Vardia
A small pebble-and-sand bay a few steps from Karavostasi. No shade or tavernas, clear water and hardly anyone even in August.
- Shade: None
- Sunbeds
- Taverna
- Showers
- Parking
- Rooms
- Family friendly
- Snorkelling
- Depends on the wind
Vardia is the beach most people walk past: a small bay of pebbles and sand ten minutes on foot north of the port, behind the headland of Karavostasi, with clear water, no shade and hardly ever anyone on it, even in August. If you are staying at the port or waiting for a ship, it is the easiest escape on the island.
How to get there
On foot from Karavostasi: from the northern end of the harbour a path crosses above the rocks and drops into the bay in about ten minutes. It is easy but stony and shadeless; closed shoes.
By scooter or ATV from Chora ride down to the port, 3 km of asphalt, park at Karavostasi and continue on foot; there is no road to the beach itself. About 3.5 km and 20 minutes from Chora in total.
| Option | Time from Chora | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scooter to the port + path | 10 min + 10 min | Easy | parking at Karavostasi |
| ATV to the port + path | 10 min + 10 min | Easy | same route |
| On foot from the port | 10 min | Easy | stony path, no shade |
What to expect
Pebbles and sand, transparent water that deepens gradually and rocks at the edges for a mask. There is no shade at all, and no sunbeds, taverna, showers or rooms; everything you need is ten minutes back at the port. The bay faces east like Karavostasi, so a strong meltemi brings a little chop, and on other days it is calm.
It is quiet and family-friendly on calm days, without being a nudist beach. Its great virtue is that even when Karavostasi fills up, here you can count the people on one hand.
Tips
Go in the morning, before the sun gets heavy, or late in the afternoon; without an umbrella midday is unbearable. Bring water and whatever you want to eat, because there is nothing on the spot, and water shoes for the pebbles.
Vardia is the perfect beach for ferry day: leave the luggage at your accommodation, swim ten minutes from the quay and come back for a shower and lunch on the Karavostasi seafront.
There is neither water nor shade: a litre and a half per person, a hat and an umbrella. Your Road Runner scooter waits at the port with the helmets, right where we delivered it free of charge.
Nearby
Karavostasi is ten minutes back with tavernas and sunbeds, Livadi one kilometre south of the port with tamarisks and the campsite, and Katergo the big walk or the boat from the port. Read the port guide and the beaches guide, and see our scooter rental page with the prices.
Ride there with Road Runner
The vehicles that reach this beach. Free delivery at the port or your hotel.
On the map
Frequently asked questions
Nearby beaches
Karavostasi
Partly-Organized · Sandy · Family Friendly
Pebbles on the beach and sandy sea bottom. Shallow waters, mostly calm and friendly · ideal for families.
- Shade: Tamarisk trees
- Sunbeds
- Taverna
- Showers
- Parking
- Rooms
- Family friendly
Livadi
Family friendly · Tamarisks · Campsite
A wide sand-and-pebble beach with tamarisk shade and the island campsite next door. The footpath to Katergo starts here.
- Shade: Tamarisk trees
- Taverna
- Showers
- Parking
- Rooms
- Family friendly
Katergo
Secluded · Non-Organized · Sandy
The most popular beach of Folegandros. Pebbled and sandy, remains secluded which adds to its mystical atmosphere.
- Parking
- Snorkelling
- Sheltered from the meltemi
The right vehicle unlocks the best beaches.
ATV for the dirt tracks, scooter for the paved roads. Free delivery to the port or your hotel.