How many beaches to visit: Plan on two to four beach stops in total. Distances are large, access depends on permits and escorts, and the sea looks much the same from one cove to the next. Beyond four you spend the trip in a car. Two or three well-chosen swims each give you time to actually sit, snorkel and talk to locals.
Which kind to prioritize: If ruins are why you are coming, choose the shorelines beside Greek and Roman sites and let the swim be the end of a day of walking. If you want company, local culture and cheap food, pick the western town beaches on a Friday, where families grill by the water. If you want space, the eastern coves are the best in the country, but you must bring your own water, food and shade. The closer a beach is to a big city, the less it is worth your time, since …
read more 👉 How many beaches to visit: Plan on two to four beach stops in total. Distances are large, access depends on permits and escorts, and the sea looks much the same from one cove to the next. Beyond four you spend the trip in a car. Two or three well-chosen swims each give you time to actually sit, snorkel and talk to locals.Which kind to prioritize: If ruins are why you are coming, choose the shorelines beside Greek and Roman sites and let the swim be the end of a day of walking. If you want company, local culture and cheap food, pick the western town beaches on a Friday, where families grill by the water. If you want space, the eastern coves are the best in the country, but you must bring your own water, food and shade. The closer a beach is to a big city, the less it is worth your time, since sewage and litter are persistent problems.Budget: Expect US$100 to 180 a day. Most of that is the required guide and driver, usually US$50 to 100 a day, plus a guesthouse or hotel at US$30 to 80 and meals at US$8 to 15. Public beaches are free. Private beach clubs and some site-side beaches charge about US$3 to 10, and informal parking attendants may ask for a small tip. Cards rarely work, so bring crisp US dollars or euros and change them at the market rate, not the official bank rate, which can cost you a large share of the value.Delays and costs that catch people out: Visa approval via a sponsor can take several weeks, so book the operator before flights, and keep tickets flexible. Checkpoints add one to two hours on long drives, so never plan a sunset swim at the end of a long transfer. Leave an extra day on each side of any domestic flight. Carry your own water, because roadside beaches seldom sell it.Safety and culture: Check your government’s travel advice and follow the local operator’s guidance on which stretches are open. There are no lifeguards or flag systems, and currents can pull hard on open sand beaches, so swim close to shore and never alone. In the east, stay on tracks and established paths, as unexploded ordnance remains in some areas. Dress modestly: men swim in shorts and a T-shirt, and women usually in a long top and leggings. Some stretches are effectively segregated, and some are family-only. Ask before photographing anyone, and never photograph ports, military posts or checkpoints. Alcohol is banned, so leave it out of your packing. Drones are not welcome.