Koundouros beach
Diving Club, Partly Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Water Sports
Location: 15km south of Ioulida
Koundouros beach is situated on the southwest side of the island with many small sandy beaches. Over the weekend many yachts visit the bay from the mainland. This is also the location of the 80-room resort called Kea Beach, which was never fully completed. It was known to Italian tourists and the hotel had a bar, restaurant, disco and swimming pool.
To save the hotel, they built bungalows around the original incomplete hotel, some looked like windmills and other like a flying dolphin from Pireaus. Today the hotel is closed and encased in stone. There is a monument that can be visited.
Many million-dollar mansions with swimming pools, terraced landscapes, and with spectacular views has sprung up over time.
However, the beaches itself is very nice and sandy with crystal clear waters. There are sunbeds, cafes, restaurants and bars at the first beach. The further you go down the road the less packed the beaches are and the quieter it gets.
Pisses beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Snorkelling, Surfing
Location: 11km south west of Ioulida
Pisses is located south west on the island and is considered as one of the best beaches to visit. Located about 11km from Ioulida, the trip there is reason enough to visit the beach as you pass through some of the most beautiful topography in the Cyclades. You pass a valley of fruit trees, cypress trees, flowers as well as farms.
There are several options when it comes to accommodation, you can rent a room or make use of the campsite, called Camping Kea. At the campsite you can pitch your tent anywhere under the beautiful trees. The site has a laundry, café, bar, showers and foodstore.
Unlike most beaches in Kea, Pisses can be affected by the summer winds of Meltemi and therefore the sea can be rough at some times. Most of the time the sea is great for swimming, surfing and snorkelling.
Another interesting detail about this beach is that the village it belongs to, used to be the location of an ancient city called Poiessa or Piiessa, which acropolis hosts the temple of Apollo, the church of Panagia Sotira, and the Poiessa fort. The beach itself has also the ruins of another ancient city that used to be on top of a southern mountain that marks one of the valley’s boundaries.
The beach is definitely worth a visit for families.
Otzias beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, family friendly, snorkel, windsurfing
Location: 10km north of Ioulida
Otzias beach is in a round bay bordered with tamarisk and eucalyptus trees. It has a lovely sandy beach which stretches for about 700m. This is a great beach for families because the sea is shallow for the most part and the eastern end is sheltered from the north wind. And there is rocky part in the sea that is great for snorkelling.
There are tourist amenities in the area like tavernas, shops, benches to sit under the trees, as well as accommodation options.
During the high season windsurfing and paddle boats are popular and can be rented. If you get bored on the beach, there are a lot to explore in the area especially churches.
A great place to rent a room is Taverna Otzias which is a restaurant which rents umbrellas, daybeds and rooms and you are in walking distance from Voukari port. The closest hotel to the beach is CAVO PERLEVOS APARTMENTS. Another option is ANEMOUSA APARTMENTS which is self-catering accommodation with free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, bar sunbeds and many more.
At the beach there are facilities for special needs people, like a corridor for access to the beach and benches to sit on.
Korissia beach
Diving Club, Partly Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Harbor
Location: 6km north west of Ioulida
Korissia is a long curving beach with mountains at the back overlooking this beach. The beach is perfect for tourists, as it is lined with umbrellas and provide ample shade to its visitors. The golden sand on the beach is interspersed with little pebbles, and right of the beach there are rocks gliding into the sea, forming natural seats to sit and enjoy the gentle sea breeze.
Korissia has a natural port with options for accommodation and eating facilities. You can also find a dive centre nearby which offer scuba and snorkelling.
Gialiskari beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, Family friendly
Location: 7km north west of Ioulida
Gialiskari beach is a very popular beach among the locals as well as weekenders coming from Athens. The beach is very popular for families as the sea is great for swimming. Snorkelling can also be enjoyed here. Surfing however is not so popular due to the calmness of the sea, as the beach lies in a cove.
During high season there is a café in the middle of the beach which offer great food and drinks to its visitors. They serve from salads, pastas, smoothies, fruit and coffees.
To get the beach is fairly easy as it is 15min walk from either harbor of Voukari or the port of Korrissia. There are trees on the beach that offers shade to its visitors.
Accommodation options are also available nearby. The Red Tractor Guest House and the Hotel Porto Kea are both within easy walking distance from Gialiskari beach.
Kambi beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly. Snorkelling
Location: 18km south west of Ioulida
Kambi beach is situated in a small cove surrounded by mountains, acorn trees, a few houses clustered around the cove and a bunch of million-dollar villas nearby. The beach is sandy with a few rocks in the sea that is ideal for snorkelling. You will also find trees and umbrellas that help provide shade.
Just above the beach there is a taverna that offers food and drinks to the visitors. The beach is normally very quiet and offers a great escape from the noisy crowds and polluted air. For the more adventurous, treks and nature walks can be done in the surrounding area.
Orkos beach
Sandy, Secluded, Family Friendly, snorkelling, no café or tavern
Location: 11km south east of Ioulida
Orkos beach is located 11km south east of Ioulida along a very steep road. Not many visitors have the urge to visit this beach due to its location. You need a jeep, or motorcycle to visit the beach. There is no tavern or café facilities, and you need to take all your provisions with you.
The beach is most of the time very quiet with no or only a few visitors. During August you might see a few visitors there. Orkos is very picturesque, with a few trees and some straw umbrellas that can provide shade. Its crystalline blue waters are ideal for swimming and snorkelling therefore it is ideal to bring along a mask, snorkel and flippers.
Orkos is an ideal beach if you seek peace and quietness, just remember to bring all your supplies for the day.
Xyla beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised, Nudism Friendly
Location: 15km west of Ioulida
This lovely, secluded beach is very hard to find if you don’t know where it is, as it has to be reached by foot or motorcycle. It’s a place that offers peace and tranquillity especially with its beautiful setting and deep blue waters. Occasional ferries pass by but there are not normally many visitors strolling along this 200m stretch of pebbled beach.
The road is approximately 4 or 5 km -depending on the road taken from the ancient settlement of Korissos, a feature that can be taken advantage of in order to visit the important archaeological findings, such as the remains of ancient temples and houses
The best way of getting to Xyla beach is by taking the coastal road to Marades area and Melissaki beach from Korissia. After a short distance, the road becomes a dirt road on not very good conditions. Instead of going down to Melissaki, you should continue south-west. At this point, a small sign with directions for Xyla should be found. Another available road is the one via Stavroti area, which is a little shorter, 4 km instead of 5.
If you do visit this beach remember to bring all your supplies as there are not anything offered at the beach. You will however find some permanent beach umbrellas. The beach is not a Nudism beach, but nudity is allowed here with all the privacy that is available.
Liparo beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 22km south west of Ioulida
Liparo is one of the golden beaches of Kea, situated on the south west coast of Kea. It can be found among the beaches of Koundouros, Pisses, Kastelakia, Kambi and Lygia.
Liparo is so close to the other beaches that offer all the tourist facilities that can be enjoyed. Liparo usually gets promoted as a remote beach found further along the cost after the beach of Kambi, a picturesque environment with its acorn trees and some facilities, followed by the Vathirrema gorge.
Beach Near Kambi beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 17km southwest of Ioulida
This not one of the well-known beaches and is situated about 17km from Ioulida. This beach has a lot to offer, as you could enjoy the beach, swim in the sea, or you could go hiking up the rocks, or visit the cove to the right of the beach.
There are trees on the beach that offer shade but not many other tourist facilities. This could be a great day out if you pack your necessary supplies for the day like food, drinks and sunblock.
Kalidonychi beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 10km east of Chora
Kalindonychi beach is very popular under tourists and can be found on the eastern coast of Kea. It is situated close to beaches like Orkos, Psili, Ammos, Sykamia and Spathi. The beach is ideal for swimming.
There is also a good road to Kalidonychi from the capital of the island as well as a bus service. However, there is not always all the touristic facilities one need and it is worth taking your own supplies for the day. Or you can visit some of the nearby beaches if you need any food and water.
Kaliskia beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 22km south of Ioulida
Kaliskia beach is situated on the south-eastern tip of Kea and can be accessed by boat or by road. It is a quiet and secluded beach with not many visitors. To reach the beach by road you follow a bypass that comes from Pigadaki, where you will pass the remaining traces of extended farms from the classical times.
When visiting this beach, you need to bring your own supplies of food and water as there is no cafes or taverns.
Although the access to beaches like Kaliskia usually is not as simple as the ones included on the bus schedule, or with a close location to Ioulida, the capital of Kea, it is necessary to keep in mind that it is because of this fact that those beaches keep their original features year after year, no matter how many tourists came to the island during high season. On the other hand, secluded and remote beaches may result a powerful attraction for those who enjoy island hopping and exploring.
Kastelakia beach
Pebbled, Sandy, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 12km south west of Ioulida
Kastelakia beach is a beautiful, secluded beach which is ideal for swimming. It is a peaceful beach with not a lot of visitors throughout the year. The beach is narrow with sand and pebbles meeting the crystal blue waters of the sea.
Kastelakia beach seems to be a paradise beach, but you need to take your food and drinks with you on your visit. There are no facilities in the area.
Lygia beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 17km south west of Ioulida
Lygia is a small secluded beach which is situated next to Kastelakia, Pisses, Liparo, Kambi and Koundouros beach. The beach is very remote and does not have any tourist facilities. But the advantage of being so close to the other beaches you can walk along a path to the other beaches to get some food and drinks.
The waters are ideal for swimming and for families to enjoy, just don’t forget to bring your own supplies for the day.
Mavrambeli beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 8km southwest of Ioulida
Mavrambeli beach is a beautiful and quiet beach like many other on the island. It has a calm environment with not many visitors. The beach is located southwest of Ioulida near Xyla and Melissaki beach.
To get to Mavrambeli access is based on a road from the harbor of this settlement which does not even appear on the map. You can get to the beach easily with a motorcycle.
There are not any facilities at the beach and all provisions need to be taken with you on your visit. Because the beach is so deserted it gives you the impression that you are on a private island far away.
The beach is also very clean and the deep blue waters make it a very attractive beach for swimming and relaxing.
Melissaki beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non Organised
Location: 8km northwest of Ioulida
Melissaki beach is located northwest of Ioulida and the closest beach to it is Xyla beach. These beaches are quiet with a tranquil atmosphere due to not having big noisy crowds.
The beaches are clean and with not having any tourists’ amenities you will need to bring your own provisions for the day.
To reach Melissaki beach from Korissos, you need to take the road leading to the area of Marodes and Melissaki. When you get to the road, it will soon turn into a dirt road which leads down to Melissaki beach.
This is not a nudist beach, but with all the privacy you have you would be able to enjoy it in the nude.
Spathi beach
Partly Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Snorkelling
Location: 13km northeast of Ioulida
The lovely Spathi beach is located 13km northeast of Ioulida. To reach the beach, the road is very enjoyable with beautiful scenery, like arid areas and green valleys. Spathi beach was very popular during ancient times for economic reasons, since the area used to be rich in iron and rubric.
Today it offers a lot to its visitors. There are accommodation options, cafes, scheduled bus services, umbrellas on the beach and many more. Next to the café there is a shower made from a watering can that can be used.
The sea is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The area is also popular for walking along the fertile valley, exploring the beekeepers and enjoying nature. Kea is also very popular for its honey making.
