Alyko Beach, Naxos

If you want a beach that captures the best of the Cyclades, Alyko is a strong choice. You'll find pale sand, clear turquoise water, and a cedar-covered peninsula that breaks the shore into several small coves rather than one long resort strip. It sits around 17km from Naxos Town, with the island easy to get to from neighbouring islands such as Mykonos and Paros. Most of the 30-minute drive is paved, followed by a short, manageable dirt-road section with parking near the beach.

There's little in the way of tourism infrastructure here, which is part of the appeal. If you’re visiting for the day, head out early to find your own quiet cove and settle in for a few unhurried hours. Our top tip? Bring water, shade, snacks, and anything else you'll need for a chilled beach day, as there are no shops or tavernas nearby.

Issos Beach, Corfu

Issos is a broad golden-sand beach backed by high dunes, cedar woodland, and the protected landscape around Lake Korission, so it feels quite different from the other beaches on the island. Where most Greek beaches are defined by rock, cliffs, or compact coves, Issos has an almost open, dune-swept quality that's more reminiscent of the Atlantic coast than the Aegean. The lake and woodland behind it sit within a nature reserve, so the landscape has a genuine wildness to it that's rare on an island as well-connected as Corfu.

There's parking directly behind the beach, and access from the car park is mostly flat so it’s one of the more accessible beaches on this list. As it’s on the Atlantic, the beach is exposed to the breeze for most of the day, which is refreshing on hot days and makes it a popular choice for windsurfers.

Trani Ammouda Beach, Sithonia, Halkidiki

On the mainland, Trani Ammouda in Halkidiki is a long sweep of fine sand with shallow, clear turquoise water. Even when other visitors are present, there's generally enough room to find a comfortable spot well away from the partly organised sections near the centre. The nearby fishing village of Ormos Panagias, roughly 1km away, adds a pleasant anchor to the day. It's small, relatively quiet, and easy to combine with a beach visit, either for a relaxed seafood lunch at the harbour or a boat excursion along the coast towards Mount Athos.

One thing to remember: July and August weekends tend to be livelier, as Halkidiki draws many local visitors from Thessaloniki. For a more peaceful experience, visit in June or September and arrive in the morning so you find the perfect spot before everyone else arrives.

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