10 Beautiful Secret Beaches in Greece | The Mediterranean Traveller

Sometimes you just want to get away from the crowds and discover your own Robinson Crusoe beach. And Greece certainly obliges – there are hundreds of stunning secluded beaches that require a boat or a hike to get to, so chances are it will be just you and your beach towel.

Here are 10 of the most beautiful secret beaches in Greece.

A heads-up though – hidden beaches in Greece tend to be popular with the free-camping and clothing-optional crowd 😉

Gidaki, Ithaca

Gidaki is on the north-west coast of Ithaca and as soon as you approach it by boat (which is the main means of getting here, although there is also a trail from Vathy) the colours of this beach will dazzle you. There’s a narrow beach of blinding white pebbles where the steep tree-covered cliffs plunge into the sea, and the sea is electric blue. You won’t forget a swim here in a hurry.

Fteri, Kefalonia

The Ionian Islands are famed for their dramatic sheer cliff beaches and the incredible colour of the water. The most famous on Kefalonia is the popular Myrtos, but many holidaymakers don’t realise that there are many similar beaches tucked away in the north of the island. The easiest way to get here is a water taxi from nearby Fteri, although the intrepid might want to ask around for the hiking possibilities. If you time it right you might well have this incredible beach all to yourself.

Glyka Nera, Crete

Glyka Nera, or Sweetwater Beach in English, is a stunning secret beach in the south of Crete. Somehow a few trees grow in this barren location at the foot of a 200m cliff, where it meets the Libyan Sea. It’s the most beautiful beach in this part of Greece and it does attract a few independent sorts staying in the nearby villages. There is hiking trail that links it with Loutro and Chora Sfakion but it’s not for the faint hearted and most arrive by boat. The name refers to spring water which escapes from underneath the beach.

Tsigrado, Milos

Tsigrado is a beautiful sandy cove with turquoise-green waters on the south coast of Milos, not far from the busier Fyriplaka. There are lots of rocks and caves to explore with a snorkel mask. It’s possible to reach Tsigrado by land but this option for the adventurous only – it involves descending the cliff with the help of a ladder and a rope (eek). The beach is narrow and gets a bit busy in August.

Kastelli, Kato Koufonisia

The Koufonisi islands (the inhabited Ano Koufonisia and the uninhabited Kato Koufonisia) are full of wonderful secluded beaches. One of the most secret is Kastelli beach on Kato Koufonisia. The golden limestone rocks here form jagged archways and stacks around the narrow beach.

If you’re prepared to hold your breath and swim underneath a section of rock you’ll reach a secret beach on the other side. It doesn’t get much more hidden than that! You will have to visit on a boat trip so that someone in the know can show you the location of this magical spot.

Glossa, Pylos

Hidden by vast stone gates, Glossa beach is located not far from one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Greece – the perfect sand crescent of Voidokilia. So if you’re in the area, don’t miss a quick detour to this secret beach. You can reach it from Voidokilia using the path that leads up to the Tomb of Thasimede – but fork off to the right instead. The beach is a mix of sand and stones and is surprisingly wide considering the narrow opening.

Seychelles Beach, Ikaria

Seychelles Beach on the island of Ikaria is hidden but not so secret – it’s well known for the spectacular colour of the water here, hence the tropical name. It was formed when an earthquake caused a landslide in the area which has left impressive rock formations and bright white pebbles. Most people reach the beach via a steep trail however there is an occasional water taxi in high season from nearby Magganitis. Despite the difficult access, it still gets very busy in high season.

Agios Giorgios Dysalonas, Symi

This incredible beach is on the tiny island of Symi and you can only reach it by boat – thankfully Symi is well set up with water taxis that will allow you to hop from one beach to another. The sheer size of the cliffs here (around 300m) will make you feel miniscule as you relax on the beach or swim in its azure waters. It’s a beach where you feel truly awed by nature. Ask around in Symi for the best time to visit before you go – at times the beach is in shadow or gets crowded with daytrippers from Turkey.

Seitan Limani, Crete

The distinctive zigzag shape of this beach near Chania on Crete has made this former local secret a bit of an Instagram star, so I don’t recommend visiting in high summer, but you’ll still need to own wheels to get there.

As with all of the beaches on this list, take sensible shoes for the walk, and make sure you pick up any litter that you see and close any gates behind you.

Chomi, Corfu

Also known as Paradise Beach, Chomi is one of several fantastic hidden beaches in the area of Liapades in the northwest of Corfu. The cliffside beach is a mix of sand and small shingle and is only accessible by water taxi. If there are too many people on this beach for your liking then see if you can persuade your taxi skipper to drop you off at the next beach along – Stelari – which is similar in looks but wilder and less visited.

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