Elia stretches for approximately 500 meters along the southeastern coast, making it the longest beach on the island. It’s organized — sunbeds, umbrellas, a couple of beach bars — but the scale of it means it absorbs visitors without the compressed intensity of Paradise or Super Paradise. The water is calm, the sand is fine, and the eastern end stays relatively quiet even through the height of summer.
What Elia Looks Like
The beach faces southeast and sits at the end of a valley that opens directly to the sea. The sand is fine and pale, the water turquoise-to-deep-blue depending on depth, and the transition from shallows to swimming depth is gradual. The organized section runs along the central two-thirds of the beach. The eastern end — reached by walking along the shore — has fewer sunbeds and a more relaxed atmosphere. Neither beach bar reaches the volume or intensity of the clubs at Paradise.
Swimming and Snorkeling
Elia is one of the better swimming beaches on the south coast. The bay is naturally sheltered, the bottom is sandy, and there are no rocks or sharp drops in the primary swimming zone. Snorkeling at the eastern rocky headland is worthwhile — the rocks attract sea life and visibility is good in calm conditions. Water temperature follows the south Aegean pattern: cool in May, ideal from late June through September, still comfortable in October.
Food and Drink
The beach bars serve food through the day — salads, sandwiches, grilled fish — at prices that reflect the location. For a proper meal, the small cluster of tavernas at the road junction above the beach are a better option: simpler menus, lower prices, and the kind of straightforward cooking that holds up better after a morning in the sun.
Getting There
Elia is approximately 14 kilometers from Chora, about 30 minutes by car. Parking above the beach is free but fills by 10am on weekends in peak season. The public bus from Fabrika bus station in Chora runs to Elia in summer, with departures roughly every 30–40 minutes; journey time is approximately 35 minutes — a viable option for a day trip without a car.
Practical Tips
- The eastern end stays in shade from the headland from around 17:00 — useful in August.
- Sunbed rental is approximately €20–25 per pair in peak season; the eastern free section is a comfortable alternative.
- Elia has a long-standing reputation as an LGBTQ+-welcoming beach, particularly toward the eastern end — the atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive.
- The coastal road between Elia and Kalo Livadi is worth driving once — the southeastern views are among the best on the island and almost no other visitor uses that road.
Why It Stands Out
Elia is big enough to breathe, organized enough to be comfortable, and far enough down the coast that the effort of getting there filters out the purely passive visitor. It offers the full south coast experience without the soundtrack that defines most of the beaches that get the attention.