With thousands of islands, as well as an extensive mainland coastline, Greece is a beach lover’s paradise. Whether you want soft white sands, dramatic cliffs or secluded coves with crystal-clear waters, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you. But where can you find Greece’s best beaches? We reveal all…
Many of Greece’s best beaches are located in peaceful natural surroundings, away from holiday properties and tourist towns. The most beautiful sunbathing spots are often found by venturing down rough tracks surrounded by natural flora. Another fantastic way to find secluded beaches, is to hire a boat and explore all those magical hidden coves.
It is such a treat to own a villa, apartment or village house close to a beach. Imagine, going for an early morning swim in calm clear waters, before anyone else arrives. In this article, we’ll reveal Greece’s best beaches – something to bear in mind when searching for that dream home.
The Greek coastline
Greece has 6,000 islands and islets, and over 13,000 kilometres of coastline (8,498 miles) – the longest in Europe. No wonder, this beautiful country is well known across the world for its clear bathing waters and varied coastline. There are beaches to suit all tastes, from long stretches of white and pink sand, to pebble and rock. Unsurprisingly, 625 beaches in Greece have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag.
The best beaches in Greece
Each year on TripAdvisor they list the best beaches in Europe in the ‘Traveller’s Choice Awards’. This year, four of those beaches are in Greece. In reverse order they are, in 11th place, Anthony Quinn Bay, on Rhodes, closely beaten by Falassarna beach, on Crete, in 10th position. Then, sitting proudly in the top five are Myrtos beach, Kefalonia in fourth place and Elafonissi beach, on Crete, taking the top spot, in first place.
Anthony Quinn Bay on Rhodes
The famous Anthony Quinn Bay is located 20 kilometres south of Rhodes Town, between Faliraki and Afandou. Back in 1961 the area was famously used as a film location for The Guns of Navarone. After which, the starstruck locals decided to call the beach Anthony Quinn, after the film’s lead actor.
Anthony Quinn Beach is now considered one of the most beautiful and tranquil spots on the island of Rhodes. Although the beach is small and quite narrow, with a combination of sand, pebbles and rocks, the waters are an absolute dream for swimmers. Of course, this pretty bay does attract several boat tours, paddle boarders and sunbathers. But those who own property nearby know the quietest times to visit. There are a few sun umbrellas and loungers available for rent, and close by is a beachside taverna for that special seafood lunch. But ultimately, it is the beautiful natural surroundings and clear waters that really make this place special.
Where to buy property near Anthony Quinn
Afandou
Heading south, the main road runs parallel to a couple of long sand and pebble beaches called Traganou and Afandou. Here, you will find water sports and a sea-view-golf course. After a 10-minute drive, you arrive at the town of Afandou, which is mainly inland of the road. However, there are also villas spread across the area near the beach. Here, you’ll find friendly open-air tavernas and giros restaurants. A two-bedroom detached villa within walking distance of the sea costs from €380,000, while a two-bedroom apartment in the town costs from €80,000.
Calitea
Those looking for a traditional Greek village should venture inland. Calitea is one of the nearest, and has all the basic amenities you might need, such as a butcher, a supermarket and restaurants. A two-bedroom house in Calitea costs around €200,000.
Koskinou
Heading north towards Rhodes town is Koskinou, with its blue and white painted houses, heavy wood or iron doors and stone alleyways. This charming village perched on top of a hill, is one of the oldest on the island, and has beautiful mosaics (hoklakia) made with white and black pebbles. As well as the traditional old village houses, there are new holiday homes on the approach to the sea. See a selection of property for sale on Rhodes, on Your Overseas Home.
New two-bedroom apartments in Koskinou, Rhodes for €198,000
Falassarna beach, Crete
Falassarna beach is just over an hour’s drive west of Chania airport. It is a wide, long beach of pink-cream sand, set in a picturesque landscape. The sea is crystal clear, with shades of turquoise and green, and in parts the sand appears a pretty candyfloss pink. Due to the incredible variety of flora and fauna, Falassarna is a protected nature reserve.
The amazing three-kilometre-long coastline is divided into five beaches. The first section, called Pahia Ammos, is the largest and has lots of facilities such as restaurants, beach umbrellas, water sports and beach volleyball, while the northern Pahi Ammos is much quieter and is divided by rocks and sand dunes. Beyond that, close to the Ancient Falassarna archaeological site, is a small inlet. This lovely little beach is pebbled, with a rocky seabed and crystal-clear water. Finally, if you walk further south, you will find a beach next to a small harbour, which is a great spot for windsurfing and watching the sunset. On the first Saturday of August, they also hold a beach party here, with a wonderful selection of DJs.
Where to buy property near Falassarna
Platanos
Falassarna beach is located in the province of Chania. There isn’t a town at the beach, just a sprinkling of holiday villas. However, the nearest settlement is just five kilometres away in the mountain village of Platanos. For a small village, it has all the main services, such as bakeries, an ATM, a mini market and restaurants. On the outskirts, you will also find villas and hotels.
Kissamos
Kissamos is the nearest sizeable town, with a resident population of about 4,000. Here you will find banks, a post office and supermarkets etc. The town’s history covers the Roman, Byzantine, Genoese, Venetian and Ottoman eras. Signs of these can be spotted on a walk around the town. There are remains of roman villas, roman baths and Venetian fountains. When travelling from Piraeus port to Crete by ferry, you can arrive at Kissamos.
Kissamos has several good beaches of its own, including Mavros Molos, which is a sandy beach on the western side of town. Here you’ll find gorgeous villas and holiday homes for sale. The town is also a short drive from Balos beach, which is one of the most photographed beaches on Crete. Located on the uninhabited peninsula of Grаmvοusа Kissаmоs it has a picturesque lagoon with amazingly clear waters and fine sand. In this area you will find plots of land, villas and village houses for sale.
Luxury villa with panoramic views of Falassarna beach for €2.4m
Myrtos beach, Kefalonia
Located in the municipality of Pylaros, on the northern side of the island of Kefalonia, Myrtos is a crescent-shaped beach surrounded by steep cliffs. The big attraction is the stunning aquamarine sea, especially when you see it from the viewpoint on the hill above. On a calm day, the cool blue looks amazing against the white beach. Access to the beach is via a steep road, offering car passengers more spectacular views of the bay as you descend.
Myrtos all year round
Myrtos is protected by the surrounding cliffs and mountains, making it a sheltered place even on windy days. It is also a very sunny beach, with temperatures reaching 40°C during the summer months. Although, thanks to the sea breeze, the temperatures feel less. In the cooler months, the area is great for hiking, as it is part of the Mount Ainos National Park.
Romantic location
There are many fascinating myths and legends surrounding the beach, making it of cultural importance for the Greeks. Stories of Tritons, Sirons, Odysseus and Aphrodite all make Myrtos beach a place of great charm and mystery. Added to this, is the romantic atmosphere and spectacular views, which have made Myrtos one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean.
Sunset at Myrtos
To see Myrtos in its full splendour, you need to return at sunset when, as the sun disappears over the horizon, the sky displays magical shades of orange, pink and red. A beautiful sense of peace and wellbeing settles on the beach, as the waves wash against the shore and people silently watch in wonder. Those who own a property nearby are truly blessed to be able to experience the sunset shades of every season and to enjoy beach walks after the summer visitors have all gone home.
Where to buy property near Myrtos
It takes around 49 minutes to drive to Myrtos beach from Kefalonia airport. There is a sprinkling of villas in the countryside near the road leading to the beach. But, as Myrtos is at the bottom of a cliff, there aren’t any properties really close to the beach.
Agia Effimia
The pretty bay of Agia Effimia, is only about 14 minutes’ drive from Myrtos beach. This peaceful fishing village has become a relaxing holiday location. The small port is an excellent starting point for those who want to explore the coast by boat. You can reach the more secluded coves or even visit the nearby island of Ithaca. As well as coves of white pebble, nearby is the popular “Paradise beach”, much loved for its clear waters.
Assos
Just 15 minutes north of Myrtos beach is the seaside village of Assos. This is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Kefalonia, with two small beaches, traditional restaurants, cafes and a mini market etc. The beautiful and historic castle allows visitors to enjoy walks with spectacular views of the Ionian Sea. A three-bedroom traditional house here costs from €299,000.
Fiscardo
If you head to the far north of Kefalonia, in about 35 minutes, you will reach Fiscardo. Nicknamed the “Greek Portofino”, the village has colourful Venetian style houses in an amphitheatre around a bay. Due to the popularity of Fiscardo, houses on this section of coast can cost over a million euros. However, there are better value properties inland, where a two-bedroom detached house starts at around €210,000. Due to the elevated position of many of these properties, you can find beautiful houses with panoramic sea views.
Argostoli
You will find many more properties for sale around Argostoli and in the area further south. The town of Argostoli is about 40 minutes’ drive from Myrtos beach, but there are plenty of other lovely beaches in the area. With a population of over 12,500, Argostoli is the capital of the island. There are shops for year-round living and in summer, wealthy tourists and their yachts come to experience the traditional Greek restaurants. A two-bedroom apartment costs from €200,000. You can see a selection of properties for sale on Kefalonia here.
Elafonisi, Crete
In first place, is Elafonisi, with its unique pink sand. This remarkable beach needs to be seen from above to fully capture the beauty of its layout. The beach encompasses what appears to be a sandy peninsula leading to a small island, alongside a shallow lagoon. The beaches are formed all around the turquoise waters with areas of coral pink sand. The colour of the sand is created by thousands of tiny pieces of seashells. In summer, its glistening waters are warm and shallow, making it a lovely place for all ages to enjoy a relaxing paddle or swim.
On either side, there are more beaches. One is fully organised with umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, a café and a summer lifeguard. Alternatively, a short walk away, is a quieter free beach, where you can simply put down your own towel and take a swim. You may even find a small sea cave.
Natural charm
The landscape has an extra special natural charm, which is why flora and fauna are so at home here. The most famous beach visitors, which require privacy and protection, are the Carreta-Carreta turtles. For this reason, Elafonisi has been awarded protection by the EU Natura program.
Where to to find property near Elafonisi
Elafonisi beach is situated one-and-a-half-hour’s drive from Chania airport. The nearest big town is Kissamos, which is an hour’s drive away, and 20 minutes further on is Chania city. Elafonisi beach has managed to maintain its natural beauty due to having no big towns or attractions close by. However, right at the centre of the beach you will find a family run business offering watersports. Here, you can hire a paddleboard or canoe and experience an amazing view of the beach from the sea.
Cheap properties near Elafonisi beach
There are some houses scattered around the countryside near the Monastery and in villages further inland. In this area, it is still possible to find cheap homes under €50,000 that need renovating. The nearest seaside settlement is a boat journey along the coast.
Paleochora village
At the charming fishing village of Paleochora (Pelekanos), you can find a restaurant table on the waterfront, where you’ll be presented with the most delicious choice of fresh fish or mixed fried squid and calamari. Conveniently, Paleochora is also the port where the ferries connect all the most important villages on the southern coast of Crete, within the province of Chania. They travel every day stopping at Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutra and Chora Sfakion. A ship also goes to Gavdos. You can find a selection of properties for sale in the province of Chania here.
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