Beaches in Greece
Travel journalist
Greece is undoubtedly one of the most popular seaside destinations for those who love beautiful beaches. There is no need to cross the planet to find yourself on white sandy heavenly beaches and swim in Caribbean-style turquoise water. Families or leisure enthusiasts will undoubtedly find their happiness on the wide sandy beaches of the islands of Rhodes or Kos, or in continental Greece on the sublime beach of Voidokilia, in the Peloponnese. But the Greek coast has much more to offer, and will appeal to all types of travellers: those looking for small coves of wilder pebbles, such as the magnificent beach of Navagio on the island of Zakynthos, or the beach of Lalaria on the island of Skiathos, one of the most emblematic beaches in the country; sliding lovers, for their part, will opt for the windier beaches of the island of Kos, or Tsambika located on the island of Rhodes, renowned for the practice of motorized water sports. So there is only the embarrassment of choice, the hardest thing is to choose on which beach you will spend your next holiday in Greece!
| Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | Jul | August | sept. | Oct | nov. | dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature | 15° | 15° | 15° | 16° | 19° | 23° | 25° | 26° | 25° | 22° | 19° | 17° |
The most beautiful beaches
Paleokastritsa Beach (Corfu)
Does anything evoke dreams like the sweet name of Corfu…? The island is a source of great cultural heritage but is also known for its beaches. Among the most beautiful is Paleokastritsa, a charming pebbly bay with crystal clear waters surrounded by green vegetation. It is a Garden of Eden which struggles to resist the tourists who come to sunbathe and swim in the small lagoon. Visit ‘off-peak’ - early in the morning or late afternoon if you want a little more peace and quiet.
water sports center | Beach equipment | Diving
Channel of Love (Corfu)
Sidari Beach on the north coast of Corfu is dotted with small bays, among which is the poetically named Channel of Love. It is a magical and mysterious place sculpted over time by erosion and surging tides. The small sandy beach is equipped with sun beds and parasols, but get there early to find a place. The downside is that the Channel of Love is very popular with tourists and is surrounded by hotel complexes. According to legend, if you swim the Channel of Love, the love of your life will await you at the other side…
Beach equipment
Voutoumi Beach (Antipaxos)
Little known, the island of Antipaxos is relatively neglected by tourists and has very few inhabitants. So there is still time to make your way there before the last of its treasures are discovered. One such treasure is Voutoumi Beach. Its white sand and sapphire water would not be out of place in the Caribbean. Protected by green hills, Voutoumi is an earthly paradise. It can be reached by boat quickly from Port Gaios on the neighbouring island of Paxos. Take your fins, mask and snorkel to admire the seabed.
Wild beach
Myrtos Bay (Kefalonia)
The magnificent Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful in Greece. At the feet of two vertiginous mountains which plummet into the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea, a large strip of sparkling white pebbles shine in the sun. The perfect spot for a lazy afternoon on the beach or for watching the spectacular sunset. Seen from on high, looking down from the surrounding cliffs, Myrtos Beach is even more beautiful. Not for sufferers of vertigo.
Beach equipment
Navagio (Shipwreck Bay)
Navagio beach on Zante is frequently described as one of the most beautiful beaches not only of Greece, but the whole Mediterranean. A small bay of sand and pebbles, dominated by impressive cliffs and water so blue you’d think it was a swimming pool. The beach’s notoriety stems from the shipwreck washed up on the sand. A feature which gives rise to the nickname “Shipwreck Bay.” For the record, the wreck was a boat named Panagiotis which ran aground during a storm in 1983. If you don’t like crowds, stay away or admire the stunning view and the crowds below from the top of the cliffs. Becoming busier as it gets better known, the beach is quickly losing its charm. Peace and quiet return after the summer season.
Wild beach
Egremni (Lefkada)
Lefkada is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. The beach at Porto Katsiki is very touristic, but Egremni on the south-west coast, at the foot of a cliff has retained its wild nature. Its beauty has to be earned: inaccessible by car, you have to descend a path cut into the cliff for several kilometres. It is hazardous in places and it’s not advised for children. If you’re not that reckless, Egremni can be reached by boat. The beach, seemingly cut off from the world, is breathtaking and the water hypnotising.
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Voidokilia (mainland Greece)
About 7 miles from Pylos in the Peleponnese, Voidokilia has everything you could want from a beach. Dazzling, fine white sand and water which passes through shades of turquoise to deepest blue. The curvature of the beach evokes the shell from which Aphrodite was born. Said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, it is no coincidence this superb bay was mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. The shallow waters are good for taking children swimming. Watch out for sunburn.
Wild beach
Simos Beach (Elafonisos)
Accessible by ferry from the very south of Laconia is the small island of Elafonisos. The beach at Simos is one of the most beautiful in Greece. It is in fact composed of two beaches separated by a narrow strip of white sand either side of which are crystal waters. The water is warm and good for swimming, there are sunbeds and parasols for hire and there are restaurants and bars nearby. If you want to avoid the crowds, get there before 10am or visit in September once the summer crowds have left.
Beach equipment
Halkidiki (Mainland Greece)
Situated to the north of Greece, the Halkidiki region, close to Thessaloniki, offers over 300 miles of coastline covered with golden sands and bathed in clear waters. Whether you want relaxation, water sport or nightlife, you can find it here. There is a great choice of beaches from the immense swathes of sand on the Kassandra Peninsula, to the family beaches of Sithonia and the pretty beaches of Ouranoupoli, a gateway to the famous monasteries of Mount Athos.
Beach equipment | Wild beach | Surfing | water sports center
St. Paul’s Bay (Rhodes)
Having strolled through the backstreets of the white town of Lindos, a break for swimming in the clear waters of St. Paul’s bay is in order. There are several ways to take in this beautiful place. On the well kept white sand beach with sun beds and parasols (for hire). Or for the more athletic, from the top of the Acropolis of Lindos with its superb panoramic view of the bay encircled by rocks. There is also a natural swimming pool sheltered from the wind where the temperature of the water is ideal. St. Paul’s bay is also full of caves above and below the water - perfect for diving.
Beach equipment | Diving
Tsambika Beach (Rhodes)
Less than 20 miles from Rhodes town, Tsambika is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Easily accessible by car or bus, the white sand and transparent water make for an ideal spot to swim and sunbathe. Well maintained, with parasols, sun beds, showers and toilets, the beach is in a natural setting with no buildings around other than the few snack bars where you can eat and drink. If you enjoy water/adventure sports, Tsambika offers jet-skiing and flyboarding.
Beach equipment | water sports center
Beaches of Kos
This small island in the Dodecanese, close to Turkey, has unusually long fine sandy beaches at points all around the coast. Tigaki, Kefalos, Camel Beach, Paradise Beach, Mastichari and Marmari Beach are among the most beautiful on the island, with well-kept beaches looking out on the water of every possible shade of blue. Water sports enthusiasts will be equally pleased with options for surfing, sailing, windsurfing and more.
Beach equipment | water sports center | Surfing | Sailing
Lalaria Beach (Skiathos)
Lalaria Beach is undoubtedly the most emblematic and popular place on the island of Skiathos. It is also one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Visitors arrive by boat, the sole means of access, to admire its white pebble beach dominated by steep cliffs, and to swim in the translucent blue water. Bring shoes to protect your feet from the pebbles. To avoid the flood of tourists who arrive daily, we suggest arriving early in the morning, preferably choosing a small boat to get you there (book at Skiathos port).
Wild beach
Travel journalist