Porto Timoni

Porto Timoni, located on the northwest coast of the island, offers not one but two beaches separated by a narrow strip of coastline. A trip to this beach isn't so much about swimming as it is about a beautiful coastal walk. Despite being one of the island's most famous beaches and featuring on many postcards, it remains relatively untouched by crowds. In fact, to get here, you'll first have to walk 30 minutes or take a boat.

How to get here?

Whether you have a car or not, head to the village of Afionas. There are regular buses from the capital. If you go by car, keep in mind that parking spaces are scarce and you have to park your car on the main road, for example at the 3 Brothers Hotel. From there you will have to walk. The beach is very well signposted in the town. Head to the Porto Timoni restaurant and from there just follow the beaten track and the signs.

Agios Georgios beach

From the restaurant, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the nearby Agios Georgios Beach. There are also plenty of benches to sit on and enjoy the view.

road to Porto Timoni

Hike to the beach

The road to the beach leads down a gradual descent. The terrain is uneven and you will definitely need sturdy shoes. There are a lot of bushes around the road, so be careful of them. The first 10 minutes are fairly easy, then the terrain starts to deteriorate and in some parts, you will have to cross over rocks. Don't give up, it's worth it. We did this hike with a friend and her one-year-old baby.

the road to Porto Timoni last section

After a few more minutes, the view of the double beach starts to open up. The beach looks pristine and deserted. If you go in the morning, you can expect only a few people, it tends to fill up later on. The south-facing beach is good for swimming, while the north-facing beach is reached by tourists on boats and isn't as pretty to look at.

We couldn't get enough of the view and the only thing missing to perfection were the sun's rays. Unfortunately, we can't command the weather yet.

Porto Timoni view

Well-deserved relax on the beach

On the beach, you can expect pebbles combined with sand and slightly refreshing water. The sea is calm and the entrance is gradual, but after a while the pebbles give way to rocks, so water shoes are advisable. Porto Timoni is also famous for its underwater life. Here you can meet quite a lot of fish that try to hide behind the rocks.

The northern part is much fuller with tourists who come by boat. The beach is more pebbly and there are bigger rocks in the sea. This side didn't really attract us for swimming.

northern beach

If you decide to come here, which I highly recommend, be sure to come in the morning. Later, the tourists on boats will arrive and the beach will fill up very quickly. We left around 11:30 and there were already quite a few people. It's not a day trip, we only needed two hours here plus an hour to get there and back. If you have a car, combine your visit with a visit to the sandy beach of Arillas, which is only 12 minutes away by car.

Before you leave the town of Afionas, make sure to stop for a coffee at the Anafoufou Café. It offers spectacular views of the entire coastline and will also reward you for the more challenging approach to Timoni Beach. And you can have lunch at the Grill restaurant, which is right next door, just across the road. The restaurant was tiny but very cosy, full of color and had a family feel to it. And the food was fabulous.

view from the café