Two Greek beaches have been featured in a list of the best “secret beaches” in Europe, published by top travel magazine 'Travel & Leisure'.
The beach of Psili Ammos in Patmos is fourth on the list, while Aretes in Chalkidiki is in ninth place.
The same list includes the beach of Latsi in Polis Chrysochous, Cyprus.
The complete list of the best "secret" beaches in Europe:
- San Giovanni di Sinis, Sardinia, Italy
- Praia da Tavira Island, Algarve, Portugal
- Sa Riera, Costa Brava, Spain
- Psili Ammos, Patmos, Greece
- Argèles-sur-Mer, Languedoc, France
- Latchi, Polis, Cyprus
- Cala Saladeta, Ibiza, Spain
- Sveti Jakov, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Aretes, Chalkidiki, Greece
- Limeuil, Dordogne, France
Psili Ammos, Patmos, Greece
You'll need to follow the hoofprints to Psili Ammos — the donkey that delivers supplies to the beachside cafe each morning will lead you on the half-hour trek across the rumpled dunes. This is the southwestern tip of Patmos, the holy island in the Dodecanese where St. John is said to have holed up in a cave to write the Book of Revelation. These days, it's equally quiet, though unlike the saint, you won't be expected to do any work on this semicircle of cookie-colored sand with steep cliffs rearing up behind. The far end is a nudist beach, but worry not — you'll get no strange looks for being clothed on the rest of it. Take a dip in the shallow waters, sunbathe under the tamarisk trees, and don't forget to buy a beer from the cafe — that donkey didn't come here for nothing.
Latchi, Polis, Cyprus
Beaches don't get much bigger than this enormous swirl of sand framing the gigantic Polis Bay in Cyprus' unspoiled northwestern tip. And the Mediterranean doesn't get much warmer, either — down here, it feels like stepping into a tepid bath, even in October or April. Outside peak season, you'll pretty much have the entire bay to yourself, with just joggers for company. Bring your own gear and jump right in. For lunch, walk west along the beach, past the marina, to Yialos Beach Grill for some halloumi, souvlaki, lamb chops, and sheftalia sausages flamed over the sand-side, coal-fired grill.
Aretes, Halkidiki, Greece
Halkidiki's three long, sandy "fingers" splayed out into the Aegean Sea are home to some of Greece's best beaches — and that's saying something. Aretes is one of its most laid-back options, though. The wave-like coastline wiggles itself into three distinct bays — the biggest, a wide sandy stretch that's calm but popular; beyond it, a rocky stretch; and lastly, a small sandy cove that not many bother walking to. In fact, on a quiet day, it might be all yours. It's perfectly sized for two, with gray-green rocks shearing up behind the tiny inlet. Head back to the restaurant on the main beach when you get peckish.
