Best Beaches in Thesprotia Map (2026) 

Best Beaches in Sivota (red pins) 

Best Beaches in Plataria (green pins) 

Best Beaches near Igoumenitsa (blue pins) 

Hidden Gems (purple pins) 

FAQ – Beaches in Thesprotia (Everything You Need to Know)

Which is the best beach in Thesprotia?

 Bella Vraka in Sivota is the most famous beach in Thesprotia, known for its walkable sandbar through shallow turquoise water. For families, Karavostasi and Drepano are easier and more practical. For peace and quiet, the Hidden Gems layer of our map (Stavrolimena, Diapori, Sofas) is where locals go.

Where is Bella Vraka and how do I get there?

 Bella Vraka is in Sivota, about 24 km south of Igoumenitsa. From Sivota village it's a short drive or a 20-minute walk, then you cross a shallow sandbar on foot to reach Mourtemeno islet. The water on the crossing is knee-deep, so carry your bag and keep your phone in a dry pouch. Parking near the beach is very limited in summer.

Is Bella Vraka free?

 Yes, entrance is free. Sunbeds and umbrellas are rented in season, but you can also lay your towel on the free part of the sand. There is no natural shade, so an umbrella is strongly recommended.

Which beaches in Sivota can I visit without a boat? 

Bella Vraka, Mega Drafi, Mikro Drafi (on foot via path), Mikri Ammos, Zeri, Agia Paraskevi and Karavostasi are all accessible without a boat. The Blue Lagoon (Pisina) is the main exception — it's only reachable by boat.

How do I get to the Blue Lagoon in Sivota?

 By boat only. You can rent a small motorboat in Sivota port (no license required for engines up to 30 hp) or join a daily cruise. The lagoon is shallow, calm and turquoise — but by midday in August it fills with anchored boats, so go in the morning for the famous "empty lagoon" look.

Are the beaches in Thesprotia sandy or pebbly? 

Mixed. Drepano, Makrigiali, Plataria and Karavostasi are mostly sandy. Most Sivota coves and almost all hidden gems are pebble or sand-pebble mix. Water shoes make a real difference, especially for kids.

Which beaches are best for families with small children?

 Karavostasi (organized, sandy, beach bars), Drepano (long, shallow, lots of space) and Plataria (calm village beach with tavernas a few steps away). All three have easy parking compared to the famous Sivota coves.

Do I need a car to visit the beaches in Thesprotia? 

For most of them, yes. Only Mikri Ammos, Zeri and the beaches around Sivota village are walkable from accommodation. There is no public bus serving the beaches — KTEL buses connect towns, not coves. Learn more about local transportation here.

Is parking difficult at the beaches? 

At Bella Vraka and the small Sivota coves, yes — spaces are very limited and fill before 10:00 in July–August. Karavostasi, Drepano and Plataria have much more parking. Hidden gems usually have informal roadside parking at the top of the access track.

Can I swim near Igoumenitsa port while waiting for a ferry?

 Yes. Drepano Beach is about 10 minutes by car from the port — a 7 km sandy strip with space even in peak season. It's the classic "swim before the night ferry to Italy" spot. Check our ferry departure guide here.

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

 June and September are ideal: warm sea, open beach bars, and a fraction of the August crowds. July and August have the warmest water but the most people — arrive before 10:00 for parking at popular beaches. Many locals swim from May to October.

How warm is the sea in Thesprotia?

 Roughly 19–21°C in June, peaking around 25–26°C in August, and still pleasant (23–24°C) in September. October swimming is possible on sunny days. The exception is Acheron Springs — the river water stays at 8–12°C all year.

Are there organized beaches with sunbeds and beach bars? 

Yes: Karavostasi, Zeri, Mikri Ammos, Bella Vraka (partly), Kokkinos Vraxos and parts of Drepano/Makrigiali have sunbeds and bars in season (roughly June–September). Outside these months, most facilities close and the beaches return to the locals.

Are there quiet beaches without crowds in August? 

Yes — that's exactly what the Hidden Gems layer on our map is for. Stavrolimena, Diapori and the small coves along the Plataria–Sivota coastal road stay quiet even in mid-August, because access is by rough track and there are no facilities. Bring water, shade and proper shoes.

Are the hidden beaches accessible with a normal rental car?

 Mostly yes, but slowly and carefully — the tracks to Diapori and Stavrolimena are unpaved with potholes. If your rental has very low clearance, park at the top and walk the last part. After rain, think twice.

Are dogs allowed on the beaches?

 On organized beaches with sunbeds, dogs are generally not welcome in peak season. On the quiet and hidden beaches (Drepano's far ends, the coves of the Hidden Gems layer), you'll regularly see locals with dogs, especially early morning and evening. Always carry water for the dog — there's no shade on most of them.

Is snorkeling good in Thesprotia?

 Yes, especially around the rocky edges of Mega Drafi, Mikro Drafi, Agia Paraskevi and the hidden coves — clear water and rocky seabeds with fish. The sandy beaches (Drepano, Plataria) are less interesting underwater.

Is Thesprotia better than Corfu for beaches? 

Different, not better or worse. Corfu has bigger resorts and more famous names; Thesprotia (especially Sivota) offers Caribbean-style water with a fraction of the development. If you want quiet coves and the freedom of a car, the mainland side wins. Many visitors actually see Corfu across the water from Drepano.

What should I bring to the beaches here?

 Water shoes (pebbles), an umbrella (most beaches have no natural shade), drinking water and snacks for anything outside the organized beaches, and a dry bag if you're crossing to Bella Vraka. In July–August, sunscreen is non-negotiable — the Ionian sun is stronger than it feels in the breeze.

Where should I stay to explore the beaches of Thesprotia? 

Sivota puts you next to the famous coves but with summer crowds and higher prices. Plataria is the calm middle option. Igoumenitsa works well if you're combining beaches with ferries or day trips. See our guide on where to stay in Thesprotia here.

Need a Car for the Beaches? 

Most of the beaches on this map — and all of the hidden gems — are only reachable by car. There is no public bus serving the coves, and taxis get expensive if you're beach-hopping.

If you're arriving by ferry or flying into the region without a car, Rent All Cars Ntasios is a local, family-run rental agency based in Igoumenitsa. Pick-up right after you disembark from the ferry is possible, and being local means real support if anything comes up on the road — not a call center.

Booking is simple: a quick WhatsApp message is usually all it takes.