Schinoussa Beaches: Tsigouri, Psili Ammos & the Quiet Coves
Schinoussa has about 15 sandy beaches scattered around its coast, nearly all reached on foot, from popular Tsigouri near the Chora to the dune-backed Psili Ammos in the north-east. The best are Psili Ammos, Tsigouri, Livadi, Aligaria, Lioliou and Almiros; most offer some shade from tamarisk and other trees, while a few catch the wind or the seaweed. The sand is mostly grey rather than golden. Tsigouri is the most popular and the easiest to reach, Psili Ammos the prettiest, and Gerolimnionas in the north-west the one beach where naturism is officially allowed.
- Total
- About 15
- Most popular
- Tsigouri
- Prettiest
- Psili Ammos
- Naturist
- Gerolimnionas
Tsigouri Beach
Tsigouri is the closest beach to the Chora and the most popular on Schinoussa, a nice sandy beach a little south of the capital, about a 10-minute walk down where the village begins on the right. No road passes the beach, so it is safe for children, and seashore trees give plenty of shade. A restaurant stands nearby, and much of the island's accommodation, among it Grispos Villas and the Archipelagos Boutique Hotel, sits just above the sand. Where to stay here is set out in the Schinoussa hotels & villas guide.
Livadi and Aligaria
Further south along the coast lies Livadi, a sandy beach about 15 minutes' walk from the Chora, sheltered by a cape on each side, with some shade under the trees. Beyond it comes Aligaria, which is really three small sandy coves, about 30 minutes' walk from the capital. Both stay very quiet, and the walk down is easy over the island's low ground.
Lioliou and Bazeou
To the south-east, in a small bay, lie Lioliou beach and, some hundred metres to the north, Bazeou beach. They are two small coves, mostly sand with rocks between them. Off season they are very quiet; in high season a nearby tavern opens and brings a few more visitors. The Lioliou Beach Hotel stands above the bay.
Almiros and Foudana
Almiros beach lies to the east, a sandy beach with tamarisk that gives some shade and a small settlement nearby, about 30 minutes' walk from the Chora. A little to the north is the smaller Foudana beach. Anatoli Studios, at Vazeo, sits within a short walk, about 250 metres from Almyros.
Psili Ammos and Fikio
Psili Ammos, north-east of the Chora, is probably the most beautiful beach on Schinoussa, a well-protected sandy beach in a small bay, surrounded by natural sand dunes with a few planted tamarisks for shade. You reach it by heading north to Messaria, where a signpost points east, and then along a 400-metre sandy path not really suitable for a car; it is a 30 to 45 minute walk from the Chora, about 2.6 kilometres, passing a couple of tavernas on the way. There are no amenities on the beach, so bring your own water and sunblock. North of Messaria lies the small Fikio beach, which has no shade and often collects seaweed.
Gerolimnionas and naturism
Gerolimnionas, in the north-west, sits in a rather deep bay that gives its name to the beach. It can gather some rubble and is not always clean, since it often catches the wind, so it sees few visitors. It is, though, the one beach on Schinoussa where naturism is officially allowed. Signs elsewhere ask visitors not to bathe nude, but the quieter beaches such as Lioliou and Psili Ammos are often empty. How the beaches fit into the island is set out in the Schinoussa island guide.
