These Beautiful Beaches in Greece Deserve a Spot on Your Bucket List

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With 8,498 miles (13,680 kilometers) of gorgeous coastline, finding the most beautiful beaches in Greece may seem daunting, but some beaches stand out for their unique charm.

For instance, the pink sands of Elafonisi Beach are a natural wonder, the dramatic shipwreck on Navagio Beach is an iconic photo spot, and the dazzling blue waters of Myrtos Beach are unforgettable.

Born and raised in Greece, I’ve explored its breathtaking beaches for countless years. This list of 12 stunning beaches in Greece is carefully curated by my personal favorites and those renowned for their popularity and rave reviews.

From hidden gems to iconic shorelines, these beaches truly deserve a spot on your bucket list.

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Which Greek beach would you teleport to right now?

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Navagio, Zakynthos 1/5

Elafonisi, Crete 2/5

12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece Porto Katsiki Beach, Lefkada

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada 3/5

12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

Myrtos, Kefalonia 4/5

12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece Sarakiniko Beach, Milos

Sarakiniko, Milos 5/5

Results

Navagio, Zakynthos

7 2

Elafonisi, Crete

6 3

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada

6 3

Myrtos, Kefalonia

6 3

Sarakiniko, Milos

7 2

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Elafonisi Beach, Crete

Elafonisi Beach is one of Greece’s most spectacular beaches, known for its magical sand colors. It offers travelers a long sandy stretch of soft white and vibrant pink sand.

Getting to Elafonisi takes about two hours. If you want flexibility, rent a car to get to Elafonisi. However, keep in mind that the roads are narrow and winding. During the high season, public buses run in the morning and leave around 16.00 in the afternoon. If you rent a car, go as early as possible to avoid the crowds. There are also private tours and boats you can rent to get from Chania to Elafonisi.

At Elafonisi Beach, you’ll spend most of your time admiring the stunning scenery, walking along the sand, swimming in the sea, and sunbathing. There are umbrellas and sunbeds, although getting a spot in high season is tough. There are a couple of beach bars and changing rooms.

Thrill seekers might also be keen to know that you can participate in watersports, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Alternatively, grab yourself a cocktail from one of the beach bars.

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos

Navagio Beach in Zakynthos is one of Greece’s most unique beaches because of the shipwreck on the coast. It is accessible only by boat, although it is often closed due to fear of landslides. Even if it’s closed, I highly recommend taking a boat tour around the island to see Navagio.

Alternatively, you can hike across the cliffs and enjoy the view from the top. The hike is moderately challenging and takes about 40 minutes. You will need hiking shoes for the second part of the trail.

Despite its sparkling white sand, turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs, Navagio Beach is most famous for its shipwreck, an iconic European photo spot. The ship Panagiotis was wrecked on the beach in 1980 after being abandoned by its crew in harsh weather.

Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

Myrtos Beach on the island of Kefalonia consistently ranks as one of the top-rated beaches in Greece. Located in northwest Kefalonia, this beach is famed for its impressive scenery and azure waters.

Myrtos Beach is backed by towering limestone cliffs covered in lush vegetation. It also offers a scenic stretch of pebble-stone beach. Don’t miss the grotto at the left of the beach for a great photo opportunity.

The parking lot is free but small, so go early in July and August to get a spot. There are sunbeds, but not enough for everyone in high season. This beach is also not shallow, so be careful with young kids. The view from the top is amazing.

If you are feeling adventurous, go paragliding all the way down to the beach. I have tried it and highly recommend it!

Balos Beach, Crete

Balos in Crete is one of Greece’s most picturesque beaches with gorgeous surrounding scenery. Balos is approximately an hour and 15 minutes drive away from Chania, one of Crete’s most famous tourist destinations.

Conveniently, Balos Beach is equipped with snack bars, restrooms, showers, and sun loungers, so you can easily spend an entire day in paradise. It’s also worth noting that you can walk to and around the small island just off Balos Beach.

If you drive to Balos, be warned that there are about 7 kilometers of dirt road, and a 25-minute hike to reach the beach is about 45 minutes uphill on your way back. Be prepared with hiking shoes. However, I guarantee it is worth it.

Pefki Beach, Rhodes

Lindos on the island of Rhodes makes this list because it’s a gorgeous beach with a view of the Acropolis of Lindos. Everything about it is perfect, from the soft golden sand and transparent waters to charming beachfront bars and Greek restaurants. Have snacks and light food at Giorgos on the beach, or go to Mavrikos a bit further up for great views and high-end food.

Go early to get a sunbed, as it gets busy in the summer. The beach is shallow and great for families, and you can also rent kayaks and SUPs. St. Paul, nearby, has cleaner water.

Marmari, Kos

12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece Marmari Beach, Kos — © Nataliia / Adobe Stock

Marmari in Kos is one of Greece’s top-rated beaches. It’s known for its beautiful natural scenery, sandy shorelines, and turquoise waters. You’ll find the soft shores of Marmari Beach approximately 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) away from Kos City. There are sunbeds and free parking.

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Marmari is also known for its water sports facilities. Adventurous travelers can try windsurfing, sailing, and paddle boarding. Alternatively, more laid-back travelers can sunbathe on the beach and tuck into local cuisine at one of the traditional tavernas that line the shore. You can have a light lunch at Smiley’s, which also offers sunbeds to its clients.

Sarakiniko Beach, Milos

Sarakiniko in Milos is a fascinating Greek beach with a unique geographical profile that draws in thousands of travelers yearly. This picturesque shoreline has a marvelous lunar landscape with white volcanic rock that looks vastly different from most beaches in Greece. Strong waves crashing against the volcanic rock have created unique rock formations.

As such, visitors can expect to find numerous caves and smooth rocks. The fun doesn’t stop there, either. It’s believed Sarakiniko Beach is named after Saracen pirates who once used the beach as a base. Pretty cool, right?

Of course, you can also expect to find dazzling turquoise waters at Sarakiniko Beach. Sarakiniko Beach is approximately 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) from Plaka. Go very early to avoid the crowds, as by 10.00 am it is usually full of people. Keep in mind there is no shade and the beach is very small.

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada

Porto Katsiki in Lefkada is a highly regarded beach known for its spectacular natural beauty. It is famed for its soft sand, pebble beach, and verdant cliffside that towers above it. In typical Greek fashion, the beach also offers sparkling blue waters. My father comes from Lefkada, and I still spend summers there; I highly recommend adding this island to your bucket list.

This half-moon-shaped beach is a big hit in the summer, so you can expect crowds. Go early to find parking easily and to avoid crowds. There are also 100 steps to get to the beach. The good news is there is a beach bar that delivers snacks and drinks to the beach.

Keep in mind that the road to get there is narrow and has turns. Alternatively, you can book a boat tour from Vasiliki that will take you to Egkremni, another beautiful beach in Lefkada that is even harder to reach.

Paleokastritsa Beach, Corfu

Paleokastritsa in Corfu is one of Greece’s most popular beaches. It has powdery sand, clear waters, lush greenery, and rocky cliffs.

While sunbathing and swimming are the most popular pastimes at Paleokastritsa Beach, you can also try various activities. For example, nearby watersports centers offer snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving tours. Keep in mind that the bay is small, and the sunbeds are few, so either go early or get your own umbrella with you.

Meanwhile, travelers who prefer to take life at a slower pace will be pleased to hear there are many cafes, restaurants, and bars near Paleokastritsa Beach. Don’t miss the Paleokastritsa Monastery, which is nearby for the wonderful view, and the Corfu Aquarium if you have little kids.

Falassarna, Crete

Falassarna in Crete is one of Greece’s most beautiful beaches. The sunsets along Crete’s western coast are out of this world. Picture fiery red, orange, and even purple skies as the sun drops below the horizon.

Sunset isn’t the only draw to this beach. Its long sandy shoreline and hilly surroundings are also appealing. In the summer, Falassarna Beach experiences highs of 83°F (28°C), perfect for swimming in the refreshing waters and sunbathing.

If you want to escape the heat for a while, rent one of the beach’s sun loungers and umbrellas. Alternatively, grab a bite to eat in one of the beachside restaurants. We recommend Alea restaurant for delicious prawns and octopus on the beach. There is a direct bus from Chania that takes about 1.5 hour to get to Falassarna.

Platys Gialos, Mykonos

Platys Gialos, Mykonos, is one of the most stunning beaches in Greece with a gorgeous stretch of soft white sand and transparent emerald waters. One of Mykonos’ most famous beaches, this scenic stretch of coastline is the perfect place to unwind after an evening of partying in Mykonos Town.

Having said that, there are plenty of amenities and facilities at Platy Gialos should you want to do something. For example, the beach has a water sports center that offers various activities, including paddle boarding, windsurfing, and jet skiing. It also offers many bars and restaurants should you want to carry on drinking or try local cuisine. Go to the highly-rated Yialo Yialo for moussaka and cocktails.

Kokkini Beach, Santorini

Kokkini Beach in Santorini is one of Greece’s most surreal and dramatic beaches. Famed for its bright red sand and rust-colored cliffs, this beach belongs in a sci-fi film. Honestly, if there is any, this is how we imagine the beaches to look on Mars.

This surreal beach is located in southwestern Santorini. It has no facilities, but beach vendors often sell snacks and drinks. It’s worth packing a bottle of water and some food, just in case.

When you’re not admiring the mind-blowing scenery at Kokkini Beach, kick back under the sun, take a walk, or swim in the sea. However, we recommend arriving early to secure the best spot on the beach, as it can get busy.