From black volcanic pebbles to kilometre-long stretches of shingle, and small squirts of golden sand, Chios has got a beach for everyone. With over ninety to choose from they range from organised shorelines with buzzing beach bars to secluded coves at the end of dirt trails ideal for a skinny dip. The sheer diversity can make you feel like you are on a different island everyday but as it is one of the bigger islands some of the beaches can seem remote with little else around and a car or motorcycle is needed to explore Chios properly.
While they are generally clear, the seas can be noticeably cooler than around other islands and rather than turquoise the water tends to be a deep dark blue, perhaps the inspiration for ‘the wine dark’ sea that Homer writes of.
Didima
Meaning the twins, the beach is separated by a rocky spur into two sections. Sand and shingle shores are lapped by lovely clear waters and there is some shade to the rear from a group of trees. Green and fertile, the encroaching cliffs planted with olive and mastic are an enchanting backdrop to a serene and special coastline. There is nothing nearby so come prepared.
Agia Fotini
South of Chios Town, Agia Fotini, or Agia Fotia as the locals know it, is a small pebbly beach for those who like to be near town but don’t like sand. Encircled by green cliffs, the bay is very pretty with clear, sheltered waters that are fronted by tavernas and restaurants. Semi-organised with umbrellas, loungers, watersports and a lifeguard, there is still room to spread a towel down if you want some room. There is free parking within the village.
Apothika
Again near to Mesta, Apothika is in a beautiful bay with clear, cool waters. There are some loungers and umbrellas but the main vibe on the pebble and sand beach is of relaxation and getting away from it all. There is a watersport centre which rents out kayaks and SUP’s, ideal for exploring the local caves, and it is also fully certified to offer scuba diving. Above the beach is a canteen and adequate parking followed by a short footpath to the shoreline.
Ayia Dynami
Named after the chapel which dominates the hill at the south of the bay, Ayia Dynami is only a kilometre from the Cave of Olimpi so maybe combine the two for a day of natural beauty. A superb sandy beach with vodka-clear waters that sparkle with lime green shadows, the landscape is wild and stunning. There are some trees for shade but nothing else so come prepared. The adventurous can swim or walk around the promontory to the next tiny cove for a slice of Greek beach bliss.
Avlonia
Rated by locals as one of the best beaches on the island, Avlonia has a gravelly- shore washed by cool azure seas. Mainly unorganised, there are a handful of umbrellas, so arrive early as shade is limited or bring your own parasol. There is a boardwalk to the sea to protect feet from burning, and a small canteen.
Giali
A beach for romantics, Giali is an hour walk from Avgonyma or on a drive down a dirt road from Lithi. White sandy pebbles and sweet blue waters to dive into are for lovers of seclusion. Bring what you need as there is nothing nearby.
Giosonas
Allegedly Jason and the Argonauts stopped by here in pursuit of the Golden Fleece, hence the name. Long with smooth grey pebbles, the waters are deep blue and cold as springs flow into the beach from a canyon. Gloriously unorganised, this is the wild north coast so check the weather before you leave.
Glaroi
A cool scene has built up around the beach bar here, with parties keeping the crowd happy. Steep cliffs enclose a small bay with cool, shallow waters. A favourite of partygoers it is one of the island hotspots.
Karfas
The one true stretch of sand on Chios, Karfas is a child friendly resort south of Chios Town. Organised, it is somewhat anodyne but perfect for families who want an easy beach holiday. There are many restaurants, tavernas, cafés and bars to keep everybody happy.
Komi
Popular with locals, Komi is near to Kalamoti on the southeast of the island. Sandy, there are tavernas and cafés along the shore but it is a long way from Chios Town.
Agia Irini
On the southwest coast between Elato and Mesta, consider combining a visit to Agia Irini with some sightseeing in the mastic villages. Calm and sheltered and surrounded by green headlands, it faces the islet of Agios Stefanos, and the sand and small-pebbled beach and bottle green waters never get too crowded. Without facilities, there is some shade from a couple of trees and an excellent taverna where you can watch the sunset with your toes in the sand.
Limnos
Around the newly constructed jetty at Limnia, there are a group of nice beaches below the castle town of Volissos. Limnos is a reasonably large beach with sand and black pebbles backed by hills and with tamarisk trees for shade, it is loved by families for its safe waters and handy tavernas and cafés. Semi- organised with umbrellas around the taverns, there is still room to stretch out on the western shores. Nearby Lefthakia and Managros are popular too on this lesser visited coastline.
Mavros Gialos
A favourite on the island, Mavro Gialos, also known as Mavra Volia, is found 28 kilometres south of Chios Town and about 5 kilometres away from the attractive seaside village of Emborio, whose waterfront is lined with seafood tavernas. Made up of black, glistening pebbles, it is the result of the eruption of the now inactive Psaronas volcano. Completely unorganised, there are no umbrellas or watersports but the wild landscape and green-filled headlands provide a dramatic backdrop to the immaculate deep blue depths coloured by the dark seabed. Actually three beaches, climb over the cliffs at the western end of the beach to find Foki, a quieter, longer strip which continues again after a headland to another shoreline favoured by naturists. There is parking above the beach but it gets very busy so be prepared to park uphill and walk. The pebbles get very hot from the sun so bring water shoes to avoid burning your feet.
Nagos
In the far northeast of the island, beneath Kardamyla, is pretty little Nagos with a pebbly and sand shore. Surrounded by tree-clad cliffs, the bay is green and sheltered with cold, clear waters fed by springs that flow into the sea. With some umbrellas, there is a beach bar for refreshments but parking can be tricky and the access road is steep.
Salagona
Near to Olimpi, Salagona is a gravel and sand beach encircled by rocky cliffs and it has a raw beauty. Divided by a lagoon, there is a beach cantina with a handful of umbrellas and little else. Reached by a good dirt road, there is parking at the rear of the beach but there is no shade so come prepared. Generally quiet, Salogona can be combined with a visit to Mesta, Pyrgi and Olimpi for a glimpse of another side of island life.
Trachili
Trachili is on the west coast of the island under the guarding eye of one of Chios’s many watch towers that kept a lookout for pirates. Pebbly with some coarse sand and generally deserted, Trachili is reached by a series of hairpin bends and it is usually deserted. With a couple of trees for shade, it is ideal for those looking for seclusion and a swim in clear azure waters.
Vroulidia
Close to Emborio on the southernmost promontory of Chios, Vroulidia is a little hidden hideaway. The beach is a mixture of sand and gravel with high cliffs that hug the small stretch of shore, but be aware that there are many steps down to the beach and that there are no umbrellas, so come prepared. Your reward is clear green seas, warmer than usual for Chios, and beautiful views out to the islet of Venetiko. There is a canteen at the head of the cliffs for refreshments so best to stock up on the way down rather than climbing up and down.
Limenas Lithiou
A small village on the western coast, Lithi has a small beach at its feet and it is a thin strip of sand within a pretty natural harbour with fishing boats moored along the jetty. Shallow seas are perfect for families with small children and there are a cluster of seafood taverns to watch the sunset over the Aegean. Protected by hills with dense greenery, the beach is organised with parasols and loungers, but there is still room to play on the sand.
Read also:
A Fascinating Foray Around The Capital of Chios Island
A Tour Through the Enchanting Aegean Island of Chios
The only resident of a deserted medieval village in Chios, Greece
