Where to find the 10 best beaches in Greece

Whether it’s the thumping parties on Mykonos beaches or the colorful rocks of Santorini beaches, there is so much variety to the Greek coastline. On the best Greek beaches, you can expect not just beautiful landscapes and warm, crystal-clear waters, but also cultural sites, charming restaurants preparing delicious seafood feasts (we can’t get enough of grilled octopus!), and—of course—incredible people-watching.

There’s something for everyone on the best beaches in Greece

• Island variety: From beach clubs on Mykonos to volcanic coasts on Santorini to pink-sand beaches on Crete, there are so many Greek islands and never enough time to see it all!
• Pristine waters: The best beaches in Greece are all different from each other, but what they do share is jaw-droppingly clear blue waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
• Easy access on tour: On our Greece tours, we visit some of the country’s most sought-after islands. So, in your free time, you can seek out top Greek beaches.
• Beach amenities: The Greek beach you choose will determine what type of services are available. Many are popular resort areas and offer sunbeds and restaurants, while others are more natural and less developed and might have no services at all (so, don’t forget your beach towel!).

Mykonos is famous for its collection of seaside hotspots, ranging from lively beach clubs to family-friendly favorites to serene bays and coves with golden sand—and you can visit them on our Mykonos tours! The best of these are usually tucked along the island’s southern coast, hidden away from fierce Cycladic winds.

Top Mykonos beaches to visit on tour

• Paradise Beach: A beloved fixture of Mykonos' party scene since the 1970s, Paradise’s golden sand is a 20-minute drive from town. Our A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour offers a free day in Mykonos, which you can spend discovering how this beach transforms from a laidback daytime hangout to a lively party hotspot at night.
• Platis Gialos Beach: Considered by many to be the best beach on Mykonos, family-friendly Platis Gialos has it all: location on a protected bay, sandy beach, plenty of lounge chairs, and a great collection of restaurants and bars.

Let’s get it out of the way: There are no sandy beaches in Santorini—at least not golden ones. But thanks to the island’s famous volcanic topography, a trip to Santorini gets you dramatic beaches instead—the kind you won’t see anywhere else. The best beaches on Santorini show off dramatic geological features, like sheer cliffs and colorful rocks. Soaking up their unique vibe is one of our favorite things to do in Santorini.

Santorini’s must-see beaches

• Kokkini Beach: At the popular Red Beach of Santorini, you’ll see nearly every color of the rainbow: green cliffs, blue water, fiery rock formations, and rust-colored sand. Your free afternoon during our Grand Tour of Greece: Athens, Corfu & Santorini is the perfect time to experience one of the island’s iconic sights.
• Perissa and Perivolos Beaches: These two beaches make up the same four-plus-mile stretch of black volcanic sand. Perissa occupies the north end and Perivolos occupies the south end. The stark combination of black sand, blue sky, and turquoise water makes them among the best beaches in Greece. Bonus: It’s a great spot to enjoy some water sports, from jet skiing to parasailing.

Greece’s largest island will have beach lovers spoiled for choice. In fact, finding your favorite beach is one of the best things you can do on Crete. You want pink sand? Check! You want beach clubs? Check! You want hidden lagoons? Check! You want beaches that can only be reached on foot or with a 4x4? Check! On your next trip to Crete, you may be convinced that it’s home to the best beaches in Greece.

Crete’s can’t-miss beaches

• Balos Beach: The free day on Crete on our The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour is the best time to visit this magical (though hard-to-reach) beach. You can take a ferry or a 4x4 rolling over a very rugged dirt road. But you’ll be treated to a pink-and-white sand beach, a lagoon with a mosaic of blue-and-green water, and—if you’re game to take another ferry ride—a Venetian castle on Gramvousa islet.
• Elafonissi Beach: More easily accessible than Balos, Elafonissi can be reached via car or bus. And unlike Balos, Elafonissi also has some beach amenities, like sunbeds and snack bars. But it’s no less stunning—this beach is made up of crushed seashells, giving it a glimmering, pinkish tint. Since it’s located in a nature reserve, it’s home to a loggerhead sea turtle habitat, too.

Located in the Ionian Sea off the northwestern coast of mainland Greece, Corfu is beloved for its lush landscape and warm waters. Thanks to its diverse topography, here you’ll find various types of beaches, from ones dotted with rock formations to wide, sandy bays. On your trip to Corfu, you’ll have to explore how this wild topography delivers some of the best beaches in Greece.

Corfu’s standout beaches

• Canal d'Amour Beach: The iconic Channel of Love—located between two sandstone outcrops—is one of Corfu’s top attractions. Legend has it that couples who swim through will soon marry (and single people who do will find love). Whether you believe that or not, this beach remains a popular choice for its clear, turquoise waters, ideal for snorkeling and exploring caves. But make sure to check weather conditions first—it can be quite windy here.
• Paleokastritsa Beach: One of the best beaches in Greece, Paleokastritsa Beach, on Corfu’s northwestern coast (roughly 16 miles from Corfu Town), is a must-visit destination. Could it be the various coves that make up the beach? Or the gorgeous tree-lined cliffs surrounding the water? Or the energy at night, when the nearby tavernas and bars fill up with people? Find out for yourself during the free day on our Greece’s Ionian Islands: Athens, Kefalonia & Corfu tour.

Lesser-known Paros and Naxos—both of which are starting to gain renown and can be explored on our Greece’s Cyclades Islands: Naxos & Paros tour—offer fewer crowds. This only makes their beaches even more desirable. Many of them deliver a more authentic feeling, too, where you’ll likely share beaches with laidback locals instead of fellow travelers.

Top beaches on Paros and Naxos

• Kolymbithres Beach, Paros: Located 10 minutes from the village of Naoussa, this calm beach is famous for the rugged boulders that divide it into multiple coves. Given its popularity, Kolymbithres is fully equipped with beach bars, restaurants, and sports centers. (Tip: To get to this pretty beach, take a short, scenic water taxi from the port.)
• Plaka Beach, Naxos: Nearly 2.5 miles of white-sand beach make Plaka one of the most beloved seaside retreats in the Cyclades. Its size and gentle surf make it one of the best beaches in Greece. Head to the north end if you want a buzzy beach club atmosphere; the quiet, undeveloped south end is entirely the opposite.

Greek beaches vary widely in their level of development and amenities. Understanding what facilities and services to expect helps you pack appropriately and budget for any additional costs during your beach visits.

The most popular beaches in Greece have organized sections with sunbeds and umbrellas available for daily rental, along with beachfront tavernas, cafes, and sometimes water sports facilities. But beaches in Greece are public, and anyone can lay out a towel and enjoy the water.

Essentials for a beach trip to Greece

• Sunbed and umbrella rentals: Most of the best beaches in Greece offer some type of amenity. How much you’ll pay and what you get (some might include bottled water and a bowl of fruit) vary from beach to beach. Some beach clubs might waive the fee if you reach a minimum spend on food and drink.
• Beach facilities: The most popular beaches in Greece typically have a wide range of hospitality and entertainment venues. Platis Gialos, Elafonissi, and Plaka, for instance, will have restaurants, bars, changing rooms, and water sports rentals. More secluded beaches, like Balos on Crete, have limited amenities—or none at all.
• What to pack: The more tucked away the beach, the more prepared you need to be. Having water and snacks handy will greatly improve your stay at Balos. You may also want to bring protective water shoes to pebbly beaches like Kokkini and Perissa. Otherwise, your typical beach-bag staples (reef-safe sunscreen, towel, hat) will do. More developed beaches, like Paleokastritsa on Corfu and Paradise on Mykonos, have plenty of shops where you can pick up anything you might have forgotten.
• Safety: Not all beaches have lifeguards, so carefully assess water conditions before diving in. And pay attention to (and respect) any warning flags or local advice you spot, especially at beaches with rock formations, like Canal d’Amour.