Turquoise water at Katergo beach below grey cliffs

Folegandros · Beaches

The beaches of Folegandros

Folegandros is all cliff, so its beaches are hidden in the folds of the coast: family beaches of sand and pebbles round the port, coves at the foot of the cliffs on the south coast that you reach on a path or a little boat, and wild bays in the north at the end of dirt roads. The rule is the wind. In summer the meltemi blows from the north, so go south, to Agali, Galyfos, Agios Nikolaos, Ampeli or Livadaki; on a day of southerly wind, the north coast and the little coves of Vitsentzou and Pountaki south of the port come into their own. Many beaches have nothing at all: bring water and shade.

Our favourites

Start with these

Sand & pebblesWild

Katergo

The most beautiful and the wildest beach on the island: a spit of sand and pebbles at the foot of grey cliffs on the south-east tip, with the cleanest, clearest water on the island. There is no shade and nothing to buy, and naturists use it.

Clear water
Snorkelling
Nudist-friendly

The little boat from Karavostasis, about 10 minutes, or a path of about 30 minutes from Livadi

Take shade and plenty of water. The boat passes the sea cave of Georgitsi on the way, a favourite of divers.

Karavostasis & the south-eastStay in Livadi & Petousis

SandEasy-going

Livadi

A long sandy beach in the farming settlement of the same name, 1.2 km from the port, sheltered from almost every wind, with the island's campsite and a snack bar behind it and the islet of Agios Ioannis offshore.

Families
Windy days
Camping

By the coast road from Karavostasis, on foot, by car or on the local bus

Karavostasis & the south-eastStay in Livadi & Petousis

Pick your kind of day

Every other beach worth the drive

Organised: Sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar. Easy with children.
Easy-going: A taverna or a few umbrellas, plenty of room for your towel.
Wild: Nothing but the sea. Bring water, shade and snacks.

SandEasy-going

Vardia

One of the island's most popular family beaches, a cove of soft sand just east of the port, reached down a flight of steps, with spots of shade and room for beach games.

Families
Easy access
Shallow water

A few minutes' walk from the harbour, down a staircase

Karavostasis & the south-eastStay in Karavostasis

The harbour of Karavostasis and its beach

PebblesEasy-going

Chochlidia

The port's own beach, a pebble shore lined with tamarisks right in front of the harbour, with hotels, tavernas, cafes and a mini market behind it.

Families
Before the boat
Easy access

In Karavostasis itself

Karavostasis & the south-eastStay in Karavostasis

SandEasy-going

Latinaki

A small sandy beach looking back at the settlement and the port, the first cove on the coast road south to Livadi.

Quiet
Easy access

About 10 minutes' walk from Karavostasis along the road to Livadi

Vitsentzou and Pountaki, a little further on, are the coves to choose when a southerly blows.

Karavostasis & the south-eastStay in Karavostasis

SandEasy-going

Agali

The island's ideal family beach, a strip of sand at the head of the deep bay of Vathy, with crystal-clear water, rooms, tavernas, a cafe and a mini market.

Families
Windy days
Easy access

By road or the local bus, 4 km from Chora

Walk on to Galyfos and Agios Nikolaos, or take the little boat to Livadaki.

Agali & the south coastStay in Agali & Agios Nikolaos

SandWild

Fira

A quiet, sunny, isolated sandy beach south-east of Agali, looking across to Agios Nikolaos in the distance, and a place for sunsets on the sand in September and October.

Quiet
Sunset

A path of about 15 minutes from Agali

Agali & the south coastStay in Agali & Agios Nikolaos

PebblesWild

Galyfos

A small pebble cove with crystal-clear water, popular because it is sheltered from the north wind, halfway along the cliff path from Agali to Agios Nikolaos.

Windy days
Snorkelling
Quiet

A path of about 10 minutes from Agali beach

Agali & the south coastStay in Agali & Agios Nikolaos

SandEasy-going

Agios Nikolaos

One of the island's loveliest beaches, a stretch of sand with crystal water, shade under the trees and two tavernas on the beach, below its white chapel of Saint Nicholas.

Long lunches
Families
Clear water

A 15-minute walk or 5 minutes by little boat from Agali

Come back for dinner: the beach taverna will bring you over from Agali by boat.

Agali & the south coastStay in Agali & Agios Nikolaos

Sand & pebblesWild

Livadaki

A remote beach on the south-west coast, sand among wide flat rocks with cool, clear turquoise water, in wild, bare scenery below the cape and lighthouse of Aspropounta.

Clear water
Hiking
Quiet

Three paths from Ano Meria, 45 minutes to an hour, or the hourly boat from Agali, 15–20 minutes

Walk 10 minutes on to the lighthouse of Aspropounta, one of the largest in the Aegean.

Ano Meria & the northStay in Aspropounta & Livadaki

PebblesWild

Ampeli

A small, popular pebble beach on the west coast, sheltered from the north winds, with water made for snorkelling.

Snorkelling
Windy days

A dirt road of about 10 minutes from Ano Meria, or a 30-minute path

Ano Meria & the northStay in Ano Meria

SandWild

Agios Georgios

A mostly sandy beach at the northern end of the island, with a little shade under the trees and the chapel of Agios Georgios above it. The summer north wind often blows straight in.