Beaches Near Igoumenitsa – Complete Guide to Thesprotia's Coast (2026)

From the organized sandy shores of Igoumenitsa to the hidden turquoise coves of Sivota, Thesprotia offers some of the cleanest waters in Greece. Explore our curated list of the best beaches, complete with access tips, parking info, and local advice to help you find your perfect spot.

Best beaches near Igoumenitsa, Sivota and Plataria travel guide featuring turquoise Ionian waters, sandy beaches and hidden coastal gems in Thesprotia, Greece

The coastline of Thesprotia is one of the most underrated beach destinations in Greece — clean, uncrowded, with crystal-clear Ionian water. Whether you have a few hours before your ferry from Igoumenitsa or a full week to explore the villages of Plataria, Sivota, and Perdika, this guide covers every beach worth knowing.

To make planning easy, the beaches below are grouped by area — starting with those closest to Igoumenitsa town and the port, then moving south toward Sivota and Perdika. Each beach links to its own page with photos, directions, and detailed local tips. All beaches are within a 30-minute drive of town.

Best Beaches Near Igoumenitsa at a Glance

Beaches Near Igoumenitsa

Beaches Near Sivota

Plataria Area (13–15 Minutes)

Beaches Near Perdika

Agia Paraskevi

How Far Are the Beaches from Igoumenitsa?

Which Beach Is Right for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Related pages on IgoumenitsaSTAY

Best Beaches Near Igoumenitsa at a Glance

Best for families & easy access: Drepano Beach

Closest to Igoumenitsa port: Drepano (≈5 km / 10 min)

Best for toddlers & very calm, shallow water: Makrigiali Beach

Most iconic / best beach in Sivota: Bella Vraka Beach

Best for snorkelling & the clearest water: Mega Drafi Beach

Best beach-bar vibe: Kokkinos Vraxos

Best for quiet & shade: Elia Beach, Plataria

Best for sunset: Gata beach

Best to combine beach + village & dining: Plataria Beach

Wildest feel, but with facilities on hand: Mega Drafi

🚗 Local note for road-trippers: Except for Drepanos, reaching the best beaches of Thesprotia really needs a car. Public transport to Plataria, Sivota, and Perdika is very limited in summer. If you haven't booked a vehicle yet, see our Local Car Rental Guide for Igoumenitsa with verified independent agencies.

Beaches Near Igoumenitsa

These are the closest beaches to Igoumenitsa town and port — most are reachable in 10–15 minutes, and the two on the Drepano peninsula are practically in town. They're the easiest choice for a first or last swim around your ferry, and the sandy ones are ideal for families. A little further along the coast lies the Plataria cluster, with prettier coves and a charming harbour village.

View of Drepano Beach in Igoumenitsa showing fine sand and organized facilities, popular for families

Drepanos Beach

⭐ Closest to the Port

📍 Igoumenitsa · 5 km / 10 min by car · 15–20 min from port

The closest organized beach to Igoumenitsa and the easiest to reach. Drepano stretches for several kilometres along a sickle-shaped peninsula — drepano means "sickle" in Greek — backed by eucalyptus trees, with fine sand and shallow, gently sloping water. That slow shelf is exactly why it's the natural first choice for families with young children. The beach is lined with beach bars, cantinas and tavernas, there's a large campsite at one end, sunbeds and umbrellas to rent, free parking along the beach road, and some of the best sunsets near town. It gets busy on summer weekends, so arrive before 10am for a good spot. Honest note: after onshore winds some seaweed gathers where the waves break — walk a little to find the clearest patch.

Type: Long, fine-sand beach on a sickle-shaped peninsula
Water: Shallow, calm, gently sloping — great for non-swimmers and kids
Facilities: Beach bars, tavernas, sunbeds & umbrellas, showers, water sports, campsite
Parking: Free and easy along the beach road
Best for: Families, a first or last swim before the ferry, sunsets
Good to know: Sunbed set ≈€10; busiest on summer weekends

[Read the full Drepanos guide]

Makrigiali Beach

⭐ Calm Water, Fewer Crowds

📍 Igoumenitsa · 6 km from port / 12 min by car

Right next to Drepano on the same peninsula, Makrigiali is a fine, soft-sand beach with exceptionally clear, shallow water — one of the safest, calmest spots in the area for small children. One end has a cantina and sunbeds to rent; the rest stays quiet and free, so you can pick your mood. It sees fewer visitors than Drepano and is a local favourite for its sunsets, which are among the most beautiful near Igoumenitsa. Bring your own umbrella if you head to the unorganized end.

Type: Fine, soft-sand beach
Water: Very shallow, calm and clear — excellent for toddlers
Facilities: Cantina & sunbeds on one side; quiet and free on the other
Parking: Easy and free
Best for: Families with small children, quiet swimming, sunset

[Read the full Makrigiali guide]

Gata Beach

⭐ Quiet Local Favourite

📍 Plataria area · 12 km / 13–15 min by car

The first beach you reach heading south from Igoumenitsa toward Plataria, tucked into a small green cove framed by steep cliffs — one of the prettier settings on this coast. It's a pebble beach (thick pebbles, so water shoes help) and the water gets deep quickly, which makes it better for confident swimmers than for toddlers. There's a relaxed, hippie-style beach bar/cantina with sunbeds covering much of the shore, plus a small patch to lay your own towel, and natural shade from the trees. Parking is limited — roughly the size of the beach itself — so come early in high season. The name means "cat" in Greek; ask a local why.

Type: Small pebble cove (thick pebbles — water shoes recommended)
Water: Clear but deep close to shore — better for swimmers than small kids
Facilities: Beach bar / cantina with sunbeds, natural shade
Parking: Limited — arrive early in July–August
Best for: Swimmers, a scenic laid-back half-day, shade lovers

[Read the full Gata Beach guide]

Beaches Near Sivota

Sivota, about 25 minutes south of Igoumenitsa, is the most popular beach area on this coast — a lively harbour village ringed by coves, islets and some of the clearest water in the Ionian. This is where you'll find the famous Bella Vraka, plus a string of organized beach-bar beaches and a couple of quieter, boat-only gems. Easy to make a full day of it: beach in the morning, lunch in the village, another cove in the afternoon.

Bella Vraka Beach

⭐ The Famous Turquoise Lagoon

📍 Sivota · 25 min south of Igoumenitsa

The most famous beach near Igoumenitsa and one of the most photographed in Greece. A narrow sandbar threads out from the Sivota shore to the islet of Mourtemeno, with shallow, brilliant-turquoise water on both sides — you literally walk through the sea (knee-deep or less) to cross. It lives up to the photos, but go in knowing the practical side: it's largely unorganized (the sunbeds, bar and toilets belong to the adjacent hotel/watersports club, not the public), the seabed has sharp pebbles so water shoes are essential, and parking is very limited and difficult. The reward is worth it. Arrive before 10am in summer, bring water and shade — and if parking defeats you, a local taxi from Sivota runs cheaply for the short hop.

Type: Iconic sandbar linking the shore to an islet; sand with sharp pebbles
Water: Shallow turquoise lagoon on both sides — water shoes essential
Facilities: Largely unorganized — bring water, shade & towel
Parking: Very limited and difficult; taxi from Sivota is an easy alternative
Best for: The "Greek island" photo, walking to the islet, a must-see day trip

[Read the full Bella Vraka guide]

Mega Drafi Beach

⭐ Wild & Unspoiled

📍 Perdika · 30 min south, on the road to Parga

A beautiful "triple beach" between Sivota and Perdika. Mega Drafi splits into three coves of thick sand and white pebbles with deep, clear, emerald water. The first and main cove is the easy one: organized with sunbeds and umbrellas (around €7 a set — cheaper than most), a small wooden canteen/taverna serving fresh Greek dishes, and free parking. From there a short path (or a swim) reaches a quieter second cove, and the third is boat- or swim-only. The water deepens quickly over large boulders, so water shoes help — but the seabed is gorgeous, visibility can reach 15 metres, and there are little swimming caves to explore, making it a favourite for snorkellers.

Type: Triple cove — thick sand & white pebbles (water shoes recommended)
Water: Deep, crystal-clear emerald; ~15 m visibility — superb for snorkelling
Facilities: Main cove organized — sunbeds & umbrellas (~€7), canteen/taverna, free parking
Parking: Free
Best for: Snorkelling, quieter coves, a wilder feel with facilities on hand

[Read the full Mega Drafi guide]

Plataria Area (13–15 Minutes)

Plataria is a small fishing village about 12–15 minutes south of Igoumenitsa (roughly 14 km), built between two capes in the middle of its own bay. It has a whole cluster of beaches — a sandy main beach right in front of the village, plus a run of pretty pebble coves along the coast, most with organized beach bars. Quieter than Sivota, with a working marina and a row of fish tavernas, it's an easy, scenic stop on the way south.

Compact Kokkinos Vraxos cove in Plataria featuring dramatic red limestone cliffs and deep blue-green waters

Kokkinos Vraxos (Red Rock)

⭐ Best for Snorkelling

📍 Plataria · 12 km / 13–15 min by car

A striking little double-cove just before Plataria on the old coastal road from Igoumenitsa, named for the red rocks that frame it. The deep blue-green water and rocky underwater terrain make it one of the best snorkelling spots near Igoumenitsa. It's organized and lively — a well-known beach bar serves drinks and snacks with sunbeds, there's a restaurant just above, and parking nearby. Popular with a younger crowd and anyone who likes a bit of atmosphere with a great swim.

Type: Two small coves framed by red rock
Water: Deep, clear blue-green — excellent for snorkelling
Facilities: Beach bar with sunbeds, restaurant nearby, parking
Parking: Available nearby
Best for: Snorkelling, photos, a lively beach-bar vibe

[Read the full Kokkinos Vrachos guide]

Serene Elia Beach in Plataria, a quiet spot shaded by olive trees along the coast

Elia Beach, Plataria

⭐ Shaded & Low-Key

📍 Plataria · 15 km / ~15 min by car

A quiet, shaded stretch near Plataria named after the olive trees that line it — elia means "olive" in Greek. It's low-key and sheltered, with easy parking, and is often singled out for having some of the clearest water in the whole bay. A good pick if you want calm and shade away from the busier, organized beaches.

Type: Quiet, olive-shaded beach
Water: Calm and exceptionally clear — among the best in the bay
Facilities: Minimal — a relaxed, natural spot
Parking: Easy
Best for: Shade, quiet, clear water away from the crowds

[Read the full Elia Beach guide]

Plataria Beach

⭐ Beach + Harbour Village

📍 Plataria · 12–15 min by car (5 min from the village)

The main beach of the seaside village of Plataria, set in a sheltered half-moon bay that stays protected from wind. It's a long (about 1.5 km) sandy beach with shallow, calm water — easy and safe for families. The village marina sits alongside, so there's a charming, steady traffic of small boats and yachts, and a row of fish tavernas and cafés is a short walk away. Parts of the beach are semi-organized with sunbeds; at the resort end you'll find SUP, kayaks and showers. A good base if you want to split the day between the beach and the village.

Type: Long (~1.5 km) sandy beach in a sheltered bay
Water: Shallow and calm, protected from wind
Facilities: Sunbeds (semi-organized), fish tavernas & cafés nearby, SUP/kayaks, showers, marina
Parking: Plenty
Best for: Families, combining beach + village & dining, watersports

Read the full Plataria guide

Beaches Near Perdika

Perdika sits on a hill between Sivota and Parga, with a run of quieter, scenic beaches at its feet — wilder and less visited than Sivota, but with some of the most beautiful water in Thesprotia. About 30–40 minutes from Igoumenitsa, this stretch rewards anyone willing to drive a little further for space and calm.

Agia Paraskevi

Perdika · ~8–9 km, toward Sivota

Often called the most beautiful beach in Thesprotia: turquoise water wrapped around a small islet in the middle of the bay, with the little chapel of Agia Paraskevi on the hill above — a postcard-perfect Greek scene. The sand is fine with small pebbles, the water is lightly deep and rarely wavy, and you can swim out to the islet. It's highly organized, with sunbeds, parasols and beach bars, and fills up in peak season — arrive early or in late afternoon to park.

Type: Fine sand & small pebbles
Water: Clear, lightly deep, calm
Facilities: Highly organized — sunbeds, parasols, beach bars
Parking: Fills in peak season — go early/late
Best for: Scenery & photos, swimming to the islet, an organized day

Read the full Agia paraskevi guide

ONVOLT electric rental car parked in front of the Port of Igoumenitsa, Greece. White electric SUV available for rent near the ferry terminal, with the Igoumenitsa Port building and Greek flags in the background.

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How Far Are the Beaches from Igoumenitsa?

One of the best things about basing yourself in Igoumenitsa is that everything is genuinely close. Drepanos Beach is 5–10 minutes from the town centre. The Plataria beaches — Gata, Kokkinos Vraxos, Elia, and the resort area — are 12–15 minutes by car. Sivota, with Bella Vraka, is around 25 minutes south. Mega Drafi near Perdika adds another 5 minutes.

If you're arriving by ferry from Corfu or Italy, you can realistically be swimming within the hour of docking. A rental car makes the most sense for covering the full coastline — see our car rental guide for Igoumenitsa.

Local tip: The best months are May–June and September. The water is warm, the beaches are far quieter than July–August, and the Ionian light in early morning is extraordinary. If you must visit in peak season, aim to be at Bella Vraka before 10am.

Which Beach Is Right for You?

For families with young children, Drepanos and Plataria Beach offer easy access, sandy shores, and calm shallow water. For snorkelling and dramatic scenery, Kokkinos Vraxos is hard to beat. For the iconic Greek island experience without actually going to an island, Bella Vraka is unmissable. And for solitude and wild coastline, Mega Drafi is the choice.

Most visitors do a combination — a morning at Bella Vraka, lunch in Sivota, then an afternoon at a quieter beach on the way back north.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beach near Igoumenitsa?

It depends on what you want. For the most spectacular scenery, Bella Vraka in Sivota — a turquoise sandbar lagoon — is the standout and the most famous beach in the area. For families and easy access, Drepano just outside Igoumenitsa is the best choice. For snorkelling and the clearest water, Mega Drafi and Kokkinos Vraxos lead. For quiet and shade, Elia near Plataria.

Which beach is closest to Igoumenitsa?

Drepano is the closest organized beach — about 5 km from the port, a 7–10 minute drive. Makrigiali, right next to it, is about 6 km (12 minutes). If you're arriving by ferry, you can be swimming within 15 minutes of leaving the port.

Which beach near Igoumenitsa is best for families?

Drepano, Makrigiali and Plataria are the best for families. All three have fine sand, shallow calm water and easy parking. Makrigiali has the gentlest, shallowest water for toddlers, while Drepano adds beach bars, water sports and the easiest access from town.

Which beach has the clearest water for snorkelling?

Mega Drafi, between Sivota and Perdika, has the clearest water for snorkelling — visibility reaches around 15 metres over a rocky seabed with small swimming caves. Kokkinos Vraxos near Plataria is next best, with deep blue-green water and red-rock terrain underwater. For sheer turquoise colour, Bella Vraka's shallow lagoon is unmatched, and the quiet Elia beach near Plataria is known for some of the clearest water in the bay.

Which is the best beach in Sivota?

Bella Vraka is the best-known and most photographed beach in Sivota — a narrow sandbar you walk across to a small islet, with a turquoise lagoon on both sides. For a quieter Sivota-area alternative that still has sunbeds and a canteen, Mega Drafi (towards Perdika) is an excellent choice.

Which beach is best for sunset?

Makrigiali and Drepano, on the peninsula just outside Igoumenitsa, face the Ionian and have the best sunsets near town. Plataria and Mega Drafi also catch lovely evening light over the water.

Are the beaches sandy or pebbly?

It's a mix. Drepano, Makrigiali and Plataria are sandy. Bella Vraka and Mega Drafi are sand mixed with pebbles with rockier seabeds (water shoes help). Gata and Kokkinos Vraxos are pebble beaches. If you're travelling with small children, the sandy beaches near Igoumenitsa are the easiest.

Do you need a car to reach the beaches near Igoumenitsa?

For most beaches, yes. Drepano and Makrigiali are reachable by taxi or even on foot/bike from town, but Plataria, Sivota and Perdika are best reached by car, which lets you explore several beaches in one day. See our car rental guide or taxi services for options.

Are the beaches organized with sunbeds?

Some are, some aren't. Drepano, Plataria, Gata, Kokkinos Vraxos and the main cove of Mega Drafi have sunbeds and a bar or cantina. Makrigiali is organized on one side only. Bella Vraka and Elia are essentially unorganized — bring your own water, shade and towel.

When is the best time to visit the beaches in Thesprotia?

May–June and September are the best months — warm water, far fewer people and beautiful light. July and August are busiest, especially at Bella Vraka, so arrive before 10am. The sea stays warm enough to swim into early October.

Where should I stay to be near the beaches?

Igoumenitsa is a great base — every beach on this list is within 30 minutes. Stay in Sivota if you want to be closest to Bella Vraka and the southern beaches. See where to stay in Igoumenitsa and where to stay in Sivota.