Best Beaches in the Dodecanese

15 hand-picked beaches in the Dodecanese, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Apella Beach (4.6 / 5).

Apella Beach

Apella, Karpathos · Remote pebble cove in north Karpathos · 4.6 / 5

Tsambika Beach

Rhodes, Greece · Golden Sand Crescent · 4.5 / 5

Prasonisi Beach, Rhodes

Prasonisi, Rhodes, Dodecanese · Sandbar between two seas at the southern tip of Rhodes · 4.5 / 5

Lindos Beach

Rhodes · Sheltered Bay at Lindos · 4.4 / 5

Anthony Quinn Bay

Rhodes, Dodecanese · Clear turquoise cove near Faliraki on Rhodes · 4.4 / 5

Glystra Beach, Rhodes

Lardos, Rhodes · Quiet cove below dry hills on the Lardos coast · 4.3 / 5

Livadi Beach, Astypalaia

Livadi, Astypalaia, Dodecanese · Pebble beach below the whitewashed Chora of Astypalaia · 4.3 / 5

Kefalos Beach, Kos

Kefalos, Kos, Dodecanese · Long sandy bay with the chapel of Agios Nikolaos on Kastri islet · 4.3 / 5

Mastichari Beach, Kos

Mastichari, Kos, Dodecanese · Long sandy beach with shallow water on the north-west coast of Kos · 4.3 / 5

Kolymbia Beach, Rhodes

Kolymbia, Rhodes · Wide pebble and sand bay on the east coast · 4.2 / 5

Stegna Beach, Rhodes

Stegna, Rhodes · Sheltered bay of sand and pebbles on the east coast · 4.2 / 5

Tigaki Beach

Tigaki, Kos, Greece · Long Family Beach on Kos · 4.1 / 5

Faliraki Beach

Faliraki, Rhodes · Lively sandy beach with water sports on the east coast · 4.1 / 5

Kardamena Beach, Kos

Kardamena, Kos · Long sand beach with thatched parasols · 4.1 / 5

Marmari Beach, Kos

Marmari, Kos · Wide sand beach with a steady sea breeze · 4.1 / 5

About beaches in the Dodecanese

The Dodecanese islands in the south-eastern Aegean combine long sandy beaches on Rhodes and Kos with small bays on Symi, Patmos and Karpathos. The sea is warm and the weather is reliably sunny.

When to go

May to October is the beach season. July and August are hot and busy, while late May, June and September are ideal.

Getting around

Ferries and flights connect the islands, and a car or scooter helps for the quieter beaches. Winds can be strong on the exposed coasts, so choose the sheltered side.

Easiest beaches to reach

Tsambika Beach, Prasonisi Beach, Rhodes, Lindos Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay.

Quieter hidden gems

Apella Beach, Glystra Beach, Rhodes, Livadi Beach, Astypalaia.

All beaches at a glance

• Apella Beach: best June–September, water about 23 degrees C, access challenging.
• Tsambika Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
• Prasonisi Beach, Rhodes: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
• Lindos Beach: best May–October, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
• Anthony Quinn Bay: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
• Glystra Beach, Rhodes: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
• Livadi Beach, Astypalaia: best June–September, water about 26 degrees C, access easy.
• Kefalos Beach, Kos: best June–September, water about 26 degrees C, access easy.
• Mastichari Beach, Kos: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
• Kolymbia Beach, Rhodes: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
• Stegna Beach, Rhodes: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
• Tigaki Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
• Faliraki Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
• Kardamena Beach, Kos: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
• Marmari Beach, Kos: best June–September, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.

Frequently asked questions

Best-of lists for the Dodecanese

Best Sandy Beaches in the Dodecanese · Easiest Beaches to Reach in the Dodecanese

More: Beaches in Greece · Browse all European beaches