Best Beaches in Greece: Top Spots to Explore

Newcomers to Greek island usually seek out those iconic picture-postcard beaches that have attained legendary status in travel guides and Instagram feeds. These beaches are the ideal introduction to Greece's coastal glory, combining a degree of accessibility with dramatic nature that fulfills every Mediterranean dream.

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos

The world-famous "Shipwreck Beach" is located in a remote cove surrounded by steep limestone cliffs and is the home of the rusting wreck of the MV Panagiotis, a vessel that ran aground in 1980. Long rumored to have been carrying contraband, recently released court documents confirm the myth, corroborating the ship's illicit cargo journey between Turkey and Italy.

Navagio is accessible only by boat nowadays, and swimming is closed temporarily due to landslide risk from a 2022 earthquake. For panoramic views and stunning photos, visit the 200-meter-high cliffside observation deck above the beach, a viewpoint as well-known as the beach itself.

Elafonissi Beach, Crete

Elafonissi is rated one of the world's top beaches by Tripadvisor and dazzles with pink powdery sands created from shell fragments and a shallow turquoise lagoon. The sand color shifts subtly with tides and light, adding to its extraterrestrial beauty.

Found on Crete's southwestern coast, this nature-protected beach is perfect for families due to its shallow, calm waters. Facilities consist of plenty of parking spaces, changing rooms, and rentals of sunbeds. For a more peaceful time, go during the late spring or early autumn shoulder seasons to enjoy your tour.

Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

Myrtos Beach, one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean, unfolds at the base of steep white cliffs just north of Argostoli. Its radiant white pebbles and deep turquoise waters produce a dreamlike optical effect that amazes everyone who beholds it.

Beautiful as it is, the sea here can be temperamental, with some powerful currents and waves from time to time. The beach is well appointed with sunbeds, showers, toilets, and a snack bar. The drive down by twisting coastal roads offers many scenic stopping points, none more so than at sunset when the beach shines in the golden light of the Ionian sky.

Greece's shoreline conceals peaceful havens from tourist crowds, untouched shores where silence reigns and nature unspools seamlessly. These secluded beaches offer a peaceful contrast to their famous counterparts, with quiet reflection amidst breathtaking scenery, which are considered among the best beaches in Greece.

Kolympisionas Beach, Milos

Sheltered from Milos' east coast, Kolympisionas is practically nonexistent in guidebooks, still a local secret. Color-splashed pebbles, sapphire-blue water, and sculpted rockscapes encompass this idyllic retreat—where visitors are likely to be completely alone, yet even in peak season.

The challenge to convenient tourism helps to keep Kolympisionas' untamed beauty intact. The seclusion makes it one of the few destinations where visitors can enjoy during their vacation in Greece an entirely isolated swim in complete silence.

Possidi Cape, Kassandra

At the tip of Halkidiki’s Kassandra Peninsula, Possidi Cape extends into the Aegean as a slender sandbar shaped by shifting tides. Surrounded by sea on both sides and backed by pine-covered hills, it offers sweeping views on clear days, Mount Olympus appears faintly on the horizon.

No shops, no umbrellas, no shelters here. Tourists pull up in front of the old lighthouse and proceed on foot, rewarded with a ribbon of virgin beach that is entirely isolated from modern life.

Greece's coastal waters offer an exciting playground for adventure-seekers. Varied landscapes, steady winds, and turquoise waters here create perfect conditions for a wide range of water sports and underwater exploration.

Prasonisi Beach, Rhodes

At the southern tip of Rhodes, Prasonisi Beach is a rare natural phenomenon—an isthmus that connects the mainland to a tiny island, with the Aegean Sea on one side and the Mediterranean on the other.

The peculiar position channels the intense Meltemi winds into a natural wind tunnel, making it one of the best beaches in Greece and places in Europe for wind sports.

Windsurfers and wingfoilers have flat, calm waters on the Mediterranean side, perfect for technical tricks and speed, and wavy on the Aegean side, perfect for aerial stunts and jumps. The wind season runs from May to October, making it perfect for both seasoned athletes and competitive events.

Platys Gialos, Mykonos

Just 4 kilometers from Mykonos Town, Platys Gialos provides access to a full menu of water sports. The Watersports Center, located near the Mykonos Palace Hotel and lifeguard tower, offers everything from waterskiing to flyboarding, a new thrilling sport where water jets propel riders through the air.

Families can also enjoy inflatable rides that range from gentle tube and banana boat excursions to more adventurous types. Even beginners can rent personal watercraft, with expert instruction ensuring safety and fun for all levels of expertise.

Kleftiko Bay, Milos

Accessible only by water, Milos' Kleftiko Bay is a wild seascape that was once a pirate lair. There are no traditional beaches, but its towering white limestone cliffs and sea caves provide endless possibilities for exploration.

Snorkelers enjoy the impressively clear waters, swimming through intricate cave systems that were once home to pirates. Most boat tours offer decent-quality snorkeling gear, encouraging visitors to get up close and personal with the thick marine life and the bay's fascinating geological formations.

Simos Beach, Elafonisos

On small Elafonisos island, Simos Beach provides two adjacent golden crescents—Megalos (Big) Simos, or Sarakiniko, and the even more picturesque Mikros (Small) Simos. The theatrical background mixes nature with varied water sports.

Visitors can rent jet skis, kayaks, and pedal boats, or even learn water skiing from qualified instructors. Framed by towering sand dunes that create a natural amphitheater, Simos makes an unforgettable backdrop for both adrenaline-fueled activities and leisurely paddling across turquoise waters.

Greece's coast is a witness to volcanic power and relentless waves that have shaped beaches of rare beauty, where nature's creativity exceeds the usual beach attraction. These places boast strange formations, colors, and textures that challenge the usual concept of the look of a beach.

Sarakiniko Beach, Milos

From Greek beaches, Sarakiniko is Greece's most otherworldly coast—a seemingly endless expanse of bone-white volcanic rock, smoothed by centuries of wind and sea into a moonscape. Named for Saracen pirates who once hid ships here, the beach forgoes traditional sand in favor of coves of fine white grains nestled between flamboyant alabaster forms. 

Red Beach, Santorini

Beneath the ancient Minoan site of Akrotiri lies Red Beach, a vivid volcanic spectacle. Its striking palette of crimson, obsidian, and rust-colored sand derives from Santorini’s fiery past, with massive volcanic boulders and pebbles creating dramatic contrasts against the deep blue Aegean.

 Snorkelers prize this spot for its unique underwater rock formations hosting diverse marine life. However, parts of the beach remain off-limits since 2013 due to landslide risks from the fragile volcanic cliffs.

Paralia Paleochori, Milos

Milos' Paleochori Beach is a natural art museum, with massive cliffs showcasing a kaleidoscope of deep reds, bright yellows, and greens—colors imbued by the island's volcanic nature and sulfur deposits. The beach also features active underwater thermal springs that warm the shallow waters and sand to temperatures above 40°C.

Local taverna Sirocco utilizes this geothermal activity with "Volcanic Food," where they prepare dishes buried in the sand, which provides them with unique mineral tastes.

Balos Beach, Crete

56 km northwest of Chania, Balos Lagoon is less a Mediterranean beach than a tropical paradise. Turquoise waters lap against white sands tinged with soft pink from ground shells, creating a stunning spectacle reminiscent of an Impressionist painting.

The warm, shallow lagoon is perfect for families, but Balos is also an important Natura 2000 protection zone, protecting endangered Mediterranean monk seals and loggerhead sea turtles that nest here.

Greece’s coastline is a natural wonder, offering some of the best beaches in Greece for every type of traveler. From Navagio’s iconic shipwreck to the serene escape of Kolympisionas, each shore tells a unique story.

Whether you're drawn to volcanic landscapes like Sarakiniko, family-friendly spots like Balos Lagoon, or water sports hubs like Platys Gialos, Greece tours offer endless coastal variety. These beaches blend natural beauty with rich history, creating lasting memories.

Q1. What is unique about the coastline of Greece?

The coastline is incredibly diverse, featuring over 13,000 kilometers of Greek beaches with everything from pink sands to volcanic formations, offering some of the most scenic beaches in Greece.

Q2. What month is best for beaches in Greece?

June and September are ideal for visiting beaches in Greece—warm weather, fewer crowds, and perfect swimming conditions.

Q3. Which part of Greece has the best beaches?

The islands, especially Crete, Milos, and Zakynthos, are known for having many of the best beaches in Greece, with stunning waters and unique landscapes.

Q4. Can you swim in the beaches in Greece?

Yes, the clear and calm waters at most Greek beaches are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.

Q5. Are beaches free in Greece?

Most beaches in Greece are free to access, though some organized areas may charge for sunbeds and umbrellas.

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