Greece is one of the countries in the world with the largest coastline. In other words, it is one of the countries in the world with the most beaches, which is why in the collective imagination it is the ideal destination for a wonderful beach holiday.
It is not a false myth: the sea in Greece is truly one of the most beautiful in the world, crystal clear and of extraordinary colours, mostly blue or azure but in some areas tinged with an incredible emerald green.
With so many kilometres of coastline, where do you go to find the most beautiful beaches in Greece? It is actually difficult to answer because there are enchanting beaches both on the mainland and on the islands, including the less touristy ones.
To make the choice easier for you, we have created a list of 10 must-see beaches in Greece, including both the most famous ones and some little-known gems. Start dreaming!
Wreck Beach in Zakynthos (also known as Navagio Beach or Shipwreck Beach) is a symbol of tourism in Greece. The photo of this wonderful beach has appeared in countless magazines and tourism websites: it is, without doubt, the most famous postcard image in Greece.
It is a beach of fine white pebbles set between two very high promontories of white rock on which thick vegetation grows. The wreck that gives it its name is a smugglers’ boat that wrecked here in the 1980s and was never removed.
This iconic beach can only be reached by sea, by private boat, taxi boat or organised tour.
Somewhat atypical in the panorama of Greek beaches of fine white sand, Red Beach betrays the volcanic origin of the island of Santorini: as the name suggests, it is a beach of reddish sand, bordered by steep cliffs of the same colour.
It is an equipped beach but being small and generally very crowded, it may be difficult to find a sunshade, so it is advisable to arrive early.
It is difficult to choose one of the enchanting beaches on the island of Crete, the largest of all Greek islands, but one of the most beautiful is undoubtedly Elafonissi. It is actually a small island in the south-west of Crete, but it is so close that at low tide it can be easily reached on foot.
Fine white sand with pink hues, shallow and crystal-clear waters, Elafonissi is a true pearl and will enchant you. Don’t miss the magical moment of sunset.
It is not just a haven of tranquillity but a true temple of fun Paradise Beach in Mykonos, the most outrageous of the Greek islands. On this beach are the trendiest beach bars and clubs on the island: the legendary Paradise Beach parties start in the late afternoon with aperitifs and continue until the morning of the next day.
Recommended only for the very young and lovers of nightlife, it is an easily accessible beach, so if you are curious, you can take a peek and then head for quieter shores… or get swept away by the movida and dance the night away!
If you’re not tired of parties and music, drop by the nearby Super Paradise Beach, which is even more transgressive.
An unmissable destination for diving and film lovers, Agia Anna on the island of Amorgos is the location that director Luc Besson chose for his film Le Grand Blue, loosely inspired by the challenge between freediving champions Jacques Mayol and Enzo Majorca.
It is a pebble beach not far from the island’s main town, bathed by a sea of a beautiful blue colour.
Reaching Tsigrado, the most beautiful beach on the island of Milos, is very difficult (if you don’t have a boat, you will have to descend vertiginous ladders down a gorge between the rocks) but this inconvenience certainly adds charm to a beach that is wonderful in itself.
Wild and remote, Tisgrad is a small crescent-shaped sandy bay nestled between dramatic cliffs and washed by crystal-clear sea.
Myrthos Beach on the island of Kefalonia is a real star. One of the most photographed Greek beaches, featured in countless international magazines and used as a location for the famous Hollywood film ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’, it is an arc of white pebbles more than a kilometre long, squeezed between impressive limestone cliffs and washed by a clear blue sea.
Before descending the zigzag road leading to the beach, admire it from above in all its extraordinary beauty.
According to the Sunday Times, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean is Psili Ammos, located along the south-east coast of the small island of Serifos. It is a picturesque beach of pale sand bathed by crystal-clear blue waters; a few small trees offer some shelter from the sun.
Although it is the most famous as well as the most crowded beach on Serifos, it is still a much quieter beach than those on the more touristy islands.
Many of the most beautiful beaches in mainland Greece can be found along the Chalkidiki coast. Among them is Nea Potidea on the Kassandra peninsula, a long and wide sandy beach.
Its shallow, sandy waters make it suitable for those travelling with small children or inexperienced swimmers, while couples will appreciate its tranquillity and romantic atmosphere.
Another beautiful beach in mainland Greece is Voikokilia, about 40 km from the city of Kalamata (yes, the city of olives!), a typically Greek area but still little known to tourists.
Nestled between the sea and a lagoon, this sandy beach bathed by an emerald sea has a curious, almost circular shape, which has earned it two bizarre nicknames: ‘cow’s navel beach’ or ‘omega beach’.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
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Luxury Hotel 
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