From the long sandy sweep of Drepano to the turquoise islets of Sivota and the sunset beaches of Perdika, the Thesprotia coast packs a lot of sea into one short drive. This is our hand-picked guide: where each beach really shines, how you get there and what to expect when you arrive.
Find your beach
Pick by mood
- Families with small childrenDrepano · Zeri · Arillas · Agia Paraskevi
- SnorkellingPisina · Mega Drafi
- SunsetKaravostasi
- Shade & quietZavia · Elia · Gata
Sagiada
A quiet fishing village at the northern edge of Thesprotia, where locals swim before lunch at the harbour tavernas.
Sagiada · two small beaches
Strovili & Keramidi
Strovili is a small bay of pebble and sand framed by wooded hills; Keramidi is a narrow strip of white shingle. Few people, clear water and fish tavernas at the little harbour make this a slow, local kind of beach day.
- SurfacePebble and sand · white shingle
- Set-upKeramidi organised, Strovili wild
- AccessBy car from Sagiada village
- Best forQuiet swims, a long fish lunch
Igoumenitsa · Drepano
The nearest big beach to the port and the town: a long cape of sand with a lagoon behind it.
Igoumenitsa · sand
Drepano
The closest big beach to Igoumenitsa: a long cape of fine sand with shallow, clear water, a line of eucalyptus trees and a lagoon full of birdlife behind it. Parts are organised with beach bars and tavernas, others are free for your own umbrella. Makrygiali is its quieter western end.
- SurfaceFine sand, shallow water
- Set-upOrganised in sections, free stretches in between
- AccessBy car from town, parking available
- Best forFamilies with small children
Plataria & the coast road
Small coves and pebbled bays along the road from Igoumenitsa to Plataria, plus two beaches at Plataria itself: the village seafront and the organised beach of Plataria Seaside Resort.
Igoumenitsa–Plataria road · pebbles
Gata
The first cove you reach on the road to Plataria: small, green-cliffed and calm. Little or no set-up, so bring your own shade and water.
- SurfaceCoarse pebbles
- Set-upKantina with sunbeds
- AccessBy car from the coast road
- Best forA quiet swim close to town
Near Plataria · shingle
Kalami
A small, green-fringed beach of fine pebbles next to a campsite. Sunbeds come through the campsite and there is a café-taverna for a slow afternoon.
- SurfaceFine pebbles, shingle
- Set-upPartly organised via the campsite
- AccessThrough the campsite, steps down
- Best forQuiet, unhurried days
Plataria · white pebbles
Kokkinos Vrachos (Red Rock)
Two small coves of white pebbles just before Plataria, named after the reddish rocks around them. In summer there is usually a simple beach set-up; the second cove tends to be quieter.
- SurfaceWhite pebbles
- Set-upBeach bar with sunbeds, book ahead
- AccessBy car, off the old Igoumenitsa–Plataria road
- Best forClear water, smaller crowds
Plataria · twin coves
Elia
Two hidden coves with clear water and natural shade, left the way nature made them. Our full guide covers the way down and where to leave the car.
- SurfaceMixed
- Set-upUnorganised
- AccessDirt track, then steps down
- Best forShade, calm, couples
Plataria village
Plataria village beach
The easy option: a long beach of sand and pebbles right along the village, with tavernas on the waterfront, a few eucalyptus trees for shade and the marina at one end.
- SurfaceSand and pebbles
- Set-upTavernas and cafés on the seafront
- AccessWalk from the village
- Best forSwim, lunch and a stroll in one place
Plataria · organised beach
Plataria Seaside Resort beach
A separate beach from the village seafront: soft sand and calm, clear water, with sunbeds, umbrellas and bean bags, a beach bar for coffee and drinks, a seaside restaurant next door and a beach-volleyball court.
- SurfaceSand
- Set-upSunbeds, beach bar and restaurant
- AccessBy car, easy parking
- Best forA full, organised beach day
Sivota
The Ionian at its most photogenic: islets, sandbars and clear, shallow bays, about 25 km south of Igoumenitsa.
Sivota · the icon
Bella Vraka
The sandbar that made Sivota famous: you wade knee-deep across turquoise shallows to the islet of Megalo Mourtemeno. There are no facilities, so bring water and shade, and come early in the day before the crowds.
- SurfaceFine pebbles, sandbar
- Set-upUnorganised
- AccessOn foot from Sivota (wading) or by boat
- Best forPhotos, shallow wading, early mornings
Sivota · boat only
Pisina (Blue Lagoon)
A natural "pool" on the islet of Mavro Oros (Mourtos), with water so clear and turquoise it looks unreal. You can only get there by taxi-boat or a rented boat from Sivota port; there is nothing on the islet, but the rocks give some shade from midday.
- SurfaceSand and fine pebbles
- Set-upNo facilities
- AccessBoat only, from Sivota port
- Best forSnorkelling, a day on the water
Sivota · sheltered bay
Zavia
A small, sheltered sandy bay just outside Sivota, shaded by trees. Freshwater springs keep the sea refreshingly cool. There is a canteen and boat and kayak rental; it gets busy in July and August.
- SurfacePebbles, sandy seabed
- Set-upOrganised, beach bar
- AccessBy car, then a path with steps
- Best forShade, families, cool water
Sivota · by the port
Gallikos Molos
The village beach of Sivota, right by the port and the marina: narrow, mixed pebble and sand, with sunbeds and cafés a few steps away and a view out to the islets.
- SurfacePebbles and sand
- Set-upSunbeds, cafés
- AccessWalk from Sivota
- Best forA quick swim between plans
Sivota · family beach
Zeri
Sandy and shallow, within walking distance of Sivota, with water slides for children, a taverna and boat rental. The easy choice for a day with little ones.
- SurfaceSand, shallow water
- Set-upOrganised, water slides
- AccessWalk or drive from Sivota
- Best forFamilies with small children
Sivota–Perdika road · organised
Megali Ammos
An organised, lively beach of small pebbles on the road from Sivota towards Perdika, with sunbeds, beach bars and water sports. Popular in summer: come early, as parking fills up.
- SurfaceSmall pebbles, fine gravel
- Set-upOrganised, water sports
- AccessBy car, parking fills early
- Best forGroups of friends, active days
Sivota · beach bar
Mikri Ammos
The smaller neighbour of Megali Ammos, with clear water, a beach bar and music. A favourite with a younger crowd.
- SurfaceFine and coarse pebbles
- Set-upOrganised, beach bar
- AccessBy car from Sivota
- Best forA lively afternoon
Sivota–Perdika · three coves
Mega Drafi
Three coves in one: the first and largest is organised with sunbeds and a canteen, the second is reached by a footpath and the third only by swimming or boat. Clear water, sea caves (approach with care) and fewer people than central Sivota.
- SurfaceSand and pebbles
- Set-upFirst cove organised
- AccessShort dirt road off the main road
- Best forSnorkelling, exploring
Perdika
Wide, west-facing beaches and an islet you can swim to, just south of Sivota.
Between Sivota & Perdika · islet
Agia Paraskevi
A green islet with a tiny chapel sits a short swim offshore. The beach is organised with beach bars, sunbeds and tavernas and is a family favourite; parking gets tight at weekends and in high season.
- SurfaceSand and pebbles
- Set-upOrganised
- AccessBy car, limited parking in summer
- Best forFamilies, swimming to the islet
Perdika · sunset
Karavostasi
The longest beach around Perdika: fine, pale sand, organised with sunbeds, beach bars, water sports and tavernas nearby. It faces west, so stay for sunset. The water deepens quickly and there is no natural shade.
- SurfaceSand with some pebbles
- Set-upOrganised
- AccessBy car, parking available
- Best forSunsets, strong swimmers
Perdika · harbour beach
Arillas
Fine sand and very shallow water next to a small boat harbour, with tavernas close by. A gentle spot for small children.
- SurfaceFine sand, very shallow
- Set-upTavernas nearby
- AccessBy car to Arillas
- Best forFamilies, a relaxed lunch
For explorers: the small coves of Perdika
- Sofas: coarse sand and pebbles beneath an olive grove.
- Stavrolimenas: a small pebble-and-sand cove with no facilities.
- Prapa Mali: sandy and quiet.
- Katsonisi: wild and reached by boat.
Beaches on the map
Open the interactive map to see the beaches we cover in full guides, with directions from wherever you are. More beaches are being added.
IgoumenitsaSTAY · Explore
Explore Igoumenitsa, Sivota & Thesprotia
Places to stay, eat, swim and explore — on one map.
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Locations are indicative. Always check opening times and local access before you go.
How we choose
IgoumenitsaSTAY is an independent local guide. No beach, beach bar or business pays to appear on this page.
Every fact here was checked against at least two public sources in October 2026. Beach set-ups change from season to season, so treat sunbeds, bars and parking as a guide, not a promise.
Beaches in Thesprotia: questions we get asked
Which is the best beach near Igoumenitsa?
Drepano is the closest large sandy beach to the town and the port, and the easiest choice for families. For the turquoise water you see in photos, drive about 25 km south to Sivota (roughly half an hour).
Are the beaches free to use?
Yes. Greece’s seashore and beach are public-use areas. Under Law 5092/2024, visitors may use both concession areas—subject to the rules there—and the section kept free of concessions. Access and a clear passage to and along the shore must remain open. You pay only for optional services such as a sunbed or umbrella.
Which beaches suit young children?
Drepano, Zeri and Arillas have sand and shallow water; Agia Paraskevi is organised and popular with families. Karavostasi deepens quickly, so it suits confident swimmers better.
How do I get to Pisina (Blue Lagoon)?
Only by sea: take a taxi-boat or rent a small boat at Sivota port. There are no facilities on the islet, so bring water and shade, and go early or late in the day when it is quieter.
Is Bella Vraka organised?
No. There are no sunbeds or kiosks, so bring water and shade. You wade across the sandbar, knee-deep in places; early morning is the calmest time.
When is the sea warm enough to swim?
The sea is warmest from late June to September, with monthly averages of roughly 22–26°C. Many people swim from late May and well into October, when averages are around 19–23°C.
Can I bring my dog to the beach?
Dogs are allowed on unorganised beaches and in the sea; outside the water they must always be on a leash. On organised beaches, assistance or therapy dogs are allowed; other dogs only where the licensed operator displays a clear sign permitting them. Blue Flag beaches generally prohibit dogs, subject to the statutory assistance/therapy-animal exception. Always check local signage.
Do any beaches here have a Blue Flag?
Not in 2025 or 2026: no beach in Thesprotia is on the Blue Flag list. The last award was in 2023, for Drepano, Agia Paraskevi, Karavostasi and Megali Ammos in Sivota. The Mega Ammos flagged in 2025–26 is in Preveza.
Keep exploring
Facts checked in October 2026 against public sources and local knowledge. Locations are indicative; always check local access and sea conditions before you swim.
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