Pori Beach
Koufonisia, Cyclades, Greece
Pori curves around a horseshoe shaped bay on the northeastern edge of Ano Koufonisi in Greece's Cyclades, widely considered the best beach on an island that's already known for good ones. Fine golden sand meets water that shifts between turquoise and deep blue depending on the light, and the bay's shape blocks most of the wind that can churn up the sea elsewhere on the island.
The horseshoe shape and clear water genuinely earn it the reputation as the island's best beach, though the lack of any real facilities means it takes a bit more planning than beaches with full amenities.
Bring your own umbrella and supplies. Pori isn't set up with sunbed rentals the way busier Greek beaches are, just a couple of tavernas back from the sand for lunch.
Pori is about 4 kilometers from the main village, Chora, reachable by taxi, local bus, or a small boat, all running regularly through the summer season.
The beach is flat and easy to walk once you arrive, though there's no paved path connecting it to the village, just the road or boat drop off.
June through September brings the warm water and reliable sun the Cyclades are known for, though the meltemi winds that pick up in July and August can still make the sea choppy even in this sheltered bay.
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