Vlychada beach
Vlichada - a long beach covered with gray volcanic sand, which tourists call Martian. It's all about the incredibly picturesque surrounding steep high cliffs, the surface of which for many centuries is intricately carved by waves and winds. They are combined with gray-black sand create an incredible view, which attracts tourists to its coast. No wonder this beach is called the most picturesque on the island.
Photos
Beach description
The Vlychada Beach is located at the very south of the island (about 11 km away from Thera), relatively close to Perivolos and near a small village of the same name.
This is a quiet place with a small amount of visitors, surrounded by vertical beige rocks that separate the beach from the rest of the island. Due to the long process of erosion, and also due to the effects of wind and waves, the rocks look like they were "painted" with interesting patterns, really fantastical.
It seems that some unknown abstractionist created this harsh, but truly amazing and attracting landscape. Or rather, a talented sculptor began his work, but couldn't realize it fully. Unique caves and grottos, columns and pillars were naturally created in some parts.
The shore has a sandy surface with pebbly patches, the pebbles are a rare occasion and they're mixed with black and gray grainy sand. Its length is about 2,5 km. The shoreline isn't wide here, and the shining sand looks especially breathtaking during the very sunny weather. Nudist zones are located in the distant parts of the beach.
Smooth descent, gradual depth rise and sandy sea bottom combined with very clean water make this beach very attracting for visitors. But when the southern winds blow (and they're frequent here), high waves can rise. Entering water isn't smooth along the whole shoreline too.
When is the best time to go?
Greece - a country with a long length from north to south, so the recommendations will vary depending on the place where you are going. The holiday season begins in May and reaches a peak in July-August: there are too many tourists, and the temperature on the southern islands reaches 40 degrees, which may still not play a role on the beach, but certainly not suitable for sightseeing. So the best time to relax in Greece is the end of spring-beginning of summer or September-October.
Video: Beach Vlychada
Infrastructure
Relaxation here is relevant from July to September. Since the beach is surrounded by cliffs, there are no hotels and vacationers here are much less than on other black beaches of the island.
What's regarding accommodation:
- Closer to the southern part of the beach, inside the village are located several small hotels. Infrastructure is developed exclusively near them. Agroktima Chios in the southern part of the beach you will enjoy comfortable rooms and a pool with sea views. Ai Yannis Suites & Apartments Hotel is located in a few tens of meters from the beach, but the colorful atmosphere and the beauty of the garden and park area are worth it to go some distance.
- Near hotels you can rent sun loungers, parasols. The rest of the beach allows you to enjoy a secluded vacation to the maximum on the pristine nature with almost no civilization.
- But it is better to find accommodation somewhere in a more colorful place of the island, and come here in a rented car for the sake of relaxing on the beach itself.
There are few sunbeds, they are only at the beginning of the beach. However, the most picturesque cliffs begin in the distance. Therefore, most vacationers here usually relax on their towels.
There are no special offers related to water activities. People come here for a relaxed, quiet and secluded rest. For more entertainment and to be closer to "civilization" it’s worth going to Perissa and Kamari.
There are several taverns and kiosks next to the beach where you can buy water and food. At the beginning of the beach is the beach bar that sells drinks and sandwiches. More taverns can be found inside the village.
Weather in Vlychada
Best hotels of Vlychada
All hotels of VlychadaUseful information
- From the capital bus station you can get by direct bus to Vlychad. The time is 15-20 minutes.
- At the very beginning of the beach there is a pipe of a plant that is already idle and has become a peculiar attraction of these places. The only focus of “civilization” on Vlychada beach is the embankment with fishing boats, which includes sightseeing boats.
- On the undulating rocky surfaces of the rocks, it is especially interesting to observe a bizarre interaction in the play of light and shadows. Therefore, it is recommended to visit here at least once in the early morning or at sunset. The spectacle is truly impressive and unforgettable.
- Although the rocks seem very fragile in appearance, they are actually very dense. The probability of collapse here is much less than on the equally fantastic beach Red.
- Since the beach is far removed from the main attractions of the island, there is almost never a lot of people here.