Koukounaries Beach This Skiathos stunner is one of Greece's best beaches.
Greece and beaches are as good a duo as Fanta Limon and Lays! From glistening white-sand stretches that will have you thinking you’ve accidentally touched down in the Caribbean (we wouldn’t complain…) to out-of-this-world coastlines, Greece has beaches by the bucketload and they’re all just a tiny bit gorgeous.
To help narrow down the field, we’ve rounded up nine of the best that are guaranteed to take your next Instagram post up a notch – no filter needed.
1. Elafonisi Beach, Crete
Like your beaches on the pink side? No, we’re not kidding. Elafonisi is famous for its baby-pink sand – the colour created by thousands of tiny fragments of seashells. Add in a stunning translucent sea and a mountain backdrop and you’ve got a ten out of ten for scenery.
You’ll find this stunner on Crete’s east coast. It’s gloriously warm and shallow water makes it a family favourite for swimming and there’s plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas to go around, too. Sea you there?
2. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
If Kefalonia had only one postcard, it would be of Myrtos Beach. Seriously, one look at this perfect crescent of white pebbles backed by towering pine-clad cliffs and you'll quickly see why it’s the most photographed beach on the island!
Its oh-so-blue sea is a paradise for swimming and snorkelling and there’s even a cave to explore at the southern end.
It’s easy to access, too – a steep winding road leads down to a car park directly behind the beach.
3. Navagio Beach, Zante
Some beaches were just made for the limelight, and Navagio Beach (aka Shipwreck Beach) is one of them. The white-sand cove, nestled between staggering cliffs and complete with a shipwreck from the 80s, is arguably Zante’s biggest tourist attraction.
The downside? It’s not an easy-peasy picnic spot. Only accessible by boat, you’ll have to take a tour or rent your own to reach its iconic shore. But it's well worth the effort for a dip in its dreamy topaz bay and to snap a pic with the wreck.
If you just want the million-dollar shot for socials (no judgement here), head to the Navagio Beach Viewpoint instead.
4. Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes
Laidback and lovely, tranquil beach days are the name of the game at Anthony Quinn Bay. Cocooned between pine-dotted hillside, the water is wonderfully calm, and several large boulders and rocks make for fabulous rock-pooling potential. Don't forget your snorkel – the scenery only gets better under the surface!
Find this little beauty on Rhodes’ northeast coast, just ten minutes from Faliraki. There are only a few basic facilities such as toilets and a handful of sunbeds, so it’s best to bring a picnic and settle in to catch some rays.
5. Paleokastritsa, Corfu
Why settle for one beach when you could have six? Paleokastritsa in Corfu actually has six sand-and-shingle shores tucked into the nooks and crannies of the shoreline – all with sea as dazzling blue as the next.
With multiple beaches comes heaps of facilities, including hotels, restaurants, watersport rentals and beach bars. Rent a kayak or a pedalo from Agios Spiridon Beach and check out Nausika's Cave or pitch up with a book beneath a straw parasol on Agia Triada Beach.
6. Super Paradise Beach, Mykonos
We all know Mykonos is the place to be for a good time in Greece, and the Super Paradise Beach Club brings the vibe! Set right above the beach, this is your go-to for sundowners and pool parties by the sea.
The beach itself is a pretty sweep of soft, blonde sand that’s peppered with thatched umbrellas and lapped by crystal-clear sea.
When you’re not soaking up the sun, watersports are the thing to do. Wizz off on a jet ski, test your balance with wake-boarding or get your heart pumping on a banana boat ride – the choice is yours.
7. Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
Milos is quickly becoming the Cycladic island you need to visit. Why? It’s full of beautiful white-washed villages, the vibe is more local than touristy, and its beaches are the kind you won’t forget – like, ever!
Sarakiniko Beach is probably the most spectacular here, and that’s saying something. The eye-popping white rock formations, caves and headlands that tumble down into the sea are like a scene straight from the moon. The water? Unbelievable turquoise, of course!
There aren’t any facilities here and minimal shade, so after you’ve done your photoshoot on the rocks, you’re gonna want to dive right into that sea.
8. Red Beach, Santorini
Sure, Santorini’s black-sand beaches are gorgeous and totally worth a visit, but when we heard that the island has a red sandy shore as well, we knew which one we’re going to visit!
You’ll want to have your camera at the ready because Red Beach’s dramatic backdrop is one for your Insta feed. Towering wine-red volcanic cliffs shelter a beach of rust-coloured sand and pebbles below, melting into hues of orange as it meets the sea.
There’s not tons to do, so this is one for lazy tanning sessions and swimming. There’s a small car park above the beach, or you can walk from Akrotiri village.
9. Koukounaries Beach, Skiathos
Koukounaries Beach on Skiathos has got everything going for it. There’s endless golden sand, a sea that’s cobalt and calm, watersports that range from windsurfing to diving, and plenty of loungers for sunbathing. Oh, and it shelters a stunning lagoon behind the pines, so it’s got bags of natural beauty, too.
Days are best spent bobbing about in the water before sampling cocktails at Barracuda bar. Yes, it can get crowded in the height of summer, but who wouldn’t want a slice of this beach heaven? We’ll save you a space.
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