Best Beaches in Greece Mainland
Everyone has heard of Greece and its magnificent nature. We all know that this country boasts with long sandy beaches, crystal-clear sea, and stunning tourist attractions.
What generally people are not aware of is that there are many regions in Greece – not just the famous tourist islands. So, browsing for broad terms such as “Best beaches in Greece” is unlikely to provide useful information.
In one of my next posts, I plan to pay more attention to the different Greek regions and the types of vacations they offer. Here, on the other hand, I plan to focus on the best beaches in Greece mainland. As you may know, Corfu, Crete, Santorini, and Mykonos are popular tourist hubs, but these islands and their beaches are not relevant to those traveling to the mainland of Greece.
Attractive tourist spots found on the mainland include the Chalkidiki peninsula (with its three peninsula fingers Kassandra, Sithonia, and Athos), the Pelion Peninsula, the Peloponnese, and the region from Syvota to Parga.
Often overlooked by US and UK tourists, these have lots of hidden paradise locations where travelers can enjoy nature, blue sea, underwater caves, day excursions, and sandy beaches. Lastly, visiting the Meteora Monasteries in mainland Greece is another popular attraction for tourists on day trips from Athens, Delphi, or Thessaloniki.
Without further ado, let me present my favorite beaches in northern Greece mainland, chosen from the ones I have visited so far. I must warn you, most of them are in the Chalkidiki, Pieri, and Pelion regions.
Groupon Deal: 8-Day Greece Guided Tour with Hotels and Nonstop Air (Athens, Olympia, Delphi, and Kalambaka)
Greece Mainland Beach Guide 2020 Update
1. Toroni Beach (Sithonia)
Those who like endless sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters should visit Toroni Beach. Akti Toroni is the main beach of the small Greek village of Toroni. This beach is wide and long, making it perfect for those who want to be able to escape the crowds. There’re showers, bars, and taverns at this heavenly beach destination.
Even when it’s windy, the water remains clean and gorgeous. That’s one of the reasons why Toroni beach is among the best beaches in Halkidiki Greece. The prices of drinks and sunbeds seem to be going up each summer. So, in 2019 renting two sunbeds and an umbrella costs €8 (it includes two drinks). There are both organized and free areas at Toroni Beach, so you can bring your beach towels and umbrellas if you want to.
- Best For: Sunbathing and relaxing, kid and family-friendly
- Where To Stay: Akti Toroni Boutique Hotel, Acapus Studios
- Quick Bites: Ethnic Beach Bar
- Nearby Beaches: Trsitinika Beach and Kriaritsi Beach
- Beach Location: Sithonia, Halkidiki
2. Kalamitsi (Sithonia)
We can’t write about the best beaches in Halkidiki Greece, without mentioning the beauty Kalamitsi. This place is a real paradise. And the best part, it’s so easy to get to this beach!
Getting to Kalamitsi Beach Sithonia is a piece of cake as the spot is less than a minute away from the main road between Toroni and Sarti. It has a main asphalted street where you can park your car, plus there are many bars and markets as well around the area.
Kalamitsi Beach itself is vast and sandy. The water is amazingly clear even when it’s windy. My advice is to go towards the right end of the beach if you want to experience the sand that feels like flour. For some reason, the sand on the rest of the beach is slightly bigger.
As the beach is long and wide, there’s plenty of space for everyone. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas or bring your own. There are also various water sports offered (kayaks, SUPs, and pedal boats). You’ll even notice a small rocky island nearby, which you can explore by both snorkeling or climbing.
The only negative side to this beach could be that it doesn’t have public bathrooms or showers. However, you can always use the bathrooms of the restaurants if you buy a drink there. In case you need fresh water for showering, you can always bring some in a bottle with you.
- Best For: Sunbathing, snorkeling, scenic views, kid and family-friendly
- Where To Stay: Kalamitsi Studios, Ammos Kalamitsi
- Quick Bites: Chica Beach Bar, Zorbas Taverna, Tavern Giorgakis
- Nearby Beaches: Kalamitsi Nudist Beach
- Beach Location: Sithonia, Halkidiki
3. Papa Nero Beach (Pelion)
Papa Nero is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy your summer thanks to its crystal waters and position. The beach is nearby the trendy tourist town of Agios Ioannis in Greece mainland and attracts many tourists visiting the Pelion region.
However, Papa Nero is wide and long enough to accommodate everyone and, at the same time, allow visitors to have personal space. Some parts have bars for those that prefer sunbeds and umbrellas, but there are also parts for those that want to relax on the sand.
For those that are Mamma Mia fans, the Damouchari beach is nearby to visit. Damouchari is where the “Dancing Queen” scene takes places and Meryl Strip dances from the Greek village down to the sea harbor. Be sure to visit the nearby Damouchari Castle.
- Best For: Movie lovers, sunbathing and relaxing, family-friendly
- Where To Stay: Ammos papanero, Appartments Zoe
- Quick Bites: Orea Ammoudia, The Platanos
- Nearby Beaches: Paralia Agios Ioannis, Damouchari Beach
- Beach Location: Papa Nero, Pelion, Greece
4. Assa Maris (Sithonia)
Somewhere between Sithonia and Athos, Assa Maris Bomo Club hosts one of the most impressive private eaches I’ve ever seen. This all-inclusive beachfront resort boasts with a golden sandy beach, which is wide and long and clean and naturally magnificent.
Moreover, the sunbeds and umbrellas are provided free of charge to their guests, just like the drinks you can take from the pool bar. Therefore, anyone looking for a truly relaxing experience should have this resort on their bucket list.
- Best For: Sunbathing and relaxing, snorkeling, couples, family vacations
- Where To Stay: Bomo Assa Maris Beach
- Quick Bites: Elouda, Bomo Assa Maris Club Restaurant
- Nearby Beaches: Salonikiou Beach, Akti Gerontokores
- Beach Location: Assa, Halkidiki
5. Glarokavos Beach (Kassandra)
Back in July, I was in a small charing Greek town, Chaniotis. Chaniotis has a narrow but long beach that is overcrowded with vacationers in the summer. So, I set out to explore Kassandra and discover more of the Greek mainland to find a more intimate beach.
Our heaven during the holiday turned out to be Glarokavos Beach. If you Google Glarokavos Beach you will find some unreal photos of the Glarokavos Marina. The images are breathtaking and look amazing, but in real life, the marina is just a small bay filled with boats during summer.
Expectations versus reality can be a mood killer as the images of the Glarokavos beach were so hipped up, when in reality, it just turned out to be a small bay.
However, the water on the other side of the marina – the open sea – is turquoise and clear with has lots of fish and sea life. Glarokavos Beach is perfect for those that want to snorkel, shoot underwater videos and take relaxing swims. The beach is sandy and has several bars. There’s and even a balloon action park for children, and paragliding for adults.
- Best For: Snorkeling, paragliding, couples, escaping the crowds, kid-friendly.
- Where To Stay: #Luxlikehome Villa de la Vista, Perseas
- Quick Bites: Faros, Porto Beach, Umbrellas Beach Bar
- Nearby Beaches: Lagoon Beach, Xenia Golden Beach
- Beach Location: Kassandra, Halkidiki
6. Mykoniatika Beach (Kallikratia)
Well, to be honest, this is far from the best beach in Greece mainland; however, it is near Kallikratia and I believe it’s a good option for those staying in that region, which cannot boast with too many nice beaches.
I was going to Mykoniatika Beach when I stayed at Hotel Paraktio the first time. The beach was nice, there are many bars where you can eat, drink and enjoy the music. Moreover, if you are willing to explore the area around the rocks you can find your own personal piece of heaven hidden from the crowds.
7. Portokali Beach (Sithonia)
I’ve mentioned this unique beach of Sithonia more than once in my blog posts. The reason is simple – it is worth it! Portokali Beach or Orange Beach used to be secret heaven for locals for many years as not many tourists knew about it.
The modern era placed it on the map and now it is an organized beach with a bar.
Portokali Beach is not broad or long and finding a spot during high season is a real challenge. Even so, when you see the incredible rock formations surrounding the beach and the light blue sea, it is worth it. Plan to find a comfortable spot on the rocks.
There’s even a massive rock in the sea in the shape of an elephant several hundred feet out of the coast of Portokali beach that’s a popular attraction to sightseers.
- Best For: Snorkeling, exploring, Instagram photos.
- Where To Stay: Al Mare, Haris House, Villa Athos
- Quick Bites: Orange Beach Bar
- Nearby Beaches: Orange nudist beach, Kavourotripes beach
- Beach Location: Sithonia, Halkidiki
8. Karydi Beach (Sithonia)
Neighboring Portokali Beach, Karydi is another widely recognized beach in the Greek mainland. Even though you need to drive to get there as it’s away from everything and then walk a bit to get to the beach, Karydi is a paradise you want to experience.
This beach has two parts – one is large, shallow, and perfect for kids. The other is rocky, exciting and perfect for snorkeling. I must warn you, however, Karydi, just like Portokali, gets super crowded during high season. Be prepared for sharing the place with lots of other people exploring the Greek mainland for the perfect beaches.
You can rent a boat here and visit the Diaporos island overlooking from Karidi beach.
- Best For: Snorkeling, kayaking, rent a boat, exploring, Instagram photos.
- Where To Stay: Ekies All Senses Resort, #FLH – Sandy Feet Retreat
- Quick Bites: Kantina, Melia Restaurant
- Nearby Beaches: Fava Beach
- Beach Location: Sithonia, Halkidiki
9. Possidi Cape / Poseidon’s Cape (Kassandra)
Possidi Cape Lighthouse and Poseidon’s Cape in Greece
Far on the west side of Kassandra, there is another magical place to visit. The Possidi Cape, also known as Poseidon’s Cape, is not a small beach, but rather a vast sandy area where those looking for an adventure can go to enjoy the sea.
Depending on the sea level, the exact shape of the Cape changes and this makes it even more attractive. Here you can find archeological ruins of a Poseidon’s Temple and Possidi Lighthouse.
Things to note, the cape is unorganized and perfect for those that want untapped nature. There are no bars at the Cape, no shops, and no showers. So, if you go there, make sure you’re well prepared. Plus, there’s a long walk on the sand until you get to the endpoint of the Cape.
- Best For: Snorkeling, tanning, swimming, beach walks, escape the crowds.
- Where To Stay: Hotel Paralio, #Luxlikehome Villa Glamour Posidi
- Quick Bites: Pohoda Chill Bar & Funky Restaurant
- Nearby Beaches: Skala Fourkas
- Beach Location: Kassandra, Halkidiki
10. Pallini Beach (Kassandra)
Another magical place to have in mind when searching for the best beaches in mainland Greece is Pallini Beach in front of the Pallini Beach Hotel. Open to both resort guests and outside visitors, this beach has soft and smooth sand to soothe your feet. The water is clear and shallow, perfect for summer leisure.
Expect an organized beach with multiple hotels around the area. Snorkeling and watersports are perfect for a fun time. The main town, Kallithea, is only a 15-minute walk for shopping, sightseeing the Ammon Zeus temple, and tasting local Greek cuisine at seafood restaurants or Greek tavernas.
Horseback riding is also available near Pallini. Church of Solina is nearby for history buffs.
- Best For: Sunbathing, family vacations, snorkeling, shopping.
- Where To Stay: Pallini Beach, Aegean Residence 1, Theophano Imperial Palace
- Quick Bites: Akrogiali, Pallini Beach Hotel Restaurant, White Dome
- Nearby Beaches: Kallithea Beach and Kryopigi Beach
- Beach Location: Kassandra, Halkidiki
Concluding Thoughts
Well, I really hope you enjoyed this list of top sandy beaches in Greece mainland. I must point out that this list is far from complete as the magical Greek mainland hides many more such magnificent spots. If you find yourself in the Chalkidiki, Pieria, or Pelion region, I hope that I made your search for a beach to visit a bit shorter with my suggestions.
