Elia Beach, Plataria: The Hidden Twin Coves Near Igoumenitsa 

Parking at Elia Beach — the honest version

There is no parking beside the water, and nobody parks a few steps from the sea here.

• Upper area: right at the top of the turn-off there is a small open clearing with room for roughly five or six cars.

• Lower area: a short unpaved track continues downhill to a second, larger clearing that holds around ten cars. Easier with an SUV or a higher car.

From either clearing, stone steps lead down through the trees to the sea. Parking is free but limited and unmarked, and on summer weekends and public holidays both areas fill early. A morning arrival is the difference between a relaxed day and a three-point turn on a dirt track. 

The two coves

Elia is really two small adjacent coves separated by a band of rock. The one on the left is smaller and more secluded, with lovely morning shade. The one on the right is slightly larger and also partly shaded, with a little more room to spread out.

They feel like separate places even though they are only a couple of minutes apart on foot.

Is Elia good for families?

It can be — with caveats we would rather state plainly.

The calm, gradually deepening water and the natural shade are genuinely good for children who can swim, and plenty of local families come in the afternoon. What works against it: coarse pebbles that hurt bare feet, steps down and back up with all your gear, and zero facilities if a toddler needs changing.

Our honest read: Elia suits prepared families with older or confident children. If you are travelling with a stroller or a very small child, Drepano Beach near Igoumenitsa or the organized beach at Plataria will be a far easier day.

Honest drawbacks

• The access track is unpaved and rough in places — slow going in a low car

• Steps down and back up, carrying everything

• Coarse pebbles in and out of the water — uncomfortable without water shoes

• No facilities of any kind, including no toilets

• Limited parking that fills on summer weekends

• Not stroller- or wheelchair-accessible in any way

• Both coves are small, so they feel busy with relatively few people

None of this is a reason to skip Elia. It is the reason Elia is still quiet.

Nearby: where to swim and eat next

Elia sits in the middle of one of the best short stretches of coast in Thesprotia.

• Kokkinos Vrachos (Red Rock) — coves framed in red rock, organized, with a beach bar. The lively counterpart to Elia, a few minutes south.

• Gata Beach — the other hidden cove on this stretch, slightly closer to Igoumenitsa.

• Plataria — the sheltered village bay, if you want sand and facilities.

• Drepano Beach — the long sandy beach on the Igoumenitsa side.

For lunch or dinner afterwards, Thalatta Taverna in Plataria is the natural stop — a short drive south, right on the water.

See where each beach sits and how to reach it on our map of the best beaches in Thesprotia, or browse the full beaches guide.

Leave it as you found it

Elia stays beautiful because almost nothing has been built here. There are no bins on the beach and no one to empty them. Everything you bring down the steps needs to come back up with you — including cigarette ends and bottle caps.

It is a small ask for a place that gives this much back.

Practical information

• Name: Elia Beach (Παραλία Ελιά), Plataria, Thesprotia

• Type: unorganized, coarse pebble, two adjacent coves

• Distance from Igoumenitsa: approx. 10 minutes by car

• Access: unpaved track off the Igoumenitsa–Plataria road, then stone steps down through the trees

• Parking: free, two unpaved clearings (approx. 5–6 cars upper, approx. 10 lower), limited capacity

• Facilities: none

• Shade: natural, from trees reaching close to the water

• Water: clear, gradually deepening, sheltered from most winds

• Suitable for: swimmers, couples, shade-seekers, prepared families

• Not suitable for: strollers, wheelchairs, visitors who need facilities nearby

• Google Maps: Open Elia Beach in Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions: Elia Beach

Where is Elia beach?
Elia is a secluded pebble beach between Igoumenitsa and Plataria, in Thesprotia, known mainly to locals. It's one of the closest beaches to Igoumenitsa town and port — a genuine quick escape from the city — reached off the Igoumenitsa–Plataria road. It's prized for its crystal-clear water and natural shade rather than for facilities, and that's exactly its character.

How do you get to Elia and where do you park?
You turn off the Igoumenitsa–Plataria road, and right at the top there's an open parking area for about five or six cars. From there a downhill dirt track leads to a second, larger clearing that holds around ten cars — easier with an SUV or a higher car. Short stone steps and paths then take you down to the beach. Two honest things: the access is an unpaved dirt road, and parking is limited, so on summer weekends and public holidays it fills up fast — arriving in the morning is the safe move.

Is Elia organised? Are there sunbeds, umbrellas or a canteen?
Elia is essentially a wild, unorganised beach, so come fully prepared and don't count on finding sunbeds or a bar. The upside of having no development is the quiet — no loud music, just the sound of the sea. (See the next question for exactly what to bring.)

What is the beach and the water like?
Elia is really two small adjacent coves separated by rocks: a smaller one on the left, with lovely morning shade from the tamarisk trees, and a larger one on the right that's also partly shaded. Both have coarse pebbles in and out of the water, so getting in and out takes a little care. The reward is the water itself — famously clear, calm and refreshing, great for swimming, and sheltered enough to stay pleasant even when beaches further south are choppy. The natural shade reaching almost to the water is the beach's signature, so arriving early to claim a shady spot is well worth it.

What should I bring to Elia?
Because there are no facilities, bring water shoes (the coarse pebbles make these the single most useful item), an umbrella or sunshade, beach chairs or a mat, and plenty of water and food. One more thing locals feel strongly about: take your rubbish home with you — keeping this unspoiled spot clean is part of enjoying it.

Is Elia good for families with children?
It can be lovely for families — the calm, clear water and the natural shade are real pluses, and plenty of people bring kids in the afternoon. That said, the coarse pebbles, the steps down and the complete lack of facilities make it better suited to prepared families and older or confident children than to toddlers with a stroller. Mornings, when the bay is quietest, are the easiest time with little ones.

When is the best time to visit, and how busy does it get?
On weekdays Elia is usually calm and uncrowded. On summer weekends and public holidays it gets noticeably busier, and both the parking and the shady spots go quickly — so an early start makes all the difference. Late afternoon into the evening is beautiful here too, with a lovely sunset over the water.

What other great beaches are nearby?
Plenty. Elia sits on one of the richest stretches of coastline in Thesprotia, with the beaches around Plataria, Sivota and Perdika all within a short drive. See where each one is and how to reach it on our [map of the best beaches in Thesprotia].

Planning your summer stay around Plataria? Check out the best where to stay options near Igoumenitsa or secure your transportation with a reliable car rental from Igoumenitsa Port to explore the Epirus riviera with comfort.