The Best Greek Beaches for Every Traveller
There’s no surprise that when you think of sun, sand and sea, Greece is always at the forefront of most people’s minds. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly beaches with facilities and amenities nearby, a hidden cove away from the crowds that you can enjoy all to yourself or even a beach that you can share with nesting turtles, you can enjoy it all in Greece with the luxury of having the warm Mediterranean waters to swim in.
With hundreds of idyllic Greek islands, endless miles of coastline and incredible, diverse places to kick back and relax whilst listening to the rolling waves, it can be hard to pick out which are the best beaches in Greece, but we’re here to help make it a little easier.
The first thing you’ve got to decide is - when do you want to go? Take your pick from the bustling summer months, with busy resorts and scorching temperatures sitting well above the 30°C mark making it the perfect time to sunbathe on the sands. Just a little cooler and much less busy, Spring and Autumn are a good time to escape for a relaxing beach holiday in Greece, and then Winter is a good time to make the most of heated private pools and enjoy living the authentic Grecian life away from the months filled with heavy tourism.
Once you’ve decided on when you want to go, take a look at what kind of beach you’re looking for below and find your next sunny seaside escape ready and waiting for you.
Best Beaches in Greece for Families
If we wrote a list of every single beach in Greece that’s great for a family day out, we’d be here all week! Rest assured, we’ve picked out a few highlights that really top the table as the best beaches in Greece for families.
Elafonissi, Crete
Pink tinted sand, the warm Mediterranean Sea and the fresh, salty air, it’s all yours to enjoy under the Cretan sun at Elafonissi Beach. Bring your family along and make some memories to last a lifetime, with sunbeds, public toilets, warm and shallow waters and even a snack bar giving you and your family all you need to enjoy a day out on the sand.
Sunbathing is an obvious activity around Elafonissi, but to truly enjoy one of the best beaches in Greece don’t miss out on the opportunity to take to the waves on a kayak or paddleboard, with various watersports equipment available to hire nearby. With everything you need around the beach, from snack bars to toilets, you can truly relax on the shores safe in the knowledge that you don’t have to dash off for anything else once you’ve settled down. All you have to remember is the suncream!

Tsambika, Rhodes
Fancy a spot of relaxation on seaside sunbeds whilst watching the little ones paddling in the sea? More of a fan of cocktails at beach bars under the afternoon sun? Or perhaps you’re after a little bit of history whilst the rest of the family laze about on the sand? Well, Tsambika is the beach for you, with everything from beach bars and public toilets, to watersports and an ancient monastery that overlooks this idyllic stretch of coastline.
After a spot of sunbathing on any of the hireable sunbeds, head on up the rocky path to the Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary. Take the 300 steps that lead to this Byzantine-era monastery and you’ll be rewarded by jaw dropping views of the ocean and the gorgeous, rugged coastline that stretches all the way down to Lindos. For the sunbathing opportunities, the beautiful beach bars, the perfect-for-swimming waters and the stunning views from the looming monastery, it’s really no wonder why Tsambika is considered one of the best beaches in Greece.
Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece
Now, if we’re being honest, every Greek beach is going to be beautiful in one way or another, with crystal clear waters to swim in, bright blue skies and a lovely amount of sun. However, if you’re looking for the crème de la crème of coastline, these stretches of sand are easy front runners as the most beautiful and best beaches in Greece.
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
One of the most iconic beaches worldwide, Navagio Beach is one of the most visited destinations in Zakynthos thanks to its truly unique nature. Surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, this secluded little cove is only accessible by boat - but be careful that yours doesn’t get too close to the shore or you may end up like the wreck of Panagiotis, an old freighter that washed up on the sands all the way back in 1980.
Join the thousands of visitors that travel to this popular cove every single year and be sure to grab some photos of this eerie ghost ship that’s become one of the most photographed hotspots in all of Greece.
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
Our words can’t really do Myrtos Beach justice, so we’ll let the photos do the majority of the talking! Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia is easily one of the most beautiful and best beaches in Greece, with its resistance to the impacts of mass tourism, its sparkling waters and of course the gorgeous sands that look like a white blanket at the foot of the towering limestone cliffs.
There’s nothing that can truly match the experience of driving down to Myrtos Beach for the first time. Winding your way through the valley, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea, just calling out for you to enjoy a swim in its waters as soon as you park up at the beach. Alongside a beach bar, public toilets and even an explorable cave, there’s no excuse not to pay this beautiful Greek beach a visit on your next trip to Kefalonia.
Best Beaches in Greece for Swimming and Snorkeling
Thrillseekers, have no fear, Greece is the place to be when it comes to enjoying a spot of watersports on or under the waves of the ocean. Whether you’re a little more laidback when it comes to enjoying your time on the waves with a small paddle about in a kayak and a spot of snorkelling, or you’re more into the blood pumping activities like wakeboarding and speedboat excursions, there are countless places all around Greece that can scratch your itch.
Paleokastritsa Beach, Corfu
Crystal clear waters and scenic surroundings, what more could you want for a snorkelling escapade under the waves of the Ionian Sea? Paleokastritsa Beach in Corfu is the ideal setting for an underwater adventure, with warm temperatures and interesting plants and wildlife on the seafloor making it one of the best beaches in Greece to visit for making some unforgettable underwater memories.

Port Kasiki Beach, Lefkada
A pebbly beach is the perfect place to enjoy snorkelling under the waves, with interesting rocks and shells ready to be found on the seabed. Port Kasiki is truly one of the best beaches in Greece for a snorkeling adventure, with interesting discoveries ready to be made at the foot of the towering cliffs that rise out of the Ionian Sea. If you’re more of an observer, there’s a small snack bar just above the beach, and plenty of parking to make your journey to this idyllic stretch of pebbles just that little bit easier.

Convinced yet? There’s no arguing that this idyllic country is one of the best places for a seaside escape, all you have to do is pick your favourite from the best beaches in Greece, although with thousands to choose from, you may be left deciding for a while. Picture it, waking up in a private Greek villa and opening the curtains to see the sea staring back at you.
Islands or mainland Greece? Sand or pebbles? Relax or adventure? Whatever you fancy, Greece’s beaches are the natural choice for unforgettable memories by the Mediterranean, Ionian or Aegean Sea.
Best Beaches in Greece FAQs
There’s no right answer to the question of which islands have the best beaches in Greece, but a couple of stand outs would have to be Zakynthos and Kefalonia. The famous shipwreck on Navagio Beach is famous worldwide for its eerie beauty, making it a fantastic beach to visit on your next Zakynthos escape. Kefalonia has countless beaches that are well worth a visit, but the best one going has to be Myrtos Beach, which sits proudly on the north coast and boasts some of the best views going.