Greek beaches among the best in Europe

Four out of twenty of the best beaches in Europe are in Greece, according to the Travelers choice Best of the Best Awards on Tripadvisor. Many of these beaches are admired for their natural beauty, and are not very close to a town. We look at these and other highly rated beaches and suggest properties for sale within driving distance or a boat trip away.

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1. Falassarna Beach, Crete

Falassarna beach came 6th in Europe in the “Trip advisor Traveller’s Choice Awards.”  The beach is on the Western coast of Crete and is about 20 minutes drive from Kissamos, and an hour from Chania airport. For those without a car, there are buses that run from Chania and Kissamos. When you arrive at Falassarna there is a large carpark and a few shops, restaurants and bars.

The beach is known for its powdery pink and white sand, relaxing atmosphere and wonderful views. Its beauty is further enhanced by the fact that it is a protected nature reserve that’s home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is also considered the most romantic spot to watch the sunset.

You can enjoy peaceful walks along the sand dunes, rent a sun lounger, or have lunch at one of the seafood tavernas along the coast. There is plenty of space on the beach as it is 150 metres in depth and 1 km long. Therefore, you don’t have to pay for a sun lounger, as there are free areas where you can put down your own towel. For those with energy to burn, there is also the opportunity to go jet skiing, surfing or swimming in the crystal clear waters.

Two-bedroom villa in Kissamos

 

 

2. Balos Beach, Crete

Balos beach came 8th in Europe, in the Travelers Choice Awards. The beach is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, on the west side of Crete. With incredible turquoise waters and a panoramic landscape, it is easy to see why it is so highly rated. The area is very remote as its located on a long narrow peninsula. A strip of sand joins a promontory to Cape Tigani, which looks like a little island. On the south side there is a shallow lagoon with turquoise waters, on the north side lies a beautiful shallow bay.

For the best panoramic views you need to take a walk uphill and look back at Cape Tigani. This view is very popular with photographers. However, the beach does get rather cluttered with people once the day trippers arrive by boat from Kissamos. Therefore, it is best to get there early, to thoroughly enjoy its natural beauty.

By car it takes 38 mins from Kissamos. However, the last few kilometres of road are rough track with rocks. Therefore, hire car companies might not be happy about you driving their vehicle there (A 4×4 is recommended). Also, you need sensible shoes for the long walk down to the beach from the car park. Once on the beach, there are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent and a few snacks for sale. Although, its advisable to bring your own picnic.

Getting the ferry from Kissamos Port is a relaxing and convenient way to see Balos. There are also longer boat trips from Chania. The full day boat trip stops at Gravousa island for 2 hours and then stops for a few hours for a swim near Balos beach.

Renovated stone three-bedroom house in Loutraki, Platanias, Crete

 

3. Sarakiniko Beach, Milos

Sarakiniko Beach came 17th in the ratings, despite not being what everyone would call a beach. It is not a traditional sandy beach, instead it has smooth rock. However, it is an amazing coastline with curvy white rocks and clear waters.  It’s a beautiful place to swim and explore the sea caves. The stunning white rocks even form bridges, which people dive from and swim under.

The small seaside town of Milos is 8 minutes drive on the opposite side of the island. Here you will find the ferry port. Milos Island is located west of Santorini, right between Heraklion, Crete and the Greek mainland. Milos is largely an undiscovered island with just 5,000 inhabitants, who earn their living primarily through tourism and mining. Outside July and August the island feels completely deserted.

You can travel to Milos by ferry from Athens and from several islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Serifos. Ferries to Milos depart from the port of Piraeus throughout the year. The Airport of Milos only receives domestic flights from the International Airport of Athens.

When it comes to property for sale in Milos, an old traditional house needing renovation costs from €70,000. A liveable house costs about €170,000.

4. Kalamaki Beach, Zakynthos

If you love to see a long stretch of sand, Kalamaki beach on Zakynthos (Zante) is the place to come. It is so highly rated by travellers that it ranked 18th in Europe. On the eastern end of Laganas Bay this lovely beach is famous for its fine white sand and mountainous views. The beach is sheltered and is backed by rolling sand dunes.

The area is part of the Zakynthos Marine Park and is a nesting ground for the endangered Caretta Caretta turtles. The shallow gentle waters are great for baby turtles and children alike. There are sunbeds for rent, but mostly it is a free beach. In summer you can rent boats and canoes and there is a restaurant.

There are many beaches along Laganas bay, but the ones nearer the accommodation can get very busy with young people. Laganas town is well equipped for young tourists who want a fun-filled holiday with pubs, clubs, snack bars and tavernas. There are souvenir shops, supermarkets, a bakery, pharmacy etc..

This charming house with garden and veranda is a short distance from the beaches at Laganas Bay.

 

5. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

Surrounded by tall white cliffs topped with green, Myrtos Beach is located in the region of Pylaros, in the northwest of Kefalonia island. It is one of the most scenic beaches in Greece. The white pebbles beautifully bring out the blue of the sea, and at the south end there is an amazing water cave.

A steep and winding stretch of road takes you down to the beach car park. Before the decent you should stopped to admire the view and later stay for the beautiful sunset which turns the sky orange and then pink. If you don’t have a car, you can catch a bus from Agia Afimia or hire a private boat.

The water tends to be at its calmest in the morning, and it’s the quietest time to enjoy its mile-long arch of shimmering white pebbles and turquoise waters. There are changing rooms and toilet facilities, a beach bar, and a few sunbeds and umbrellas you can rent. Along the coast road you will find various restaurants and tavernas for a relaxing lunch.

If the beach looks familiar it may be because it was a film location for “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” with Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz.

Two-bedroom house near Petani and Lixouri beaches. Kefalonia.

 

6. Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) Zakynthos

It’s amazing to see a shipwreck sat on a beach and even more magical when its such a stunning beach. The tiny white pebbles look amazing next to the clear azure waters. Located on the northwest coast of Zakynthos,  surrounded by imposing cliffs, the beach can only be reached by boat. As you approach the bay from the sea, you will realise why some people like to call it “Smugglers Cove”.  The beach used to be called Agios Georgios, but after the shipwreck in 1983, it was changed to Navagio. Surrounded by sand the ship looks as if it is emerging out of the beach. You almost expect ghost pirates to appear and start fighting.

Taxi boats run regularly from the port of Porto Vromi and there are tours from Zakynthos. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2023 you can’t go on the beach or swim near it. This is due to safety concerns, because of recent rock falls and landslides. Boats can only approach the bay to allow tourists to take photos. There are also restrictions on the top of the cliff. This should act as a reminder to all of us to be careful when visiting nature’s beauty spots, and not to take any risks to get the perfect photo from the cliff edge.

40 minutes from Navagio and 14 minutes from Zakynthos port is this pretty villa two-bedroom villa with garden.

 

 

7. Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes

Anthony Quinn Bay is on the east side of the island of Rhodes. The bay was named after the famous actor since he starred in the film ‘Guns of Navarone’, when the bay was used as a film location. The beach is located near Faliraki, where you will find plenty of bars, restaurants and shops.

Anthony Quinn Bay consists of sand and pebbles, surrounded by rock. All around is the natural beauty of rocky cliffs and pine forests. There are sunbeds to rent and you can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving in the clear waters. For refreshments, there is a café higher up the steps.

The beach sits adjacent to Ladiko Beach and there is a car park between the two. As with all popular beaches you will need to get there early in the morning to secure a spot or visit outside the main summer season. It’s easy to hop on the public bus from Rhodes town or take a boat tour around the island and just stop for a refreshing dip at this enchanting Bay.

This modern villa is 35 minutes drive from Anthony Quinn Bay, but is very close to the beach at Fanes. Here there is a long flat beach, with lots of wide open space and a lot less tourists than on the East coast.

Once you start exploring the coastline of Greece, either by boat or car, you will discover many beautiful beaches that are away from the tourist crowds. These secret beaches, that are known about only by a few locals, are a real treasure. It can be well worth the drive down a dusty track to find a cove with no people, just you and the waves on the shore. This is what the real Greece is all about.

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