Kalogria, Achaia
Stretching from the Corinth Canal at its tip to the rugged Mani region’s Cape Tainaro at its toe, the lush and storied Peloponnese region abounds in glorious beaches, but when it comes to secret strands, Kalogria’s nine-kilometre stretch of gilded sands washed by flawless cyan waters is up there with the best. Not to be confused with its popular homonym near Stoupa, this dazzling beach beauty, half an hour’s drive from Patras, belongs to the Kotychi–Strofylia Wetlands National Park, a vast, dune-studded nature reserve riddled with canals and lagoons where tavernas serve brine-fresh seafood – you’ll find some of the best at Taverna o Petros. And if you fancy lingering longer, they also rent out a handful of budget-friendly rooms.
Fari, Thassos
One of my favourite secret beaches in Greece, Thassos, a seagull-serenaded ferry hop from fortress-topped Kavala’s pastel-coloured houses and traditional cafés in northern Greece, is ringed with beautiful beaches and many are near-deserted even at the height of summer. Golden Beach – named for its glorious gilded sands – is understandably popular, but when it comes to get-away-from-it-all charm Fari Beach on this atoll’s southern coast near Skala Maries picturesque fishing harbour wins hands down. Pack a picnic for your day on this sun-dazzled slice of talc-soft sand washed by cyan seas, because there’s not much nearby.
Alamy
Alimia, Iraklia
With its whitewashed, blue-trimmed villages, kafenions where men in black play tavli (backgammon), and blissful beaches scooped out of rock-strewn landscapes, this isolated isle, a two-hour ferry hop from over-touristed Paros (or seven hours from Piraeus), harks back to Greece of the eighties. Deserted beaches abound on this barely touristed atoll which belongs to the Lesser Cyclades, but if silk-sand strands like Livadi aren’t remote enough, hop on a boat from main port Agios Georgios and spend a blissed-out day at Alimia, a sandy cove scooped out of high, jagged cliffs which is only accessible from the sea – snorkel out to explore those aquamarine waters and you might even spot the ghostly wreck of a German seaplane that was shot down here during World War II.