Beaches · 58 of the best in Greek Islands
How to choose a Greek island beach
The back story
About How to choose a Greek island beach
The islands have thousands of beaches; knowing a little about the wind and the coast makes all the difference.
The meltemi rule
In summer the meltemi blows from the north, so north-facing beaches get waves and south-facing beaches stay calm.
Organised and wild
Organised beaches have sunbeds, umbrellas and bars; wild beaches have nothing, so bring water and shade.
In the Cyclades, the wind decides which beach is best today.
Respect protected beaches
Balos, Elafonisi and others are protected; never take sand or shells.
Our advice: check the wind forecast every morning, bring water shoes for pebbles and rocks, and arrive early at famous beaches in July and August.
Why it's on our list
- Check the wind direction
- Organised versus wild
- Arrive early in summer
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with How to choose a Greek island beach before you go.