Greek Beaches Guide

Greece is home to thousands of miles of stunning beaches, both on the coastline of the mainland and on its thousands of islands. The beaches range from soft white sand to volcanic pebbles to rocky cliffs. There are beaches covered with lush vegetation and arid, desert-like islands. The deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea make the beaches of Greece some of the most picture-perfect in the world and make Greece one of the best beach-vacation-destinations in Europe.

Corfu is one of Greece's more popular resort islands, and is said to be home to the country's best beaches. Though most of the beaches here are built up with resorts, they are gorgeous enough to attract visitors, some rich and famous, from around the world. On this relatively large island there are numerous small villages, some with relatively deserted beaches. The beaches around the city of Corfu itself are the most popular, though not necessarily the most beautiful.

If you rent a car in Corfu, drive about 15 miles south of town to the gorgeous Agio Georgios beach, because it is far from any town, this beach is less likely to be crowded. Explore the beaches at the western end of the island such as Agios Gordis, which is surrounded by beautiful rock formations.

The island of Skopelos is popular with yachters, as it has many beautiful and isolated beaches accessible only by boat. If you are not lucky enough to own a boat, the island is still highly-explorable by motor bike and even bus. Staphylos beach is less than 2 miles from the city of Skopelos Chora and is a comfortable, sandy, swimm-able beach which sits in a gorgeous bay. Limnonari beach is known for its unusually green waters which are as still as a lake, hence the name "Limnonari", which means "lake water". As on many of the Greek islands, the more difficult to access, the more beautiful and deserted the beach, so be sure to prepare for adventure.

The island of Mykonos, to the South East of Athens, is known for its white-washed, blue-roofed stone buildings lining narrow hillside streets. The stone walls and unique architecture of this island, in addition to its beautiful beaches, have made it a top island destination. Mykonos town is known as "Little Venice" and, though pricey, is worth visiting. Unlike some of the other Greek islands, Mykonos' interior is almost as beautiful as its beaches. From Mykonos one can take day trips to the island of Delos; a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this uninhabited island is packed with fascinating ruins.

The popular island of Santorini is home to the famous "Red Beach". This beach got its name from the red rock which makes up the island's dormant volcano. Originally home to the ancient Minoans, this long-populated island has a unique history and look. The island's villages appear as intricate labyrinths and the beaches, though mostly rocky, are stunning. The best way to visit Santorini is by boat, as one can explore the exterior of the island and visit hard-to-reach beaches and caves.

With nearly 6,000 islands, and 8,000 miles of coastline, Greece has no lack of beaches. From tropical white sand to rough volcanic rock cliffs; the beaches of Greece vary in style and location, but all have one thing in common: sheer beauty.