The Best Beach Towns in Greece for a Sun-Soaked Summer

If your idea of a well-spent summer is marveling at whitewashed architecture in an island town’s city center and spending hours on a golden-sand beach, then you’ve opened the right article. Greece has long been Europe’s best destination for summer leisure. The country is filled with historic towns, picturesque harbors, sublime urban beaches, and world-renowned beach club hangouts.

With over 220 inhabited islands, the vast mainland coast, and the thrilling Peloponnese peninsula, you will never run out of exciting new places to discover. This selection guides you to both well-known beach towns and some under-the-radar destinations to visit in summer.

Best for urban beachgoing and spectacular harbor

You will not mistake Chania’s harbor for anything else. Crete’s second-largest city is known for its atmospheric Venetian port—the Mediterranean blue, the colored seaside houses, the epic mid-16th-century fortress, and the ancient Küçük Hasan Mosque. It’s the epicenter of Chania’s city life, where you head to sample seafood in the evening, have a frappe in a cafe in the morning, or enjoy the inspiring views.

The city is also Crete’s best beach town, offering several stretches you can easily walk to. Nea Chora is the closest beach to the center, which is a vibrant resort area with beach bars. For golden sand and water sports, head to the gorgeous Hrisi Akti, or the Golden Beach. Family-friendly Koum Kapi is another great stretch to check out. Chania is also a popular starting point for boat tours to Crete’s most enchanting turquoise beach, Balos. 

Best for high-end beach clubs and parties

Yes, summer in Mykonos is far from an affordable affair. On the other hand, it’s the hottest time to visit. The island becomes a hotspot for parties and jet-set living. The world’s top DJs land in the Cycladic decadent center to play energetic sets in local beach clubs. You start your day with breakfast at Pelican in Little Venice, gazing at the iconic old windmills.

Then, enjoy the sands of Psarou or Ornos, sampling fresh seafood for brunch. In the evening, dance the night away with David Guetta, Hugel, or DJ Snake. Mykonos offers a Cycladic dream, wrapped in a luxurious coating. 

Best for cinematic beauty and excellent beaches

Skiathos is the ultimate Greek island for beaches. The most famous of the Sporades in the northwestern Aegean Sea, it is home to over 60 beaches, while having a modest coastline of only 27 square miles. Its main town may look familiar. That’s because the now-iconic 2008 musical movie “Mamma Mia!” was filmed here. You can visit the St. Nicholas Bell Tower, where Amanda Seyfried’s character sang “I Have a Dream,” or stroll along the Old Port, where the three fathers met for the first time. To refresh your memory of “Mamma Mia!” the local Attikon Open Air Cinema plays the movie several times a week. Family-friendly Megali Ammos is the closest stretch to the center.

But Skiathos’ great advantage is the proximity of the island’s most enchanting beaches. Go to Lalaria for the arched cliffs and blue waters, admire the golden sands and pine trees of Koukounaries, hang out at the beach bars of vibrant Banana Beach, and embrace the untamed Mediterranean at the wilder Mikros Aselinos. 

Best for magnificent views

When you see Palaiokastritsa bay for the first time, you immediately believe that Greek myths were real. The cliffs of the Agios Spiridon Beach, the sapphire-colored water, the rocky mountains, and the sea caves make an unforgettable impression. It was here that Odysseus met Nausicaa, a Phaeacian princess who rescued him after a shipwreck in Homer’s iconic epic. It’s Corfu’s most enchanting beach town, with plenty of hotels offering breathtaking views.

If you’re seeking a Greek holiday that involves fantastic beaches and untouched nature, Palaiokastritsa is a superb base. Agia Triada Beach is the top choice for snorkelling. A magical aquamarine show awaits you at the Blue Eye Cave. As for the sights, the Byzantine Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Paleokastritsa is a must-visit attraction and a perfect viewpoint to marvel at the bay. 

Best for epicness and beach combo

The beach towns don’t get more epic than Lindos. Rhodes Island’s most spectacular destination, it takes your breath away with an almost vertical Old Town that culminates with the Temple of Athena Lindia atop the rocky hill. Lindos Acropolis is second in looks only to the one in Athens. But there’s more here than the historic ruins and whitewashed streets. Lindos is surrounded by some of the island’s best beaches. Its main stretch is a golden sand idyll, perfect for families with kids.

To the south is Agios Pavlos Cove, offering clear, turquoise waters of St. Paul’s Bay. My favorite thing to do in Lindos is hanging out on the town’s rooftop terraces. Restaurants like Lassu come with a fantastic panorama of the cascading streets and the glistening Aegean Sea in the distance. 

Best for pretty Old Town and cocktail bars

Another Cycladic gem, Paros, has earned a reputation as a “calmer Mykonos.” Skip the main port and head straight to Naousa, the island’s prettiest beach town. Like in Mykonos, you will find many exclusive villas, luxurious hotels, and a stunning whitewashed Old Town. Alleys here are paved with Parian marble—the island has been the main marble supplier in ancient Greece, and many iconic buildings, such as the Parthenon in Athens and the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, are adorned with the marble from the local Marathi quarries.

Naousa is famous for a more refined nightlife. Instead of clubs, you’re getting cozy wine bars (serving the drink made from red Mandilaria Greek wine grape), swanky cocktail hangouts, and seaside pubs. As for the beaches, you’ve got many wonderful spots to explore in the Bay of Naousa. The closest to the city center are sandy Agioi Anargyroi and Piperi. Kolympethres is famous for its sculpted rock formations. Head to Monastiri for shallow, transparent waters. 

Best for authentic lifestyle and windsurfing

If you’re interested in how the Greeks actually live and prefer the underdog destinations, Lefkada is the one. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, it’s more affordable than its Ionian neighbors Corfu and Zakynthos, while retaining authenticity. Following the devastating Lefkada Earthquake in 1825, the town’s center was rebuilt in an anti-seismic vernacular style, so its appearance is different from that of most Greek settlements.

Visit the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada to immerse yourself in ancient history, seeing objects from the Paleolithic, ancient Greek, and Roman eras. Lefkada is on this list for a reason—its Agios Ioannis beach stretches for almost two miles. Thanks to the consistent windy conditions, it’s among the top Greek beaches for kite- and windsurfing. You can always go west to discover Lefkada island’s divine bays, such as Kathisma, Megali Petra, and Egremni. 

Best for romance and stunning views

Mainland Greece’s coastline isn’t talked about enough. Take Parga, for example. This small town in the northwestern part of the country can easily rival the beauty of the Amalfi Coast’s villages. Yet, it remains under the radar. But perhaps this is a great thing for those who seek tranquility and a true getaway from the crowds. Much like Cinque Terre and Amalfi, Parga is incredibly romantic. The scenic promenade here is lined with taverns and cafes. You sip your coffee while viewing a Venetian fortress on the hill and the vertical Old Town, made of colored houses.

A Panagia islet emerges from the Ionian waters right in front. Parga is what you’d get if you blend Taormina, Portofino, and Positano, adding the Greek allure. You will also find excellent beaches here. Valtos is a gorgeous, mile-long sandy bay, overlooking the castle hill. Another spectacular one is Piso Krioneri, a turquoise cove where you bathe among the sea stacks.

Best for a perfect city break

Big enough to be vibrant, but small enough to feel cozy, Rethymno is among Crete’s best beach towns. Its Old Town is dazzling—the epic Venetian Fortezza rises above the narrow streets. Like in Chania, the harbor is as photogenic as it gets. A trio of museums—the archeological, contemporary art, and historical—will give you a full picture of the past and present of this part of Crete. But Rethymno is mostly famous for its long beach, which begins right where the Old Town ends. Stretching for a whopping 7 miles, the stretch is among the longest urban beaches in the country.

The section adjacent to the marina is the most organized, with umbrella rentals and beach bars. The farther east you go, the wilder it gets. From late July through September, Rethymno beach becomes a nesting spot for loggerhead turtles. You can see the animals by signing up for the eco-walk or volunteering with the local ARCHELON sea turtle protection society. 

Best for a perfect beach town break

Many things make Naxos an ideal under-the-radar town for a summer getaway in Greece. The main port of the Cyclades group’s largest island, it doesn’t have the crowds of Santorini or Mykonos. Instead, you’re getting a beautiful Hora, or the Old Town, with pretty lanes, the ruins of a Venetian castle above the city center, and the sublime Portara (or the doorway) of the unfinished Temple of Apollo in the harbor. Naxos Town is just right for slowing down and embracing the Greek island lifestyle. Of course, it involves swimming and tanning on a beach.

You’re in for a treat here—Agios Georgios is among the best urban beaches in Greece. It features soft sands and turquoise water, while the Old Town is a short walk away. Naxos Island is famous for its golden-sand beaches. Agios Prokopios and Plaka are the most popular, and you can reach them by public transport.