Kea Beaches: Gialiskari, Otzias, Pisses & Koundouros
Kea keeps its most popular beaches on the north and west coasts near the port, led by Gialiskari, Otzias and Pisses. The busy, organised beaches lie close to Korissia, while the finest sands, such as Spathi, Xila, Orches and the twin bays of Mikres and Megales Poles, sit at the end of a track or a footpath and stay very quiet. On the exposed beaches the Meltemi wind can blow, so pack your own water and shade for the remote ones. Hire a car to explore Kea at your own pace, covered in our Kea car hire guide.
- Most popular
- Gialiskari
- Best beach
- Pisses
- Longest sand
- Otzias, ~700 m
- Sheltered coves
- Koundouros
Gialiskari Beach
Gialiskari is the most popular beach on Kea, though it is not large. It lies in a calm bay on the north-west coast, 6.5 km south of the capital and a 15-minute walk from Vourkari or Korissia. The sea stays sheltered, and umbrellas and sunbeds are for hire. A beach bar plays music on the sand, which makes it popular with younger visitors.
Otzias Beach
Otzias is a sandy beach in the north of Kea, about 700 metres long, with the village at its east end. Trees along the edge give shade, and a few tavernas stand nearby. Otzias was a port in ancient times, and some remains still survive. The paths around the bay make good walks, several small churches stand in the area, and the monastery of Kastriani lies a few kilometres away.
Pisses Beach
Pisses is widely regarded as the best beach on Kea. It lies on the west coast, 11 km from the capital, in a beautiful fertile valley, and the walk down to it is very scenic. The beach has a few facilities and some rooms for rent, and the island's only campsite is here. The Meltemi wind can blow across the sand at times. On a hill above the beach stand the remains of the ancient city of Poiessa, with an acropolis, a temple, a fort and the church of Panagia Sotira built with ancient marble. Pisses is known for its sunsets.
Koundouros Beach
Koundouros is a run of small sandy coves south of Pisses, in the south-west of Kea, sheltered from the wind. It has rooms for rent, several tavernas and the large Kea Beach Hotel. A little further south lie more coves, including the beach of Kambi and the remote beach of Liparo.
Kambi Beach
Kambi is a quiet sand-and-pebble beach 18 km from the capital, ringed by mountains and cliffs. Its distance and setting keep it calm.
Mikres & Megales Poles
Mikres and Megales Poles are two beaches in the south-east of Kea, reached only on foot. You cannot drive there, and the last stretch from Agios Nikolaos is a hard walk through a ravine, past a church and the ruins of ancient Karthea with its temples of Athena and Apollo, city walls and a theatre. The wind can be strong on the sand. From Megales Poles a road leads up to the old town of Ioulida, and remains from antiquity still lie in the sea in front of the beach.
Spathi Beach
Spathi is a large, beautiful beach in the east of Kea, 14 km from the capital. It has a few cottages for visitors and a cafe on the sand. Like the other east-coast beaches, it is best reached with your own transport.
Xila, Orches & Mavrambeli
Kea has many more remote beaches reached only on foot or by motorbike, so pack your own water, food and shade. Xila, on the west coast, runs about 200 metres with no facilities. Orches can be reached only by jeep and has no taverna, though a few trees and straw umbrellas give shade. Mavrambeli, in the north-west near Gialiskari and Otzias, is harder to reach and stays quiet, and it does not appear on most maps. Spathi, Sikamia and other coves complete the list for walkers who want the island's emptiest sand.
