Best beaches in Astypalea
The island of Astypalea consists of a pair of vast mountainous areas joined by a thin strip of land, known as the butterfly of the Dodecanese.
The island's geography is unusual, and the roads through it unravel between rugged flat areas covered with shrubs and brambles, and inaccessible rocky heights. To reach the beaches, you will have to equip yourself with a car and a little patience to drive at a walking pace along dirt roads that will reward you with crescents of turquoise water of rare beauty.
Fine sandy beaches are few and far between, but the sea is beautiful everywhere, offering sometimes mild beaches with crystal clear water, and other rough waters rippled by the winds of a deep and magnificent blue. Almost everywhere the beaches are surrounded by tamarisk trees that provide natural shelter from the sun, and spending the day in the shade of the windswept trees is a real pleasure. Some care must be taken in choosing a beach depending on the intensity of the winds on that particular day, but if you are not an expert, just ask your host, who will surely give you some wise advice.
1. PARALIA LIVADI
equipped beach | free beach / small pebbles | coarse sand / beach bars / taverns and minimarket nearby
Livadi beach is a convenient option for those staying near Chora, or for those from Chora who want to walk to the beach. We, with a 6:30 a.m. wake-up-baby, reached the beach by a walk of about 15 minutes from the top of the hill, early morning. The sea tends to be calm in this deep inlet, even when winds swell the waves. In addition, there are large areas equipped with taverns and bars right on the beach.
2. PARALIA STENO
equipped beach | free shady beach / fine sand / beach bar / tavern nearby
One of the few sandy beaches, with clear, very calm waters and the seabed sloping very slowly. The beach is very narrow, and behind it a row of tamarisk trees provides natural shelter from the sun. This beach can be very windy on some days, and the combination with the fine sand is not very pleasant.
Behind it is a single tavern (which closes very early in the evening) in which to eat some really delicious local dishes.
The road to Steno is very nice, offering beautiful views of the city and the sea inlets, especially at sunset.
3. PARALIA MALTEZANA
free shady beach / fine sand / taverns and minimarket nearby
Maltezana beach is a long stretch of sand, very narrow and shady, next to the road leading to Analipsi. Very convenient, as you park a meter from the beach, but very very windy on some days, although the sea is always calm. The center next to the beach offers good taverns and other services.
4. AGIOS KONSTANTINOS
Agios Konstantinos is a very wild beach, hidden in a deep-bottomed cove, exposed to the very rough sea especially in the afternoon. The beauty of this beach lies in the view: you can admire in front the expanse of white houses of Chora topped by the castle. Climb up to the namesake blue-and-white church for an even better view.
The tavern behind the beach offers very tasty homemade food.
5. AMINAKIA
equipped beach | free shady beach / coarse sand / tavern nearby
Kaminakia is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach we visited. The road to get there is impassable and very long, but very scenic. You have to go very slowly as it is mostly unpaved, very steep and dotted with stones and potholes. It will take you almost an hour to get there from Chora, but it is worth it. The turquoise sea is calm and inviting, the inlet is very deep, and two barren, rocky heights protect it from the open sea. I can't tell you what is special about this place, but there is something unique about it, and when you get there, you will understand what I mean.
The beach is very windy on some days. The grove of tamarisk trees behind offers shelter from the sun. It is very isolated and there are no facilities, although it is surprisingly equipped with a shower. There is a nearby tavern, but nothing particularly recommended.
