Uncover secluded strips of sand strewn with shipwrecks, shallow waters shielding small fishing villages and scenic lagoons as author Bex Shapiro shares Greece’s greatest seashores.
Ah, Greece. A land of historical ruins, laidback dwelling, and, in fact, severely photogenic seashores. Nevertheless, with 227 inhabited islands and hundreds of kilometres of shoreline, narrowing down the ‘greatest’ isn’t any straightforward feat. Actually, in Greece, you’d battle to discover a seashore you wouldn’t fortunately plonk your self down on for hours.
Whether or not your best spot is a secluded cove solely reachable by boat or a sandy strip of seashore bars, there’s one thing right here for each sunseeker.
Faros Seaside, Sifnos
Why we love the island: Sifnos may be one of many smaller Cyclades, however it packs in mountains, olive groves and sleepy villages in spades. It flies underneath the radar in comparison with heavyweights like Mykonos, making it best for experiencing a slice of genuine island life. You’d higher come hungry too, as Sifnos serves up a few of Greece’s tastiest meals, with famend dishes like revitha (chickpea stew), sluggish cooked in earthenware pots which can be hand crafted on the island.
Why we love this seashore: Set your cellphone to ‘don’t disturb’ as a result of Faros – a small fishing village on the southeast coast – was made for unwinding. The sand is gentle, the shallow water is nice for teenagers and the household run tavernas close by are an ideal spot for tucking into grilled fish or seafood meze because the solar units.
Mylopotas Seaside, Ios
Why we love the island: Ios is quintessential Greece: blue-domed buildings, breezy seashores and sunsets that rival Santorini’s. It hums with backpackers in summer season, however in the event you head exterior Chora, the primary city, you’ll discover lowkey eating places, conventional cubic villages and hikes that wind by way of household run farms and centuries-old terraces.
Why we love this seashore: Certain, Mylopotas may be one of many island’s hottest seashores because of its proximity to Chora, however its blue water is value braving the crowds for – although with 1.5 kilometres of sand, discovering a spot shouldn’t be an issue.
Learn extra: Connecting with Crete’s traditions within the White Mountains
Balos Seaside, Crete
Why we love the island: Greece’s largest island has all of it: vineyards and olive groves, Minoan palaces, the longest gorge in Europe (Samaria Gorge), mountain hikes and, in fact, numerous seashores. After you roll off the sand, there are additionally loads of lesser-known villages the place you may expertise traditional Cretan meals, music and traditions.
Why we love this seashore: Balos Seaside is the truth is two sandbars reaching out throughout the Aegean, connecting the mainland with the uninhabited island of Gramvousa, house to a Sixteenth-century fort. Between the 2 bars, a heat turquoise lagoon kinds, creating one of the crucial photographed seashores in Greece.
Tremendous Paradise Seaside, Mykonos
Why we love the island: Regardless of its glitzy fame, Mykonos is all the way down to earth at its core. The principle city is filled with galleries, outdated church buildings and eating places, whereas the seashores cater to everybody from these chasing some R&R to these able to get together into the early hours. Mykonos additionally will get bonus factors for being a brief boat trip to Delos, the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and considered one of Greece’s most vital archaeological websites.
Why we love this seashore: Although crowded in peak season, Tremendous Paradise Seaside is a Mykonos icon. It turned common with free-spirited backpackers and artists within the early ’70s and was a part of the broader bohemian journey wave. By day, laze on a sunbed or hit the water on a jet ski or stand-up paddle board, then head to a seashore bar at sundown for cocktails and DJ units.
Learn extra: The best way to keep away from the crowds in Mykonos and Santorini
Plaka Seaside, Naxos
Why we love the island: Naxos, the Cyclades’ largest island, is steeped in mythology. Zeus, king of the gods, is claimed to have grown up right here in hiding from his ferocious father, whereas Dionysus, god of wine, liked the island a lot he carpeted its fertile soils with vineyards. It’s additionally one of many archipelago’s most self-sufficient islands and is house to a well-preserved medieval city crammed with an online of winding laneways, boutiques, tavernas and houses.
Why we love this seashore: At 4 kilometres lengthy, sprawling white-sand Plaka presents ample swimming alternatives and some bars and eating places which serve snacks and drinks proper on the seashore. On the southern fringe, the place farmland nudges the coast, you may snorkel and swim amongst colleges of fish – together with, in the event you’re fortunate, sea turtles. There’s even a seashore bar and restaurant (Tortuga) named of their honour.
Golden Seaside, Paros
Why we love the island: Usually known as a ‘mini Mykonos’, Paros shares an analogous buzz however with fewer crowds. Head to the hills of Paros to discover the everyday Cycladic cities of Lefkes and Marpissa, watch fishermen bringing of their catch at Naousa harbour, then chill with a sundowner at a rooftop bar.
Why we love this seashore: The north coast’s Kolymbithres Seaside is essentially the most well-known (assume swimming coves shaped out of naturally sculpted rocks), however the 700-metre-long Golden Seaside lives as much as its identify. It’s dotted with sunbeds, parasols and cafes, and can also be one of many high windsurfing spots within the Mediterranean, because of the island’s prevailing winds.
Navagio Seaside, Zakynthos
Why we love the island: Zakynthos, also called Zante, has a fame for being a celebration place. However you don’t must enterprise too removed from the notorious Laganas Strip to see that Zante presents a lot extra, together with mountains that rise from the coast, hilltop cities, sea caves and wineries.
Why we love this seashore: Navagio, that means ‘shipwreck’, is a secluded cove named after M/V Panagiotis – a smuggler ship that washed ashore in 1980 and now sits marooned on the sand. Reachable solely by boat (from Agios Nikolaos or Porto Vromi), the seashore is flanked by limestone cliffs and electrical blue waters on both facet of the rusting wreck giving the entire place an otherworldly vibe.
Galissas Seaside, Syros
Why we love the island: Syros is a type of uncommon Greek islands that hasn’t been overrun by adoring vacationers. Because the Cyclades’ administrative capital, travellers are inclined to move by way of on their approach to extra common islands, so the seashores right here aren’t too crowded. It’s value spending a while in Ermoupoli, the island’s capital, to discover the neoclassical structure, pastel-painted mansions and waterfront lined with eating places and bars.
Why we love this seashore: Galissass ticks all of the bins: golden sand, just a few seaside tavernas and calm, shallow waters because of its enclosed location. When you get itchy toes, stroll as much as the chapel on Agia Pakou hill to the left of the seashore for an important view of Syros and the encompassing mountains.
Crimson Seaside, Santorini
Why we love the island: Marmalade sunsets attract crowds on Santorini, alongside the island’s white-washed villages and volcanic cliffs. Sure, it’s one of many busiest locations in Greece, however there are nonetheless quieter pockets if you already know the place to look. Break up your seashore time with a hike alongside the island’s dramatic caldera, soak within the volcanic scorching springs or strive Assyrtiko – an area dry white wine – at a household run vineyard.
Why we love this seashore: Due to its volcanic historical past, Santorini has a placing mix of black, white and red-sand seashores. Perissa, Vlychada, Perivolos or Agios Georgios are all scenic sunbathing spots, however for the last word backdrop, head to Crimson Seaside – a pebbly strip flanked by rust-toned cliffs that attain as much as 300 metres. On account of common rockfall, the most secure approach to see it’s by boat – how a couple of crusing journey across the Cyclades, stopping for sea swims and sunsets from the deck?
Launch your subsequent journey with Intrepid to discover the seas and shores of Greece.
Initially printed in September 2017.
