Holidays from Edinburgh to Greece

These beach options are chosen for sand, shallow water and resort facilities, rather than simply for the most famous names on the coast.

• Crete: Crete has long sandy beaches on its north coast, where resorts sit close to the water and the sea shelves gently into shallow bays. The island is the largest in Greece, so the coast gives you a wide range of atmospheres from quiet coves to lively resort towns. The drawback is that some beaches require a car or taxi to reach from the main resorts. For travellers who want varied landscapes alongside a swimming beach, Greece Beach Holidays on Crete are a dependable choice.
• Rhodes: Rhodes has sandy beaches on its east coast, with resort facilities close to the sea and easy access to the medieval Old Town. The main resort strip is a short drive from the island's historic centre, so you can spend the day on the sand and still visit the old walls on a short trip. The resorts are busier in peak months, which suits people who like a lively evening but may not suit those wanting quiet. We recommend this island to couples and families who want a resort base with history close by.
• Porto Heli: Ammoudi is a small fishing village on the Peloponnese coast, a short hop from neighbouring Kranidi, though many visitors prefer the beaches around Porto Heli, with its clear turquoise water, sheltered coves and easy access to nearby islands. The area suits holidaymakers who want a quiet beach break with tavernas serving fresh seafood, and the calm bays are gentle for swimming and paddleboarding. Families will appreciate the shallow shoreline, while couples often enjoy the peaceful evenings and views across the Argolic Gulf. For a relaxed seaside holiday with a traditional Greek atmosphere, this stretch of coast is hard to beat, the same brief our Greece holidays deals are built around.
• Mykonos: Mykonos combines a long list of beaches with a lively nightlife scene and the whitewashed windmills above the harbour. Flights from the capital take under an hour, so the island is quick to reach once you have arrived in Greece. The beaches range from busy stretches with beach clubs to quieter coves, so the choice of resort matters more than on most islands. We suggest it to travellers who want sea, sand and an evening out in the same place, with All Inclusive Holidays available for those who prefer everything covered. It is exactly the brief our Greece All Inclusive Holidays deals are built around.
• Paros: Paros is a less crowded island than the most famous Cycladic names, with beaches on its west coast and a traditional harbour town at Parikia. Ferries connect the island with the main port, and the crossing is a common part of an island-hopping plan for those heading through the capital. The island offers quieter sand and a slower pace, though it has fewer large resorts than the biggest islands. It works well for travellers who want the Cyclades without the peak-season crowds of its better-known neighbours.