Small CycladesIrakliaBeach guide

Iraklia Beaches: Livadi, Alimia and the Quiet Coves

Iraklia has its two easiest beaches at the port of Agios Georgios and at Livadi, the island's main beach, with blue-water swimming at Alimia and Karvounolakos and quieter rocky coves in the north. Several of the finest beaches on Iraklia (also spelled Herakleia) can only, or best, be reached by boat, and in high season there are daily excursions to them and to nearby islands. For getting here and where to stay, see the Iraklia guide.

Beaches of Iraklia, Small Cyclades, Greece — Iraklia, Small Cyclades, Greece

Island: Iraklia
Group: Small Cyclades
Main beach: Livadi
Dive site: Alimia

Agios Georgios and Livadi

The port of Agios Georgios has a small beach with some trees for shade, the easiest option if you are staying in the village, with clear water and tavernas for a drink or a bite. Livadi, the main beach of the island, lies about 20 minutes' walk from the harbour over a small hill; it is a sandy beach about 200 metres long, shallow and safe for small children, with tavernas but no sunbeds or parasols.

Karvounolakos and Alimia

Karvounolakos, in the south of the island between Merichas and Alimia, is a small beach where the colour of the water is very special; it is best reached by boat. Alimia is a sandy beach with the same special blue waters and a draw for divers, because a German plane from the Second World War lies on the seabed off the coast.

Vorini Spilia, Xilobatis and Tribounas

Vorini Spilia is a sandy beach in the north, not far from Agios Georgios, though it is not always clean because of the strong northerly winds that usually blow across it. Xilobatis and Tribounas are two more beaches in the north of Iraklia, with many rocks on the beach and in the sea, but a good place to watch the sunset over the island of Antiparos.

More beaches on Iraklia

Other beaches on Iraklia include Tourkopigado, Merichas, Ammoudi of Merichas, Vourkaria, Vala, Strogylos and Cavos tou Thodorou. Some can be reached on foot, others only by boat, and in high season there are daily boat trips and excursions to the harder-to-reach beaches of Iraklia and to beaches on the nearby islands.