Greece Beaches

OUR FANTASTIC BEACHES

The beaches in Greece are world famous and not without reason. But the beaches in the area of Eleftheres, Kavala, in northern Greece are really the best of the best: Crystal clear, turquoise waters, long, sandy dunes, no dangerous streams or any other intrinsic dangers – what more can you ask for?

If you plan to visit us, I´d recommend that you get your last minute holidays from OnTheBeach.

All the beaches are easily reached from our hotel. Seven minutes on the bus and you´re on the sandy beach that stretches the whole length of the village of Peramos. Here are several places that offers sun beds (for free - but you´re expected to buy a coffee, soft drink or something to eat). In Peramos you´ll also find good tavernas and coffee shops for your lunch, dinner or to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Our beaches are beautiful all year around - as these pictures show. I feel incredibly privileged having this resource so close to home.

We normally take our first dip in the sea in late April, and might continue until the end of October. OK, I admit it´s not very often I go swimming in October, but that´s simply because I have got fed up of beaches and sun and look forward to winter activities! But it can be done...and even all year round, for those who feels like it.

The most famous beach in this area is Ammolofos (or Ammolofoi - which is the plural form). Ammolofoi, meaning sand dunes or sand hills, are the name of several beaches, starting from the ruins of the Byzantine castle in Nea Peramos. The beach stretches for several kilometers with the different sandy bays broken up by rocks.

The rocky parts are especially popular with youths, who love to dive from the different "floors" of the rocks, into the crystal clear waters.

If you don't have a car you'll go by bus to Peramos and then walk along the sea - it's a beautiful stroll that will take about 40 minutes - or arrange with us to take you there by car. In the high season (July and August) there is a bus from Kavala and Peramos to Ammolofoi.

The waters are shallow for a very long bit before it becomes deep, making it a great place for kids and also grown ups who want to play in the water. There are fishes here and it can be fun to snorkel, or even to go fishing from the rocks. The sand is very fine.

One of the main attractions, to me at least, is that all the land along the beaches is considered archaeological area (an ancient town called Oesyme, with quite some significance, was once situated here) and there’s no building or digging here until the archaeologist have excavated the area. They haven’t even started yet, so it’s unlikely I’ll see any huge hotel complexes along Ammolofoi before I die.

There are an occasional fat villa – built by someone with right connection, or who fucked or got fucked by the right person. A reminder that though democracy was invented in Greece this is a country where no man are equal.

For archaeological reasons as well there has been restrictions to putting out sun chairs and have summer bars on the beaches, though there has been different practices on this from year to year.

Normally, the first beach at Ammolofos is clean, with no sun chairs and no bar playing loud music. This part is more for families, bringing their towels and their own umbrellas, while the Ammolofos beaches further south have popular beach bars which are absolutely packed with young people all summer.

I can’t write much about them, because I’ve only been to one, Peponi, once, and I hated it. Actually, we went for drinks in the afternoon, but when you can’t talk because the music is too loud and have to fight through masses of almost nude kids to get into the water I can’t see the point.

I probably did when I was 20, but now I’m a grumpy old bitch who wants silence and space.

(Photo: Arendal Yoga Studio)

Though sometimes I go there very early in the morning, at sunrise. There might be a few people here sleeping, having crashed out at a sun bed the night before.

We sometimes bring the yoga groups here - it´s truly an amazing experiences to do yoga at the beach as the sun rises.

Ammolofos is separated from the village of Peramos by the peninsula Vrasida. This is a nice place to combine walking with a swim - here are several small beaches and bays. At some you might be all alone, even mid summer.

Other popular beaches in this area are the main village beach of Iraklitsa and Peramos. All the beach along the bay of Iraklitsa has sun chairs and there are several beach bars. Here you can also rent windsurfing boards or a boat for the day.

There’s a huge parking, where you’ll always find space to park and which makes access to the beach really easy.

Having said that, the bus stop is practically on the beach, so it's very easy accessible. We like to pop down here for a coffee and a swim in the afternoon. I especially appreciate to sit on a normal chair (not sun chair) with my book and a coffee in the shadow, watching the kids play in the shallow waters.

The only problem in Iraklitsa beach is that from time to time here are jellyfishes. They are blue and almost impossible to see in the water. And yes, they do sting, but not seriously – enough to make you feel uncomfortable, though.

Like on all the Greek beaches certain wind directions might fill the waters with garbage. Sometimes, especially in August, with wind from east the beach in Iraklitsa tend to fill up with dirt. The only sensible thing to do is to go to another beach – usually Remvi, on the other side of the village will be fine.

Remvi is a small, very pretty bay. If you come by bus you get off at the village square in Iraklitsa, then walk down to the sea and turn right. Pass the small harbour and the peninsula with the tiny church and there you are. The taverna here has good food at very reasonable prices.

Batis is a popular choice among our guests with children. It's approximately 35 minutes bus drive from Eleftheres. You pay to get in here, but that's because in addition to the lovely beach in the small bay there are two swimming pools, one for small children and one for everyone.

Last summer, kids were not allowed to go into the bigger pool at all. Also, sometimes the big pool is closed, because the area by the pool is used for weddings.

In the sea there is a floating "ice berg" which is very popular among older kids. I would not send children out there alone, as there´s a lot of fighting and pushing to get on and off the iceberg.

At Batis there are also several coffee shops and one taverna (with good food), changing lockers, toilets and showers, playgrounds and beach volley field. And the whole area is very green and pretty!

Finally, a thing about enjoying the Greek beaches without hurting yourself:

Avoid the beach when it's too hot. Normally, on a warm day in July or August, you should avoid the beach between 12 and 16. When in Greece do as the Greeks: Get up early in the morning, hit the coffee shop and tavernas at 12, the follow with a siesta before going back to the beach.

Remember, it's not only about getting sun burned: Watch out for the danger of getting a sun stroke or just headaches, and remember to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

I DON´T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE SAID THIS, BUT NO ONE EVER LISTENS!!!:((...

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