The 13 best beaches in Greece

Anyone who loves the beach finds it hard to resist Greece. On hundreds of inhabited islands, and along thousands of miles of coastline lapped by the Ionian and Aegean Seas, endless stretches of sand make for endless, priceless beach days.

Looking for a spot well suited to younger swimmers? A popular strip of sand with a bit of a buzz? A secluded cove to escape the crowds? We have your picks for the best beaches in Greece.

1. Paleokastritsa Beach, Corfu

Best for mythical vibes

About 23km northwest of Corfu Town, the popular resort area of Paleokastritsa stretches for nearly 3km through a series of small, picturesque bays, with craggy mountains swathed in cypress and olive trees towering above. The real treat comes at the resort’s end, where an exquisite little beach is said to be where the weary Odysseus washed ashore.

Be warned: the beach is extremely popular during peak season and securing a sun bed or patch of sand to lay your towel can be a challenge, no matter how early you arrive.

Getting there: Numerous public bus and shuttle services serve Paleokastrista from Corfu Town and the coastal resort of Kerkyra.

2. Falasarna Beach, Crete

Best beach for sunsets

Crete’s best sunsets are refracted into millions of vermillion sparkles at Falasarna, a growing beach town with an alluring, popular, long beach. This broad sweep of pink-cream sand ranks among the island’s finest, thanks to its stunning sunsets, clear water, rolling waves and water sports. Spread your towel on the Big Beach (Megali Paralia) at the southern end, or pick a spot in one of the coves separated by rocky spits further north.

Note that things get busy here from mid-July to mid-August, primarily with day trippers from Hania and Kissamos.

Getting there: You can reach Falassarna from Chania in 90 minutes via public bus. There are several car-parking spaces above the beach, too.

3. Apella Beach, Karpathos

Best beach in the Dodecanese

However determined you may be to reach the village of Olympos on Karpathos in the Dodecanese, allow time to take the precipitous spur road that drops seaward from the east coast highway 17km north of Pigadia. Here, you'll find Apella Beach: backed by a cascading hillside of wildflowers with towering cliffs to the north and south, it is the finest beach in the Dodecanese. Some say it’s “sandy,” though it was pebbly when we went there. Regardless, it’s simply gorgeous. There's a good taverna at the road’s end, just above the beach.

Getting there: The winding road down to the beach is not for the faint-hearted. The best way to reach Apella is by boat from Pigadia.

4. Navagio Beach, Zakynthos

Best beach for drama

The blockbuster of Greek beaches, Navagio is framed by towering vertical cliffs, and boasts azure waters; pure, perfect sand; and, just to give it an extra bit of character, its own shipwreck. But just like any great Hollywood production, Navagio draws crowds. Travel in the low season to have the best chance of seeing this Zakynthos beach at its best. A precarious lookout platform signposted between Anafonitria and Volimes offers bird’s-eye views.

Getting there: The beach can only be accessed by boat; in summer, the waters immediately offshore are chock-a-block with sightseeing cruises.

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5. Platys Gialos Beach, Mykonos

Best beach for water sports and amenities

One of Mykonos’ most popular beaches, this broad stretch of white sand is lined with restaurants. It has an excellent water sports center where you can enjoy activities such as Jet Ski-ing, paddleboarding, windsurfing and more. You could easily spend the day here by renting sun beds and parasols, while snacking on fresh fruit from the beach vendors or with food from the cafes and mini markets nearby.

Getting there: Buses head here from Hora’s Fabrika station.

6. Koukounaries, Skiathos

Best beach for natural shade

Framed by electric-green pine trees, two forested headlands and a small salt-water wetland, Koukounaries’ silky 1200m sweep of bleach-blond sand is Skiathos’ most sparklingly beautiful. Beach bars, sun beds and water sports create a buzzy vibe; the whole area is a protected nature reserve but still gets very busy in summer.

Getting there: Koukounaries is easily accessible by bus from Skaithos Town.

7. Myrtos, Kefalonia

Best white beach

As you zigzag down the road leading to Myrtos Beach in Kefallonia, you’ll understand why it’s so famous. Electric-blue waters contrast with what appears to be searing-white “sand” – in reality, white pebbles). Sun beds and parasols are available to rent, though most are snapped by well before noon.

Even though a parking area rather spoils the idyll, you won’t notice it once you’re in the sea; come early in the morning to see the scene at its most serene. The closest village is Divarata, which has a couple of tavernas, including Alexandros.

Getting there: Buses run from Argostoli to Myrtos daily.

8. Kokkini (Red) Beach, Santorini

Best beach for photogenic cliffs

This stunning and surreal beach in southwestern Santorini is backed by rust-and-fire-colored cliffs, making it one of the most photogenic stretches of sand in the entire country. Arrive early in peak season to score a good spot. There are no facilities on the beach, but you'll often find beach vendors selling fresh fruit and drinks during peak season.

Getting there: You can access the beach by boat or bus from Akrotiri or via a short walk (sturdy shoes recommended) down from the nearby church, where there are parking spaces and a handful of good restaurants.

9. Elafonisi, Crete

Best beach for pink hues

In Crete’s southwestern corner, this mix of fine pink-white sand, turquoise water and gentle rose dunes looks like a magical dreamscape. As the water swirls across the sand, rainbows shimmer across its surface. Off Elafonisi's long, wide strand lies Elafonisi Islet, occasionally connected by a thin, sandy isthmus, which creates a lovely double beach; otherwise, it's easily reached by wading through 50m of knee-deep water.

Alas, this natural gem is less than idyllic in high summer, when hundreds of umbrellas and sun beds clog the sand, putting enormous pressure on this delicate ecosystem and on the minimal infrastructure, especially the toilets. Consider a trip out of season for an overall more tranquil, and sustainable, visit.

Getting there: You can reach Elafonisi via boat from Palaiochora or by bus from Chania.

10. Potami, Samos

Best beach for inland hikes

The long, tranquil beach, where crystal-clear water laps a shore covered in colorful shells at the mouth of a mountain river, is one of the most attractive on Samos. (Potami’s beach bar is one of the best, too.) Trekking up the river, you'll reach a chain of waterfalls and pools, as well as a taverna hidden in the woods.

Getting there: Potami is accessible by public bus in high season.

11. Possidi Cape, Kassandra Peninsula

Best beach for isolation

An absolute beauty of a beach lies hidden at Possidi Cape in Halkidiki’s Kassandra Peninsula. Miles of sand gets lapped by crystal-clear waters, backed by a lighthouse and a pine forest. It's a joy year-round – and a rare place to find peace and quiet (though little shade) even in the peak summer months.

There are no facilities here so bring the essentials with you. Be aware of dangerous currents at this beach; there is no lifeguard, so you’ll have to swim at your own risk.

Getting there: Possidi Cape is best reached by car or 4x4.

12. Seychelles Beach, Ikaria

Best beach for Indian Ocean vibes

Small, stunning Seychelles Beach lies 3km east of Manganitis on the island of Ikaria. Its marble-like pebbles, emerald water and giant rocks polished by the waves make you feel you’ve been teleported into the middle of the Indian Ocean – hence the name.

Getting there: To reach it, trek from the parking lot by the tunnel on the road to Manganitis, down an unmarked path leaning to the left side of the ravine. Don’t wear flip-flops.

13. Prasonisi Beach, Rhodes

Best beach for wind- and kitesurfing

Accessible via a windswept road that snakes 10km south from Kattavia, Prasonisi Beach extends to form a tenuously narrow sandy isthmus that in summer connects to Cape Prasonisi, Rhodes’ southernmost point. The Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean here, creating ideal wind and wave conditions for kitesurfers and windsurfers. Outfitters help with everything from rental equipment and lessons to overnight accommodation in surfer-dude-style hostels; it all shuts down in winter.

Getting there: The best way to reach Prasonisi is by car ferry from the Port of Rhodes or Port of Kos.