Best Beaches in Anafi: Roukounas, Kleisidi and Quiet Cycladic Coves

Anafi’s beaches fit the character of the island: small-scale, largely undeveloped and surrounded by an austere Cycladic landscape.

Most of the easiest beaches are strung along the southern coastline between the port and the great rock of Kalamos. Rather than large organised resorts, expect sand, tamarisk trees, clear Aegean water and relatively few facilities.

Roukounas is the best-known beach, while Kleisidi is one of the easiest to reach. Travellers prepared to explore further can continue towards Katsouni, Flamourou, Katalimatsa, Megas Potamos and Agioi Anargyroi.

Anafi is particularly well suited to combining walking with swimming. Several beaches can become destinations along coastal walks rather than separate excursions requiring a vehicle.

Roukounas — Best Beach in Anafi

Roukounas is Anafi’s signature beach and the best choice for visitors wanting to spend an entire day beside the sea.

The long sandy beach stretches for several hundred metres along the southern coast, making it considerably larger than many of Anafi’s smaller coves.

Clear water, a relatively undeveloped setting and tamarisk trees behind the beach create the kind of landscape that attracted independent travellers to Anafi long before quiet Greek islands became fashionable.

Roukounas has some food available in the wider beach area, but it shouldn’t be approached like a fully organised resort beach.

Bring water and sun protection and expect simplicity to be part of the experience.

Best for: a full beach day, swimming and an undeveloped setting.

Why Roukounas Is Different

The attraction of Roukounas isn’t a checklist of facilities.

It is space.

Many Cycladic beaches have gradually filled with rows of sunbeds, beach bars and accommodation. Roukounas still feels much more closely connected to the surrounding landscape.

The tamarisk trees behind the sand provide valuable natural shade, although shaded space can be limited during busy periods.

Visitors wanting the quietest experience should arrive earlier in the day or outside the busiest weeks of July and August.

Kleisidi — Best Beach for Easy Access

Kleisidi is one of Anafi’s most convenient beaches.

It lies between Agios Nikolaos port and Chora and is surrounded by some accommodation and places to eat.

The beach has sand and generally clear, inviting water.

Its accessibility makes Kleisidi particularly useful for travellers who don’t want every swim to involve a substantial walk.

It also works well on arrival or departure days when there isn’t enough time to travel further along the coast.

Best for: easy access, swimming and staying close to the beach.

Stay at Kleisidi for a Beach-Focused Holiday

Kleisidi is one of the few places on Anafi where visitors can build their accommodation choice directly around a beach.

Staying nearby means being able to swim early in the morning or late in the afternoon without organising transport.

The trade-off is that Chora has considerably more evening atmosphere and dining choice.

For visitors primarily interested in swimming and relaxation, that may not matter.

For those wanting to spend every evening wandering through the village, Chora remains the more practical base.

Katsouni — A Quieter Alternative to Kleisidi

Continue east from Kleisidi and the coastline becomes progressively quieter.

Katsouni is a small sandy beach that provides an appealing alternative when Kleisidi is busier.

The setting is simple and undeveloped, with clear water and little infrastructure.

Katsouni is particularly useful as part of a walk along the southern coast rather than as a destination requiring an entire day.

Bring whatever you need rather than assuming refreshments will be available.

Best for: a quieter swim and coastal walking.

Flamourou — Small and Secluded

Flamourou is another of the small beaches along Anafi’s southern coastline.

It receives much less attention than Roukounas or Kleisidi and is better suited to visitors who enjoy exploring between the island’s better-known swimming spots.

The beach is relatively small and facilities are minimal.

Its appeal is therefore straightforward: clear water, an undeveloped setting and fewer people.

For visitors staying several days, places such as Flamourou help reveal that Anafi’s coastline is more varied than its two famous beaches suggest.

Best for: seclusion and exploring on foot.

Katalimatsa — Best Beach for Ancient History

Katalimatsa combines swimming with one of Anafi’s most interesting archaeological landscapes.

The bay was associated with the ancient port of Anafi, serving the city whose remains survive inland around Kastelli.

Archaeological traces have been identified around the area and beneath the water.

This gives Katalimatsa a character quite different from an ordinary beach stop.

Visitors aren’t arriving at a reconstructed ancient harbour with signs and visitor facilities. Instead, the attraction comes from understanding that this quiet piece of coastline once connected ancient Anafi with the wider Aegean.

Swim here and then continue exploring the archaeological landscape inland.

Best for: history, swimming and walkers.

Megas Potamos — Best for a Wild Landscape

Megas Potamos lies further east along the southern coast.

The beach sits where a broad valley reaches the sea, creating one of Anafi’s more dramatic coastal settings.

The surrounding slopes make it feel considerably more isolated than beaches closer to the port.

There is little development.

That makes Megas Potamos particularly attractive to visitors who regard the walk and landscape as important parts of a beach excursion.

Carry plenty of water and avoid long exposed walks during the hottest part of the day.

Best for: scenery, solitude and walkers.

Agioi Anargyroi — Most Photogenic Beach

Agioi Anargyroi is one of the most recognisable small coves on Anafi.

A whitewashed chapel stands immediately above the beach, creating the classic combination of blue sea, bare Cycladic rock and a tiny white church.

The beach itself is much smaller than Roukounas.

That is part of its appeal.

Rather than choosing Agioi Anargyroi for an entire day, incorporate it into an exploration of Anafi’s eastern coastline.

The chapel and surrounding landscape make the stop worthwhile even before entering the water.

Best for: scenery, photography and combining swimming with exploration.

Monastiri — Beach Beneath Kalamos

Continue towards the eastern end of Anafi and the enormous Kalamos monolith increasingly dominates the landscape.

The coastal area around Monastiri lies near the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi and provides another opportunity for swimming in this remote part of the island.

The setting rather than beach infrastructure is the main attraction.

Kalamos rises dramatically nearby, while the ancient sanctuary and later monastery add another layer to the landscape.

This makes the eastern end of Anafi particularly good for travellers who prefer combining several experiences in one excursion.

Best for: combining the coast with Kalamos and Zoodochos Pigi.

Livoskopos — Best Beach on the Northern Coast

Most visitors naturally gravitate towards Anafi’s southern beaches because they are easier to reach.

Livoskopos provides something different.

Located on the northern side of the island, it is considerably more remote and can require a substantial walk.

The reward is a beach that feels far removed from the island’s more frequently visited southern coastline.

This isn’t the place to choose for a casual afternoon swim.

It is better treated as an excursion for experienced walkers who have checked the route and conditions.

Best for: experienced walkers and genuine seclusion.

Beaches Near Agios Nikolaos Port

Anafi’s ferry arrives at Agios Nikolaos on the southern coast.

There are swimming opportunities around the wider port area, but travellers with even a few hours available are better off heading towards Kleisidi or another nearby beach.

The port is primarily useful for transport rather than being one of Anafi’s essential beach destinations.

However, its location means arriving visitors can reach attractive coastline relatively quickly instead of travelling across the entire island.

Best Beach Without a Car

Choose Kleisidi or use local transport towards Roukounas.

Anafi is quite manageable without a private vehicle because the inhabited and visitor-oriented parts of the island are concentrated along the southern side.

Walking also plays a much larger role here than on many Greek islands.

Visitors based in Chora can combine buses with walking rather than feeling compelled to rent a vehicle.

For more remote beaches, however, distances and summer heat need to be taken seriously.

Best Beach for Families

Kleisidi is probably the most practical option.

Accommodation and food are available in the surrounding area, while access is simpler than at the island’s more remote beaches.

Roukounas can also work well for families who arrive prepared for a less organised beach experience.

Anafi’s beaches generally don’t offer the extensive facilities found at major Greek resorts.

Families needing sunbeds, watersports, lifeguards and numerous restaurants immediately behind the sand may prefer a more developed island.

Best Beach for Couples

There is no single answer because Anafi offers several different experiences.

Choose Roukounas for a long, relaxed beach day.

Choose Agioi Anargyroi for scenery.

Choose Katsouni or Flamourou when greater seclusion is the priority.

Couples staying near Kleisidi also gain the advantage of being able to walk down for an early or late swim when most day visitors are elsewhere.

Best Beach for Solitude

Head beyond the most accessible beaches.

Megas Potamos, Flamourou and Livoskopos provide much greater isolation than Kleisidi.

Conditions vary enormously according to season.

A beach that feels almost deserted in June can be noticeably busier in August, although Anafi remains far removed from the scale of tourism found on neighbouring Santorini.

Walking further generally brings the greatest reward for visitors seeking quiet coastline.

Best Beaches for Walking

Anafi is particularly good for travellers who want the journey to the beach to matter.

The southern coast allows several beaches to be incorporated into longer walks, while old paths connect the coastline with Chora and inland sites.

A particularly satisfying day can combine walking, archaeology and swimming around Katalimatsa and the surrounding southern beaches.

The eastern coastline can similarly be connected with a visit to Zoodochos Pigi and Kalamos.

This approach suits Anafi much better than driving rapidly between beaches simply to see as many as possible.

Is Naturism Common?

Anafi has a long association with independent travellers and informal beach culture.

Naturism has traditionally been encountered particularly around Roukounas and some of the quieter coves.

Visitors should use ordinary judgement and respect the people around them rather than assuming every remote beach has a particular designation.

The relaxed atmosphere is part of Anafi’s character, but so is consideration for other beach users.

Camping on the Beaches

Anafi has historically been associated with informal camping, particularly around Roukounas.

Visitors shouldn’t interpret that history as meaning unrestricted wild camping is automatically legal.

Greek rules concerning camping and protection of coastal areas can be enforced, and circumstances may change.

Use authorised accommodation or any properly operating camping facilities rather than assuming that pitching a tent on a beach is permitted simply because people have done so in the past.

Are There Organised Beaches?

Anafi is not an island to choose for elaborate beach clubs.

Facilities remain relatively limited, and that is one of the coastline’s strengths.

Some of the more accessible beach areas have food or accommodation nearby, but visitors should generally expect a much simpler experience than on Santorini, Mykonos, Paros or Naxos.

For remote beaches, assume there will be no food, drinking water, sunbeds or other services.

Prepare accordingly.

Natural Shade

Tamarisk trees provide welcome shade around some Anafi beaches, particularly Roukounas.

Do not rely on getting a shaded position.

Trees may already be occupied, and the sun can be intense even outside the peak of summer.

Carry proper sun protection when spending the day at the beach.

This becomes even more important when reaching the coast on foot because the walking routes themselves can be extremely exposed.

Bring Proper Footwear

Flip-flops are fine once on the sand but not necessarily for reaching it.

Anafi’s trails can be rocky, steep and uneven.

Visitors planning to walk between beaches should wear proper shoes and carry beach footwear separately.

This is particularly important for remote locations such as Livoskopos or when combining swimming with archaeological sites and inland trails.

Wind Can Decide the Best Beach

The meltemi can strongly affect beach conditions in the Cyclades during summer.

Anafi’s southern beaches are often favoured because the island’s terrain can provide some protection, but conditions vary according to wind direction and strength.

Ask locally before undertaking a long walk to a remote beach.

A beautiful beach isn’t necessarily the best choice if conditions make swimming unpleasant that day.

Flexibility works better than rigidly following a pre-planned beach ranking.

Don’t Underestimate Anafi’s Heat

Anafi looks tiny on a map.

That doesn’t mean walking between its beaches is effortless.

The island is dry, mountainous and exposed to the summer sun. A relatively short distance can become demanding around midday.

For longer beach walks:

start early, carry plenty of water and avoid assuming that supplies will be available at the destination.

Late afternoon can also be an excellent time to explore, particularly when staying long enough not to rush.

How Many Beach Days Do You Need?

Allow at least two dedicated beach days during a four- or five-night visit.

One can be spent around Roukounas, allowing time to swim and enjoy the beach without turning it into another sightseeing stop.

Use the second to explore several smaller beaches, perhaps combining Kleisidi, Katsouni and Katalimatsa or travelling further east towards Megas Potamos and Agioi Anargyroi.

Visitors staying a week can explore more remote locations according to weather and walking conditions.

Which Is the Best Beach in Anafi?

For most visitors:

Roukounas is the best beach overall.

It offers the strongest combination of sand, swimming, space and the undeveloped atmosphere for which Anafi is known.

But the island’s coastline becomes more interesting when visitors don’t stop there.

Kleisidi is best for convenience.

Katalimatsa is best for combining swimming with ancient history.

Agioi Anargyroi provides the most memorable church-and-sea landscape.

Megas Potamos appeals to walkers seeking somewhere wilder.

Together, these beaches reveal why Anafi works particularly well for travellers who prefer discovering a coastline rather than simply arriving at a resort.

Explore More of Anafi

Continue planning a visit with:

Things to Do in Anafi — explore Chora, ancient Kastelli, the Sacred Way, Zoodochos Pigi and Kalamos.

Best Places to Eat in Anafi — find traditional tavernas, seafood and local Cycladic food.

Best Places to Stay in Anafi — compare Chora, Kleisidi and the quieter Roukounas area.

Best Beaches in Amorgos — explore another dramatic Cycladic coastline.

Best Beaches in Astypalaia — discover beaches on another smaller Aegean island.