It’s summer and we have already begun our refreshing dips in the clear waters in Greece. As we are relaxing by the water we can’t help but wonder where to go for our summer vacations. A brilliant idea would be to book at an island that has been voted to have one of the best beaches in the country and luckily for us there are many.
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
The Myrtos Beach is the trademark of Kefalonia. It is located in the northern part of the island where the landscape is heavenly. One of its main characteristics is that the water gets really deep just two steps from the seashore; that is why the color of the water is so impressive. The turquoise waters will make your swimming experience unforgettable and if you stay there until sunset, you will not be disappointed by the mesmerizing colors.
Elafonisi, Crete
The island is a nature lover’s paradise but there must be something about the mainland beach itself that draws so many visitors every year. The Pink Sand – The sand on Elafonisi is composed of the remains of tiny pink shells that line the sea floor. When Elafonisi is pink, it is very pink, especially around the lagoon and along the sandbar to the island. But be warned as not everyone finds the beach pink when they arrive. It all depends on the wind, the motion of tides, the season and the microbes. In any case the sand is as soft as powder and its warm, shallow waters make this beach ideal for everyone, especially families with children. To the left of the sandbar, away from the families and crowds you will find all the windsurfers heaven. The prevailing winds blow pretty steadily making this a great beach for windsurfing.
Stafylos Beach, Skopelos
On the south side of the island there are the most beaches on Skopelos that are protected by the winds. The first beach someone meets when exiting the town of Skopelos, at a distance of 4 km, is Stafylos, taking its name from King Stafylos. It is one of the most well-known and visited beaches of the island, famous for the beautiful pine bay, with a sandy beach and clear blue green waters. The beach at Stafylos is organized, with a beach bar, a lifeguard, sunbeds and umbrellas. Capture the scenery while you’re there and indulge in its beauty!
Mylopotas Beach, Ios
Mylopotas beach is the most visited beach in Ios, located close to the main town of the island. It is a long white beach with sunbeds but also with some large and unexploited areas to lay your towel on for free. Mylopotas can offer a variety of activities, such as water sports. Have a blast while riding on different floating devices behind a speedboat on which you are guarantied to fall of more than once. You can also go snorkeling and explore the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea. As if that’s not enough, you will also find many restaurants and drinking hubs along the beach.
Faraga Beach, Paros
The beach of Faragas is located on the south side of Paros protected by the summer Meltemi winds. Its crystal clear waters, the natural scenery with the vegetation that reaches the sea and the small picturesque coves with the golden sand create a view of the Aegean Sea that is unforgettable to the visitor. A hidden paradise for those who enjoy luxury, simplicity and good food as there is an amazing restaurant by the beach that serves authentic Greek bites.
Plaka Beach, Naxos
Plaka Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. It is a calm and endless sandy beach with, in some parts, big flat stones and amazing azure crystal clear waters. In the beginning of the beach one can find sun beds and umbrellas but most of it keeps its unspoiled natural beauty, without any tourist facility to disfigure it. A few hotels, restaurants and cafes can be found behind the sandy dunes. Ideal for families, couples and groups of friends, Plaka beach will not disappoint.
Koukounaries, Skiathos
This is the most famous beach of Skiathos and for good reason. It is well known for its extremely fine white sand and its fragrant pine trees forest from which the region took its name. It is considered as the most unspoiled natural beach of the Mediterranean. The beach as well as the biotope that can be found in the pine forest boarding the beach where different species of plants and birds are protected and the area has been developed for ecotourism, financed by the Municipality and the European Union. The beautiful crystal-clear deep blue waters are a real pleasure. The beach is well organized; it offers many water sports, chairs, umbrellas, and beach bars. The region around the beach is also well organized, as it is full of restaurants, taverns and hotel units.
St. Paul’s Bay, Rhodes
St Pauls Bay is a picturesque bay just south of Lindos on the southeast coast of Rhodes. It is claimed that St Paul landed here in the year 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. The small church built on the hillside is a very popular wedding location, most likely because of the beautiful views of the bay and Lindos Acropolis. As for the beaches in St Pauls Bay, there are two beaches in the bay one large beach in the southern end that is manmade with golden sand and one smaller beach at the northern end of the bay that is a mix of sand and gravel. The beaches are fairly un-crowded, relaxed and the bay is ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Sarakiniko, Milos
This beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Milos and surely the most particular one due to its particular landscape making it the most photographed spot of the island. The very impressive and surely unforgettable landscape consists of long horizontal rocks bent over the sea. Those rocks have been eroded by time and salt water, and have small and huge hollows all over them. The entire landscape formed by the volcanic rocks doesn’t show any signs of vegetation and it is right white which makes an interesting contrast with the blue and turquoise of the surrounding waters. This amazing scenery gives one the impression of standing on the surface of the moon.
Apella, Karpathos
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean Sea that has been ranked over and over again among the top 10 beaches in Greece. Despite its popularity, the beach is not packed and overcrowded making it even more serene and idyllic. Mountains, huge rocks and dense vegetation surround the glorious beach of Apella. On the beach, there are several pine and tamarisk trees that offer their undeniably valuable shade. The clean and clear waters are of emerald and turquoise colors and as the beach is protected from the winds snorkeling and diving are a must as there is a lively marine life to explore! Spend your day at this organized beach and you will be amazed!
Maria Nikolakaki is Managing Partner at Beyond Spaces Villas.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Maria Nikolakaki is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Beyond Spaces Villas. Beyond Spaces Villas is one of the leading luxury villa specialist in Greece, going beyond finding the perfect Greek Island luxury villa and design a sophisticated and branded villa experience seeped in luxury, exclusivity and bespoke service from start to finish. Prior to her involvement in the luxury hospitality Industry, she spend 20 years in the capital markets in various senior executive positions based in various countries. She has lived in London, New York and Moscow and has travelled extensively to almost 35 countries with a travel attitude of finding the non guides guides.
Did you enjoy this article?
Receive similar content direct to your inbox.
5 Comments
Which one of these great beaches is THE ONE for me? Hard to say. One of the great things about beaches is that they all have their own character. Another thing is that the character of a beach changes depending on the time of day or the weather. One day one beach does it for you, another day you want another beach. I know that I still haven’t answered my question. Maybe, I ought to take a private yacht charter to try them all.
In theory we all like the idea of the remote, unspoilt beach. In reality though, I much prefer what you call the “organised” beach, a place where you are near to a loo, have sunloungers and parasols. St Paul’s beach looks perfect to me. Those Tiki huts are suggesting iced drinks and a nice range of light lunches. Looks like my sort of beach.
Classic beach scenes. It is so beautiful when you get all those shades of blue, everything from aquamarine through azure and cobalt to turquoise. There’s a whole range of settings too. There are craggy dark cliffs contrasting with the blues. At other times there are gently sloping beaches, just like in the Caribbean, shelving into the sea, from white sand beaches. Yes, I’m a bit of a beach buff. I’ve got the “Life’s a beach” T Shirt but I’m sorry to say that I don’t get to wear it often enough.
I never thought that there are gems like these in Greece. When I went to Greece, everything that was on my mind was mostly the historical structures and the beautiful landmarks that the country is proud of, I didn’t know that they have stunning sands and waters. Although, I’ve heard of Santorini and I know that they also have beautiful beaches but to my surprise, there are even more beautiful paradises hidden in it.
This was stunning and beautiful for me. I haven’t heard of any of these places. I’d really like to visit Europe this summer and Greece has always been high on my list. I want to live there someday too!
Elafonisi, Crete
The island is a nature lover’s paradise but there must be something about the mainland beach itself that draws so many visitors every year. The Pink Sand – The sand on Elafonisi is composed of the remains of tiny pink shells that line the sea floor. When Elafonisi is pink, it is very pink, especially around the lagoon and along the sandbar to the island. But be warned as not everyone finds the beach pink when they arrive. It all depends on the wind, the motion of tides, the season and the microbes. In any case the sand is as soft as powder and its warm, shallow waters make this beach ideal for everyone, especially families with children. To the left of the sandbar, away from the families and crowds you will find all the windsurfers heaven. The prevailing winds blow pretty steadily making this a great beach for windsurfing.
Elafonisi, Crete
The island is a nature lover’s paradise but there must be something about the mainland beach itself that draws so many visitors every year. The Pink Sand – The sand on Elafonisi is composed of the remains of tiny pink shells that line the sea floor. When Elafonisi is pink, it is very pink, especially around the lagoon and along the sandbar to the island. But be warned as not everyone finds the beach pink when they arrive. It all depends on the wind, the motion of tides, the season and the microbes. In any case the sand is as soft as powder and its warm, shallow waters make this beach ideal for everyone, especially families with children. To the left of the sandbar, away from the families and crowds you will find all the windsurfers heaven. The prevailing winds blow pretty steadily making this a great beach for windsurfing.
Stafylos Beach, Skopelos
On the south side of the island there are the most beaches on Skopelos that are protected by the winds. The first beach someone meets when exiting the town of Skopelos, at a distance of 4 km, is Stafylos, taking its name from King Stafylos. It is one of the most well-known and visited beaches of the island, famous for the beautiful pine bay, with a sandy beach and clear blue green waters. The beach at Stafylos is organized, with a beach bar, a lifeguard, sunbeds and umbrellas. Capture the scenery while you’re there and indulge in its beauty!
Mylopotas Beach, Ios
Mylopotas beach is the most visited beach in Ios, located close to the main town of the island. It is a long white beach with sunbeds but also with some large and unexploited areas to lay your towel on for free. Mylopotas can offer a variety of activities, such as water sports. Have a blast while riding on different floating devices behind a speedboat on which you are guarantied to fall of more than once. You can also go snorkeling and explore the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea. As if that’s not enough, you will also find many restaurants and drinking hubs along the beach.
Faraga Beach, Paros
The beach of Faragas is located on the south side of Paros protected by the summer Meltemi winds. Its crystal clear waters, the natural scenery with the vegetation that reaches the sea and the small picturesque coves with the golden sand create a view of the Aegean Sea that is unforgettable to the visitor. A hidden paradise for those who enjoy luxury, simplicity and good food as there is an amazing restaurant by the beach that serves authentic Greek bites.
Plaka Beach, Naxos
Plaka Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. It is a calm and endless sandy beach with, in some parts, big flat stones and amazing azure crystal clear waters. In the beginning of the beach one can find sun beds and umbrellas but most of it keeps its unspoiled natural beauty, without any tourist facility to disfigure it. A few hotels, restaurants and cafes can be found behind the sandy dunes. Ideal for families, couples and groups of friends, Plaka beach will not disappoint.
Koukounaries, Skiathos
This is the most famous beach of Skiathos and for good reason. It is well known for its extremely fine white sand and its fragrant pine trees forest from which the region took its name. It is considered as the most unspoiled natural beach of the Mediterranean. The beach as well as the biotope that can be found in the pine forest boarding the beach where different species of plants and birds are protected and the area has been developed for ecotourism, financed by the Municipality and the European Union. The beautiful crystal-clear deep blue waters are a real pleasure. The beach is well organized; it offers many water sports, chairs, umbrellas, and beach bars. The region around the beach is also well organized, as it is full of restaurants, taverns and hotel units.
St. Paul’s Bay, Rhodes
St Pauls Bay is a picturesque bay just south of Lindos on the southeast coast of Rhodes. It is claimed that St Paul landed here in the year 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. The small church built on the hillside is a very popular wedding location, most likely because of the beautiful views of the bay and Lindos Acropolis. As for the beaches in St Pauls Bay, there are two beaches in the bay one large beach in the southern end that is manmade with golden sand and one smaller beach at the northern end of the bay that is a mix of sand and gravel. The beaches are fairly un-crowded, relaxed and the bay is ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Sarakiniko, Milos
This beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Milos and surely the most particular one due to its particular landscape making it the most photographed spot of the island. The very impressive and surely unforgettable landscape consists of long horizontal rocks bent over the sea. Those rocks have been eroded by time and salt water, and have small and huge hollows all over them. The entire landscape formed by the volcanic rocks doesn’t show any signs of vegetation and it is right white which makes an interesting contrast with the blue and turquoise of the surrounding waters. This amazing scenery gives one the impression of standing on the surface of the moon.
Apella, Karpathos
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean Sea that has been ranked over and over again among the top 10 beaches in Greece. Despite its popularity, the beach is not packed and overcrowded making it even more serene and idyllic. Mountains, huge rocks and dense vegetation surround the glorious beach of Apella. On the beach, there are several pine and tamarisk trees that offer their undeniably valuable shade. The clean and clear waters are of emerald and turquoise colors and as the beach is protected from the winds snorkeling and diving are a must as there is a lively marine life to explore! Spend your day at this organized beach and you will be amazed!
Maria Nikolakaki is Managing Partner at Beyond Spaces Villas.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Which one of these great beaches is THE ONE for me? Hard to say. One of the great things about beaches is that they all have their own character. Another thing is that the character of a beach changes depending on the time of day or the weather. One day one beach does it for you, another day you want another beach. I know that I still haven’t answered my question. Maybe, I ought to take a private yacht charter to try them all.
In theory we all like the idea of the remote, unspoilt beach. In reality though, I much prefer what you call the “organised” beach, a place where you are near to a loo, have sunloungers and parasols. St Paul’s beach looks perfect to me. Those Tiki huts are suggesting iced drinks and a nice range of light lunches. Looks like my sort of beach.
Classic beach scenes. It is so beautiful when you get all those shades of blue, everything from aquamarine through azure and cobalt to turquoise. There’s a whole range of settings too. There are craggy dark cliffs contrasting with the blues. At other times there are gently sloping beaches, just like in the Caribbean, shelving into the sea, from white sand beaches. Yes, I’m a bit of a beach buff. I’ve got the “Life’s a beach” T Shirt but I’m sorry to say that I don’t get to wear it often enough.
I never thought that there are gems like these in Greece. When I went to Greece, everything that was on my mind was mostly the historical structures and the beautiful landmarks that the country is proud of, I didn’t know that they have stunning sands and waters. Although, I’ve heard of Santorini and I know that they also have beautiful beaches but to my surprise, there are even more beautiful paradises hidden in it.
This was stunning and beautiful for me. I haven’t heard of any of these places. I’d really like to visit Europe this summer and Greece has always been high on my list. I want to live there someday too!