The best beaches in the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean wastes incredible beach destinations. However, in this case, we will share the best places for you to organize your trip along the Mediterranean coast in the best way, and in your own way, with Greca Travel.
Naxos, Greece
Without a doubt, one of the favorite beach destinations in the Mediterranean is the Greek island of Naxos. Not only does it have some of the most amazing sandy beaches on the Greek islands, but it is also one of the favorite islands for visitors due to its relaxed and authentic atmosphere.
The main city, called Chora, has a small center of whitewashed buildings, a ruined Venetian castle, and a strange ancient gate that is the symbol of the island. Naxian food is fantastic, don't forget to take a look at the variety of local cheeses. But the best thing is that you can stay right next to the city beach and be within walking distance of everything.
But the star attractions are the long white sand beaches of Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka. All these beaches are easily accessible from Chora, which leaves the rest of the island's beaches free for windsurfers and solitude seekers.
Cefalu, Sicily, Italy
Cefalu is a charming medieval town an hour from Palermo, the capital of Sicily. The city sits between the mountains and the sea, making it beautiful no matter what it looks like. Think of narrow cobblestone streets and the must-have boardwalk for your evening stroll. There are sun-drenched buildings almost at the edge of the beach. There is also a huge Norman cathedral for those interested in Sicilian culture and history.
It is such a perfect image that you can see why Giuseppe Tornatore chose Cefalu as the setting for his movie “Cinema Paradiso”. By attracting a mostly Italian crowd and occasionally foreign tourists, Cefalu does not suffer from the excess tourism that we find in other popular Sicilian beach towns.
The protected sandy beach is perfect for children to play. You can relax on the beach knowing that they won't get in trouble. Nearby, you can find pizzerias and ice cream parlors galore for when you feel hungry and craving good gelato. As a good fishing village, fish and seafood are excellent. This place is great for a perfect family beach vacation bathing in the sun, eating and drinking.
Mykonos, Chora, Greece
Mykonos is one of the favorite islands in the Mediterranean. Yes, it is touristy, but it is a charm because there is so much to see and do, and many stunning beaches within walking distance of each other. The main island city Mykonos Town is in the west: Mykonos' most beautiful beaches are located on the south coast, just a few kilometers from Mykonos Town, and there is plenty to choose from!
Two of the most popular party beaches in Mykonos, Paradise and Super Paradise, are less than 10 km from the city, they are ideal for those looking for beach parties, music and dance, as well as water sports. Another great beach is Ornos, an excellent family beach just 3 km from Mykonos town, well configured with sunbeds and umbrellas, ideal for just lying in the sun.
However, one of the favorite beaches near Mykonos Town is Elia Beach. It is a bit further from the city, about 10 km away, but offers plenty to see and do, from swimming to snorkeling, windsurfing and parasailing. There are also some secluded parts and a nudist-friendly section!
Giardini Naxos, Sicily, Italy
The charming seaside town is a stone's throw from the famous Taormina, in the province of Messina. This noodle-shaped town stretches along the sea and therefore offers a large number of beaches. As is typical in Sicily, most of the beaches are accessible through a beach bar. There is absolutely no shortage of such bars and they are also good.
Parasols and beach chairs are available to rent. Also, if you want to take a quick swim, you can even use a couple of chairs for an hour for free.
The beach is sandy, smooth and without rocks. In addition to walking the beaches of Giardini Naxos, you can enjoy strolling along the main road that passes buildings built in the 1950s or perhaps 1960s with the characteristic retro pastel look. Many of beaches also house hotels.
Kolymbithres, Paros, Greece
Kolymbithres Beach is one of the most famous in Paros and is located west of Naoussa, in Plastira Bay. It has huge granite rocks set in the sea that have been worn down over the centuries on smooth platforms for sunbathing.
The water here is shallow and crystal clear, and there's a great tavern right next to the beach, which has some of the best home-cooked food on the island. You can drive or take the small public ferry from Naoussa. It is a fairly informal type of beach, without rental of chairs or drink service, which is a big part of its appeal.
The sea in Kolymbithres is calm and has crystal clear waters. The wind is usually ideal for sailing and there are other activities available such as sailing, SUP (stand-up paddle) and canoe rentals.
There are also the ruins of the Mycenaean Acropolis from the Bronze Age (600-1100 BC). A 20 minute walk will take you to the top of a rocky hill called Koukounaries. Initially, refugees populated this Acropolis, but it was destroyed by an earthquake sometime around 1200 BC.
Chania, Crete, Greece
If you are looking for an unforgettable beach holiday in the Mediterranean, your mind will probably take you to the Greek islands. While there are so many beautiful islands in Greece, one of the first to appear in our heads is Chania, in Crete. This is a charming port city in Greece that has a beautiful and historic old town, with tons of superb restaurants, cafes and shops by the port.
But Chania is also an ideal base for unforgettable excursions to the beach. One of the favorites, without a doubt, is Seitan Limania, which is a beautiful beach about a 30-minute drive from the city of Chania. It is a quiet beach because to get there you have to go down a canyon through steep hills. However, it is worth the trip!
This is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. There are no facilities of any kind, so be sure to pack as much as you want for the day. The atmosphere is relaxed, as you share the beach with just a few intrepid people (and the occasional goat who likes to visit the beach and disturb the peace a bit). The sand is a beautiful soft pale yellow color and the sea is turquoise and calm. The water is a bit cold, as it is protected from the sun for much of the day by the canyon, but it is especially refreshing on a hot day! In addition to Seitan Limania, there are several other beautiful beaches near Chania, including Elafonisi and Balos, which are also impressive.
Benitses, Corfu, Greece
In the 70s and 80s, Corfu was one of the first places in the Mediterranean to attract mass tourism from the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. Its party capital was the town of Benitses, on the east coast of the island. The party vibe has been going on for a long time, and that's the best thing that could have happened to Benitses. The legendary "Spiro’s at the Beach" nightclub building still remains.
Before all this, Benitses was popular as a haven for people like Laurence Olivier, Paul McCartney, and Audrey Hepburn. It is now a quiet family resort with some gorgeous stretches of beach that look across the Ionian Sea to the mountains. The small port is also charming, and once you've passed the strip of restaurants, you can climb the cobbled alleys uphill to some beautiful old churches.
The food in Benitses is good. There are some restaurants with ocean views. Baked feta cheese with sesame and honey is a delicious dish from Greece.
Paleokastritsa, Corfu, Greece
But not far away is the Paleokastritsa complex. It is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean. Corfu is so green and lush, and the northwestern part of the island boasts spectacular coastal scenery. It is the Mediterranean's answer to the Thai Maya Bay (yes, exactly, the beautiful beach where the Di Caprio movie was made).
The beaches here are not sandy, but there are many small coves and grottos perfect for swimming. And if you want sandy beaches, there are several within a short drive (Corfu has a ridiculous number of beautiful beaches and all very varied). Add a selection of relaxed taverns and incredible sunsets, and you have a perfect Mediterranean beach vacation.
There is no doubt, this is one of the best beach places in the Mediterranean... and much more if you arrive on a cruise.