Best Beaches in Greece: 18 Beaches Across the Islands and Mainland

Greece has more coastline than almost anywhere in Europe — roughly 16,000km of it. Not all beaches are equal. Some require a 45-minute boat ride and offer nothing but water and rocks; others have full beach clubs, day beds, and cocktail service until midnight. This guide cuts through the noise and focuses on what each beach actually delivers, who it suits, and how to get there.

All prices are approximate as of 2026.

Party Beaches

Super Paradise Beach, Mykonos

Super Paradise is the headline party beach in Greece. Day beds from approximately EUR 40–80 per person (including minimum spend), open-air DJ sets from early afternoon, and a crowd that skews young and international. The water is clear despite the density of sunbathers. Reached by water taxi from Mykonos Town (EUR 10 one way) or the local bus from Fabrika Square.

Best for: People who want the full beach club experience and don’t mind paying for it.
Nearest airport: Mykonos (JMK) — 25 minutes by car or bus.
Facilities: Multiple beach bars and clubs, sunbeds, showers, lockers.

See the full Mykonos island guide for accommodation, restaurants, and transport.

Paradise Beach, Mykonos

Next cove along from Super Paradise and slightly cheaper. The original Mykonos party beach — less manicured than Super Paradise, with a more mixed crowd. Day beds approximately EUR 25–50 including minimum spend. Gets extremely busy in July and August.

Facilities: Beach bars, sunbeds, camping adjacent to the beach.

Banana Beach, Zakynthos

On the north coast of Zakynthos near Agios Nikolaos, Banana Beach is popular with a younger Greek and European crowd. Music, beach bars, and water sports (jet ski hire approximately EUR 50 for 15 minutes). Shallow turquoise water makes it accessible for swimmers of all abilities. Buses run from Zakynthos Town approximately every 2 hours in summer.

Facilities: Beach bars, sunbeds, water sports rental, showers.
See the full Zakynthos island guide for transport and hotels.

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Family Beaches

Navagio (Shipwreck Beach), Zakynthos

The most photographed beach in Greece. A rusting freighter (the MV Panagiotis, stranded in 1980) sits on white pebbles at the foot of 200m white limestone cliffs. Accessible only by boat — excursions run from Agios Nikolaos port (approximately EUR 15–20 return) and take 20–30 minutes. No facilities on the beach itself — bring water, food, and sun protection.

Navagio works well for families with older children who can handle the 20-minute boat crossing. Young children may find the clifftop viewpoint (free, accessible by road) more manageable.

Nearest airport: Zakynthos (ZTH) — 40 minutes to Agios Nikolaos port.
Facilities: None — bring everything you need.

Agios Prokopios, Naxos

Consistently rated among the best family beaches in the Cyclades. Long arc of white sand, shallow turquoise water, good facilities, and a village behind the beach with tavernas and accommodation. Windy enough for kite surfing but calm enough for young swimmers in the calmer southern section. Bus from Naxos Town every 30 minutes in summer.

Facilities: Sunbeds, tavernas, kiosk, water sports, showers.
Nearest airport: Naxos (JNX) — 10 minutes by bus.
See the Naxos island guide for where to stay.

Lalaria Beach, Skiathos

Reached by boat from Skiathos Town (water taxi approximately EUR 20 return), Lalaria is a pebble beach at the foot of dramatic white cliff arches. The distinctive grey-white pebbles are smooth and slippery — water shoes are worth packing. Calm, clear water suitable for snorkelling.

Facilities: None on beach. Boats return approximately every 2 hours.
Nearest airport: Skiathos (JSI) — direct flights from UK, Germany, and Scandinavia.

Golden Beach (Chryssi Akti), Paros

Six kilometres of unbroken sand on Paros’s east coast — the longest sandy beach in the Cyclades. Consistent winds make it the main windsurfing and kitesurfing venue in the islands; the southern section (near the village of Dryos) is calm enough for families. Bus from Parikia approximately every 2 hours.

Facilities: Beach clubs, water sports schools, tavernas, accommodation.
Nearest airport: Paros (PAS) — 30 minutes.
See the Paros island guide for accommodation options.

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Secluded Beaches

Sarakiniko, Milos

Sarakiniko is not a conventional beach — it’s a lunar landscape of white volcanic rock carved into arches and pools by the sea. Swimming is from the rocks into deep clear water. Very busy in peak season despite being hard to access (2km walk from the nearest parking area or a short boat ride). Early morning (before 9am) or evening visits avoid most of the crowds.

Nearest airport: Milos (MLO) — 20 minutes by car to the car park.
Facilities: None — bring water and food.
See the Milos island guide for full island logistics.

Firiplaka Beach, Milos

One of the best conventional beaches on Milos — white and rust-coloured sand backed by striped volcanic cliffs. Accessible by road (12km from Adamas) or by boat taxi from Adamas port. Some sunbeds for hire, a basic beach bar in summer.

Facilities: Limited beach bar, sunbeds (limited), no showers.

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada

On the west coast of Lefkada, reached either by a steep 100-step descent from the clifftop car park or by boat from Nydri (approximately EUR 20 return). Deep blue Ionian water, white pebbles, and limestone cliffs behind. Gets busy in peak season; the boat option from Nydri lets you arrive early and leave before the afternoon crowds.

Nearest airport: Aktio (PVK) — 30 minutes to Lefkada Town.
Facilities: Small beach bar, sunbeds.
See the Lefkada island guide for accommodation and transport.

Egremni Beach, Lefkada

South of Porto Katsiki on the same west coast. Until 2015 it was accessible only by boat — a landslide destroyed the 347-step staircase. Now accessible again by boat from Nydri (approximately EUR 20 return). Longer than Porto Katsiki and less crowded. Some of the bluest water in the Ionian islands.

Facilities: None — accessible boat day trips only.

Balos Lagoon, Crete

Balos is at the far northwestern tip of Crete, accessed either by a dirt road with 4WD recommended followed by a 1.5km walk, or by seasonal ferry from Kissamos port (approximately EUR 28 return including entry to the lagoon area). Shallow warm water across a large lagoon, pink-tinged sand from crushed shells. Extremely popular — arrive early or take a late boat (4pm) to avoid peak crowds.

Nearest airport: Chania (CHQ) — 1.5 hours by car.
Facilities: Seasonal beach bar, basic facilities at the ferry dock.
See the Crete island guide for where to base yourself.

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Surf and Wind Sports Beaches

Kokkari, Samos

Kokkari on Samos’s north coast produces the most consistent meltemi winds in the eastern Aegean, making it one of Greece’s best windsurfing destinations. The beach itself is pebble with a stone-and-timber village behind it. Windsurf rental and lessons available (approximately EUR 50 for a 2-hour beginner lesson).

Nearest airport: Samos (SMI) — 45 minutes by car.
Facilities: Windsurfing school, beach bars, tavernas, accommodation.

Myrtiotissa, Corfu

Located on Corfu’s steep west coast, Myrtiotissa is a long sandy beach at the foot of a forested cliff. Reached by a steep path (20 minutes from the car park above). The beach faces west and catches the prevailing afternoon wind — popular with bodyboarders and waves swimmers. Clothing optional in the southern section by local convention.

Nearest airport: Corfu (CFU) — 45 minutes by car.
Facilities: One basic taverna at beach level, no sunbeds.
See the Corfu island guide for accommodation.

Plaka Beach, Naxos

Long dune-backed beach on the southwest coast of Naxos, 8km from Naxos Town. Consistent afternoon winds from the north (meltemi) make it a reliable kitesurfing spot. Quieter and more relaxed than Agios Prokopios nearby — fewer facilities, more space. Bus from Naxos Town in summer.

Facilities: One beach bar, kite school, sunbeds.

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Mainland Beaches Worth the Journey

Voidokilia, Messinia (Peloponnese)

A perfect horseshoe of sand on the southwest Peloponnese, just north of Pylos. Walk up to the Mycenaean tholos tomb above the beach for context on why this bay has been inhabited since Bronze Age times. No facilities on the beach — park at the top of the dune and walk down. Nearest town is Pylos (12km), where you’ll find accommodation and restaurants.

Nearest airport: Kalamata (KLX) — 50 minutes.
Facilities: None on beach. Car essential.

Sithonia Beaches, Halkidiki

The middle finger of the Halkidiki peninsula has some of the best beaches in northern Greece: Kalogria, Vourvourou, Tristinika, and Toroni are all worth visiting. Toroni is the longest (2km of sand, calm water, some facilities); Kalogria is narrower but has a dramatic backdrop of pine forest reaching the sea. Reachable by car from Thessaloniki in approximately 1.5–2 hours.

Nearest airport: Thessaloniki (SKG) — 1.5–2 hours by car.
Facilities: Vary by beach — Toroni and Vourvourou have beach bars and accommodation.

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When to Go

June and September offer the best balance of warm water (20–24°C), manageable crowds, and lower prices than peak season. July and August are peak months — popular beaches like Navagio, Balos, and Super Paradise reach near-capacity on weekdays; at weekends they’re overwhelming. The sea remains warm enough to swim until late October on most islands.

The meltemi wind runs across the Aegean from June to September, strongest in July–August. It keeps temperatures bearable but can make north-facing beaches choppy and day trips by small boat uncomfortable for several days at a time. The Ionian islands (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Zakynthos) have a different wind pattern — calmer summers but occasional afternoon breezes on west-coast beaches.

For a broader overview of Greek island options, see our best Greek islands guide.