Greek beaches do not all look the same, which is the main reason people keep coming back to different islands. One beach has pink-tinted sand and knee-deep lagoon water. Another sits below red volcanic cliffs on an island that was formed by an eruption. A third can only be reached by boat. Greece beaches cover a wider range of sand colours, landscapes, water conditions and access levels than most people expect from a single country. This guide narrows that range down to eight beaches that genuinely offer different experiences, spread across Crete, Santorini, Zakynthos, Milos and the Athens coastline.
Key Takeaways
Key Information | Quick Answer |
Beaches covered | 8 |
Best known for | Pink sand, black sand, volcanic cliffs, lagoons, shipwrecks, lunar rock formations |
Main activities | Swimming, snorkelling, boat trips, photography, sunbathing, kayaking |
Typical beach cost | EUR 15 to 50 per person per day (sunbeds, food, drinks, local transport) |
Best time | May to June and September to early October |
Best way to get around | Rental car on each island, ferries between islands |
What Are the 8 Best Beaches in Greece Covered in This Guide?
The eight beaches below were selected to give a useful spread of what Greece actually offers, from easy, organised swimming beaches to volcanic landscapes and remote lagoons that need a bit more effort to reach.
- Beaches covered: 8 beaches across Crete, Santorini, Zakynthos, Milos and the Athens Riviera
- Activities: Swimming, snorkelling, boat excursions, kayaking, water sports, photography and sunbathing
- Food to try: Fresh grilled fish, Greek salad, souvlaki, saganaki (fried cheese), loukoumades (honey doughnuts), local wine and Cretan raki at beachside tavernas
- Typical cost: A beach day with sunbed hire, lunch and a drink runs EUR 15 to 30 on less developed beaches and EUR 30 to 50 at organised beaches with full facilities. Remote beaches with no services cost nothing beyond the transport to reach them
- Best for: Couples, families, photographers, first-time Greece visitors and beach-focused travellers looking for variety across a short holiday
What Are the 8 Best Beaches in Greece?
Elafonisi Beach, Crete
Elafonisi Beach Greece sits in the far southwest corner of Crete, and the first thing you notice is the colour. The sand shifts between white and pale pink depending on the light and the tide, and the water across the lagoon is shallow enough to wade to the small islet opposite. It is one of the most photographed beaches in the country for good reason. Arrive early or late to avoid the midday crowds that build during summer.
- Things to Do: Swimming in the lagoon, wading to Elafonisi Islet, photography, sunbathing
- Time to Get There: About 2 hour by car from Chania, western Crete
- Best For: Families, photographers and anyone who wants the single most distinctive beach setting in Crete
Balos Beach and Lagoon, Crete
Balos Beach in Greece is a shallow lagoon at the northwestern tip of Crete, where the water colour changes with the depth and the light. The best view is from the hillside above before you walk down to the sand. Access is either by a rough dirt road followed by a steep 20-minute walk, or by boat from Kissamos. The effort to get there is part of what keeps it interesting.
- Things to Do: Swimming in the lagoon, photography from the hillside viewpoint, snorkelling in the shallows
- Time to Get There: About 1 hour by car from Chania to the car park, plus a 20-minute downhill walk. Or 1 hour by boat from Kissamos port
- Best For: Scenery, photography and travellers willing to earn the view
Red Beach, Santorini
Red Beach, Greece is a small cove backed by towering red volcanic cliffs on Santorini's southwestern coast, near the Akrotiri archaeological site. The sand and pebbles are a mix of red and black volcanic material, and the contrast against the sea is unlike any other beach in the country. The beach is compact and gets crowded quickly in summer. There is a known rockfall risk from the cliffs above, so stay close to the waterline.
- Things to Do: Photography, swimming (carefully, given the cliff proximity), visiting the nearby Akrotiri excavation site
- Time to Get There: About 20 minutes by car from Fira, followed by a short coastal path walk
- Best For: Volcanic scenery, photography and a quick stop as part of a Santorini day
Perissa Beach, Santorini
Perissa is Santorini's main black sand beach Greece destination. The sand is dark, fine-grained volcanic material that gets hot underfoot by midday in summer (bring beach shoes). The beach is long, well-organised with sunbeds, bars and tavernas along its length, and backed by the Mesa Vouno mountain. It connects into Perivolos further south, where the beach bar scene picks up.
- Things to Do: Swimming, water sports, beach bars, sunbathing, visiting the nearby Ancient Thera archaeological site
- Time to Get There: About 25 minutes by car from Fira
- Best For: A full beach day with facilities, families, and travellers wanting the classic Santorini black sand experience
Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach), Zakynthos
The most photographed beach in Greece. A rusting cargo ship sits on white sand inside a cove surrounded by vertical cliffs. The beach is closed to landings and swimming in 2026. You can see it from the cliff viewpoint or from a boat offshore
- Things to Do: photography from the cliff viewpoint above
- Best For: The single most iconic Greek beach image, and photography
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
Sarakiniko looks like no other beach in Greece. The white volcanic rock formations resemble a lunar landscape, carved smooth by the wind and sea. The swimming area is a small cove between the rock formations, and the setting is more about the geology than the sand. It is one of the most distinctive coastal landscapes in the Mediterranean.
- Things to Do: Swimming in the cove, cliff jumping (for the confident), walking across the rock formations, photography
- Time to Get There: About 10 minutes by car from Adamas, the main port town on Milos
- Best For: Photographers, geology, unusual landscapes and travellers who want something visually different from a standard beach
Vouliagmeni Beach, Athens Riviera
Not every Athens, Greece beaches option requires a flight to an island. Vouliagmeni sits on the southern Athens coastline, about 25km from the city centre. The beach is organised, clean and has calm water for swimming. It works well as a half-day break from city sightseeing when the heat builds and you want a swim without leaving the mainland. Lake Vouliagmeni, a thermal mineral lake nearby, is worth a stop.
- Things to Do: Swimming, sunbathing, visiting Lake Vouliagmeni, seaside dining along the Athens Riviera
- Time to Get There: About 25 minutes by car, or about an hour by tram plus bus
- Best For: Athens-based travellers who want a beach day without a ferry or flight
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
Myrtos sits below steep green cliffs on the western coast of Kefalonia, with white pebbles and water that shifts between shades of blue depending on the sun. The beach is large enough that it does not feel crowded even during summer. The drive down to the beach from the cliff road above is steep, and the view from the top is one of the most recognised coastal views in Greece.
- Things to Do: Swimming, sunbathing, photography from the cliff road viewpoint
- Time to Get There: About 30 minutes by car from Argostoli, Kefalonia's main town
- Best For: Scenery, a quieter beach day and travellers who enjoy a dramatic coastline
Where Should You Stay for These Greek Beaches?
- Crete (Elafonisi and Balos): Chania or Kissamos
- Santorini (Red Beach and Perissa): Fira, Oia or Perissa
- Zakynthos (Navagio): Zakynthos Town or Laganas
- Milos (Sarakiniko): Adamas or Plaka
- Athens (Vouliagmeni): Central Athens or the southern coastline
- Kefalonia (Myrtos): Argostoli or Fiskardo
When Is the Best Time to Visit These Greek Beaches?
Best time: May to June and September to early October. The sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming from late May onward, summer crowds have not yet peaked or have already eased, and prices are lower than the July and August window. Sea temperatures reach their warmest in September after a full summer of heating.
What Is the Best Way to Get to the Beaches?
The best option to go with is a rental car on each island. Most of these beaches sit outside the main towns, and a car gives you the flexibility to visit early in the morning (before the crowds) and combine two beaches in one day when they are close enough.
Other options: Local buses connect main beaches on the larger islands but run less frequently to remote beaches like Balos and Elafonisi. Boat excursions are the only way to reach Navagio Beach. Taxis work for shorter transfers but are expensive for a full day of beach-hopping. Organised day tours cover the most popular beaches on each island.
How Many Days Do You Need for These Greek Beaches?
Holiday Length | Suggested Plan | What to Skip |
2 days | One day in Crete (Elafonisi or Balos), one day in Santorini (Red Beach and Perissa) | Skip Zakynthos, Milos and Kefalonia. Focus on one island pair connected by a short flight or ferry |
3 days | Day 1 in Crete (Elafonisi), Day 2 in Crete (Balos), Day 3 in Santorini (Red Beach and Perissa) | Skip Zakynthos, Milos and Kefalonia. Vouliagmeni can be added if starting from Athens |
4 days | Days 1 and 2 in Crete (Elafonisi, Balos), Day 3 in Santorini (Red Beach, Perissa), Day 4 in Milos (Sarakiniko) or Kefalonia (Myrtos) | Skip whichever of Milos or Kefalonia is harder to connect. Navagio needs a separate Zakynthos day |
All eight beaches cannot be covered in four days without excessive flying and ferry time. Pick the island combination that matches your route and give each island at least a full day.
Eight Beaches, Four Islands, One Country
The eight Greek beaches in this guide cover pink lagoons, black volcanic sand, red cliff coves, lunar rock formations, a shipwreck accessible only by boat and a mainland beach that saves a flight when the Athens heat builds. No two offer the same experience, which is the point of choosing them. Greece has hundreds of beaches, but planning a holiday around a smaller, well-chosen selection is what makes the days feel distinct rather than repetitive. Pick two or three islands, give each one enough time, and the coastline does the rest.
At Holiday Tribe, we build Greek island beaches into structured Greece holiday packages that cover accommodation, ferry or flight connections and island transfers. If you prefer something shaped around your own pace and dates, our holiday advisors can put together a customised plan around the islands and beaches you actually want to see. Flights are not included unless you want them added.
