Sea Cave and Rock-Arch Beaches in Greece

Rock feature: Water sports operators and boat trips to nearby sights (e.g., Blue Caves/Navagio) depart from this area, so bathers should remain within buoyed zones and be mindful of passing craft.

Long, mostly sandy shoreline merging with Alykanas, with some mixed sandy–pebble patches. The water is typically clear and very shallow for a long distance, making entry easy and swimming comfortable.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Roadside

Certification

Blue Flag

Rock feature: expect generally moderate conditions with occasional chop and boat wake from frequent departures to the Blue Caves and Navagio.

Small beach within the port of Agios Nikolaos on Zakynthos’ north coast. The shore is mixed: coarse sand with pebbles and a rocky seabed in places; water is typically very clear and quickly becomes deep.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Moderate

Parking

Roadside

Rock feature: Its shore combines dark volcanic sand, pebbles and rock beneath pale cliffs, with traditional cave-like fishermen’s buildings adding character to the setting.

Santorini’s Black Beach is the name also used for Mesa Pigadia, a quieter cove near Akrotiri and the island’s lighthouse. Its shore combines dark volcanic sand, pebbles and rock beneath pale cliffs, with traditional cave-like fishermen’s buildings adding character to the setting.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Moderate

Parking

Small lot

Rock feature: Canal d’Amour (in Sidari, northwest Corfu) is a dramatic natural channel carved into yellow sandstone cliffs opening into small coves and caves.

Canal d’Amour (in Sidari, northwest Corfu) is a dramatic natural channel carved into yellow sandstone cliffs opening into small coves and caves. The shoreline is a mix of coarse sand and exposed rock, and the seabed includes rocky patches and shallow channels ideal for exploration.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Small lot

Rock feature: Popular activities include boat trips to Marathonisi and the Keri Caves;

Also known as Limni Keriou beach, this is a narrow, village-front shore inside Laganas Bay facing Marathonisi. The shore is mainly pebbly with some sandy patches; the seabed starts stone/pebble and turns sandy after a few meters.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Large lot

Rock feature: It features a pebbly-shingle shoreline, crystal-clear water, and impressive rock caves that are excellent for snorkeling and diving.

Makris Gialos is a secluded yet accessible beach on the northeast coast of Zakynthos, roughly 30 km from Zakynthos Town. It features a pebbly-shingle shoreline, crystal-clear water, and impressive rock caves that are excellent for snorkeling and diving.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Moderate

Parking

Roadside

Rock feature: Matala lies on the southern coast of Crete in Heraklion region, set in a small bay framed by sandstone cliffs riddled with Roman-era burial caves.

Matala lies on the southern coast of Crete in Heraklion region, set in a small bay framed by sandstone cliffs riddled with Roman-era burial caves. The site became internationally famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s when hippies — Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens and others — lived in the cliff caves, and the village…

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Large lot

Rock feature: The setting is open, with low scrub and olive groves behind, and the rock formation provides some natural shade in the afternoon.

Metalia sits on the southwestern coast of Thassos, just a short walk from the resort of Limenaria. Its name comes from the large, rust-coloured rock that juts into the sea, a reminder of the island's mining history. The beach itself is a mix of sand and small pebbles, with clear water that shelves gently.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Moderate

Parking

Roadside

Rock feature: The southeast exposure and shelter of the mainland/channel mean waves are usually minimal except in stronger onshore breezes.

Small east-coast village beach on Lefkada with a mixed sand-and-pebble shore and very clear, typically calm water. The southeast exposure and shelter of the mainland/channel mean waves are usually minimal except in stronger onshore breezes.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Roadside

Rock feature: boat trips to Navagio and nearby caves depart frequently.

Twin small coves on Zakynthos’ west coast, each a tiny harbor with a narrow beach of white pebbles. Water is exceptionally clear and typically calm inside the coves, though swell can increase with strong westerlies and frequent boat traffic. The seabed drops off fairly quickly.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Small lot