Koundouros
Southern beach, close to Pisses, with many independent small coves and with a larger part with beach bar (Porto Koundouros). Expensive beach bar. You can find coves where you are more alone and can have a picnic.
Spathi
A well protected deep bay, with pebbles and sand at places. It has areas with municipal umbrellas and paid sunbeds and also beach bar. Access to this beach: head towards Ioulis and there is a sign before Ioulis, which heads towards Spathi. The road is asphalt & then dirt road until the beach. About 20 minutes from Ellinika.
Sykamia
Beautiful beach, with small pebbles, trees and shade for a picnic (if it is not August or if you go earlier than 11-12 in the morning, you will find a space). There are a few houses near the beach. Access from Pera Meria and then check the signs. Asphalt and then dirt road.
Kalydonichi and Psili Ammos
A very quiet and “paradise type” of beach with green blue water. Access from Pera Meria and then check the signs. Asphalt and then dirt road. To reach Psili Ammos there is a 10 minute hiking path from Kalydonichi.
Otzias
Large, completely round bay. Consists of a smaller part with sunbeds for rent and a cantina/bar. This beach is family-friendly beach and with sand. There are 2 tavernas just above the beaches. The better one, where locals also go is Anna’s but it is not on the beach.
Karthaia is the most important archaeological site of the island and a wonderful mini excursion for a swim and a picnic. Leave your car at Stavroudaki and take a hike from there to Karthaia. It takes approximately 1 hour to reach the sea and archaeological site. You will need walking shoes, water supplies, food, hats, sun protecting clothes and to avoid the midday sun, in the summer.
Karthaia must have been the most important from the four ancient cities-states and the site is beautiful. The excavations were completed in 2015. It includes an acropolis fortified with walls, towers and boulders. There is a Doric Temple of Apollo (c. 530 B.C.), as well as a stone theater of 880 seats, that dates back to the Hellenistic times. This was constructed in the Hellenistic period while in the Post-Roman period a baths complex was added.
The most important findings of the excavations in Karthaia are exhibited now in the Archaeological Museum in Ioulis.
Karthaia must have been the most important from the four ancient cities-states and the site is beautiful. The excavations were completed in 2015. It includes an acropolis fortified with walls, towers and boulders. There is a Doric Temple of Apollo (c. 530 B.C.), as well as a stone theater of 880 seats, that dates back to the Hellenistic times. This was constructed in the Hellenistic period while in the Post-Roman period a baths complex was added.
The most important findings of the excavations in Karthaia are exhibited now in the Archaeological Museum in Ioulis.
Pisses: a southern large sandy beach. Mostly without sunbeds, with a taverna at the back of the beach. Also a canteen /bar which opened in 2015. All asphalt road, easy access from the house at 20 minutes.
