Beach Hopping Tips

There are a lot of "it depends". The time of the year, which island, which beach, what kind of experience you are looking for, etc.

Just some thoughts...In Athens, your time would be better spent in Athens than trying to get to a beach.

Most of the islands you are going to do not have the high profile clubs, so not really an issue, if things are crowded, then even at a beach with chairs and umbrellas (that you pay for), people will have reservations, but there may still be room. Any beach that is open sand/pebbles, you just claim your spot, no cost, no reservations possible.

On Mykonos, yep, there are exclusive beach clubs, high price to get into, maybe even have to be a certain "clientele" (My somewhat overweight, 60 some year old body probably doesn't qualify), but there are other beach clubs that are "anything goes" and there are also open beaches.

Where did you get this information as it certainly not correct.

I don’t think this is correct, I’ve been to Greece many times for beach holidays and have never had to reserve a space at a beach club. There are basically two kinds of beaches- organised, where you pay to use a sunbed (with umbrella), and not organised, where it’s just sand and you bring your own towel/umbrella/chair. At the organised ones you just turn up and pay, there are no reservations, and I’ve never seen a beach sold out.

Thanks for the responses. I'm relieved to hear that we can be a little more flexible. Does anyone have recommendations for beaches that maybe have unique landscape or features that we should see? Ports: Kusadasi, Rhodes, Agios Nikolaos, Santorini, Mykonos, Milos

I'm not sure how much time you'll have for transport in each place, but I really liked Perissa beach in Santorini, which has black sand (the sand can get very hot but they do put mats down to walk on). In Rhodes, Lindos beach is interesting as you have a view of the acropolis.

Greek Island cruises are great, but beaches are not so wonderful.

The islands are great to see and tour.

Previous poster.
So you have not really been to many Greek beaches.

The "beach" areas that I found in Greece were not typical beaches we have in Florida or Georgia. Did not find a great beach in Santorini, Corinth or near Athens. Mykonos and Delos were good.

Like I said not many beaches.

You’d think Greek islands would be full of beaches. And they are, but they are not always what an American teenager has in mind. Many are rocky or pebbly, making water shoes necessary … no walking barefoot in the sand. And most are a good distance away from the cruise ship dock.

So some research is needed to make this trip a success. Start with a call to the cruise line. Explain what you’re looking for, and see if the ship offers excursions to good beaches at each stop.

At the same time, have your daughter do some YouTube searches for each island, to find a beach that appeals to her. If her chosen beach is not on the ship excursion list, ask the cruise line if they have any suggestions regarding transport. There will usually be taxi’s hanging around the port. And the taxi driver may even have a better suggestion.

I know all she wants is beaches (I have an 18- year-old granddaughter exactly like that) but I kind of hope Kusadasi does not have a beach, so she (and you) can see Ephesus. It’s such an amazing sight.

And I hope you all have a wonderful trip.