32 beaches in Europe, hand-picked and rated, with maps and where to swim today.
Arkoudilas ★★★★★ A very large, quiet sandy beach in the south with shallow water and a café with sunbeds; the last stretch is a very steep dirt road, so a 4x4 is recommended, or walk down.
Chomi (paradise beach) ★★★★★ A very large sandy beach on the west coast, reached only by boat, with deep water.
Giali ★★★★★ A small, remote beach on the west coast with crystal-clear water; the way down on foot is very hard and ends with ropes, so bring closed shoes, water and snacks, or come by boat.
Klimatia ★★★★★ A tiny cove of large pebbles in the north-west with very deep water, at the end of a short, steep walk; very popular. Bring water and snacks.
Megas Choros ★★★★★ A very large, quiet sandy beach in the south-west with crystal-clear, shallow water; the road down is a poor, very steep dirt track, so a 4x4 is recommended, or walk.
Porto Timoni ★★★★★ Twin beaches on either side of a narrow strip of land in the north-west, with crystal-clear water at the end of a long, rough walk through magical scenery; bring water, snacks and closed shoes, or…
Rovinia ★★★★★ A small cove in the north-west with beautiful, very deep water and white pebbles; the last stretch is a tricky, very steep dirt road, but the car park at its end usually has room. Bring water and…
Stelari ★★★★★ A very large beach of fine shingle on the west coast with crystal-clear, deep water, reached only by boat; bring water and snacks.
Agios Spiridon (Paleokastritsa) ★★★★☆ A pebble cove at Paleokastritsa in the north-west with deep water, sunbeds, cafés and boats for hire; very popular, so parking is limited.
Arilas beach ★★★★☆ A very large sandy beach in the north-west with shallow water and natural clay to spread on your skin; a little more commercial than others nearby, with a stretch where nudism is allowed.
Avlaki ★★★★☆ A small pebble beach in the north with sunbeds, a café, a taverna and a beach bar; very popular, and parking is limited.
Bataria ★★★★☆ A small, spotless beach in the north-east with white pebbles and blue-green water; it has become very popular, so parking and a spot for your towel can be hard to find.
Chalikounas ★★★★☆ A very large sandy beach in the south-west with sunbeds, a café and a beach bar, reached by car on a good dirt road; moderately busy.
Gardenos ★★★★☆ A large sandy beach in the south-west with sunbeds, a café, a taverna and a mini market, easy to reach by car.
Issos ★★★★☆ A very large sandy beach in the south-west that feels a little like a desert, far from houses and shops; usually breezy, with shallow water and no waves.
Kalamaki ★★★★☆ A very large sandy beach in the north with shallow water, sunbeds, a café and a taverna; usually busy.
Kerasia ★★★★☆ A large beach of big pebbles and blue-green water in the north-east, with parking right beside it; it has a small taverna, and Agios Stefanos and Kassiopi are close for a meal afterwards.
Lakies Beach ★★★★☆ A very large, quiet sandy beach in the south-east, easy to reach by car.
Mavri Ammos ★★★★☆ A small, quiet sandy beach on the west coast with water of medium depth, reached on foot with some effort.
Mirtiotisa ★★★★☆ A small sandy beach on the west coast with deep water and sunbeds, at the bottom of a very steep road; a nudist beach, and very popular.
Nissaki ★★★★☆ A tiny pebble cove in the north-east with deep water, a café, a taverna and boats for hire; very popular, with little parking.
Agios Georgios Argiradon ★★★☆☆ A very large sandy beach with every comfort: sunbeds, beach bars, tavernas, a mini market and water sports. Easy to reach by car or bus, and usually busy.
Agios Gordios ★★★☆☆ A large sandy beach on the west coast with shallow water, sunbeds and tavernas; easy by car or bus down a steep road, and moderately busy.
Barbati ★★★☆☆ A pebble beach in the north-east with sunbeds, tavernas, a beach bar and water sports, easy to reach by car or bus; usually busy.
Benitses ★★★☆☆ A small beach of fine shingle on the east coast with sunbeds, cafés, tavernas and a mini market; usually busy.
Canal D'Amour ★★★☆☆ Sidari's famous coves in the north-west: sand underfoot and very clean, shallow water; very commercial and very busy, mostly with couples and families.
Drialos beach ★★★☆☆ A small, quiet beach of fine shingle on the west coast with deep water, reached only on foot by a hard path.
Glifada ★★★☆☆ The island's most commercial beach: a very large stretch of sand on the west coast with clean, shallow water, sunbeds, beach bars and plenty of people.
Kontogialos ★★★☆☆ A safe choice on the west coast: sand, clean shallow water, sunbeds, tavernas and water sports, and quite a few people; parking is private and paid.
Limni ★★★☆☆ A small beach of large pebbles in the north-west with very deep water, reached by a short, steep walk or by boat; very popular. Bring water and snacks.
Agios Georgios Pagon ★★☆☆☆ A large sandy bay in the north-west with sunbeds, cafés, tavernas and a mini market, easy to reach by car and moderately busy.
Agios Ioannis Peristeron ★★☆☆☆ A medium-sized pebble beach on the east coast with sunbeds, a restaurant and water sports, easy to reach by car or bus.