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If you’re hankering for a beach break, you can be certain you’ll find something in Greece. After all, this is the country with more coastline than anywhere else in the Med, stretching around the Greek mainland between its borders with Albania and Turkey and encircling every one of its 6,000-odd scattered islands.
So the question is: what sort of beach experience are you looking for? This isn’t just a choice between pebbles and sand. Do you fancy something urban that’s within easy reach of cultural attractions? Would you rather go somewhere busy with beach clubs, loungers, music and cocktails? Or does your dream stretch of shore look wilder, perhaps accessible only by boat, where your footprints mark the sand beside the tracks of nesting turtles?
Whatever your preference, there’s every chance that your fantasy beach is somewhere in Greece. Here’s our pick of the best to get you started.
Mylopotas, Ios
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Mylopotas in Ios is home to a Blue Flag beach with crystal-clear waters (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Although it’s situated halfway between Paros and Santorini, lovely Ios tends to get overlooked. That’s not to say it isn’t popular: its summertime party scene draws a youthful, spirited crowd, with the action split between Ios Town’s bars and the beach club at one end of Mylopotas, the island’s longest strand. This deep, golden sweep is organised with loungers and parasols; there are water sports here too (both motorised and self-propelled), plus speedboat tours to the west coast’s wilder beaches.
Where to stay
For rooms with a view, book into Far Out Hotel & Spa, which overlooks Mylopotas from its hillside position.
Monolithi, Ionian Riviera
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Monolithi beach stretches for 22km (Getty Images)
The seaside town of Preveza is the gateway to the Ionian coast, and the main beach, Monolithi, is one of the longest in all of Europe. As well as beach clubs and empty stretches on which to spread out and relax, holidays here offer much more than downtime. This mainland region’s sleepiness belies a turbulent past: the Roman Emperor Augustus defeated Anthony and Cleopatra here before founding Nikopolis (“Victorious City”), now one of Greece’s greatest archaeological sites.
Where to stay
Enjoy it all from couples-only Meraviglia Slow Living, whose 12 suites sit among Mediterranean gardens with views across to the islands.
Kalafatis, Mykonos
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Kalafatis beach is home to aquamarine waters and golden sand (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Platys Gialos, Elia, Psarou, Super Paradise: there are plenty of famous beaches on Mykonos, each with its own distinct beach-bar scene, but if you’re looking for something laid-back, head east to Kalafatis. Although it’s broad and sandy, with views towards the dragon-shaped Tragonisi islet, Kalafatis was formerly seen as too far from Mykonos Town to be cool, which saved it from being engulfed by development. Ironically, it’s that distance from the action that makes it desirable today.
Where to stay
Stay a five-minute stroll from the sand at Numo Mykonos, where every one of the design-friendly digs has a plunge pool or hot tub.
Read more: Best Greek island hotels for sea views and romantic retreats in Crete, Corfu, Mykonos and more
Balos, Crete
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The shallow waters of Balos lagoon make a great spot for kids (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The Aegean’s gentle currents have deposited swirls and arabesques of sand on the sheltered side of an islet on northwest Crete‘s Gramvousa Peninsula, creating bone-white Balos. Surrounded by shallow waters in the most vivid blue shades, it’s a genuinely drop-dead gorgeous place. Its beauty is no secret, however: boat and coach trips unload hundreds of tourists each day, so the trick is to stay nearby and enjoy the beach before the crowds descend.
Where to stay
The closest resort is Kissamos, where eco-conscious Tella Thera (a boutique hotel with a farm-to-table restaurant) sits sleepily among olive groves.
Porto Katsiki, Lefkada
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Porto Katsiki, Lefkada is known for its dramatic backdrop of cliffs (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Similarly bright-blue waters await at Porto Katsiki, whose white pebbles line the shore beneath a towering backdrop of limestone cliffs. Sunshine reflects off the pale seabed, igniting the bay’s turquoise tones to a level that looks almost artificial. Unsurprisingly, it’s a crowd-puller. Porto Katsiki can be accessed via steep steps carved into the cliffs, but it’s far more dramatic (and gentler on the knees) to arrive by boat. Plenty of trips depart from the ports of Nidri or Vassiliki.
Where to stay
The latter’s Hotel Odeon makes a convenient beachfront base (and has two family suites among its rooms).
Koukounaries, Skiathos
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An aerial view of Koukounaries beach in Skiathos (Getty Images)
Skiathos is the westernmost of northern Greece’s Sporades islands, an archipelago far greener than the Cyclades to the south. Its covering of emerald pines is thickest at Koukounaries: a long, slim streak of pristine sand that’s backed by a nature reserve. For beach purists, there are loungers and water sports; or, for a break from the sun, take a stroll through the forest to its freshwater lake.
Where to stay
For the best views, check into delightfully retro Skiathos Palace, which looks down the beach’s full length. Liven things up by hopping on the regular bus to Skiathos Town.
Read more: After a lifetime search for the perfect Greek island, I think I’ve finally found it
Sarakiniko, Milos
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A woman explores the white cliffs of Sarakiniko beach in Milos (Getty Images)
Ever more popular Milos (a close neighbour of Santorini) has some 70-odd beaches from which to choose, of which the most famous is Sarakiniko. A star of many an Instagram feed, it’s known for its lunar-like landscape: all sculpted, weather-beaten white rock formations that contrast with the bright-blue Aegean. Like Balos in Crete, Sarakiniko is popular with day-trippers, but you can beat the rush by staying nearby and getting there early.
Where to stay
Try Ventus di Milo, a six-suite retreat that’s barely a five-minute drive away and has a stunning sea-view infinity pool.
Vouliagmeni, Athens Riviera
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Vouliagmeni is one of the best beaches on the Athens Riviera (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
For city slickers keen to combine Athens‘ urban charms with Aegean swims, there’s no need to jump on a ferry to the islands. The seaside suburbs of Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni are easily reached by metro and bus (or simply take a taxi). Vouliagmeni is the main draw for its restaurants, bars and sandy beach; the admission fee of €10 (£8.50) includes the use of loungers and parasols.
Where to stay
For something ritzier, buy a day-pass to the Four Seasons Astir Palace (€150/£127pp), which grants access to its boardwalk and beach (the Riviera’s prettiest). Amarilia Hotel in nearby Voula has more affordable lodgings.
Koroni, Kefalonia
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The beautiful remote beach of Koroni in Kefalonia (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
You’ll need a car to reach this wild and lovely stretch of southern shore, but the effort (and steep descent) are greatly repaid. Backed by a hilly hinterland, it’s completely undeveloped save for a scattering of loungers for hire. There’s no need to worry about staying hydrated: top up your bottle with the cool, refreshing water that bubbles from a natural spring. For further libations and lunch, you’ll find a taverna or two back up the hill (plus outstanding views across the sea to Zakynthos).
Where to stay
Oikos Boutique Residences is one of the nearest places to stay, with two villas suitable for families and larger groups.
Gerakas, Zakynthos
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Gerakas on Zakynthos is an important nesting site for sea turtles (Getty Images)
The enormous arc of Laganas Bay fills the southern part of Zakynthos. Gerakas, its easternmost beach, is one of the bay’s six sandy nesting grounds of loggerhead sea turtles, which lay their eggs here in summer. Thanks to these ancient mariners, Gerakas has been preserved within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, leaving it almost entirely natural and undeveloped. This does mean that beachgoers are limited to the strip of sand nearest the sea, but that’s an acceptable compromise (and limits disturbing the incubating eggs).
Where to stay
A chic place to stay nearby is the barefoot-luxury Bay Hotel & Suites.