Best of · BEACH DAY TRIPS IN GREECE
Book the beach day trips in Greece that suit the day you have: short mornings, long full days, small groups, private cars. All 15 are priced, timed and reviewed.
Travel from Chania to Elafonisi with hotel pickup, an English, German, or Danish guide, and a comfortable air-conditioned coach. See Topolia Gorge, stop in Elos, then enjoy about four hours on the beach. Simona, Joanne, Mona, George, and Manolis have led recent departures, but guide assignments vary.
“The tour was really great. Our driver and guide were amazing.”
Travel from Athens to Meteora by air-conditioned coach, stopping in Kamena Vourla and Kastraki before visiting three monasteries with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll see all six monasteries from the road, explore Badovas hermit caves, and return late. Guides may include Maria, Apostolis, Demetri, or Tillos.
“Once in a lifetime experience!! Definitely worth it!! Book it..you won’t regret it! It is a long day, however they break it up nicely with a seaside stop to stretch and get a snack if desired. We enjoyed walking along the beach. Meterora itself is breathtaking! Words can’t adequately describe it!! Tour operator was friendly and efficient!! Again…well worth it..wonderful experience.”
Travel from Rethymno in an air-conditioned coach with an English or German-speaking guide such as Barbara, Alex, or Stella. See Kourtaliotiko Gorge, swim at Damnoni and Preveli, ride a boat along the south coast, and finish in Plakias. Bring sturdy shoes, water shoes, sunscreen, and money for the boat and gorge entrance.
“Beaches were beautiful, Damnoni was our favourite, could’ve spent more time there. The short trip to the Gorge was nice too.”
Travel from Chania by air-conditioned coach to Elafonissi Beach, with about four hours for swimming, photos, lagoons, and the nearby islet. Guides such as Ingrid, Helena, and Karolina share facts about Crete along the way. On the return, spend an hour in Elos Village, where you can buy an optional Cretan lunch.
“Great day out .. the beach is not Instagram pink but it is still stunning. The turquoise waters are crystal clear and although it was packed we found some space to sit and enjoy. Guided was very helpful and I would recommend this trip.”
Ride a well-trained horse from Akrotiri through vineyards and local trails to Vlychada Beach. Guides such as Thanasis, Minas, Giota, and Raffaela help beginners feel secure, lead photo stops, and share island stories. The small group is limited to five, with sunset timing and hotel transfer available at extra cost.
“Tour was amazing, very welcoming and great to see horses are well looked after”
Travel from Chania by air-conditioned bus to Elafonisi, with guide commentary from escorts such as Irene, Irini, or Dimitrios. You get four hours for swimming and beach time, plus a breakfast stop and a one-hour Elos visit for local food. Expect mountain roads, a stony downhill path, and hotel-area pickup.
“A fantastic day with a fabulous guide and wonderful stops for coffee and dinner. I had the recommended moussaka. It was out of this world.”
Travel by air-conditioned bus from Heraklion and nearby resorts to Matala for four hours of beach time, lunch, shops, and optional cave entry. Then visit Odigitria Monastery, its folklore museum, and monk-made herbal creams. Guides such as Elizabeth provide commentary in English, French, German, and Italian.
“Matala was nice, although 5 Euro to get past a fence to look at the hippy caves!! The Gortyn ruins were disappointing with very limited structures and no signs providing any information. We couldn’t get reception for the information via the QR code. There seemed to be more ruins of the old city outside of the ticketed complex.”
Travel from Rethymno or Chania to Preveli Palm Beach with hotel pickup, a guide, bus transport, and a short boat ride from Damnoni. You’ll have time to swim, walk beside the palm-lined river, see Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and return through Crete’s dramatic south coast. The boat ticket costs extra.
“This excursion was really nice in the globalité. Firstly we've been amazed by the first gorges we've visited ! After that we've been to Preveli, it was nice but do not expect to do snorkeling there (the sea water is kind of blurry). Later we've been to Damnoni (the initial point were the Preveli boat takes you) and it was a great surprise ! The beach was really nice ans idéal to do snorkeling ! To finish we've been to Plakias and that was thé dark point of the excursion... We've been to Plakias only to et in the restaurant our guide recommended us. Our drinks have been servef in…”
Travel west from Heraklion to Kissamos, then cruise to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon. You get time for the Venetian fortress hike, swimming, photos, and a beach stop. Guides such as Valeria, Lydia, and Kostas have been praised for clear information, while the long coach ride and crowded boat require patience.
“It was great the views are amazing and the balos beach is really great, the tour guides also very nice. I highly recomend this activity”
Travel from Athens along the Athenian Riviera with a maximum of six people, stopping at Vouliagmeni Lake, a local bakery, a summer beach, and Cape Sounio. Your English-speaking guide, often Konstantinos, Kosta, or Fotis, adds Greek history, mythology, food, and local stories before a sunset visit to the Temple of Poseidon.
“Fotis was the perfect guide for our family (including a nine & ten year old). We learnt a greater appreciation for Greek culture, history & food as well as seeing the Temple. Fotis brought us to a secluded beach where we had a beautiful swim and we saw his home town too. Our kids were so engaged over a six hour trip, and know this will have been the highlight of our holiday for them both. Would highly recommend.”
Travel from Heraklion to Matala for four hours of free time at Crete’s famous hippie beach. Swim, snorkel, eat by the sea, stroll the colorful town, or climb into the former Roman tombs for an optional fee. Hotel pickup, return transport, and multilingual guide service are included.
“Was erg leuk om te zien, leuk toeritisch plaatsje. Bus vond ik wel verouderd”
Travel by air-conditioned bus from Heraklion and nearby resorts to Preveli Beach, where a palm-lined river meets the sea. A local English or French-speaking guide leads the day, with stops through Kotsifou and Kourtaliotis Gorges, a four-hour beach break, and a 120-meter uphill walk back to the bus.
“De uitstap was goed georganiseerd en de gids was heel vriendelijk. De bus stopt ongeveer halfweg op de heen- en terugweg voor een korte toilet/eet/drinkpauze.”
From Georgioupolis, an English-speaking guide takes you by bus and water taxi to Preveli Palm Beach. You get two hours for swimming and the palm forest, then free time in Plakias and a photo stop at Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Alicia has guided some departures. Bring water shoes, sunscreen, and €14 for the boat.
“Es war ein guter Ausflug, Preveli und Plakias sind schöne Orte. Einzige Kritikpunkte: Preveli hat zu wenig WCs, die Wartezeiten sind ewig und die Bootstour dauerte viel länger als angegeben, da wir zusätzlich Leute in einem anderen Dorf in entgegengesetzter Richtung aufladen mussten, ich hätte einen längeren Aufenthalt in Dorf 1 bevorzugt, es hat eine wunderschöne Kirche auf einem Berg und die Zeit hätte locker gereicht, diesen Ort besser zu erkunden und erst beim erneuten Stopp des Taxis dort einzusteigen.”
Spend 10 hours exploring Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Preveli’s palm-lined river and Libyan Sea coast, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and free time to swim and walk. The air-conditioned bus ride is comfortable, but budget about €10 cash for the boat and wear sturdy shoes for the gorge.
“The whole excursion was educational, relaxing and a pleasant day outdoors”
Travel from Thessaloniki to Philippi and Kavala with an English-speaking guide such as Giorgos or Constantina. Visit Roman ruins and the museum, swim at a beach near Kavala, eat at a seaside taverna, and walk Kavala’s Panagia Old Town. The $46 price excludes Philippi’s €20 entry, lunch, drinks, and optional sunbeds.
“The trip to Philippi and Kavala was very pleasant, very interesting history and beautiful landscapes. The guide was super friendly and knowledgeable. The transport was comfortable, good and safe driving. Excellent value for money!”
Pick a coastline, a mountain pass, a ruin or a cellar.
