One of the more remote beaches to be found on Naxos, it's more correct to say that this large expanse of fine white sand is made up of three individual coves that get better the further south you meander. Also spelt Pyrgaki, the sands are mixed with some shells and small pebbles, particularly at the water's edge, though this doesn't stop those in the know heading to Pirgaki Beach for… read more »
Offering up one of Naxos' most naturalistic settings is Aliko Beach, backed by a protected forest of cedar and other native trees. Facing south rather than west like most of the beaches in the area, the white sands of Aliko Beach are interspersed with small occasional pebbles. While there are significant areas of submerged rock off the beach, they lie on either side of a clear zone which slopes gently… read more »
Stretching for approximately half a kilometre, Pefki (or Pefkos) Beach is a mix of sand a deep orange colour and pebbles. It's narrower than other beaches on the east coast of the island, but its length ensures there's still a good number of sun loungers and umbrellas on offer.
For swimming, head to the far end of the beach, where there are sheltered rocky coves with the shallowest water. Otherwise, stick… read more »
Dassia Beach may be narrow at approximately 15 metres wide, but it does have a lot going for it. Two hundred metres long, the mixture of sand and shingle pebbles is largely flat, providing family-friendly entry into tranquil waters. It is able to offer two rows of thatched umbrellas for hire, the latter row partly located on the area of grass behind.
Located between the villages of Gouvia and Ipsos, the… read more »
The tiny beach of Canal d'Amour is only long enough to welcome in a handful of parasols, and not much wider. Its dark, richly-coloured sands sit between two narrow fingers of rock which stretch out some distance into the light waters creating an enclosed canal or fjord-like feel.
Entirely natural, this protected stretch of Corfu's northern coast has formed because of centuries of wind and wave action. Located between the villages… read more »
Issos Beach is a quiet ribbon of golden sand some 1.5 kilometres long that is backed by gently-sloping dunes. These separate it from the forests and wetlands that surround Lake Korission, one of Corfu's most important bodies of freshwater.
This south facing beach lies in the far south of the island, and benefits from a lifeguard presence during the high season. Issos Beach has a shallow entry into glorious turquoise waters,… read more »
Located on Corfu's southeast coast, Agios Ioannis Peristeron is around 16 kilometres from Corfu Town. It is known for its pale blue waters and quiet ambience, since there are no larger resorts located here.
A relatively thin string of pebble-strewn sand, Agios Ioannis Peristeron is backed onto by an area of grass. Shaded by the trees, it has a boardwalk that makes strolling along its length and reaching the shallows particularly… read more »
Stretching along Santorini's southeast coast, the black sands of Perivolos Beach (Paralia Perivolos) are broad enough to accept several neat rows of sun loungers without anyone feeling hemmed in. It lies in between the beaches of Perissa and Agios Georgios, with little to separate them other than their separate names, making one long ribbon of sand several kilometres in length.
In addition to sun loungers and umbrellas, beachgoers can… read more »
The largest beach on Mykonos, Elia Beach sits on the island's winding southern coast in a large protected bay. Despite its size much of the beach's rich golden sand is occupied by sun loungers and umbrellas.
Entry into Elia Beach's warm waters is smooth, without any sudden drop-off, and it's a popular beach to swim from to cool off after enjoying the sun. There are a good range of facilities on… read more »
Halikounas Beach is located at the northern end of a thin strip of land that separates Lake Korission from the sea on the southwest coast of the island. Sometimes known by the alternative name of Chalikounas, the beach is predominantly made up of yellow sand, though this does have a mixture of shingle along its three-kilometre length too.
The largest sand beach on this side of the island, one of its… read more »
Lourdas Beach is easily reached from Argostoli, 17 kilometres away, by both car and bus. Also known as Lourdata, the beach sits at the base of high cliffs on one of the island's largest bays. A bus provides access for those who don't want to walk. Lourdas' northernmost end is primarily sand, slowly turning to shingle the further towards the south you head.
There's a good range of facilities on offer… read more »
