Where To Stay

Mediterranean Princess

Florida Beaches by Region

• Northeast Florida: Hosting the oldest European settlement on the continent and unspoiled beaches, this region is a mix of historical treasures and natural wonders.
• Central West Florida: While Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach offer plenty of man-made attractions, nature holds her own here with mangrove forests, wildlife reserves and barrier islands.
• Central Florida: Okay, we're cheating. There aren't any beaches here. But how could we skip the world's top tourist destination? Need a beach connection? Orlando's Walt Disney World is home to the ride that inspired the swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Central East Florida: With Daytona Beach, "The Birthplace of Speed", and Cape Canaveral on its shores, this fast-paced region offers thrills for vacationers of all ages. Despite its high-flying reputation, prices can meet a modest budget.
• Southwest Florida: If luxury is on your list, consider heading south. A mix of island resorts and natural beauty make this a romantic destination with pampering as top priority. No wonder so many couples choose to tie the knot here.
• Southeast Florida: Don't let Miami's ultra-chic South Beach mislead you - this area hosts some of the friendliest beaches in the state. Sophisticated cities are counterbalanced by the untamed Everglades and natural wonders of the Lower Florida Keys.

Top Florida Beaches by activity

• Best Value: A Florida vacation can be surprisingly affordable. We've dug deep to find the deals without sacrificing quality time in the Florida sun.

• Boating and Fishing: Be it fresh or salt water, Florida offers some of the best fishing around. Whether you love to sail the wide open ocean or prefer to wander intricate canals to reel in your catch, Florida has plenty of fish in the sea.
• Eco-Tourism: While Florida's party beaches burst with sun worshippers, you can soak up the natural beauty in the seclusion of the numerous state parks and nature reserves. Remote and undeveloped, these beaches are a haven for shorebirds, wildlife and visitors seeking a peaceful commune with nature.
• Family: While sun and sand can always win the kids over, these beaches are close to family-friendly accommodation and attractions. Come rain or shine, there's something to keep the kids entertained and keep parents off the hook.
• Gay Appeal: With many areas hosting an active gay community, it's not surprising plenty of Florida beaches welcome same-sex couples.
• Nightlife: Sometimes the nights are hotter than the days. While Florida's nightclubs and bars can compete with the best in the world, nights can also come alive with theater, jazz and fine dining.
• Nudist: While Florida has only one legal nude beach, many are secluded enough to shed your clothes undisturbed. Others have areas that allow clothing-optional sunning if you apply some discretion along with your sunscreen.
• Scuba, Snorkel and Surf: If you'd rather be riding the waves or exploring the depths than sunning on the shore, these beaches offer some of the best water activities in Florida.
• Snowbirds: When the snow flies, these beaches provide the perfect winter retreat. More than vacation hotspots, these communities have everything you need to make Florida your second home.
• Spring Break: If you're looking for spring break action, Florida is the place to be - whether you want bikini contests or something more laidback, these beaches host some of the best parties in the Sunshine State.
• Weddings: Exchanging vows on a shore against a sunset is the ultimate wedding setting for many couples. Beachside nuptials are so popular in Florida that most resorts offer planning services and honeymoon packages.

Florida Best Value Beaches

1. Panama City Beach: More than 20,000 lodging options provide Panama City with something in every price range. With dolphins cruising just off the shore and pure white sand for miles, you'll never want to leave.
2. Clearwater: The million plus annual visitors ensure Clearwater will always have plenty of lodging. Clean beaches and spectacular sunsets make a day at the beach the ultimate Clearwater experience.
3. Pensacola Beach: Encompassing several beaches, Pensacola offers miles of shoreline, free concerts and easy access to camping and hiking at Gulf Islands National Seashore.
4. Fort Walton: With 24 miles of pristine beach, dolphins breaking the waves and plenty of southern charm, Fort Walton is a favorite with families. While the accommodation rates are reasonable year-round, they drop by a third after Labor Day and then drop again between mid-October and February.
5. Daytona Beach: Thanks to the spring break crowd, Daytona Beach offers hundreds of affordable accommodations - including campgrounds - right in the heart of town. With racing, watersports and nightlife galore, Daytona is a perennial bargain.
6. New Smyrna Beach: This quiet coastal town draws snowbirds with its charm and reasonable rates. The second oldest city in Florida, it offers museums and art galleries as well as all the standard outdoor Florida fun.
7. Hollywood Beach: Thanks to its recent renaissance, Hollywood beach boasts everything you can find in neighboring Miami and South Beach - but for a fraction of the price.
8. Fort Myers Beach: Fun, funky and more affordable than nearby Sarasota, Fort Myers offers natural and historic attractions worthy of a heavier price tag.
9. Cocoa Beach: One of the more affordable Florida vacation destinations, Cocoa Beach gives you plenty of bang for the buck. Close to NASA's awe-inspiring Kennedy Space Center and the equally amazing Everglades, there's nothing cut-rate about this location.
10. Jensen Beach: Tent camping, RV parks and numerous package deals (stay two nights, get the third free) are just some of the ways Jensen Beach stays affordable. Even the location itself is a two-for-one, with Hutchison Beach only minutes away.

Parikia

• Livadia
  • This long wide stretch of white sand lies at the northern end of the bay, an easy 10 minutes walk from the port. Here you’ll find many amenities including sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants and beach bars.

• Krios
  • Krios is a small sandy beach on the other side of the bay from Parikia, sheltered from the at times, strong summer Meltemi winds. The beach is equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, and backed by a beach bar / restaurant. It is accessible by small boat from Parikia’s port (1st stop), or around a 30 minute cliff-top walk from Parikia.

• Marcello
  • This is arguably the area around Parikia’s finest beach, a long wide expanse of golden sand with crystal clear waters fed by underground springs. From the beach there is a great view across the bay to Parikia. The sea is noticeably cooler here so perfect for sweltering mid-summer afternoons. The jetty at the end of Marchello is the second stop if you catch the small ferry from Parikia,, or you can walk. (Around 35 minutes from the port along the same route as for Krios beach.) Marcello is fully developed, with beach bars, sunbeds and umbrellas, and if you’re lucky an old man who will try and sell you “froo-its, grapes, froo-its.” To the left of where the ferry docks are two small undeveloped beaches with no amenities but thy are well shaded and less crowded during the peak season.

• Souvlia
  • Also known locally as Deplhini this beach is perfect for days when the south wind or Sirocco is blowing. Around 500 metres from the shore are a group of rocks with a small underwater cave. It’s a relaxed and friendly beach, popular with locals and backed by two restaurant/ bars with very different cuisines. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available. Souvlia is around a 15 minute walk south of Parikia or 10 minutes by bus from the port.

• Parasporos
  • This is a big wide stretch of sandy beach. It can be very windy here but on days when the Meltemi is blowing straight in, it’s perfect for body surfing as the waves can get extremely high. On calm days Parasporos is a beautiful place to relax with a view out to the small islet of Agios Spiridon. The beach is fully equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas at one end near the bar and restaurant while the southern half, after the taverna is more tranquil with tamarisk trees providing shade. It’s around a 20 minute walk from Parikia or 10 minutes on the bus from Parikia.

• Agia Irini
  • Here you’ll find two small beaches, one lined with palm trees and the other shaded by tamarisks. Both beaches which sit at opposite ends of a small semi- enclosed bay have tavernas. Agia Irini is accessible only by private transport. Or a long walk.

Naoussa

• Kolymbithres
  • This is not a beach as such, rather a series of small sandy coves separated by strange and very beautiful wind and wave sculpted rock formations. Kolymbithres enjoys shallow crystal clear water and so is perfect for children, although it can be extremely busy here in July and August.. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available and the area is served by a number of busy tavernas. The area is worth a visit for the view across the bay to Naoussa alone and is accessible by road or the small boat that leaves every half an hour or so from the port in Naoussa.

• Agios Yannis Detis
  • This stretch of seafront is also known as Monastiri, due to the small monastery of the same name that sits on the rocks just to the right of what is possibly the most beautiful beach on Paros. In recent years it has become part of the Enviromental and Cultural Park of Paros, an area put aside for the preservation of the natural splendour of the island. The beach itself is a wide stretch of golden sand set in a magical bay, sheltered from the winds by high rocky hills. This is a perfect beach for children as the sea is very shallow for 40 or 50 metres from the shore. A canteen to the left of the beach provides refreshments, sunbeds and umbrellas and in the summer months plays host to cultural events. On the other side of the bay watersports are available. Monastiri is accessible by small ferry from Naoussa or by road. For more information about The Park and events held there, visit http://www.parospark.org/

• Santa Maria
  • The main beach is known as Santa Maria Surfing Camping Beach. This is a long wide expanse of golden sand and despite being one of the most popular beaches on the island due to its’ size, it never seems to get too crowded, even during the summer months. Here you can find any and everything, campsite, bars, tavernas, watersports and even a swimming pool. The beach is serviced by bus from both Naoussa and Parikia. Also, a few kilometres further up the road are two smaller beautiful sandy beaches, rather confusingly also known as Santa Maria. These beaches while quieter than the Surfing Camping beach also enjoy a full range of amenties from sunbeds and umbrellas to a dive school and snack bar.

• Laggeri
  • As close to a 'secret' beach as you will find in these pages, Laggeri is located on the other side of the promontory from Santa Maria and looks out over the sea towards Naoussa. This is a long crescent of white sand backed by the only sand dunes on the island . It’s popular with nudists, but not exclusively so. Be warned however, this is probably not the best option for a family day out. Laggeri is totally undeveloped so go prepared with food and drinks etc. Laggeri is accessible by car or bus to Santa Maria and then a 10 minute or so walk. It’s probably a good idea to ask for directions from a local.

Eastern Paros

• Molos
  • This is one of a number of small beaches close to the village of Marmara. Deep blue sea and soft golden sand are the attractions here, as is the fact that due to their relative isolation they are always calm and usually almost deserted even in July and August. Close by, you can find accommodation and a number of small tavernas. Molos is accessible only with private transport or your own two feet.

• Logaras
  • 600 meteres south of Piso Livadi Logaras beach is fringed with tamarisk trees and backed by a number of tavernas specializing in fresh fish and local dishes.

• Golden Beach
  • Here you’ll find one of the longest beaches (almost 700metres) on the island and definitely one of its most beautiful. Windsurfing takes centre stage here and if you visit in August you may be lucky enough to catch the spectacle of hundreds of surfers gliding over the waves as they compete in the annual Professional Windsurfing World Cup. There is also a scuba diving school on this fully organized beach and restaurants and accommodation to suit every taste, and wallet. Golden Beach is easily reachable by bus from Parikia or Naoussa or with private transport.

• New Golden Beach or Tserdakia
  • This beach is again, an ideal place for windsurfers, as the school here is staffed by very experienced instructors including one Olympic champion. The wide expanse of sand is, as the name suggests golden in colour. Tserdakia beach is a short 10 minute walk from the bus stop on the main asphalt road.

• Pounda** This is a beach made from beautiful deep caramel coloured sand, although in summer you’ll be lucky to see any of it as the seafront is completely packed with revelers enjoying the sights and sounds of the popular beach bar/club that lies directly behind. Pounda Beach is accessible by bus from both Parikia and Naoussa.

Southern Paros

• Farangas
  • This is a wide sandy beach with a series of smaller coves to the right of the main beach. Once this area was relatively unknown but with the construction of a dedicated tarmac road Farangas has developed into one of the islands ‘major’ beaches complete with beach bars and restaurants and of course sunbeds and umbrellas. It’s a great destination for windy days as it’s completely sheltered from the Meltemi northern winds and is accessible only by private transport or around a 45 minute walk from Aliki.

• Aliki
  • Right in the town Aliki’s beach is a perfect place to keep an eye on the kids while enjoying something to eat or drink in one of the beachfront tavernas. It enjoys a great view over the bay of Aliki with dozens of small fishing boats bobbing in the gentle sway. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas but the beach has easy access to shops and tavernas.

• Voutakos
  • An idyllic stretch of sand sheltered from the north wind, this beach is totally undeveloped and relatively unknown. There are great views to Antiparos and the small islets inbetween. Voutakos is accessible only by car or a very infrequent bus service from Parikia or Pounda.

• Pounda (port to Antiparos)
  • To the south of Pounda lies a long long expanse of soft yellow sand but it’s mainly a beach for watersport enthusiasts. The school here is renowned throughout Greece as one of the best places for kite and windsurfing. A dive school also operates from the port of Pounda from where you can catch the ferry to the neighbouring island of Antiparos.