Key Takeaways
- The best beaches in Greece are some of the best in the world, with hundreds of options across the mainland and islands.
- Some of the best beaches in Greece are located on less-known islands.
- Greece's beaches offer a variety of landscapes, from the towering vertical cliffs of Navagio Beach to the pink sand of Elafonisi Beach.
Koufonisia - credits: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock.com
With more than 8,000 miles of coastline, it's no surprise that Greece has some of the most lovely beaches in the world.
The country's Ionian islands, Cyclades islands, and mainland draw scores of travelers each year. But which Greek beaches make our list of the best?
Here are the 10 best beaches in Greece to note down for your visit to our beautiful, sun-drenched country.
Elafonissi, Crete
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and the Greek islands is our favourite beach of Elafonissi in Crete.
In fact, it is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Europe and around the world. Elafonissi is located at a distance of about 75 km southwest of the city of Chania.
It is an excellent beach with turquoise waters and a soft sandy beach. There is a small island in front of the beach of the same name.
It is a place of special natural beauty and a Natura 2000 protected area. Elafonisi, together with the surrounding reefs, Prasonisi and Plakoulithra, belongs to the ancient island cluster of islands that went by the name ‘Mousagorai Islands.’ In antiquity, there lay a sanctuary of the god Apollo.
Sarakiniko, Milos
Sarakiniko Beach is arguably one of the most unique sights you’ll experience in a lifetime. It is an unreal, but beautiful place reminiscent of a lunar landscape, in the Cyclades.
Due to the volcanic origin of its soil, Milos has an impressive morphology and variety of beaches.
The beach of Sarakiniko took its name from the Saracen pirates who used it as a base. If you look around you may see some bollards from their ships.
It is located around 5 kilometers from the island's capital, Plaka, while it overlooks the islands of Sifnos and Kimolos.
During the middle of summer, schedule your visit to the beach of Sarakiniko during hours when the sun doesn’t shine as bright, as due to the striking white rocks, the heat can be unbearable, especially during the ascend for your return back home.
However, be sure it is worth it. It is a paradise beach you shouldn't miss!
Shipwreck Beach (or Navagio Beach), Zakynthos
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, in which nature and the human hand, contributed to creating a magical image. It is none other than the Shipwreck Beach of Zakynthos.
White sand, crystal clear waters, impressive cliffs, and the half-submerged ship compose the fantastic scenery of the long sandy beach Shipwreck Beach on the Greek island Zakynthos.
One of the most famous and beautiful sandy beaches in the world, Shipwreck Beach is accessible only by the sea.
The only story that hides the attraction of Shipwreck Beach, the famous shipwreck, begins on September 30, 1982, when a maritime accident of the merchant ship Panagiotis took place on the beach of Zakynthos.
Mytros Beach, Kefalonia
Standing out for its otherworldly beauty, Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia Island stars every year and every season, on the list of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world.
Vertical and very high cliffs with green peaks, fine sand, all-white pebbles, waters that deepen sharply, and a sunset that competes with that of Santorini, compose the unique scene in Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia island.
The famous Myrtos Beach of Kefalonia is located in the northern part of the island, north of Argostoli. It is about 800 meters long, while at the edge of the beach, there is a small cave.
Myrtos Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag and has gained worldwide recognition for being one of the best and most famous beaches in Greece.
Despite its raw, wild beauty, it is an organized beach, with a canteen, umbrellas, sunbeds, and a lifeguard. Along with Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, it is the most popular beach in the Ionian Sea.
Despite its allure, the sandy beach is not kid-friendly. Myrtos Beach is in fact considered quite dangerous because as an open bay, big waves are a common occurrence.
Regardless, its turquoise waters, with or without waves, will make your swimming endeavors unforgettable.
Do not leave unless you first see the sunset which will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Paleokastritsa, Corfu
The popular area of Paleokastritsa has 6 wonderful beaches, surrounded by olive trees and impressive vegetation.
Pebbled or sandy, the crystal clear but slightly icy waters of the coast of Corfu attract large tourist crowds year after year.
If you want to explore the hidden beaches and rocky coves of the area, rent one of the pedal boats and enjoy the sun and the sea away from the masses.
On the beach, in the bay of Paleokastritsa, there are many hotels and restaurants.
You can rent umbrellas and sunbeds on most of the beaches in Greece, and Paleokastritsa is no exception to the rule. There is also a diving and boating center on-site.
Vai Beach, Crete
Vai Beach - credits: Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock.com
The beautiful beach of Vai, also known as ‘Finikodasos’ or ‘palm forest’ in Greek, is located 25 km east of Sitia and 94 km east of the city of Agios Nikolaos in majestic Crete.
Vai has the largest known palm forest in all of Europe, in an area of 250 square kilometers consisting of 5,000 palm trees.
In order to truly take in its magnificence, you can follow the path that exists in the southern part of the beach, from where you will be able to enjoy a unique view from above.
The beach is organized and on it, you will find, in addition to umbrellas and showers, canteens, and a tavern that will make your visit to the beach a pleasurable and comfortable experience. There are also opportunities for water sports.
Due to the palm forest, the area is protected. For this reason, both construction and free camping are prohibited.
Vai, apart from its special and exotic beauty, is also interesting in terms of biodiversity, as many migratory birds stop in the area on their journey to and from Africa.
Kolymbithres, Paros
On the north side of Plastira Bay in Paros, you can find the beach of Kolimbithres, with a unique look of particular interest.
The coast got its name from the boiler-like hollows that resemble swimming pools and are located between the granite rocks.
When granite rocks were found on the surface, the effect of disintegration, wind erosion, and wave erosion created cushion-shaped and elliptical shapes.
Kolymbithres consists of three small beaches of incomparable beauty with rocks that look like sculptures and stunning views of Naoussa.
It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Paros and is fully organized with sunbeds and umbrellas.
The popularity of the beach has not affected its raw beauty and authentic character.
Kolymbithres’ waters are cool and crystal clear, while its unmatched setting creates the backdrop to all of your holiday photos that depict the beaches in Paros and Greece.
Simos, Elafonisos
Elafonisos - credits: Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock.com
At the southern tip of Laconia, between the Peloponnese and Kythira, is a small island that is the tropical paradise of Greece. Elafonisos, as it is called, is the number one destination for camping in the summer.
A paradise on earth or the emerald of the Mediterranean as some call it. Turquoise waters, fine off-white sand, and endless blue in a landscape that fascinates and makes you admire it, even if it is only through photos.
The endless beach of Simos has fine golden sand and dunes inside, while a forest with sea cedars spreads over a large area and unites the two beaches.
The beach of Simos has been awarded many times as it is considered one of the best beaches in Greece and Europe. The ultimate exotic landscape is a mere 4 hours from Athens.
Voidokilia Beach, Messinia
The beach of Voidokilia in Messinia is a natural bay of unique beauty, with white, fine sand spreading over a large area, from one end of the beach to the other.
It is hands down one of the best sandy beaches in mainland Greece.
Its waters are turquoise, the sand is white with thousands of shells and the contrast with the low vegetation and the rocky landscape makes the region an exotic sight.
Despite its great tourist traffic, Voidokilia remains authentic with priceless natural beauty.
It is in the Natura 2000 protected nature reserve and you will not find any organized activity there, while free camping is prohibited in the area, which boasts significant biodiversity.
On the left of the beach, you will find Paleokastro, the ruins of a Medieval castle built by the Venetians in the 13th century, at the base of which the cave of Nestor is located.
To your right, at the other end of Voidokilia on the hill, there is a vaulted tomb that is attributed -without yet being confirmed- to Thrasymides, son of Nestor.
Voidokilia is 10 km away from Pylos. The beach can be reached by a dirt road that crosses the perimeter of the lagoon of Gialova, by a dirt road from the village of Petrochori, and by a path from Divari Beach.
Pori, Koufonisia
Koufonisia - credits: Aetherial Images/Shutterstock.com
The largest and admittedly the best beach on the tiny island of Koufonisia in the Aegean Sea is the one of Pori, and is the complete antithesis of Paradise Beach in Mykonos, with peace and quiet being its two most precious elements.
It is not organized, but that only adds to its allure. Despite not being organized, there you will find a restaurant for your food, coffee, and ice cream, and plenty of space to spread your towel.
Pori is at a distance of 3 km from Chora, a magical and large beach with soft sand at the base of a large, natural bay that ensures calm waters.
The blue-green color of the crystal-clear water captivates the eye with its wonderful, crystalline clarity.
Few tamarisk trees offer their soothing shade to those who come here early in the morning, so consider waking up a bit early in order to catch the beach of Pori to its full potential.
Final Thoughts
Kolymbithres, Paros - credits: sangriana/Shutterstock.com
There is no doubt that the list could go on and on, with less-known but honorable mentions of beaches with electric blue waters going out to Seychelles Beach in Ikaria, Voutoumi Beach in Paxi, Potami Beach in Samos, and Tsigrado Beach in Milos.
However, except for the fact that we don’t want to bore you to death, this is a good sample of the most magical beaches in Greece across most of its noteworthy regions.
Don’t wait any longer to have the sun warm your skin and the shimmering waters refresh you while you sip cocktails from the stunning Greek beach bars.
Check out our Greece itineraries, book your next trip to Greece, and combine as many of the beaches above as you can! We promise you’ll soon understand that no words can truly describe the feeling!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best beaches in Greece for kids?
What are the best beaches in Greece close to Athens?
Which island has the best beaches in Greece?
Which beaches in Greece have the clearest water?
