Vacation despite a pandemic: these are Greece’s most beautiful dream beaches

1. Rhodes: Fourni Beach – for adventurers and lovers

The main island of the Dodecanese archipelago (“The Twelve Islands”) is anything but an insider tip, but among its more than 30 beaches there are still some. The quiet Fourni Beach, for example.

Even the journey to the extreme southwest of the island is unforgettable: 20 hairpin bends on a narrow tar road without guardrails and past the Monolithos monastery, which sits lone and white like a fortress on a rock.

The beach shines in rose gold and is protected on one side by a canyon-like cliff and on the other side by mighty boulders that jut out of the water in bizarre shapes. It slopes gently into the turquoise-green sea, where it mixes with fine pebbles to form a soft base. Perfect for letting the mini waves wash over you, for splashing around and bathing.

Those who want to withdraw will find their own private beach spot between or on the large boulders. Those who prefer to make themselves comfortable on the sun lounger can use the small part of the beach with yellow parasols and deck chairs. The service on what is probably the most remote beach in Rhodes also includes a small kantina that offers ice cream, beer, Greek yoghurt and snacks. Showers and a parking lot are also available.

2. Crete: Elafonissi – pink sand in the nature reserve

Crete is known for its palm-fringed beaches Vai and Preveli, which attract many vacationers. At the most south-westerly point of the island, about five kilometers from the Chrysoskalista monastery, there are no date palms, but a real South Sea feeling.

The crescent-shaped beach of Elafonissi is located in a nature reserve and intoxicates with its play of colors: The palette of sand colors ranges from white to pink and is surrounded by crystal-clear water in shimmering shades of blue and green. The unreally beautiful pink shade of the soft sand comes from millions of finely ground mussels. The water in the lagoon is no deeper than a meter and is therefore suitable for children.

A barrier island makes the beauty of Elafonissi perfect. Because it can also be reached on foot through the shallow water. On the eastern side of the beach there are umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, a few stalls and small restaurants. If you like it more lonely, you can walk through the powdery sand to the more distant sections, where there is less going on and the beach color stays pink.

3. Corfu: Porto Timoni – the magic of green

Olive groves, acacias, citrus fruits, seas of yellow and red flowers: Corfu is one of the greenest islands in Greece. On the west coast, around an hour from the capital, is the small peninsula of Porto Timoni. The special thing about the hilly headland is: It forms two opposite bays, which consist of lush green hills, rocks, bright pebble beaches and an emerald green sea. A scenery like from a picture book – pure nature!

The effort to get to the two beaches is worth it. The 20-minute hike, for which sturdy shoes are required, offers fantastic views of the bays. You should have drinks and food in your backpack, because there is no infrastructure on the relatively small beaches. Just wilderness. And the most romantic place in Corfu for a sunset over the Ionian Sea.

4. Milos: Sarakiniko Beach – lunar landscape with white rocks

In the middle of the southern Aegean, about halfway between Athens and Crete, lies the island of Milos. When it comes to the Cyclades islands, familiar names such as Mykonos, Santorini or Naxos are usually mentioned. But who has heard of Milos? The island, 21 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide, stands out with something unique: Sarakiniko Beach.

The beach in the northeast of Milos consists of white rocks that look like a surreal lunar landscape. The volcanic rock has been washed away by the sea for centuries and offers a small stretch of beach and wonderful views. Because the contrast of the white tuff rocks to the baby blue sky and the emerald green sea give the bay a magical attraction – it looks like from another world.

As a change from swimming, there is a small tour over the partly canyon-like rocky landscape with its bizarre cones and caves. Attention: Sturdy shoes are necessary, because there is often white, dusty volcanic rock on the slopes, on which you can easily slip.

5. Peloponnese: Voidokilia – natural jewel far away from the hustle and bustle

The Peloponnese stretches in the south of mainland Greece. A peninsula whose shape is reminiscent of an outstretched hand with a thumb and three fingers. On the westernmost finger lies the town of Pylos and its vicinity is the ox-belly bay. In Greek it is called Voidokilia and if an ox was actually a model for the creator, then it must have been a specimen with an extremely pretty belly. Because the semicircular bay is perfectly curved, framed by picturesque dunes and impressive rocks.

Thanks to the sheltered location and narrow opening to the open sea, the water is mirror-smooth and calm when it is pleasantly warm Temperatures early in the year. Since the beach slopes gently into the crystal clear and shimmering turquoise sea, it is also perfect for families with small children.

6. Pelion peninsula: Papa Nero Beach – the male beach beauty

A good bit to the northwest – about halfway between Athens and Thessaloniki – the Pelion peninsula juts out of the sea. With 1600 meter high mountains, rocky bays, dense forests, offshore mini-islands and hidden beaches. On its west side it is washed by the Pagasitic Gulf, on the east side the Aegean Sea glistens.

Very few holidaymakers in Greece have heard of Pelion. Wrong, because here you will find paradisiacal beaches, ruled by peace, harmony and serenity.

Papa Nero Beach, for example, is located on the northeast coast of Pelion near Volos. The water is crystal clear, the beach light and soft as flour, and small hotels are hidden in the forests and hills beyond.

Along the wide and spacious Papa Nero Beach there are a few parasols and loungers for rent and a baywatcher takes care of the bathers. If you want to hike a bit, you will find many other beach beauties along the well-signposted paths on Pelion – all to yourself.

7. Chalkidiki, Sithonia: Portokali Beach – like in the Seychelles

Further north on the mainland, at the foot of the port city of Thessaloniki, is the next Elysium for beach fans: the Chalkidiki peninsula with its three headlands Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos. The westernmost, Kassandra, is best developed for tourism with hotel complexes and night clubs.

The middle tongue, however, Sithonia, stands out with its Portokali Beach. It is located a good twelve kilometers from Sarti, between the beaches of Armenistis and Platanitsi. Locals call it kavourotripes. Easier to pronounce for tourists is its nickname Orange Beach.

A piece of the finest pebble beach stretches between Seychelles-like boulders around the bay. So everyone can choose whether they want to lay their berth on the rock, which has been washed smooth by the sea for thousands of years, or on the strip of pebbles. The sheltered bay offers a view of the silhouette of an imposing mountain range across the crystal clear water. The sea is not very deep here, but it is very calm – ideal for children.