many of which are now converted rentals for travelers.

There is a canteen at this beach, and it’s a great place for many young people to chill out for the day. We found some of the clearest and bluest water in Firopotomos Bay, so you’ll want to swim here or rent a kayak on a calm day.

---

Egremni Beach, Lefkada

Egremni or Egremnoi is a remote beach southwest of Lefkada. To reach it, beachgoers must transcend a neverending 350 steps. However, the effort is worth the reward, as the white sand beach has gorgeous azure water. The beach offers white pebbly sand and calm water, ideal for swimming.

You’ll want to bring all you need to the beach, as there is nothing there except 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

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 – 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 worth spending the day at. It 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 make this beach so special. However, I loved the huge colored rock formations along the coastline. 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. To reach the beach, 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, and there is a small cave nearby and soft sand to relax.

---

Balos Beach, Crete

The huge sandbars of soft white sand at Balos Beach, on the very western tip of Crete, attract many beachgoers. It’s a spectacular beach and well worth the adventure required to reach it. As the sands shift between Crete and a small island, it creates pools of varying depths, producing various hues of blue. It’s not a small beach either, as the whole thing is huge, with plenty of space for the island’s visitors.

To reach the beach, you need to be a bit of an adventurer, either by hiking down from a dusty parking lot or hopping on a day cruise from one of the island’s ports. The beach has no facilities, so visitors must be prepared.

---

Elafonisi Beach, Crete

Elafonissi Beach is another wonderful beach on Crete, famed for its stunning pink sand. Elafonisi is a magical beach. The beach is technically a small islet connected to the mainland by a very shallow reef, so you can walk across when the water is low and calm.

Elafonisi is well known as the sands here, which are incredibly soft and colored pink and white, taking their color from millions of crushed shells. Many refer to it as “the pink beach” of Greece. However, we have found that the sun has to hit it perfectly for optimal pinkness. As usual in Greece, the waters are crystalline, warm, and great for families with small children.

---

Shipwreck Beach, Zakynthos

Navagio Beach is one of the most photographed sites in Greece! 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 northeast of Zakynthos, there are two main ways to see the beach—by water or above from the white limestone clifftops. Due to safety concerns over landslides, tourists are no longer allowed on Navagio Beach. However, you can hop on a boat tour for around €50, which includes the shipwreck plus multiple stops.

---

Rovinia Beach, Corfu

Rovinia Beach, near Paleokastritsa Harbor, is one of my favorite beaches in Corfu. Like most Greek beaches, it’s a trek down to this little beach, but it is well worth it once you are there. It’s a pretty secluded beach that sees far fewer people than many of the other Corfu beaches, in part because it is slightly difficult to access. Once at the beach, you’ll be able to enjoy the calm waters and take a swim around the bay. It’s one of the most idealistic beaches we’ve come across in Greece.

---

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 its “devilishly” strong currents. The beach is small, only 30 meters wide, but the natural rock formation draws attention. When we first visited years ago, it seemed no one knew about this beach, but it has since grown in popularity and is now known to attract a crowd.

---

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 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 from Chora, the main town on Naxos Island. It is a fantastic Blue Flag beach that is a whopping 1.5 kilometers long! Here, you’ll find golden sand and, of course, bright blue water. Agios Prokopios is the perfect place to come and spend a day.

Multiple restaurants and tavernas are along the beach, and in the summertime, there are plenty of places to hire beach chairs and umbrellas. This Naxos beach is a great place for families as the water is calm and warm, but it is also where you will find groups such as friends, couples, and a few nudist beachgoers on the outer stretches of the beach.

---

Plaka Beach, Naxos

A little further south of Agios Prokopios Beach is Plaka Beach. Plaka Beach used to be a complete nudist beach, but now it is enjoyed by all. However, you will likely still see a few naked bodies lounging around. Plaka Beach extends for 4 kilometers, meaning you can find peace even during the busy Greek summers.

Plaka 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 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 trendy, party beach has packed beach bars, plenty of drinking, and fun. It’s a scene on the island, and like everything on the island, it has some eye-watering prices compared to the rest of Greece.

---

Perissa Black Sand Beach, Santorini

One of the best beaches in Santorini is Perissa Black Sand Beach. Walking barefoot in the hot sun can be painful, but at least you can say you did it. Santorini Island is famous for its unique beaches. The beach’s color is from volcanic rock, which shaped Santorini — the island is a submerged caldera.

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.

---

Kolimvithra Beach, Tinos

One of our favorite beaches lies 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 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 this kind of laid-back beach bar on Greek beaches, so enjoy it!

---

Paralia Vagia, Serifos

Paralia Vagia is a beautiful little beach 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 are calm and clear. Visitors can find sunbeds, umbrellas for rent, and 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 it is still relatively unheard of. Head here on any sunny day, even 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.

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 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 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 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. Below the church lie several rockpools and a small cove for a refreshing swim. There are stairs leading down to the rocky area. We found numerous places to cliff jump varying in height!

---

Valtaki Beach, Gytheio, Peloponnese

I couldn’t list only beaches on the Greek islands, as the mainland has some amazing coastline, too! Valtaki Beach is a beautiful Blue Flag Beach in the Peloponnese. In addition to being a nice place for locals to relax, Valtaki Beach is famous for the abandoned shipwreck of the Dimitrios, which has been stranded on the shore since the 1980s.

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 are lucky enough to see sea turtles, please do not interfere with them.

---

Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

A scenic stretch of coastline in Kefalonia can be found at Myrtos Beach. Myrtos Beach is arguably the most famous beach in Kefalonia and one of the most well-known in the Ionians. It may look familiar since it’s one of the most photographed spots in all of Greece, though pictures can’t fully capture the striking beauty of this beach.

Myrtos is set between two towering mountainsides, and the shimmering blue of the sea is mesmerizing. It’s about half a mile long, and instead of sand, you’ll find marbled pebbles. There are sun loungers to rent and rest on, or you can park your towel on the pebbles. While the beach is beautiful, the best view is from the viewpoint up top!

---

A few More Tips

• After exploring many of the Greek Islands, we find the most beautiful beaches around the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Ithaca, Zakynthos).
• For a party at a Greek beach, try Paradise Beach on Mykonos.
• We have found Naxos to be the most family-friendly island. The beaches and water are calm and perfect for children, especially Agios Georgios Beach. Naxos is also known as one of the best spots in Greece for 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 beaches is between May and October. However, 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 dipping 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 rocky and full of pebbles. Water shoes may help save your feet!
• Most beaches require work to reach beyond just hopping out of the car. Many require a short hike (15 minutes) to reach some of the most beautiful locations.
• This means you should always have water, sunblock, and snacks with you, as you won’t want to hike back off the beach just to get these items.
• We have found the bluest water in Greece in the Ionian Islands, although most of the Mediterranean water is pretty darn blue.
• Many beaches have chairs and umbrellas for hire (at least accessible beaches do). You can expect to pay at least €5 per chair; sometimes, the umbrella is included. The more posh 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 not sit on a beach at all. It is to rent a boat for the day and explore each island’s little coves and sandy shores from the water. Tourists can rent up to 50 horsepower motored boats in Greece as long as they have a standard driver’s license, are competent boat drivers, and are confident on the water. For anything more, they will need a boating license recognized by the EU.

---