Lonely Planet Unveils 14 ‘Must-visit’ Beaches in Greece

Since 1973, Lonely Planet has been a leader in travel book publishing, aiming to help more people from diverse backgrounds experience the joy of exploration. For those seeking to discover Greece’s summer vibe, the company compiled a list of some of the best beaches in the Ionian and Aegean Seas.

Lonely Planet’s updated pick of the best beaches in Greece, include spots “well suited to younger swimmers”, popular locations “with a bit of a buzz” and secluded coves “to escape the crowds”.

The Top 5 Greek Beaches

According to Lonely Planet’s list, Corfu, Crete, Karpathos, Zakynthos, and Messinia boast the top five Greek beaches, inviting swimmers to unwind in their deep blue waters.

Paleokastritsa, Corfu

Paleokastritsa, Corfu. Photo source: Lonely Planet

The popular resort area of Paleokastritsa, 23 km northwest of Corfu Town, stretches nearly 3 km through a series of small, picturesque bays. Craggy mountains covered in cypress and olive trees tower above. In this idyllic setting, an exquisite little beach unfolds where, according to Greek mythology, the weary Odysseus washed ashore.

Falassarna, Crete

Falassarna, Crete. Photo source: Lonely Planet

Crete’s Falassarna Beach is known for its pink-cream sand, stunning sunsets, clear water, rolling waves, and watersports. However, it gets busy from mid-July to mid-August, primarily with day trippers from Chania and Kissamos.

Apella Beach, Karpathos

Apella Beach, Karpathos. Photo source: Lonely Planet

On the east coast of the island near Pigadia village, Apella Beach is hidden. Backed by a cascading hillside of wildflowers and flanked by towering cliffs to the north and south, it is considered the “finest beach” in the Dodecanese.

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos.

Navagio Beach gained fame due to the shipwreck lying on its coast. Framed by towering vertical cliffs, the beach boasts “azure waters, pure, and perfect sand.” However, this iconic destination is closed to the public for another year due to safety concerns.

Voidokilia Beach, Messinia

Voidokilia Beach, Messinia.

As Lonely Planet highlights, Voidokilia Beach features a perfect sandy crescent and clear waters and is mentioned in the famous ancient Greek epic poem, the Odyssey by Homer. There are no sunbeds or parasols, so visitors should bring their own supplies.

Lonely Planet’s list of Greek beaches also includes Platys Gialos on Mykonos, Koukounaries Beach on Skiathos, Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia, Elafonissi on Crete, and Seychelles Beach on Ikaria.