Andros is the greenest island in the Cyclades and that makes its beaches feel completely different to what you find on the drier southern islands. Lush valleys run down to the coast, rivers actually flow here year round, and the landscape behind the shore is thick with oak, chestnut, and citrus trees. The water is clean and the sand tends to be coarser and more golden than the fine white powder you get on Naxos or Paros.
The island is big. It is the second largest in the Cyclades after Naxos, and the coastline is long enough that even in August you will find beaches with hardly anyone on them. Most visitors base themselves in Batsi or Chora, and both have good beaches within walking distance. But the really special ones, places like Achla Beach and Vitali Beach, sit on the east coast and need either a boat or a solid hike to reach.
Ferries arrive at Gavrio on the west coast, which is the closest Cycladic port to Athens since boats leave from Rafina rather than Piraeus. Check our guide on how to get to Andros for all the details, and the Andros bus timetable to see which beaches you can reach by public transport.
Which Andros Beach Suits You
Families with young children: Agios Petros Beach near Batsi has shallow water, sunbeds, and a taverna right on the sand. You will not need to carry anything.
Watersports and windsurfing: Kypri Beach picks up strong meltemi winds in summer and has equipment hire on site.
Golden sand and easy access: Chryssi Ammos lives up to its name. The sand really is gold and the bay is sheltered enough for comfortable swimming.
Remote and wild: Achla Beach on the east coast is one of the most beautiful and isolated beaches in the entire Cyclades. You reach it by boat from Batsi or by hiking down from the monastery above.
Something unusual: Tis Grias To Pidima translates as “the old woman’s leap” and the beach is named after a huge rock column standing in the sea. The folklore behind it is worth reading before you go.
Chryssi Ammos (Golden Sand Beach)
1. Beach Type & Experience Chryssi Ammos lives up to its name with fine, powdery golden sand that stretches across a wide bay like something from a postcard. The beach is consistently rated as the most popular on Andros, and for good reason. It sits right on the main coastal road connecting Batsi and Gavrio,
Planning Your Beach Days on Andros
Andros rewards people who explore. The west coast beaches near Gavrio and Batsi are the easiest to reach and have the most facilities. The east coast beaches are wilder and more dramatic but most need a car, a boat trip, or a proper walk. Hiring a car or scooter makes a real difference here because public buses only cover the main road between Gavrio, Batsi, and Chora. For days when you do not want to drive, the Andros taxi page has numbers for local drivers.
The Andros map shows where each beach sits on the island, and the Andros photography guide covers the best light and angles if you want to capture the coastline properly. Between beach days, Andros is one of the best islands in the Cyclades for walking. The trails here are well maintained and several of them connect hilltop villages to coastal coves, so you can combine a morning hike with an afternoon swim.
For the full picture of what to see and do, check our main Andros island guide, the best caves in Andros, and the getting around Andros page for transport tips.
