As you can imagine, during my trips to the US and Canada and my life in Boston, I’ve accumulated lots of photos, tips, and suggestions to share with you. With a rough calculation, I have 4 months worth of blog content about traveling!! But, it’s officially summer and I’m back home in Greece, so all I want to blog about is beaches, islands and vacation ideas!
A few weeks back I shared with you my mini-guide on how to choose a Greek island for your vacations. Today, I’m sharing with you 10 Greek beaches you shouldn’t miss (and why)! Of course, the list is not exhaustive and there are (many) beaches that I haven’t visited yet (but definitely want too). There are also beaches that I’ve visited, but don’t have any photos as I’ve visited those in my pre-blogging (and pre-digital camera) days!
Without further ado, here are the Greek beaches you shouldn’t miss in alphabetical order as well as tips you should know while visiting!
Egremni, Lefkada
You need to walk down 338 steps in order to get to the beach (and climb them up again) but it’s totally worth it! Egkremnoi is a very long beach so there’s plenty of space for everyone! If you’re visiting during high season (July-August) make sure you go early so as to snap a parking spot near the steps (parking space is limited)!
Update November 2015: Due to an earthquake that took place on November 17th, 2015 the Egremni beach is inaccessible to the public for the time being. Time and nature will definitely shape this beach again. Until then I guess that it will only be accessible by boat.
Related: The essential guide to Lefkada
Elafonisi, Crete
Located in the southwestern tip of Crete, Elafonisi is probably the most beautiful beach in Greece. Matter of factly it looks very exotic and has pink sand!! The beach is vast and you can also explore the little island there (nisi = island). Going early means that you can snatch an umbrella, but in any case, bring sunscreen and a large hat with you!
Elia, Mykonos
Mykonos has a little bit for everyone: clubs, beaches, restaurants, wind (for surf and windsurf). Elia is one of the beaches that you should visit, as it is long and sandy. There are many luxury hotels around the beach and a restaurant on the beach for lunch and dinner after a long day at the beach!
Kalo Livadi, Mykonos
This is my favorite beach in Mykonos! A lot has changed since the first time I visited back in 1999. For starters, it became popular with celebrities. Then beach bars/restaurants started cropping up. As with all beaches, during high season go before noon, as then it starts to get crowded.
Related: The Essential Guide to Mykonos
Panagia, Elafonisos Lakonias
I know the name is similar to Elafonisi (because it is), but this is another island altogether, off the coast of Peloponnese in the region of Lakonia. Simos is the most famous beach here (you’ll find it on this list as well), but Panagia in the western part of this tiny island is also beautiful and worth a visit!
Papafragas, Milos
This beach (rather tiny I should add) is like a natural pool surrounded by rocks, with a small opening that connects the “pool” to the open sea. For the record, this is how Papafragas looks from above.
Porto Katsiki, Lefkada
If you have time to visit only one beach in Lefkada, then Porto Katsiki should be the one! It’s a smaller beach than Egremni, so if you want a space there (during high season) go early!
Red Beach, Santorini
Santorini is famous for its views and not so much for its beaches, as most of them have black(ish) sand. This one’s though is unique. It has red(ish) sand thanks to the rocks that surround it!
Need more tips and inspiration about Santorini? I’ve written a quick guide for you!
Sarakiniko, Milos
Milos has unique and peculiar beaches, as it is a volcanic island. Sarakiniko is the most famous beach on the island. The beach (=sand) per se is small, but the white rocks that surround it are unique. People usually liken the beach to a lunar landscape!! It’s very close to Papafragas, so you can visit both beaches in a day!
Simos, Elafonisos Lakonias
Last but not least, Simos in Elafonisos is another Greek beach you shouldn’t miss! It’s actually two beaches divided by a thin piece of land. This is an aerial view of the beaches. My photo is from the large beach, but the smaller one is cute as well (and my favorite one between the two).
Related: The essential guide to Elafonisos
Other notable Greek beaches
I told you this list isn’t exhaustive!! So which other beaches should be on your radar? Navagio (means shipwreck) in Zakynthos is a pretty popular one! Antipaxoi island also has a beautiful beach with white sand! Balos in Crete (NW from Chania) is on my bucket list! Sidari in Corfu is a unique beach you shouldn’t miss. It even has a part called the Love Canal. And the list goes one…
If you’ve been/are from Greece, which is your favorite beach? If you’re seeing these beaches for the first time, which one strikes your fancy?
I'm Anna and this is my lifestyle and travel blog! 
How can I choose just one that I fancy?! Elafonisi looks enchanting and I’ve heard great things about Crete. I really like the idea of having a little hidden beach spot though, like at Papafragas!
Silly Medley: Lifestyle and Travel
Crete has some amazing beaches and other places of interests!!
Greece has always been one of my favourite European destinations – looking at your pictures has just made me want to go back for more.
Greece has some amazing places, doesn’t it?!
I have to add Manganari beach in Ios… Absolutely magical!
Will do! I have to visit Ios at some point!
We visited Greece for the first time just a few weeks ago, spending a few days in Athens and a few on Santorini. Sadly, our beach day was rainy and cold, so we didn’t get to see Red Beach or any others. However, these pictures of yours are gorgeous. I can’t wait to go back and see some of them for myself!
ah to bad! The weather is pretty unpredictable lately! I hope next time you’ll visit Greece you’ll get more beach time (without rain)!
Gorgeous!! I wanted to check out Milos island, and your photos make it look incredible. Thanks for the great list!
Katie
you’re welcome!! Milos has amazing beaches and you must visit one day!!
These beaches are amazing! Really, incredible. Like the ones in Milos a lot. But, really how to choose?
I know! It’s really difficult to choose!!
Those all look amazing . So tempting when I’m currently wanting a summer beach trip. Looks like you had an amazing trip on the islands.
Indeed I had fun if all of these islands…a nice beach is an added bonus!!
What gorgeous beaches!!!
They’re amazing, aren’t they?
Want to visit them ALLLLLL! We have friends in England and they go to Greece to hit up the beaches and I’m so jealous of them! I can’t even pick my favorite, all your pictures are gorgeous!
I know, it’s difficult to choose!
These are all so, so gorgeous!! My family is traveling to Greece this summer and seeing this, I’m even more bummed that I can’t join them! That red beach in Santorini surprised me – I don’t think of Greece as having red sand beaches! I’ve only seen them in Hawaii thus far 🙂
ah too bad! I hope you’ll make it in the future! The red beach in Santorini is qunique in Greece. Elafonisi and Balos in Crete do have pinkish sand, but the red beach has more deep colored sand!
Ooh this is great! My mom and I are currently starting to plan a cruise to Greece for next year! #MondayEscapes! 🙂
you’re going to have lots of fun!
Crete! Definitely have cemented my desire to go there – looks absolutely exquisite! We are thinking October – will it still be warm enough to swim at that time of year? Appreciate any feedback – cheers from Denmark!
Yes! The sea is still warm in October, but better visit during the first half of the month!
I definitely prefer a quiet beach, with places nearby for drinks and lunch – so I’m scanning these photos looking for the one with the least people on!! Which would you recommend yourself?
hmmm let me think! all these beaches are pretty popular and full of people! If you visit off season though (think early June and mid September) they won’t be that crowded! Panagia in Elafonisos is probably the quietest one (from the ones featured) for the plain reason that Elafonisos’ most famous beach is Simos and it’s more crowded. Every island though has nice, more secluded beaches!
Fabulous pictures! Oh I just love Greece so so much! I loved the beaches in Mykonos…gives me the warm travel fuzzies just thinking about it!
Glad you like my country! Mykonos has some pretty nice beaches!!
Amazing post! I have been dying to finally visit the Greek Island and I hope it won’t take long.
It is great to know from you the best beaches there in your opinion.
The photos are amazing and only inspired me even more to go there!
#MondayEscapes
Myrtos beach in Kefalonia is also stunning. A great list and great tips – which is making me want to run from my desk and straight to the airport! Thanks so much for linking up with #MondayEscapes