The 10 Best Beaches in Greece
Greek has long held the title of the best European country when it comes to beaches, and it’s the reason why travelers flock there in droves every year.
With hundreds of possibilities and not enough time to see them all, you need just a handful to put on your must-see and swim list.
What are the best beaches in Greece? Among some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches are Plaka Beach, Possidi Cape, Myrtos Beach, Koukounaries Beach, and Platys Gialos.
With countless islands to choose from, Greece is home to all types and sizes of beaches, and many of them are steeped in history as well.
If your idea of a dream holiday is checking out the Greece beaches, you’re in luck.
We’ve rounded up some of the most popular and beautiful locations to visit while you’re there and what you can expect in the way of activities and nearby sights of interest.
The Best Greece Beaches Everyone Needs to Visit
Greece is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches, and choosing just a handful of them was no easy feat.
These are just a small portion of what the popular European country has to offer for beachgoers, so find out how they stand out from the pack.
#1 Myrtos Beach
Myrtos Beach is located in Kefalonia island and it is always at the top of the list when looking for the best Greek beaches, and it has the white sands, electric blue waters, and rocky coastal line that the country is famous for.
Some say the best time to visit Myrtos beach is at sunrise when it’s quiet and you can enjoy the tranquility, but if you want to get a tan in the Greek sun and sip on a cocktail, any time of day is best.
A little further away from the beach are two archeological sites, including Fournou Korifi and Pyrgos.
If you want to do more than just swimming and sunbathing, Myrtos is the place to be, and it comes with villas, museums, taverns, and stunning natural landscapes to boot.
#2 Possidi Cape
A cape is a good chance to mix things up a bit from the standard beaches that dot the Greek coastline.
Possidi Cape is one of the best, located in the Kassandra Peninsula, and hidden away from the more popular spots.
If you’re lucky enough to make it here, you’ll witness the most dazzling blue water you’ve ever seen, and it’s so crystal clear that you can see straight through to the sand at the bottom.
Nearby is a pine forest worth exploring and a quaint historic lighthouse, adding further to its general beauty.
When people conjure up a fantasy of visiting a Greek beach, it usually looks something like Navagio.
With towering white cliffs of every size, turquoise-colored water, and soft, white sand, if you only had to go to one beach in this country, Navagio would be it.
Not only is the beach itself a wonder to behold, but it’s steeped in history, with the original island of Zakynthos being inhabited by pirates.
You can only get there by boat which makes it even more exciting, but if you want some space to truly enjoy it, you’ll need to go off-season, otherwise, it’s packed with visitors looking to see the wonders of Navagio Beach for themselves.
#4 Mylopotas Beach
Mylopotas Beach is found on the isle of Ios, which is close to Santorini, and home of the famous archeology site of Akrotiri.
The island itself was created by a sunken volcanic caldera so there are plenty of natural wonders to see, as well as the beautiful beach that offers the usual swimming and sunbathing.
This beach is a good choice for those who like water activities, so it’s more than just a pretty face.
People flock from other islands to check out Mylopotas and once there, you can check out some of the other beaches that are within walking distance, including Chora and the Port of Ios.
#5 Voidokilia Beach
If you like your beaches with a tinge of literature history thrown in, Voidokilia is a must-see. Legend has it that this “sandy Pylos” beach is where Telemachus came to ask King Nestor about his father, Odysseus, in Homer’s tale.
One look at the beautiful sandy hills and pristine waters will make it easily recognizable.
For those who want to do more than swimming, you can take a walk along the lagoon to Nestor’s Cave to check it out for yourself, or see the local village of Petrohori.
Voidokilia Beach has enough to offer for a full weekend so if you want to learn and explore while you’re checking out a beach, it’s one of the best.
#6 Koukounaries Beach
Skiathos’ most famous beach is Koukounaries, and although it can be packed during the high season, it’s worth a visit.
While here, you can dine at one of the many hillside restaurants for some authentic cuisine, or check out the historical Kastro of Skiathos, which was a pirate-proofed town that operated from 1540 to 1829.
Koukounaries Beach is covered in the finest and whitest sand around, and the coastline is dotted with pine trees, making for a uniquely beautiful setting.
As a protected nature reserve, the long stretch of beach is picturesque, but that doesn’t mean people don’t flock from miles around to witness it, so don’t expect a relaxing day out.
#7 Plaka Beach
To avoid the hustle and bustle of some of the busier beaches, why not spend the day at Plaka and enjoy some solitude.
Plaka Beach is located on Naxos and many people who visit there decide to spend a few days in the main Plaka town because of all of the sights there are to see, as well as the plentiful accommodation available to suit every budget.
There are lots of other beaches on the island as well, so you can sample them all, including Anna, Mikri, and Pyrgaki, each with some beautiful to offer.
Plaka is the best by far though and is one of the more undeveloped and pristine spots that Greece has to offer, so it’s a must-see for those who crave a little privacy.
If traveling with children, just beware that nudists like to frequent the area sometimes, so you might need to shield their eyes occasionally.
#8 Platys Gialos
Party animals looking for a beach to spend their time at will want to check out the resort village of Platys Gialos and its amazing oceanside festivities.
This beach is located in Mykonos and has all of the tavernas, bars, and restaurants you could ever ask for, and plenty of accommodation options so you can spend the week there without ever getting bored.
If you want more excitement, there are loads of watersports and activities to choose from, including parasailing and windsurfing.
Platys Gialos has plenty of walking and hiking tracks as well, letting you look down on the magnificence of this village and watch the sunset in privacy.
Those wanting a beach that can meet their every need, and be stunningly beautiful while it does, will need to explore Platys Gialos.
#9 Seychelles Beach
Not many can match the beauty of Seychelles Beach, found on the isle of Ikaria, with a coastline dotted by bright pebbles and rocks, and some of the most picturesque rock formations you’ve ever seen.
It can be a little bit of a hike to get there along a path, but it’s well worth the journey, and once you arrive, you can easily spend the whole day just enjoying the view and swimming in the clear waters.
The emerald waters and white hillsides of this beach are a sight to be seen, and you feel nice and secluded thanks to the rocks that keep it covered.
For those interested in history, you can visit the Archeological Museum of Ikaria and see some of the fascinating past that the island holds memories of, once you get tired of sunbathing and swimming, of course.
#10 Elafonisi
Elafonisi Beach is known for its pink sandy beaches, and many tourists come from far and wide just to see them.
However, there’s a lot more to this island than just the color of the sand, as it’s also steeped in history as a site of interest during the Greek War of Independence, as well as being home to the famous shipwreck of the Imperatrix from 1824.
Exploring the beach gives you plenty of opportunities for amazing views and experiences, including being able to walk through the shallow waters when the weather is good and seeing right to the bottom thanks to its crystal clearness.
As a protected nature reserve, it’s one of the most pristine of Greek’s beaches and should be at the top of the list for anyone looking for a swimming spot with a difference.
#11 Potami Beach
The waters of Potami Beach make this destination worth a visit, thanks to the colorful shells that line the coast there.
When you combine that with the crystal-clear water you get a luminous rainbow look that you have to see to believe.
Potami Beach is located in the northern tip of Samos, the birthplace of Pythagoras and Epicurus, so it’s a must for history buffs as well.
Potami Beach has lots of bars and taverns to enjoy and is considered a bit of a party destination, but if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle you can put your hiking shoes on.
Follow the river up the hill and you’ll see pristine waterfalls and pools that you can swim in, and if you look hard enough, you’ll spot another taverna up there to quench your thirst after a long trek.
#12 Kokkini Beach
The famous Red Sand Beach must be seen to be believed, and its unique colors have earned Kokkini a place on every list that talks about Greek’s best beaches.
The sand itself makes it worth a visit, but in addition to this, you’ll witness shallow turquoise water that you can wade through while you appreciate the views and the red rust-colored cliffs that encompass it.
Kokkini Beach is located on the southwestern side of Santorini, and it takes a short walk to get to, otherwise, you can utilize one of the boat transfers.
Nearby, you’ll find some amazing Greek restaurants and a historic church to check out, and anyone visiting Santorini would be a fool to miss out on the wonders of the Red Beach.
Related Questions
Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and whether it’s the beaches or the historical landmarks that you want to check out, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
If you want to learn more about a Greek vacation, read on for some FAQs and our expert answers that can help you out.
How Many Greek Islands Are There?
There are 227 islands that belong to the country of Greece, but not all of them are suitable for travelers to visit.
Some of the most popular and busiest islands that tourists go to are Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, Naxos, and Paros, but there are many more to choose from.
How Long Does It Take to Fly to Greece?
A direct from the US to Greece takes at least 14 hours, provided there are no stops on the way, and it’s around 6,000 miles from the closest point.
The length and time of the flight also depend on the city of US that you’re traveling from, with those on the east coast being a lot closer to depart from.
Is Greece Expensive to Visit?
Greece is considered one of the more affordable European countries to visit, contrary to popular belief.
There are plenty of ways to cut costs during a visit to Greece, like traveling during the low season or shopping around for accommodation options, and the everyday costs are fairly standard.
