Best Greek Islands for Beaches

Santorini Secrets · 2025-07-11T10:01:22.744Z

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Greek islands are some of the most impressive destinations in the world, and it’s not a secret that they have the best beaches in Europe. Honestly, the best Greek islands for beaches are also the best Greek islands in general.

I prefer sandy beaches, and these Greek islands won’t disappoint you if you are looking for that. However, they also have beaches with crystal clear sea waters, incredible rock formations, and remarkable natural beauty.

BEST BEACH HOTEL IN GREECE:Domes Noruz

BUT ALSO CHECK:

In Crete:Nana Princess
In Rhodes:Ammades
In Corfu:Akrotiri Beach Resort
In Kos:Utopia Blu
In Mykonos:Ammos
In Santorini:Radisson Blue Zaffron
In Skiathos:Mandraki Village
In Naxos:Iria Beach Art
In Athens:Astir Palace

It is not a secret that some of the best beaches in Greece are on the Greek islands (but mainland Greece has some imposing ones too). From the famous Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos to the white sand beach of Porto Katsiki and the sandy beaches of any Cyclades island, Greece beaches are some of the best beaches in the world, hands down.

The best Greek islands for beaches are:

Mykonos
Naxos
Crete
Corfu
Skiathos
Milos
Ios
Paros
Kefalonia
Zakynthos
Lefkada
Rhodes
Koufonisia
Kos
Paxi & Antipaxi

VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

Which Greek Island has the best beaches?

The Greek island with the best beaches is Mykonos, but Paros, Naxos, Milos, and Crete (read also: Best Beaches in Crete) have equally beautiful beaches and are generally cheaper to visit. However, almost every Greek island has a few lovely beaches. You can even find some tropical-looking beaches on the outskirts of Athens (the capital of Greece)!

What Greek island has the best sandy beaches?

Crete is a Greek island with the best sandy beaches. It has the most diverse sandy beaches and some of Greece’s best beach hotels.

Paros, Naxos, and Milos also have incredible sandy beaches. Generally, the Greek islands that belong to the Cyclades group have golden sand beaches (except for Santorini, which has black pebbles or red coarse sand because of the volcanic soils).

Which Greek islands have white sand beaches?

The Greek island with the best white sand beaches is Lefkada. The Ionian islands (between Italy and Greece: Lefkada, Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca) have white sand and small white pebble beaches with light blue, crystal clear sea waters. These islands are also much greener than the Cyclades islands (Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Milos)

Does Santorini have good beaches?

Unfortunately, Santorini is possibly the most famous Greek island but does not have great beaches. If being close to fantastic sandy beaches is your top priority for your holidays, avoid Santorini. Santorini sits on an active volcano, and even though it has some quirky beaches like the famous red beach (which can be dangerous because of the falling rocks) or the black beaches of Perissa and Kamari, it is not the best Greek island for beaches.

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So, let’s see the best Greek islands for beaches:

1. Mykonos

mykonos beach — *Elia beach in Mykonos is well organized and has many beach bars and restaurants.*

Mykonos on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Mykonos: Elia Beach, Lia Beach, Fokos, Super Paradise, Paradise, Agios Stefanos, Panormos, Ornos
Best Hotels in Mykonos: Cavo Tagoo • Bill & Coo • Grace Mykonos • Rocabella Mykonos

Mykonos is probably the second most famous Greek island after Santorini, and they are both very unique but different islands (you can read my detailed comparison of Mykonos vs Santorini). It is a fact, though, that Mykonos beaches are some of the best in Greece, and you will find excellent amenities in almost all of them.

All the beaches in Mykonos have golden sand and are more or less organized, with some of the best beach bars in Europe. Remember that Mykonos is an extremely expensive island, and you may have to pay a lot to book a sunbed on the beach. You can bring your sunbeds and umbrella, though.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Mykonos

2. Naxos

naxos beach — *Plaka beach,* with its white sand in Naxos, is one of the longest beaches in Greece.

Naxos on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Naxos: Plaka Beach, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, Kastraki, Sahara beach, Maragas beach
Best Hotels in Naxos: Belogna Ikons • Naxian Utopia • Nissaki Beach Hotel

Naxos is a very underrated Greek island, but one of the best Greek islands for beaches. It has many massive, wide sandy beaches, and since it is one of the largest Greek islands, it has lots of amenities and space, so you will always feel comfortable.

Naxos is a very affordable island, ideal for holidays with kids. Its beaches are some of the best in Greece.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Naxos

3. Crete

crete beach — *Balos Beach in Crete is a unique landscape*

Crete on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Crete: Elafonisi Beach, Balos beach, Falassarna, Seitan Limania, Stavros beach, Preveli
Best Hotels in Crete: Domes Noruz • Creta Maris Beach Resort • Caramel Grecotel

Crete is the largest Greek island and utterly different from any other island. Because it’s massive, you cannot visit it all at once.

However, Crete is the most diverse Greek island. It has some of the best beaches in Europe, with different colors and completely different landscapes. Crete is unique; you must spend many days there to appreciate its beauty.

I highly recommend you rent a car while visiting Crete, as this will allow you more flexibility and the option to see more places on this amazing Greek island.Regarding beaches on Crete, I genuinely believe that beaches in the Chania area (western Crete) are the best and most diverse, with golden and pink sand, colourful pebbles, and many amenities.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Crete

4. Corfu

paleokastritsa beach corfu — *Paleokastritsa beach in Corfu*

Corfu on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Corfu: Sidari, Paleokastritsa, Acharavi, Myrtiotissa, Roda
Best Hotels in Corfu: Corfu Imperial Grecotel • Bella Venezia • Lena Mare Boutique Hotel

Corfu is a beautiful Greek island with a long history between Greece and Italy. It is not in the Cyclades group of islands (where Mykonos and Santorini are) and has an entirely different landscape from the Aegean islands.

The island is much greener, with beautiful pine tree forests and beaches with green waters. The island is a famous holiday destination for people from all over Europe, with direct flights from all major European cities during the summer months of June, July, and August.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Corfu

5. Skiathos

koukounaries beach skiathos — *The pine trees are on Koukounaries beach in Skiathos.*

Skiathos on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Skiathos: Koukounaries, Big Banana, Mandraki, Troulos, Lalaria
Best Hotels in Skiathos: Avaton Hotel • Aegean Suites • Kassandra Bay

Skiathos is a little gem in the Aegean Sea, but it’s north of the Cyclades islands and belongs to another group of islands called the Sporades. It is a very green island with completely different architecture.

Skiathos is one of the islands where the Mama Mia movie was filmed (along with Skopelos and a few other places). It has crystal clear green waters, lots of amenities, and, in general, cheaper prices than other islands. Most beaches have golden sand, but a few have white pebbles (such as Lalaria).

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Skiathos

6. Milos

sarakiniko beach milos — *This is not the moon. This is the incredible Sarakiniko beach on Milos island.*

Milos on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Milos: Sarakiniko, Kleftiko, Firiplaka, Achivadolimni
Best Hotels in Milos: Volcano Luxury Suites • Arco Solium • Milos Resort

Milos island is mainly known to Greeks (which has always been a mystery to me…), but it is an island of incredible natural beauty.

Milos is a volcanic island sitting on an active volcano (like Santorini), and it has some of the most unique beaches in Greece. Sarakiniko beach is probably the most quirky beach in Greece, as it looks like a moon landscape, but there is also a large variety of sandy beaches, such as Achivadolimni, Firiplaka, or Kleftiko, that can only be reached by boat (or an organized tour).

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Milos

7. Ios

mylopotas beach ios island greece — *Mylopotas is the most famous beach on Ios island*

Ios on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Ios: Mylopotas, Manganari, Psathi, Gialos beach
Best Hotels in Ios: Hide Out Suites • Ios Palace • Relux Ios

Ios Island was a party island in the 90s, but it’s not anymore. Ios is an island with incredible beauty, and its golden sandy beaches are some of the best in Greece.

All the island’s beaches are sandy with crystal clear blue waters. Some beaches have many beach bars, restaurants, and amenities, but a long list of really secluded and beautiful deserted beaches is ready to be explored.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Ios

8. Paros

kolibithers beach paros Greece island — *Kolibithres is the best beach on Paros island*

Paros on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Paros: Kolybithres, Golden beach, Monastiri, Marchello beach
Best Hotels in Ios: Yria Island • Calme Boutique Hotel • Seesoo Paros

Paros island feels like a small Mykonos nowadays. It has recently become one of the go-to islands if you want to party, but it also has some of the best sandy beaches in Greece, such as Kolibithers or Monastiri.

However, not many great hotels can make a difference in Paros, but overall, the island can be perfect even for family holidays. Paros is also an excellent spot for windsurfing, as Chrysi Akti (Golden beach) is a well-known place that gathers windsurfers worldwide.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Paros

9. Kefalonia

*Myrtos has been voted the best beach in the world for many years*

Kefalonia on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Kefalonia: Myrtos, Antisamos, Skala, Lourdas
Best Hotels in Kefalonia: Avithos Resort • Costa Azzurra • Fiscardonna Suites

Kefalonia is a vast island between Greece and Italy in the Ionian Islands group, and it has one of the most impressive beaches in the world: Myrtos. But there is more to Myrtos in Kefalonia, as it is a big island with many pine trees, forests, beautiful villages, and white-sand beaches. You can easily reach Kefalonia from Corfu, as boats run day trips to all the Ionian islands.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Kefalonia

10. Zakynthos

*Navagio Beach,* or Shipwreck Beach, *is the most viral beach in Greece*

Zakynthos on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Zakynthos: Navagio beach, Gerakas, Kalamaki, Porto Zoro
Best Hotels in Zakynthos: Contessina Suites • Lesante Blu • Mystique Suites

Zakynthos is also an Ionian island close to Corfu and Kefalonia, but much smaller. The famous Navagio beach (Shipwreck beach) is in Zakynthos.

The island is also called Zante, a renowned destination for Western Europeans (British, German, and Scandinavian). Zakynthos has many beautiful things to do, and the island has a boom in newly built, modern, impressive hotels.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Zakynthos

11. Lefkada

*Porto Katsiki is the best beach on Lefkada island*

Lefkada on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Lefkada: Porto Katsiki, Egremni, Kathisma, Vassiliki
Best Hotels in Lefkada: Alfresco Villas • Desun Suites • Summer Dream

Lefkada is a unique island; it is the only Greek island you can reach by car. It has a beach frequently voted one of the best beaches in the world, called Porto Katsiki, but there is a ton of stunning white sand and pebble beaches on the island that also sit between Italy and Greece.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Lefkada

12. Rhodes

anthony quinn beach rhodes — *Anthony Quinn Beach in Rhodes is named after the famous actor who used to swim there while filming “The Guns of Navarone” back in 1961*

Rhodes on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Rhodes: Lindos, Ladiko, Tsambika, Prassonissi
Best Hotels in Rhodes: Lindos Blu • Mayia Resort • Esperos Village

Rhodes is one of the largest Greek islands in the southeast of the Aegean Sea and is very close to Turkey. The island has been a famous tourist destination since the 50s when the movie “The Guns of Navarone” was shot.

Rhodes beaches are famous for their beauty, diversity, and proximity to stunning hotels and all-inclusive resorts. Rhodes is usually called the “all-inclusive queen” of the Greek islands, and it is perfect for family holidays.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Rhodes

13. Koufonisia

*Koufonisia is a less touristic Cycladic island with some of the best sandy beaches in Greece (this is Italida beach in Koufonisia)*

Koufonisia on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Koufonisia: Pori, Finikas, Megali Ammos
Best Hotels in Koufonisia: Oceanides • Aeris Suites • Koufonisi Villas

Koufonisia is a little gem. Since it is not a well-known place to the outside world, it is mainly visited by Greeks, which says a lot. There are very few hotels on the island, and of course, very minimal amenities in general.

However, remember, Koufonisia has some of Greece’s best wild sandy beaches. Koufonisia is a small complex of islands between Naxos and Ios, and there are no frequent ferries to take you there. If you are looking for the wild side of the Greek island, then Koufonisia should be at the top of your list.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Koufonisia

14. Kos

*Kos is an island on the east side of Greece with very diverse beaches where you can even enjoy horse-riding (this is on Marmari beach)*

Kos on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Kos: Mastichari, Kardamena, Agios Stefanos, Kefalos
Best Hotels in Kos: OKU Kos • Diamond Boutique • Aqua Blu Hotel & Spa

Kos is a pretty big island on the north side of Rhodes in the group of islands called the Dodecanese islands. Kos is a famous European destination with direct flights all summer. The island has impressive resorts and a long list of beautiful sandy beaches for every taste.

READ ALSO: Best Hotels in Kos

15. Paxi & Antipaxi

*Paxi and Antipaxi,* small islands between Greece and Italy, are considered to have the most transparent seawater in the world (this is Kipiadi beach in Paxos island)

Paxi on Google Maps
Best Beaches in Paxi: Plakes, Marmari, Kipiadi, Monodendri
Best Hotels in Paxi: Torri e Merli • Paxos Fairytales • Villa Spitaki

Paxos and Antipaxos are two little gems in the Ionian Sea between Corfu and Kefalonia. These tiny islands with impeccable beauty are famous within the sailing communities, as thousands of sailing boats and celebrity yachts visit them every summer.

There are very few hotels on the island, and that’s for very good reasons. The locals don’t want to spoil their land with overtourism. The beaches in Paxos and Antipaxos have white pebbles or sand, and the most transparent sea waters you would probably see!

CONCLUSION

Okay… so there you have them. These are the best Greek islands for beaches and are also considered some of the best Greek islands.

There are a few magnificent beaches on almost every Greek island, but these are the best in Greece. Unfortunately, Santorini does not have great beaches like Perissa, Kamari, or Perivolos, which are average compared to the sandy tropical beaches of Mykonos, Crete, or even Naxos.

Also, remember that it’s not only the Greek islands with amazing beaches but also some fantastic ones in mainland Greece. Areas such as Peloponnese, Chalkidiki, or even the southern regions and suburbs of Athens have stunning beaches that will welcome you anytime!