The best beaches in Greece. Envy, Hawaii!

From  GRReporter

Pictures: www.clickatlife.gr

From Halkidiki in the north to the Aegean islands, Crete and the Peloponnese, and of course, the islands of the Ionian Sea, known for some of the best beaches in Europe, let's dive into the best beaches in Greece (and not only).
Beaches, summer and Greece represent an inseparable trinity of the perfect vacation for most people. There's just one problem: there are so many beautiful beaches in Greece that it is extremely difficult to choose the best of them and everybody to agree with this list.
We will mention some of the undoubtedly most beautiful beaches which look like paintings with their extremely clear waters in all shades of blue and green, with the endless sands, cliffs and colourful pebbles.

Egremni - Porto Katsiki - Kathisma (Lefkada Island)

These are the three largest beaches in the western part of the island of Lefkada. (www.lefkada.gr). They are known throughout the world - not without reason. Their turquoise waters, snow-white sand and spectacular rocks create uniquely beautiful landscapes that can hardly be seen elsewhere. The sea is exceptionally clean and deep on two of these beaches (Egremni and Porto Katsiki), they are accessed by quite a lot of stairs. Because of their location in the western part of the island, these beaches offer unprecedented sunsets.
Navagio (Zakynthos Island)

The most famous beach on the island of Zakynthos (www.zakynthos.gov.gr), is a special creation of nature. It happened in 1982 when the ship "Panagiotis" was carrying illegal cigarettes from Turkey. Due to the extremely bad weather and engine failure, it leaved its route and crashed into the rocks in the north-western part of Zakynthos. Today the ship is located in the centre of an inaccessible beach with sand and pebbles, its waters are crystal clear and transparent, and it can be visited only by sea.
Myrtos (Kefalonia)

We cannot omit an impressive beach of the Ionian Islands - Myrtos (www.kefallonia.gov.gr / pages / gr / touristikos-odigos.php), on the road to Assos. Its beauty is discussed all over the world and the scenery around is worth its fame as one of the best beaches in Greece. It has a number of sun-beds arranged very sparsely, a life-guard, changing rooms, a medical centre and more.
Ahla - The jump of the old lady (Andros Island)

Andros Island is surrounded by 176 km Sea, decorated with beautiful beaches. However Ahla beach and “The jump of the old lady” deserve to be mentioned. The first is located on the northeast coast of the island and has pebbles and shadows under the neighbouring woods, at the same time it is very calm even when the wind blows. The whole valley and the beach are particularly beautiful.
The characteristic rock that gave the name to the beach with green waters - "The jump of the old lady" has a history: the Turks wanted to invade the impregnable fortress of Kochilo and they forced an old woman and her daughter to ask for refuge in the fortress. When the residents welcomed them, the old woman secretly opened the gates and the citadel was conquered. But the woman couldn't bare the shame and threw herself into the abyss and turned into a rock.
Simos (Elafonissos Island)

On the north side of the island against Kythira is the world famous beach of Simos (http://elafonisos.gov.gr). Sarakiniko Bay is divided into two bays - Sarakiniko Bay and Frango Bay. Simos's infinite beach is covered with fine golden sand and sand dunes inside, and the sea cedar forest stretches on a greater length and combines the two beaches.
Vrika - Voutoumi (Antipaxos Island)

Those who seek a place on the white sand and the large pebbles on Antipaxos (www.paxi.gr), will have to dive in the clear emerald waters of the beaches Vrika and Voutumi (which is bigger). The beaches are organized - no sun-beds, but there are restaurants nearby, the island is forested and dense vegetation reaches the beaches.
Pori (Koufonisia islands)

Pori is the most distant beach of Pano Koufonisia (www.koufonisia.gr), about 4 kilometres away from the main town of the island, Hora, but it is a real revelation! Sands, stunning turquoise waters reminding of a swimming pool - this is one of the best beaches on the Cyclades.
Balos-Elafonisi (Crete)

Two stunning beaches of Crete (www.xania.eu), one in the north-western and one in the south-western part, impress with their waters and landscape. Balos is in the northern end of the Gramvousa peninsula. You can get there by boat from Kissamos or by car along a country road. Finally, you leave the car and walk on foot for a while. Once you see the beach, you will forget about everything - warm sea with crystal clear waters and fine sand reminiscent of a beach on an exotic island in the Caribbean.
Elafonisi is located in the south-western part of the province of Chania, after Panaia Hrisoskalitisa. After a 100 metre walk in shallow sea, you will reach the beautiful beach of Elafonisi and its spectacular beaches, with transparent clean waters covered with sand lilies.
Kleftiko, Gerakas, Tsigrado (Milos Island)

Milos Island (www.milos.gr) enjoys many beaches, all diverse and very beautiful. Two of the perhaps most beautiful ones are Kleftiko and Gerakas, which can be reached by boats, offering a tour round the island, or by private yacht. A typical rock in the sea and a cave with two entrances give Kleftiko its unique appearance, and Gerakas is a beautiful beach with the white rock and the green sea waters.
The famous Tsigrado is a small beach in the southern part of the island, next to the beach of Fyriplaka, with white sand and beautiful blue waters, which is well known for its unique waters and for the difficult access to it.
Lia (Mykonos Island)

Mykonos Island (www.mykonos.gr) may be famous in the whole world, but its beaches are its biggest advantage. The beach of Lia is a marvellous, organized beach, with umbrellas and sun-beds in the south-eastern part of the island, and one of the least visited. The water is crystal clear and the sand is fine, and rocks surround the beach on both sides.
Seychelles (Ikaria Island)

If you like the tranquillity of exotic beaches, then the island of Ikaria (www.nikaria.gr) is your island, and Seychelles - your beach. It is located in a small bay, 25 kilometres southwest of Agios Kirykos. There is a small cave, and the sea is full of underwater caves. Its water is crystal clear and the sea bottom is amazing. The beach can be reached only through a small path which goes down from the main road and along the riverbed.
Ammouliani - Kavourotripes (Halkidiki)

Halkidiki (www.halkidiki.gov.gr) is the summer paradise of northern Greece, offering a number of beautiful beaches. The only inhabited island there – Ammouliani - enchants every visitor. There is a regular ferry connection to Trypiti. The island is an idyllic blend of fine, golden sand, blue-green sea, vegetation and large rocks.
Kavourotripes on Sithonia is quite a visited beach, but it enjoys white sand and rocks, together with turquoise sea and a captivating landscape. The engraved famous gorgon is charming.
Lalariya (Skiathos Island)

The famous beach of Lalariya (www.skiathos.gr), with its known round pebbles, is located in the north-eastern shore of the island. It is named after the snow-white, almost round pebbles, which are called "lalariya" in local dialect and have been formed over millions of years from waves breaking with great force on the white cliffs of this steep and inaccessible shore. The beach cannot be reached by land and is not organized, and when a north wind is blowing, it is inaccessible.