While Andros boasts a remarkable history and architecture, its primary allure lies in its natural beauty. The island is crisscrossed by ancient footpaths that wind through densely wooded hills and charming mountain villages, all adorned with springs and cascading waterfalls. Along these paths, you’ll encounter a variety of beaches to suit every preference—sandy, pebbly, rugged, secluded, or fully equipped. Despite their diversity, they all share one feature: crystal-clear blue waters. With so many beaches to explore, one could spend days discovering each one. Join us as we embark on a tour of Andros’ most spectacular beaches.
1. Fellos Beach
Fellos, the nearest beach to Heliades Villas, offers a secluded haven perfect for family outings, fishing excursions, and children’s play. This long stretch of sandy shoreline sits in the northwest region of Andros, merely four kilometers from Gavrio Port. Shielded from the north winds, Fellos ensures a safe environment for kids to swim and play without concerns. While the beach lacks tourist amenities, it remains easily accessible. Remember to pack your own umbrellas and refreshments. After a day of seaside fun, replenish your energy at the nearby tavern “To Steki tou Andrea,” serving up delectable traditional Greek cuisine just a stone’s throw from the shore.
2. Chryssi Ammos (Golden Sand or Golden Beach)
Chryssi Ammos is one of the most popular beaches on Andros, renowned for its golden sand and crystal-clear blue waters, resembling a vast swimming pool. Sheltered from the winds and easily accessible, Chryssi Ammos is a favorite among the younger crowd who enjoy sunbathing and swimming to the sound of music. Located on the western part of the island, almost 7 km south of Gavrio, Chryssi Akti is one of the most popular organized beaches, featuring water sports, seaside taverns, cafes, and shops nearby.
3. Vitali Beach
Vitali is one of the most pristine beaches in Andros, especially when the winds are calm. It is perfect for a swim in its enchantingly clear waters, and for the adventurous, the impressive rocks are great for diving. Located on the northern side of Andros, about 15 km northeast of Gavrio port, and a 20-minute drive from Heliades Villas, Vitali is among the most secluded beaches, accessible via a dirt road. The route from Gavrio Port to the beach is one of the most scenic on Andros Island. A beach bar offers soft drinks, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and traditional dishes.
4. Zorkos beach
Zorkos is one of the prettiest secluded beaches on Andros, an exotic white-pebbled beach nestled in a beautiful bay on the northern part of the island. This beach is located about 17 km from Gavrio, following the road to Palaistou and then a dirt road towards Kato Varidi. This untouched shore is ideal for a tranquil swim and snorkeling. Despite attracting large crowds, Zorkos rarely feels crowded due to its size. Nearby, you can find traditional restaurants, and sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent.
5. Tis Grias To Pidima
The beach called “Grias to Pidima”, meaning “the place where the old lady jumped”, is located on the southeast coast of Andros, north from Ormos Korthiou, after the port of Vitzi. Although this place is secluded, it gets busy in summer season due to its characteristic landscape with the rock coming in the sea. According to the legend, this rock is a petrified old lady who jumped to the sea in order to escape from a pirate invasion in the Medieval times. To get to this beach, visitors have to leave the car at the end of the road and then follow a path leading there after about 15 min walk. The beach is a very beautiful cove and a different beach landscape on the island.
The access to the beach is mildly difficult. By car via Ormos Korthiou. You then have to walk a rather steep hill path for about five minutes.
6. Achla beach
The beach of Achla is located on the northeast coast of the island and it is among the most famous remote beaches of Andros. Due to its secluded location, it is a little difficult to reach as it is accessible through a dirt track road. The beach has crystal waters, fine pebbles and trees providing natural shade. This is an ideal location for snorkeling and fishing, and the bay is protected from strong winds due to the surrounding rocks. There are no beaches facilities at Achla Beach, so if you need water or food you must have brought with you.
7. Agios Petros beach
This beach is named after the nearby Hellenistic watch tower of Agios Petros (Saint Peter), which was recently renovated. It is located on the road to Batsi from Gavrio, only 20 min drive from our villas in Andros. The beach is very beautiful, with golden sand and warm shallow waters, therefore it is ideal for families with young children. You will recognize the beach by the beautiful church on the rock on one side of the beach, a kind of white square box with a white cross on top. At the beach of Agios Petros, part of the cost gets organized in summer season with sunbeds and umbrellas for visitors.
8. Kourtali beach
Kourtali beach is a small cove in close distance to Gavrio, the main port of Andros. Kourtali is the next bay to Fellos beach, about 10 min drive from Heliades Villas. With clean water and soft sand on the shore, Kourtali is a great place for total isolation. It is surrounded by abrupt cliff side and is unorganized, with no umbrellas or sunbeds.
9. Plaka beach
Plaka beach is located on the southwest coast of the island at Korthi area, almost 30 km south from the port of Gavrio. This is a small beach, with nice waters and non-organized. Excavations have brought to light findings that testify that there existed a prehistoric settlement in the region of Plaka. This place is also nice for fishing.
10. Pisolimionas beach
Pisolimionas is a large beach on the northern side of Andros island, about 15 min drive from Heliades Villas. This is a long and wide, part of which is sandy and another part is pebbled. Close to Pisolimionas are the beaches of Fellos and Kourtali. This place is totally unorganized, with no sunbeds or umbrellas, and you can enjoy long hours of remoteness there.
11. Syneti beach
Syneti might be one of the most beautiful beaches in Andros but it is not always suitable for swimming as it is often exposed to the strong winds. Syneti is a secluded beach within a unique natural landscape. Green waters, white pebbles and impressive sea caves. Syneti is the natural opening of the Dipotamata Gorge which is dotted with old stone watermills in the midst of lush greenery. The river that runs through the Dipotamata Valley also ends on the beach. The beach is easily accessible by car but there is no tourist facilities around.
12. Ateni Beach
Ateni is stretched in a swimming pool-like cove with crystal clear water, ideal for families with kids. It is easily accessible by car via a well preserved dirt road. There is adequate parking space, a beach bar with seating area which serves soft drinks, coffee, alcoholic drinks and snacks and also sunbeds and umbrellas for a fee,
13. Nimporio Beach
Nimporio is one of the most cosmopolitan beaches in Andros. This is a long sandy beach with amazing views to the magnificent Old Town of Andros (Chora) with its gorgeous neoclassical mansions.
There are beachfront cafés, restaurants and bars. Sunbeds and umbrellas for a fee, free showers and changing rooms.
14. Paraporti Beach
Paraporti Beach is a fantastic location with the best views to Andros Old Town, the ruins of the island’s castle and the Tourlitis Lighthouse. This seemingly endless stretch of golden sand is ideal for long walks by the sea while huge waves crash on the shore in the most dramatic way and ducks play at the nearby river without a care in the world. The beach is easily accessible by car and there is a beach bar which serves soft drinks, coffee, alcoholic drinks and snacks. Sunbeds and umbrellas are also available for a fee.
15. Kolona Beach
Just a short walk from vibrant Batsi, you can find Kolona beach, a small sheltered cove with exquisite views to the entire Batsi Bay. It is easily accessible by car and a beach bar serves soft drinks, coffee, alcoholic drinks and snacks. Sunbeds and umbrellas are also available for a fee, while toilets and shower is free.