Blessed with celestial golden sand beaches, dreamy coves and sparkling crystal waters there is little wonder Greece is famed for its beach bar scene.
With our insider guide to the top island bars, all you need to do is grab that mojito, put your feet up and enjoy the vibes.
Theros Wave Bar, Santorini
Image © Theroswave
Rock up to this exclusive venue located on the exquisite Eros beach in Santorini and find yourself in the hippest hotspot on the island. Perched above the dark pebble beach and built entirely of wood with an exotic palm fringed canopy this is the perfect chill out zone. Renowned for its excellent bar service.
Bar website | Visit Santorini
Aloha White Bar, Corfu
Image © Aloha
One of Corfu’s trendiest party venues, the Aloha White Bar on Glyfada Beach near Kerkyra pulls in the crowds from sunrise to sunset. Famed for its fabulous range of alchemy-like cocktails. Lie back on one of its sand-side cabanas or double beds with billowing white curtains and enjoy the sea breeze as you sip your G&T.
Bar website | Visit Corfu
Beach Bar Manassu, Sithonia-Halkidiki
Image © Beach Bar Manassu
Halkidiki on the mainland is growing in popularity thanks to its idyllic beaches and wide, wild countryside. The Beach Bar lies on the shoes of the azure waters of Manassu beach. Redesigned every year for a new customer experience, the bar’s extensive rows of beach sofas attract throngs of cool, young beautiful people! The funky ‘beach boutique’ has also just opened so you can shop while you sip too.
Bar website | Visit Halkidiki
Skiathos Princess Beach Bar, Skiathos
Image © Skiathos Princess Beach Bar
More demure in its ambience, this luxurious and elegant beach bar is adjoined to the five-star Skiathos Princess Hotel. Expect the height of kicked-back chill out on beach beds with waiter service. Palm-fringed sun umbrellas line this gorgeous golden beach at Aghia Paraskevi. Enjoy exotic smoothies in the sun to uber-cool cocktails.
Oasis Beach Bar, Rhodes
This one makes the grade for sheer cool factor. Sun beds on the rocks, reggae music and a bar literally built into the rock face! Located in the lovely Kalithea area of the island, you’ll out-selfie any friends with this unique rocky backdrop. The small golden sandy cove and its warm shallow waters are a perfect suntrap. Inexpensive and unusual.
Bar facebook page | Visit Rhodes
Tropicana Beach Bar, Mykonos
Voted one of the Sexiest Beach Bars in the World by the Travel Channel in 2012, this bar is the place to go for some hedonistic beach party fun. Located on the soft golden sand of Paradise Beach, a great menu of cocktails, dancers and a DJ set that starts at 4.30 every day makes this a real party hotspot.
Nikki Beach Club, Porto Heli
This cool beach club has a global rep that proceeds it – be irresistibly gorgeous or don’t turn up without a reservation! The pinnacle of beach bar cool, at Nikki’s Greek venue you can lounge in the bar pool with your cocktail or lie in style on its private beach. For those who love some St Trop style, chill on one of the linen covered loungers. By night Nikki Beach transforms into an alfresco nightclub with the coolest international DJs. Good for star spotting.
Yassas Beach Bar, Crete
Image © Yassas Beach Bar
Laid-back and a little rough and ready this bar is full of fun and is located in the middle of Stalida in a beautiful Cretan cove. Along with authentic Cretan cuisine, Greek wine and fresh cocktails, it holds regular fire-lit Greek dancing lessons by night and great BBQs. There is even a Wii games area for anyone who’s had enough sun and Retsina (Greek wine!).
Buca Lounge Bar, Zante
This trendy beachside bar is for the hip and trendy set with its stylish décor and subtle neon lit interior. Sun bed bar service and a range of fabulous cocktails await as you gaze out over the idyllic Alykes Beach.
Bar facebook page | Visit Zante
Mylos Beach Bar, Kos
Image © Mylos Beach Bar
By day, Mylos Beach Bar is a chilled out beach-café in an old converted rustic Greek windmill, with a games corner, tables and sun-loungers out on the sand. But come sunset this fabulously quirky bar turns into a live music paradise with DJ sessions that go on until sunrise. Don’t miss the famous ‘full-moon parties’ here from June to August.
Bar website | Visit Kos
Front page feature image © Nikki Beach