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Ever wondered if it’s possible to find a beautiful beach in Greece but without the crowds? It’s definitely hard to find one on the islands but I’ll let you in on a secret. I’ve found one on the mainland of Greece that possesses all the natural beauty one could look for. And…chances are you will only need to share it with a handful of other people! It’s called Fakistra Beach.
Fakistra Beach Pelion
Fakistra beach, or Paralia Fakistra, is a remote beach by the Aegean Sea surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery. If you’re looking for a beach in Greece where you can enjoy some privacy and live out your Robin Crusoe dreams then this is your best bet.
As with every off-the-beaten-path location, it requires a little effort to get here. In this post, I’ll explain to you where Fakistra beach is, how to get there, and where to find accommodation in the area.
Pelion coast, Magnesia, Thessaly
Fakistra Beach is located on the Pelion peninsula in the province of Thessaly on mainland Greece. It’s a magnificent region where tourism development is not yet widespread. Chances are you will encounter no other foreign tourists while traveling here. It’s the perfect destination if you like to travel the local way.
The area has many things to offer. The surroundings are lush and green and are perfect for hiking while you can also ski during the winter on Mount Pelion, a beautiful natural landmark in Greece. Beachtime and snorkeling are how you spend your lazy days here during the hot summer months.
The peninsula is dotted with quaint mountain villages and there is a tiny bit of tourism development by the sea. Driving here, by the way, is not for the faint of heart! It takes quite some time to get from one village/beach to another because of the rugged landscape and the many hairpin turns on the road that comes with it.
Agios Ioannis is the main tourist hub by the coast. Fakistra Beach is located a 35-minute drive from here but there are other more attractive accommodation options closer to Fakistra if you fancy to stay in the mountains close to Fakistra where it’s a bit more secluded.
The east Pelion coastline
The Pelion peninsula is located roughly halfway between Thessaloniki and Athens on mainland Greece. It does not really matter which airport you fly into but travel time from Thessaloniki to Pelion is a little shorter than from Athens.
There are busses connecting Thessaloniki and Athens with Volos, a vibrant port city at the foot of the Pelion peninsula. From there, local buses are leaving a few times a day to the coastal towns and mountain villages.
Traveling by train is also possible both from Thessaloniki and Athens. You first have to take the train to the city of Larissa where you can catch a connection to Volos. From there you can opt for the local busses or take a taxi. Taxi’s from Volos to the Fakistra beach area cost around € 65.
However, your best choice is to rent a car in Volos. Getting around by taxi on the peninsula can get quite expensive and the local bus schedule is pretty infrequent making it hard to get around.
Start of the path down to Fakistra Pelion
You can reach Fakistra beach from any location on the Pelion peninsula but if you want to prevent a long drive with your car it’s best to stay in the mountains around Mouresi or Tsagarada or the coastal area between Agios Ioannis and Mylopotamos beach. Google maps can guide you to Fakistra beach.
At a certain point, the road will stop at a small parking spot where you can leave your car. To the right of the gazebo at the parking spot, you will see a small pathway. That is the way down to the beach. It’s a steep 200 meters mountain path that becomes more of a rocky cliff trail at the end.
People who are afraid of heights might have a little trouble descending the path but overall it’s pretty safe. It’s best to do the descend on tight-fitting shoes. Flip-flops also work but is not that comfortable due to the steepness of the trail.
Viewpoint from the pathway leading to the beach
Fakistra beach is for the adventurous at heart and not for tourists who expect a lot of facilities on a beach. To put it bluntly, Fakistra has no facilities. There are no sun loungers, no restaurants or beach bars, no showers, changing cabins nor toilets.
The beach is pebbly mixed with a bit of sand and surrounded by rocks. The crystal-clear turquoise water is perfect for snorkeling, especially around the rocks on your left hand facing the sea.
If you visit Fakistra beach it’s best to pack the following things: a towel, water, sunscreen, a book, snorkeling gear, snacks and lunch if you are planning to stay there a whole day.
A beach umbrella is not really necessary. You can find many shady places between the rocks and the sun disappears behind the mountains in the afternoon.
Remember to take your trash with you when you leave.
Boat trips are organized to visit the beaches around Pelion but they don’t get off the boat
The best time to visit Fakistra beach and some other great beaches in Pelion is May/June or September. July and August are also okay but expect more people around, especially greek tourists.
That said, this is nothing like you can expect on the Greek islands. These parts of Greece are still relatively undiscovered by the masses and retain a local wild authentic charm.
Katerina Fotopoulos Rooms and Appartments, Pelion, Greece.
The best area to stay to visit Fakistra beach is in the mountain towns of Mouresi and Tsagarada or the coastal area between Agios Ioannis and Mylopotamos.
At Travelers & Dreamers, we advocate for staying at locally owned accommodation and there is no shortage of that on the Pelion Peninsula. In fact, we haven’t come across any big resorts here, it’s mostly local flair all the way so your money goes straight into the local economy.
Our recommendations:
Rocks around Fakistra Greece
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this post about Fakistra Beach located on the beautiful Pelion peninsula.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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Nikki
This looks like a fun little beach, and one I’d love to see. Pinning this to Pinterest for later!
Travelling Tam
What a gorgeous beach oozing with character. It really is one of the most beautiful looking ones I’ve seen in person and from pictures of Greece. I’ll be saving this for when I make it back again!
Rhonda
What a beautiful beach. Thanks for the detailed advice on how to reach it. I like that is nice and secluded.
Rowan Flora
This looks absolutely gorgeous! I went to Greece as a small child and have the best memories – would love to go back!!
Krista
I love going to beaches like this that are secluded and a little more difficult to get to. This one looks stunning with the high cliffs surrounding it.
Ildiko
I have heard of this beautiful region, but haven’t been there yet despite my many trips to Greece. The mountainous terrain of Greece and its many villages are gorgeous. Pinned for future travel!
Cosette
What a beautiful beach. Love those hidden gems, where mostly locals come.
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