Best Beaches in Astypalaia: Where to Swim Around the Island
Astypalaia’s beaches are one of the main reasons to stay longer than a quick Chora-and-castle visit.
The island has a very varied coastline: long beaches such as Livadi, Vatses, Kaminakia, Steno and Psili Ammos, smaller coves such as Tzanakia and Plakes, and boat-access beaches on the surrounding islets including Koutsomitis and Kounoupa. The island’s own tourism guide specifically highlights that mix of organised beaches, remote coves and offshore swimming spots.
For a first visit, I wouldn’t try to see every beach.
A much better plan is to choose different types of beach day:
one easy beach near where you’re staying, one remote road-access beach, one family-friendly shallow beach and one boat excursion.
That gives you a much better feel for the island.
Astypalaia Beaches at a Glance
Best overall beach: Kaminakia
Best near Chora: Livadi
Best for families: Steno
Best for easy access: Livadi or Pera Gialos
Best wild beach: Vatses
Best sandy beach: Kaminakia
Best for a boat trip: Koutsomitis and Kounoupa
Best for shallow water: Steno
Best near Maltezana: Maltezana Beach / Psili Ammos area
Best for snorkelling and clear water: Koutsomitis
Best for a quick swim: Pera Gialos
Best for a beach-focused stay: Livadi
The most useful thing to understand is that road conditions and access matter on Astypalaia.
Some beaches are extremely easy.
Others are reached over dirt roads.
And some are better approached by boat.
Kaminakia – Best Overall Beach in Astypalaia
If I had to choose one beach for a first-time visitor, I’d choose Kaminakia.
The local island guide describes it as one of Astypalaia’s best-known beaches and particularly popular with locals. It is long, predominantly sandy, has deep clear water, natural shade from trees, sun loungers and traditional tavernas.
That gives Kaminakia a very useful combination:
beautiful water + proper beach space + food + enough facilities for a full day.
It’s also relatively sheltered from weather compared with some more exposed sections of coastline.
The main trade-off is access.
The route from Chora includes a substantial dirt-road section, and the local guide estimates roughly a 30-minute drive.
So before going, check:
your rental agreement,
current road condition,
and whether you’re comfortable driving unsealed roads.
Best for: full beach days, swimming, couples and travellers with a suitable vehicle.
Beach type: Mostly sand.
Facilities: Taverns, loungers and natural shade.
Vatses – Best for a Wild Beach Day
Vatses is another of the island’s headline beaches.
The local guide describes it as a mostly pebbled beach with some sand near the water, deep sea, a beach bar and limited loungers. Access is by road, with much of the route unsealed.
This feels more rugged than Livadi or Steno.
You come here for the sense of landscape and space rather than maximum convenience.
There are no full restaurants directly on the beach according to the local guide, so don’t arrive expecting a large choice of food.
I’d bring water even if the beach bar is operating.
Best for: scenery, a wilder beach experience and travellers comfortable with dirt-road access.
Beach type: Pebbles with some sand.
Vatses or Kaminakia?
This is a useful comparison.
Choose Kaminakia if you want:
sand,
food,
more facilities,
and a beach where you can easily spend the entire day.
Choose Vatses if you want:
a rougher, quieter feel,
pebbles,
dramatic surroundings
and fewer facilities.
For a four- or five-night stay, I’d consider visiting both rather than trying to decide which is objectively better.
Livadi – Best Beach Near Chora
For convenience, Livadi is extremely difficult to beat.
Visit Greece describes Livadi as a seaside settlement on the opposite side of the Chora hill from Gialos, with tavernas and cafés facing a long beach.
This makes it especially useful if you’re staying in:
Chora, Pera Gialos or Livadi itself.
You don’t need to turn swimming into a full-day expedition.
You can have breakfast, go to the beach, return to your accommodation, then head back to Chora for the evening.
That’s exactly why we rated Livadi so highly in Where to Stay in Astypalaia.
Best for: first-time visitors, couples, families and people staying near Chora.
Why Livadi Works So Well for Longer Stays
Convenience becomes more valuable the longer you’re on the island.
Not every beach day needs:
a dirt road,
a packed cooler,
and a full day’s commitment.
Sometimes you just want to swim for two hours.
Livadi gives you that flexibility.
For a seven-night stay, I’d be very happy using Livadi several times while reserving other days for Kaminakia, Vatses and boat trips.
Steno – Best Beach for Families
For families, Steno is one of the strongest recommendations.
The local tourism guide describes Steno as the shallowest beach on Astypalaia, with sand, organised facilities, a canteen and a bus stop.
That’s exactly the kind of information parents need.
Shallow water.
Easy access.
Food and drinks nearby.
No need to tackle a long dirt-road journey.
Steno also has an unusual location on the narrow strip of land connecting the island’s eastern and western halves.
Best for: families, young children and travellers wanting uncomplicated swimming.
Beach type: Sand.
Water: Shallow.
Steno Is Also Good Without a Car
Because Steno has a bus stop, it becomes particularly useful for travellers relying on public transport.
This reinforces an important point from the accommodation guide:
you do not need a car every single day to have a good Astypalaia holiday.
Stay around Chora or Pera Gialos.
Use local beaches.
Take a bus to somewhere like Steno.
Then rent a vehicle only for more remote exploration.
Pera Gialos Beach – Best for a Quick Swim
Pera Gialos is about convenience rather than wilderness.
It sits directly beneath Chora and is one of the main beaches listed by the island’s own visitor guide.
This is the beach for:
a swim after arriving,
a quick dip before dinner,
or an hour by the water when you don’t want a full beach excursion.
Don’t dismiss ordinary convenient beaches simply because somewhere more spectacular exists.
A beach you can walk to often gets used far more than a beach requiring an hour of planning.
Best for: short swims and travellers staying in Pera Gialos or Chora.
Maltezana Beach – Best for Eastern Astypalaia
If you’re exploring or staying around Maltezana, use the local beach rather than automatically driving back toward Chora.
The island’s beach directory includes Maltezana among its principal swimming spots.
This fits the same principle we used in the food article:
eat and swim where your day has already taken you.
Maltezana is especially practical for families and travellers using it as their accommodation base.
Best for: eastern Astypalaia, relaxed swimming and travellers staying in Maltezana.
Psili Ammos – Best Sandy Option Near the East
Astypalaia has a Psili Ammos / Chrisi Ammos beach on the eastern side of the island.
The local visitor guide notes that it can be reached from the Maltezana area by following the road past the airport and continuing along a dirt-road section.
As the name suggests, this is one of the places to consider if sand matters to you.
I’d combine it with:
Maltezana + eastern Astypalaia exploration
rather than making a separate cross-island trip.
Best for: sand and travellers already exploring the eastern side.
Plakes – Best for a Small-Cove Experience
Plakes is one of the smaller coves listed in Astypalaia’s official local beach directory.
This is the kind of place I’d use for a shorter swim rather than necessarily making it the main event of the day.
Small coves are useful because they give you contrast.
After a long day at Kaminakia, a compact quiet stop at Plakes feels completely different.
Best for: short swims and travellers exploring several eastern beaches.
Tzanakia – Best for a Quieter Pebble Cove
The local Astypalaia guide specifically recommends Tzanakia for swimming and sunbathing on its larger pebbles.
This is another beach where I’d prioritise atmosphere over facilities.
Bring beach shoes if pebbles bother you.
And remember that a quieter cove can feel much more exposed if conditions are windy.
Best for: travellers who like pebble coves and quieter stops.
Agios Konstantinos – A Quieter Alternative
Agios Konstantinos is another beach listed in the island’s extensive beach directory.
It doesn’t have the same headline status as Kaminakia or Livadi, which can actually be an advantage.
Once you’ve seen the obvious beaches, this is exactly the type of place worth exploring on a slower day.
I wouldn’t cross the whole island simply because a list says you must visit it.
But if you’re already nearby, stop.
Koutsomitis – Best Boat-Trip Beach
One of Astypalaia’s great beach experiences isn’t on the main island at all.
Koutsomitis is a small offshore islet usually visited by boat.
The local guide describes the clear-water passage between Koutsomitis and nearby Tigani, with access possible only by boat.
The beach itself is pebbled and the water around the islet is shallow and extremely clear.
This is exactly the sort of place where the journey matters as much as the destination.
Best for: boat trips, crystal-clear water, swimming and snorkelling.
Access: Boat only.
Kounoupa – Another Essential Boat Excursion
Kounoupa is frequently paired with Koutsomitis on boat trips.
The local island guide strongly recommends both islets and notes that summer excursions traditionally depart from Pera Gialos.
Rather than choosing between them, I’d look for an excursion that includes both.
This gives you a very different experience from a normal beach day on Astypalaia itself.
Is a Boat Trip Worth It?
Yes, if you’re staying at least four or five nights.
The island’s local tourism information says boat trips operate toward offshore islets and remote beaches, with routes traditionally including Kounoupa, Koutsomitis, Vatses, Kaminakia and Agios Ioannis.
I would not publish rigid departure times or promise daily operation, because weather and operators can change.
Check after you arrive.
But conceptually, I’d regard one boat day as part of the core Astypalaia experience.
Agios Ioannis – Best Remote Beach Experience
Agios Ioannis is one of the more remote beaches identified by the island’s visitor guide.
The guide notes that access is primarily by sea, although experienced walkers may use rough natural paths.
This is not the beach I’d recommend to a family simply looking for shallow water and lunch nearby.
It suits travellers who actively want:
remote scenery,
a boat trip,
or a more adventurous day.
Best for: isolation and boat excursions.
Which Beach Is Best for Families?
Steno gets my first recommendation.
The combination of shallow water, sand, facilities and public-transport access makes it extremely practical.
I’d put Livadi second because it’s so convenient and has nearby food.
For families staying in Maltezana, the local beach may be the most sensible choice of all.
Again, the best family beach is often the beach that avoids turning every swim into a logistical exercise.
Which Beach Is Best for Couples?
I’d choose:
Kaminakia for a beautiful full beach day.
Livadi for convenience and relaxed afternoons.
Koutsomitis/Kounoupa for a memorable boat excursion.
That gives you three very different experiences rather than trying to rank every beach numerically.
Which Beach Is Best Without a Car?
I’d start with:
Livadi, Pera Gialos and Steno.
Steno’s bus access makes it especially useful.
A boat trip is another excellent car-free option.
You can stay around Chora, use local transport for easy beaches and let a boat take you to places that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
Which Beach Is Best for Sand?
I’d choose between:
Kaminakia, Steno and Psili Ammos.
Kaminakia is the strongest overall sandy destination because it combines sand with good water and facilities.
Steno wins for shallow family swimming.
Psili Ammos is useful when you’re already exploring eastern Astypalaia.
Which Beach Is Best for Clear Water?
The offshore islets are hard to beat.
The local guide specifically emphasises the crystal-clear water around Koutsomitis and Tigani.
For beaches on the main island, Kaminakia also has particularly clear deep water.
Bring a mask or snorkel if that’s something you enjoy.
Which Beach Is Best for a Wild Setting?
Vatses.
It has fewer facilities, dirt-road access and a more rugged character than the easy-access beaches near Chora.
Agios Ioannis is even more remote, but its access makes it more of an excursion than an ordinary beach recommendation.
Do You Need a 4WD?
Not necessarily.
But some routes to remote beaches involve unsealed roads.
Both Kaminakia and Vatses are associated with dirt-road access in the local guide.
The important thing is not whether somebody on the internet managed the road in a small rental car three years ago.
Check:
current road condition + your rental contract.
If the rental company excludes particular roads, follow the agreement.
A boat can often solve the problem more pleasantly anyway.
Are Astypalaia Beaches Organised?
Some are.
Steno is organised with sunbeds and a canteen.
Kaminakia has loungers, tavernas and natural shade.
Vatses has more limited facilities, with a beach bar rather than full restaurant choice.
Others may have little or nothing.
That variety is part of Astypalaia’s appeal.
What Should You Take to Remote Beaches?
At minimum:
water,
sun protection,
proper footwear,
some food if facilities are uncertain,
and anything you need for the drive back.
Astypalaia’s landscape is dry and exposed.
Don’t assume shade.
Don’t assume a beach bar will be operating simply because an old guide mentions one.
And don’t arrive at a remote beach with an almost-empty water bottle.
What About the Wind?
Like most Aegean islands, beach conditions can change considerably according to the wind.
This is one reason Kaminakia’s relatively sheltered setting is useful.
Don’t lock every beach into a fixed date before your holiday.
Instead ask:
Which side of the island is best today?
That can completely change the quality of a beach day.
A Three-Day Astypalaia Beach Plan
If swimming is a major part of your visit, I’d structure it like this:
Day 1 — Easy:
Livadi → relaxed swim → lunch nearby.
Day 2 — Road adventure:
Vatses → Kaminakia.
Day 3 — Sea:
Boat trip to Koutsomitis and Kounoupa.
For families, replace the rough-road day with:
Steno + Maltezana.
That gives you variety without trying to collect every beach.
Can You Combine Beaches With Sightseeing?
Absolutely.
This is the best way to explore Astypalaia.
Useful combinations include:
Chora + Livadi
Maltezana + Psili Ammos + eastern beaches
Vatses + Kaminakia
Pera Gialos + boat excursion
This prevents the holiday from becoming a sequence of long return journeys.
What Is the Best Beach in Astypalaia?
For the best overall beach day:
Kaminakia.
For families:
Steno.
For staying near Chora:
Livadi.
For wild scenery:
Vatses.
For a boat-trip experience:
Koutsomitis and Kounoupa.
For quick swimming:
Pera Gialos.
For eastern Astypalaia:
Maltezana and Psili Ammos.
That’s a much more useful answer than pretending one beach can satisfy every visitor.
Are Astypalaia’s Beaches Worth Visiting?
Definitely.
The beaches are actually one of the best reasons not to treat Astypalaia as a two-night Chora stop.
The island’s local tourism guide lists everything from long beaches such as Livadi, Vatses, Kaminakia, Steno and Psili Ammos to smaller coves and boat-only beaches on the surrounding islets.
That variety changes the rhythm of the trip.
One day you’re swimming within easy reach of Chora.
The next you’re driving down an unsealed road toward a wild bay.
Then you’re on a boat heading for an offshore islet with almost impossibly clear water.
That mix of easy, remote and boat-access beaches is one of Astypalaia’s real strengths.