16 Best Beaches in Greece

Featuring an impressive coastline that’s about 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) long and dozens of incredibly enchanting islands, Greece has many gorgeous beaches with unique characteristics defining their beauty. Many of them are often classified as among the most impressive beaches in the world.

In Greece, you will find sandy and pebbled beaches, shores with crystal emerald or deep blue waters, both shallow and deep, windy beaches ideal for water sports, or tranquil bays that look more like tranquil lakes than the sea.

With such an impressive variety of beaches, the country is a major holiday destination during the summer, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world. Equally located on the Greek islands and the mainland, these unique shores attract thousands of visitors year after year.

In this article, you can discover some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece as well as the most famous beaches in Greece, many of which are yearly awarded with a Blue Flag.

The Blue Flag is an international ranking that rates beaches by considering different criteria, such as environmental standards, the clean environment, the quality of the water, access, and the safety offered to visitors.

Here are the best beaches in Greece for you to discover during your next adventure. Take a look!

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When to Visit Beaches in Greece

Home to a mild and pleasant Mediterranean climate, Greece enjoys fairly long summers with scarce rain, summer breezes, and hot temperatures. On the other hand, winters are short and not as cold as in the north of Europe.

The beach season in Greece starts fairly early during the year, normally by the middle of May, and extends well into the end of September, in some areas, such as Rhodes and Crete, even until the end of October.

Best Greek Islands for Beaches

Although mainland regions such as Peloponnese and Attica feature some excellent shores (some of them included in this article), there’s no doubt that the Greek islands shelter some of the best beaches in the country.

If you are planning an island-hopping adventure in Greece and are interested in visiting its top-rated beaches, then consider exploring the bigger islands.

Islands such as Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Naxos, and Lefkada host some incredibly amazing beaches. However, don’t be surprised to find unique shores on much smaller islands, such as Milos or the fairly unknown Antipaxos Island.

 

In no particular order, these are some of the best beaches that you should add to your travel itinerary in Greece.

1.    Elafonisi Beach – Crete Island, Libyan Sea

Probably the most famous spot on the island of Crete and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, Elafonisi is a pink sand shore located on the southern coast of Crete, facing the Libyan Sea.

Although it is located in a fairly remote area, the beach is well organized, featuring beach bars, umbrellas, and sun loungers for rent, so organizing a trip is fairly easy.

Elafonisi is located in the Chania region of Crete, about 77 kilometers from the nearest important city, also named Chania, on the northern coast of the island.

You need to cross the imposing, rugged landscape of the White Mountains, either by car or by bus, to reach the pristine turquoise shore of Elafonisi.

The beach is known for its magnificent soft sand with subtle pink shades and its shallow lagoon with incredibly clear waters.

Elafonisi is a great place for solo travelers and people interested in water sports. In the area, it is possible to practice windsurfing and kite surfing, as well as enjoy one of the most stunning sunsets on the island.

 

2.    Paleokastritsa Beach – Corfu Island, Ionian Sea

If you’re looking for stunning emerald green seas surrounded by an incredibly green landscape, sea caves, and breathtaking cliffs, the Paleokastritsa is your best bet.

The area of Paleokastritsa includes three different beaches, mixing both fine sand and soft pebbles, and some of the most refreshing waters on the island.

The place is on the western coast of Corfu, about 23 kilometers from the center of Corfu town, and you can get there either by bus or by driving.

There are also many organized tours to take you on a day trip to the area.

The three shores of Paleokastritsa are well organized, featuring bars, restaurants, and traditional tavernas. There is also plenty of parking, so there is no need for you to pack a lunch or a beach umbrella to enjoy the day.

3.     Porto Katsiki – Lefkada Island, Ionian Sea

Located on the pristine island of Lefkada, also in the Ionian Sea, just like Corfu, Porto Katsiki is among the most famous beaches in Greece and rightfully ranked as one of the best beaches in Europe.

Located about 40 kilometers from the main city of Lefkada, the beach is perfect for a solitary escape. In fact, the beach cannot be accessed easily; it is necessary to hike downhill or, even better, take a boat.

The beach features a deep blue sea that makes an impressive contrast with the rugged hills and rock formations.

It also has small white pebbles, and it is a favorite among solo travelers since its fairly deep and wavy waters don’t make it a child-friendly destination.

Families visiting Lefkada prefer to spend their time on other safer shores, leaving the beauty of Porto Katsiki to solo travelers and romantic couples to enjoy.

 

4.    Plakas Beach – Naxos Island, Aegean Sea

You will certainly fall for this incredibly long and wide shore, located about 10 kilometers from Chora, the main town in Naxos.

Although the island hosts several incredibly nice beaches, Plaka is the most impressive of them all. The shore of Plaka is shallow and safe, ideal for those who are not so good at swimming.

This extensive, soft, and golden sand beach with crystal-clear waters and high dunes is tranquil and relaxing, despite the impressive quantity of seaside bars and cocktail lounges in the nearby area.

Several hotels offer immediate access to the beach as well as some of the most amazing sunset views on the island.

Plaka offers both sections with organized facilities, preferred by families, and some coves where naturism is tolerated, often visited by backpackers, solo travelers, and couples of all ages.

5.    Voutoumi Beach – Antipaxos Island, Ionian Sea

You may have never heard about the tiny Antipaxos Island, but I’m sure that you have certainly seen the fantastic image of small fishing boats floating on pristine turquoise seas.

That famous image comes from the small island of Antipaxos, located off the coast of Corfu in the Ionian.

Surrounded by lush landscapes and low green hills, the exotic vibe of the exclusive beach attracts visitors from all over the world.

You can either visit on a day trip from Corfu or, if you prefer to spend a relaxing holiday in a solitary spot, book one of the very few hotel rooms on the island and forget about the daily routine by spending some days in the area.

 

6.    Mylopotas Beach – Ios Island, Aegean Sea

The best-known beach on the Greek island of Ios, Mylopotas, is well known for its incredibly wild landscape despite being located a scarce 4-kilometer drive from Ios Town.

It can be reached by car or by bus, and it features an entertaining atmosphere made of a variety of water sports as well as some fun beach bars where it’s possible to dance and party well into the night.

In the area, there are also bars for snacks and traditional restaurants, so you won’t need more than your swimming suit when planning to spend the day over there.

It is important to keep in mind that Ios is one of the most popular party islands in Greece, second only to Mykonos, so Mylopotas tends to be packed with young travelers during the high season (mostly July and August).

If you’re looking for quiet time on the beach, you can either visit in June or late September or head to another island for more tranquility.

7.    Elia Beach, Mykonos Island, Aegean Sea

Another wide shore on the Greek islands, catering to a very varied public, is Elia in Mykonos.

The beach, famous for having a huge gay-friendly section, is one of the most gorgeous beaches in this popular destination.

Elia Beach features a shallow, long stretch of fine golden sand and incredibly clear waters. It offers organized areas where it is possible to rent umbrellas and loungers to spend the day.

To reach Elia, you can either board a boat in the port of Ornos Beach or Plays Gialos Beach. You can also drive or take the bus in Mykonos Town; the ride is about 20 minutes.

Not far from the shore, it is possible to book accommodation, as there are several hotels and studios to rent. The beach is a favorite among young people, solo travelers, and couples of all ages and genders.

 

8.    Voidokilia Beach – Messinia, Peloponnese Region, Ionian Sea

One of the most impressive beaches on mainland Greece is Voidokilia. It is located in the area of Messinia, in the incredible Peloponnese region, a fantastic place that proves that you don’t need to visit the islands for a stunning vacation in Greece.

Voidokilia Beach features a unique shape (often compared to the Greek letter Omega) and some impressively bright blue waters that make a clear contrast against the bare landscape surrounding the area.

The semi-circular beach has a long strip of dunes that separate the beach from the natural reserve of Gialova Lagoon, an aquatic ecosystem hosting one of the most important bird habitats in the Balkan region, featuring over 250 unique species of birds, many of them under threat of extinction.

The beach also offers a friendly environment for gay travelers, naturists, and solo visitors. The best way to get there is by traveling along a dirt road from the nearby village of Petrochori.

9.    Anthony Quinn Beach, Rhodes Island, Aegean Sea

Rhodes is an island in the Dodecanese archipelago that boasts some incredible beaches; one of the most famous is the so-called Anthony Quinn Beach.

The beach is named after the famous American actor who spent several months in the area shooting the famous film The Guns of Navarone.

This island beach is also known as Ladiko Beach, and it is one of the best places on the island to go diving. It is easy to reach, and it is located about 20 minutes from the center of Rhodes Town.

 

10.    Seychelles Beach – Ikaria Island, Eastern Aegean Sea

The island of Ikaria can be described as a place that has remained fairly off the beaten path and that still conserves incredible traditions.

The island has attracted attention from worldwide media in recent years due to the impressive longevity of its inhabitants, who, upon consultation, admitted to dancing, drinking, and smoking on a regular basis. Attention was then drawn to the local gastronomy, which has one of the healthiest diets in the world.

Despite these shocking facts, Ikaria is better known for hosting one of Greece’s most beautiful beaches, which, only with its name, can give you a pretty fair idea of what all the fuss is about.

Seychelles Beach is located on a shallow and quite isolated cove, surrounded by high protective cliffs that manage to give the place a private atmosphere.

Besides, it is not the easiest point to access on the island, which contributes to its mysterious vibe.

Seychelles Beach is located 20 kilometers south of the village of Agios Kiriakos, and it is better reached by hiking along a short path along a river bed or by boat.

11.    Navagio Beach – Zakynthos Island, Ionian Sea

The best-known image of Greece on the internet is the impressive Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach.

The shore is located on the northern coast of Zakynthos Island, and it can only be accessed by boat. You can book a one-day tour from Zakynthos.

The beach features gorgeous turquoise waters and an impressive backdrop of white hills. However, the main characteristic of Navagio is an old, half-submerged ship that gives name to the shore.

This famous shipwreck sank on the coast of Zakynthos in 1982. It is rumored that the ship transported a huge load of duty-free cigarettes and that rescuing the crew was a monumental task.

 

12.    Sarakiniko Beach – Milos Island, Aegean Sea

Back in the Aegean, another Cycladic destination worth your time for its beaches is the island of Milos.

Home to a bizarre lunar landscape, the unique beach of Sarakiniko stands out with its striking beauty.

The unreal setting owes its origin to the volcanic traits of the island Milos and hosts some really strange beaches with surreal, out-of-this-world vistas.

In particular, the most famous of them all is Sarakiniko, which used to be a safe refuge for Saracen pirates in past centuries. The beach is situated about 5 kilometers from Plaka, the main town in Milos.

Sarakiniko is not your traditional sandy beach; instead, it features smooth, white rocks that are popular platforms from which to dive and swim in the deep green waters of the coast.

13.    Koukounaries Beach – Skiathos Island, Sporades, Aegean Sea

Well-known all over Europe, Koukounaries is a magnificent beach on the tranquil island of Skiathos in the Sporades archipelago.

It is located off the coast of the Magnesia region, near the Pelion peninsula.

The beach’s unique allure is given by the surrounding pine tree forest that reaches the fine golden sand.

It features magnificent deep blue waters, and it is quite off the beaten track, making it a perfectly peaceful place to spend a day or more.

This pine forest features a gorgeous lagoon and is a protected area; however, there are enough available accommodations as well as restaurants, bars, and other shops, making it a great summer destination.

 

14.    Myrtos Beach – Kefalonia Island, Ionian Sea 

Another wonderful gem in the Ionian, Myrtos, is an impressive beach on the Greek island of Kefalonia that has many times been ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Home to amazing landscapes and impressive beauty, Myrtos features a fine white sand shore and incredible deep waters with endless shades of blue, changing from crystal clear turquoise to deep navy blue.

The beach is a famous destination located in the northern area of Kefalonia. It is a favorite place to visit for its incredible sunsets, and it is also well organized, featuring umbrellas and loungers, as well as a place to get snacks and drinks.

The beach is located on an open bay; therefore, it is often hit by big waves, and families tend to avoid it, making it a tranquil place to visit for solo travelers and couples looking for a peaceful environment.

15.    Balos Beach – Crete Island, Sea of Crete

Back in Crete, this time on the northern coast, facing the Sea of Crete, the exotic landscape of Balos Beach is one of the best-known pictures of the island.

Enclosed by the nearby Cape Tigani, Balos forms a shallow lagoon with a Caribbean feel with transparent waters and white sand with shades of pink.

Balos is surrounded by high cliffs and can be accessed only by boat or after a difficult drive along a dirt road and a 20-minute hike down to the sea.

Despite being hard to reach, it remains one of the most visited beaches on Crete island and it is often included among the most beautiful beaches in Greece.

The beach is located about 55 km from the city of Chania and features only a few organized facilities. There is only a beach bar, so packing a lunch is never a bad idea.

 

16.    Kolymbithres Beach, Paros Island, Aegean Sea

The incredible coast of Paros hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece; one of them is Kolimbithres.

You will find a collection of shallow pool-like bays surrounded by strange, smooth granite formations eroded by the marine breeze and wave erosion that resemble more of a moon-like panorama than a paradisiac Mediterranean beach.

You can visit any of the three different beaches in the area, just a few minutes from the picturesque fishing village of Naoussa. The three bays are the perfect setting for a lazy day soaking in the fresh sea water and are also ideal for picturesque and very original photos of Greece!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Greece has some incredible beaches with magnificent landscapes, incredibly transparent waters, and breathtaking surroundings. It is not easy to make up your mind, but have you decided which one to visit first?

More of the Best Things to Do in Greece

10 Best Islands to Visit in Greece

Mini Guide to Athens (including where to stay)

What are the Best Things to Do in Crete?

Best Things to Do in Mykonos Island

When is the Best Time to Visit Greece?

What are the Best Foods to Eat in Greece?