Travel
If you can’t go to the Greek islands or the Peloponnes but want all the goodness of a Greek island holiday without leaving the mainland, you are in the right place.
We had planned on hitting up the south of Greece, some islands and the Peloponnese during our stay but our pets got sick and threw a spanner in the works, so we had to forgo the beach paradises of the Peloponnese and the white and bluewashed dreams of Santorini on hold for another time. That didn’t mean we missed out on our beach fix, we got plenty of that and it was pure paradise too.
The beaches of mainland Greece really have so much to offer. Many are easy to get to, have all of the things you want from a good beach holiday and honestly the quality of some of the sea and sad is just as good as any island!
If you are wanting a lively beach holiday, it is recommended that you travel within the season as many of the smaller towns and resort areas are closed until summer. We travelled in winter and many places were closed, however, the upside to this was we often saw no one and had the beach to ourselves.
Colourful Cinque Terre Vibes in Parga
Beautiful Parga
Table of Contents
Where are the best beaches in mainland Greece?
Greece has the largest coastline in the Mediterranean basin meaning that finding yourself a perfect little slice of the seaside is easy. The coastline around Greece can range from average and good to crystal clear water and sand that rivals the beaches of the Maldives. The regions on the mainland that have coastlines and beaches are Epirus, Attica, Thessaly, Central Greece, Macedonia and western Thrace. Where are the best beaches? Ultimately a hard call as it all depends on what you are looking for, we did find some of the most stunning beaches to be in Epirus, Halkidiki in Macedonia and the Athenian Riviera in Attica.
Epirus
The Epirus Region is on the very north west coast of Greece and is the base of operations if you were going to travel to the Ionian islands like Lefkada, Corfu, and Kefalonia or if you were going to take the ferry to Italy. There is a really popular crossing from Ignomesta to Bari, Italy. This coast is stunning with gems like Parga which rival Cinque Terre.
Halkidiki
Halkidiki is located in eastern Greece, after Thessaloniki in Macedonia and looks like a large bulk of mainland with three distinct finger-shaped peninsulas or legs as it’s colloquially called. Halkidid is easy to get to and close by from Thessaloniki, just over an hour to reach the first peninsula and only ninety minutes to reach the second. Due to the shape of Halkidiki, you have so many beach destinations and options to pick from.
Attica
Attica is the region that Athens is situated on. Cape Sounion sits at the very tip of the region and has some of the best beaches around, often referred to as the Athenian Riviera you will be able to get a taste of that authentic Greek, beach riviera life and with the close proximity to Athens you are in no short supply of ancient history, beach bars, resorts, restaurants and amenities.
Pefkochori, Halkidiki at sunrise
01 – Parga, Epirus
A tiny beach town that rivals the likes of Cinque Terre and Portofino expect small cute colourful houses along the beach promenade, incredibly clear water and pristine beaches. There are many sandy beaches at Parga, all with lovely clean sand and crystal clear water with beautiful shades of turquoise. Perched on the side of Paralia Valtos beach, sits a Venetian Castle, looking out to sea, it’s heartbreakingly beautiful. Parga definitely has that Greek island vibe down pat. Parga is located on the north-western coast of Greece close to Igoumenitsa where you can get the ferry over to Italy and it is only one hour and twenty minutes drive from the city of Ioannina, where there is an airport. Parga is a small, somewhat sleepy town but comes alive with tourists in the summer. It’s got all the amenities you would expect for a seaside beach haven.
Expect to pay around €10 for parasol and lounger rental.
Location: Paralia Valtos, Parga
02 – Karavostasi beach, Epirus
Another beach in Epirus is the beach paradise of Karavostasi. It’s long, organised, has white sand, and an incredible shades of blue sea. The sea water here is graded as excellent, perfect for those afternoon dips. There are rocky outcrops located on both sides of the bay for exploring and during summer there are plenty of bars, beach huts, restaurants and amenities. Loungers, day beds and parasols, can be rented from Karavostasi Beach Hotel or on the beach, prices vary.
Location: Karavostasi Beach, Epirus
03 – Bella Vraka beach, Epirus
Another beach is located in Epirus but this one with a bit of magic and fun. Bella Vraka beach has pebbles, pristine sand, the beach vibe, an intimate feel and gorgeous water but it also has a unique sand bank that you can cross over, through the sea to another beach area. The area looks quite tropical and lush with a lot of greenery. There are lots of amenities nearby and some other larger beaches in the area so you won’t be missing out. Bring your own beach gear, in case you can’t find a beach vendor.
Location: Bella Vraka Beach, Epirus
04 – Kalogria beach, Halkidiki
Situated on the middle leg or should I say peninsula of Halkidiki, this beach is a stunning and luscious beach with lots of greenery from the surrounding forest. Little more secluded than the bigger and more popular beaches of her neighbours around Kassandra beach, the secluded and private feel makes this beach a must-visit. Being so close to the bigger beach resorts also means you can explore those beaches and amenities too. Expect to pay around €10 for two loungers and a parasol.
Location: Paralia Karolgria, Halkidki
05 – Pefkochori, Halkidiki
Pefkochori is located on the first peninsular of Halkidiki. It has a long, expansive beach which is super popular with the locals. The beach has clear blue waters, a lagoon marina on one side, beach bars and restaurants and the town of Pefkochori nearby. It is the perfect location for a relaxing beach holiday. Only an hour and twenty minutes away from Thessaloniki, and you’re in beach paradise. Bring your own beach gear or expect to pay up to €15 for a lounger set.
Location: Paralia Pefkochori, Halkidiki
06 – Athenian Riviera
The Athenian Riviera is the area of the coast underneath Athens and it is packed with glamorous beaches, capes, authentic greek towns, and even a thermal lake. There are so many beaches to pick from around the Athenian Riviera depending on what you are after Family, fun, upmarket resorts, easy-going beaches, secluded coves, you name it the Athenian riviera has it. Glyfada beach is a popular beach suburb of Athens and is a lively place if you are looking for that sort of beach fun. There are many other small, intimate and chilled-out beaches also if you head towards cape Sounion. One of the best things about the Athenian Riviera is the proximity to Athens! If you are heading to Athens and you have no time to go to the islands, just a short car ride from the centre can take you from city sights to beach vibes. If you want the luxury experience of bed loungers and day beds, they are rentable at the various beach resorts along the riviera but can be pricey (easily up to €100- €150) for a set.
Location: Athenian Riviera, Attica
07 – Cape Sounion, Athenian Riviera
Cape Souniou is the very tip of the Athenian Riviera. Not only does Cape Sounion have amazing beaches and coves to discover it has the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon, located above a cliff at the most southerly point of Attica, it is a magnificent monument from the golden ages of Athens. People flocked here from all over to pay homage to the “master of the seas.” The temple was mentioned in Homer’s the odyssey when King Menelaus stopped here with his fleet on his way back from Troy (yes that Troy) to cremate the helmsman of his ship. Directly below the Temple is a small, intimate beach and to the other side of the ruins, down from the cliff in full view of the Ruins is Sounio Beach. Clear, blue classically greek water, pristine sand and beach amenities. You can sunbathe and swim under the gaze of Poseidon himself. It costs around €15 for a set of loungers and parasols and can get busy so go early.
Location: Paralia Souniou, Attica
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