Kokkina Vrachia (Red Rocks) / Paralia Alexander
3.8 km from the center
- SandyNo
- OrganizedNo
- LifeguardNo
About
A small, hidden cove with distinctive reddish sand and steep cliffs up to 10 metres high. A well-known local landmark, extremely popular for cliff jumping. It's a beach of wild beauty with absolutely no facilities, which nonetheless hides serious dangers due to active erosion of the slopes.
The Beach & the Landscape
Kokkina Vrachia is tucked between EOT beach and Nea Chili. Invisible from the main road, the cove takes its name from the striking reddish tint of the soil. The narrow shore is made up of pebbles, a little red sand, and rocky formations. The area's trademark is its natural cliffs, where for decades teenagers and young people have tested their nerve by jumping into the sea - an informal but risky local tradition that continues to this day.
⚠️ Warning: High Erosion Risk
The distinctive geology that makes the landscape so picturesque is also its biggest threat. The sea continuously erodes the coastline, causing the ground to gradually crumble.
- Landslides & History: Small landslides are recorded frequently. In the 1980s, the collapse of a large mass of earth cost the lives of a young couple who had camped right beneath the rocky slope.
- Access: The old concrete access stairway has completely broken apart.
- Accidents: Despite years of use, minor injuries from jumps happen often. Thrace's EKAB (emergency medical service) has issued official warnings in the past about the dangers of high jumps, especially when combined with alcohol, the cause of the most serious incidents.
The Water
Spotlessly clear but extremely steep. Just 2-3 metres from shore, the seabed drops off sharply and is full of rocks. Strong swimming ability is required. A snorkel mask is only recommended when the sea is absolutely calm ("oil-flat").
Practical Info
- Address: Kokkina Vrachia, Alexandroupoli 68100
- Access: Not very difficult, but it hides dangers. The way down is now via a slippery dirt path. Proper trainers are essential for the descent - avoid flip-flops.
- Parking: None.
- Facilities: None. You need to bring everything with you: water, an umbrella, and water shoes are a must for the rocks.
Photos
Video
Weather in Alexandroupoli
LiveFrom April to June and from September to October you get warm days, calm sea, and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy along the seafront, while winters stay mild but rainy.
Marine World at This Beach
Species you most often encounter freediving with a mask here.
Purple Sea Urchin
Annular Seabream
Dusky Grouper
Mediterranean Mussel
Mediterranean Damselfish
Sand Smelt
Black Goby
Mediterranean Horse Mackerel
Black Seabream
Mediterranean Green Crab
Mediterranean Hermit Crab
Red Scorpionfish
Mediterranean Parrotfish
Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse
Common Octopus
White Seabream
Saddled Seabream
Brown Meagre
Mediterranean Moray Eel
Snakelocks Sea Anemone
Sea Stars
Salema Porgy
Two-Banded SeabreamYou Might Also Like
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FEATUREDAgia Paraskevi Beach (Makri)
An organised beach with a little chapel above the waves. The quiet, family-friendly side of the Makri bay. The beach Agia Paraskevi beach lies west of the Makri headland, part of a wider 1,600-metre open bay facing southwest. Its distinctive landmark is the Church of Agia Paraskevi, perched on the rock above the shore. According to the official Bathing Water Profile, the beach is 1,100 metres long with an average width of 30 metres. The coastal zone is natural, with dense pine cover; the land strip is covered with sandy material, and the seabed is sandy with a gentle slope - the 5-metre depth line is reached 100 metres from shore. The bathing water is shallow in the first few metres and has been of excellent quality over the past four years. It was recognised as a bathing beach in 1991 and is Blue Flag awarded. On our site visit we found no tar, oil, foam or litter - the water was clear and clean. The wider area is rural, with permanent olive groves and light holiday-home development. There's an intermittent stream near the middle of the beach. Thanks to its orientation it's sheltered from the prevailing north-easterly winds, with the exception of mild southwesterlies - it's rarely choppy. No strong tidal effects or currents are observed. What it offers Organised: Fully organised along most of its length with sunbeds, umbrellas, a beach bar, snack bars, parking, changing rooms, showers, bins and a lifeguard. There's plenty of free space for those who prefer to bring their own umbrella. Beach Bar: There's a beach bar on site with a seafood restaurant and coffee from morning until late. Accessibility: One of the first two beaches in the Municipality of Alexandroupoli (along with EOT beach ) to get a SEATRAC - a self-operated system giving sea access to people with disabilities and mobility issues. It includes a ramp, an accessible chemical toilet, a changing room, shade, a shower and a control panel. Installed by Anelkystires Stamatiadis. Activities: Swimming, motorised watersports, beach volleyball, fishing. Maximum bather capacity: 4,000 people. History next door 400 metres south is the Cyclops Cave - a Neolithic settlement from 5,000 BC, a cult centre of Thrace and, according to tradition, the cave of Polyphemus. 1km west is the Holy Monastery of Panagia tou Evrou in Makri. Practical info Address: Agia Paraskevi, Makri, Alexandroupoli 68100 Access: By car or the Makri KTEL bus, 12 minutes from central Alexandroupoli. Large free parking. Season: Official bathing season 1 June - 31 October, with water sampling.
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FEATUREDDikella Beach
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FEATUREDMunicipal Beach (EOT)
The most central beach in the city. The beach you can walk to from home. What it is Alexandroupoli's Municipal Beach - EOT beach - lies west of the port facilities, at the edge of the city. It's part of a wider open bay of 2,000 metres and occupies its eastern section. It stretches 1,000 metres, with an average width of 20 metres, faces south, has a sandy shore with tamarisks and pines, a sandy seabed, and shallow water in the first few metres with a gentle slope - the 5-metre depth line is 230 metres from shore. Sheltered from the prevailing winds, it's rarely choppy. It's the first beach you see coming out of the centre towards Makri, right next to the Municipal Campsite and the Egnatia park. What makes it stand out Organised and award-winning: Blue Flag awarded (2023, 2024). Excellent bathing water quality over the past four years, with systematic sampling from 1 June to 31 October. Facilities: Sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, bins, toilets, a mini market, a cafe, a restaurant, a lifeguard, and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts very close by. There's also free space for those who want to bring their own umbrella. Accessibility: Two SEATRAC self-operated sea access systems were installed in 2024-2025 - one at EOT and one at Agia Paraskevi - for people with mobility issues. Accessible ramps, access to all facilities. For everyone: Shallow, with fine golden sand, ideal for families with children, for playing in the sand, for sunset yoga (free classes every Wednesday and Sunday 20:00-21:30 in summer) and for concerts - the Locomondo concert was held here in summer. Two beaches in one The Arapis (or Venikioti) stream, which flows out in the middle of the shore, splits the beach into two sections. The western section has clear water and is more popular. The eastern one, more enclosed, sometimes gets cloudy because of the stream and rainwater runoff. For clear water, choose the western side, towards the Campsite . Practical info Address: 281 Makris Ave, next to Alexandroupoli's Municipal Campsite Access: On foot from the centre (15 minutes), by bike along the cycle path, by car, or by city bus. Parking available. Maximum bather capacity: ~2,000 people Pets: Allowed, within reason.
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Delfini Beach
An almost endless, organised sandy beach in Nea Chili, between Kokkina Vrakhia and Kalamaki. It has parking, showers, changing rooms, shade and WC, and is equipped with a SEATRAC system for independent sea access for people with mobility issues. A beach cafe-bar operates right next to it. The Beach - The Truth Delfini sits on the 2,000m open bay between Alexandroupoli and Nea Chili. The shore itself is 1,000m long, 25m wide, south-facing. The good: Wide sandy beach, shallow for many metres - ideal for children playing Organised with sunbeds, parking, showers, WC, shade SEATRAC for people with disabilities - one of the Municipality's most accessible beaches The not-so-good - as bathers report it: Cloudy because of the sand. Since it's shallow and sandy, a little wave action or people walking in stirs up the sand and the water clouds up immediately. You can't see the bottom. Not for snorkelling. If you want clear water for diving with a mask, go to Kyani Akti , Agia Paraskevi or Agios Georgios . This one is for lounging and playing, not clear water. A light north wind brings waves, since it's an open, south-facing bay. SEATRAC Accessibility A system with a solar-powered tower and a seat on a rail track that takes you to about 60cm depth. A ramp, accessible parking, an accessible chemical toilet, changing rooms, a shower. Operated from the adjacent cafe-bar. Practical Info Address: Delfini Beach, Nea Chili 68100 Facilities: SEATRAC, parking, showers, WC, beach bar Seabed: Sand - clouds up easily
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Nea Chili Beach
The Greek Chile. Alexandroupoli's big, wide, sandy suburb beach. The beach Nea Chili beach is the natural westward continuation of EOT beach , in the Nea Chili settlement, now a suburb of the city. Walking west along the coastal road towards Makri, you reach it right after the stadium. It's a vast stretch of sand - fine brown sand, spotlessly clear deep-blue water, a very wide shore. The most easily accessible large city beach after EOT. Highlights A vast stretch of fine brown sand Spotlessly clear, deep-blue water, shallow at first Very long, with both organised and free sections Sheltered, ideal for families What it offers Organised: Fully organised with beach bars, sunbeds and umbrellas. Free sunbeds with a drink purchase in several spots - great drink prices, free sunbeds as long as you order something, and the beach is one huge stretch of sand. Easy access: On foot, by bike, or 3 minutes by car from the centre. City bus service. For everyone: Families, groups of friends, couples - the classic everyday beach for locals. Practical info Address: Nea Chili, Alexandroupoli 68100 Distance: 2.5km from the Lighthouse, 5 minutes by car / 15 minutes by bike Facilities: Beach bar, sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, WC, parking, restaurants How it differs from the others EOT : right in the city, the municipal beach Nea Chili: a little further out, wider, sandier, more relaxed Kyani Akti / Agia Paraskevi : 8km out, cleaner water Agios Georgios : 16km out, rocky, for a meal
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Kyani Akti (Azure Coast)
Alexandroupoli's hidden-gem beach. Where the blue of the sea meets the green of the pine forest. What it is Kyani Akti lies west of the Makri headland, part of a wider 1,600-metre open bay facing southwest. A distinctive landmark, the Church of Agia Paraskevi, sits right above the beach. It stretches 1,100 metres with an average width of 30 metres - a natural coastal strip with dense pine cover, a sandy shore and a sandy seabed with a gentle slope (the 5-metre depth line is 100 metres from shore). Shallow, clear water in the first few metres. It's the beach locals mean when they say "let's go to Kyani" - between EOT beach and Makri, just before the Cyclops Cave . What makes it stand out Water quality: Excellent bathing water quality over the past four years, recognised as a bathing beach since 1991 and Blue Flag awarded. On our site visit we found no tar, oil, foam or litter - the water was clear thanks to low phytoplankton levels. Sheltered from the wind, it's rarely choppy. Organised: Organised along most of its length with sunbeds, umbrellas, changing rooms, showers, bins, snack bars, parking and a lifeguard. Maximum bather capacity: 4,000 people. Beach Bar: A new beach bar right on the sand, with island vibes, music from morning to night, sunset parties and shisha. Setting: Olive groves and pine forest behind, the Thracian Sea ahead. A rural area with light holiday-home development and no concrete. Practical info Address: Kyani Akti, Agia Paraskevi, Makri, Alexandroupoli Access: By car or city bus, 8.5km from the centre (12 minutes). Parking available. There's an intermittent stream near the middle of the beach. Pets: Allowed.
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Agios Georgiou Beach (Makri)
A small cove with a view of Samothraki. Where a swim turns into a meal and a drink right by the water. The beach Agios Georgios beach in Makri is a small natural cove right in front of the taverna of the same name, between Agia Paraskevi and the small harbour of Makri. About 100-150 metres of shoreline - not a big beach. The rock behind it is the southern side of the Touba mound of the Neolithic settlement of Makri (5,000 BC) and of the Cyclops Cave . Olive grove, rocks, sea. Characteristics Pebbles for the first 3-5 metres, then fine sand; a rocky seabed with clear water, good for snorkelling Clear water that deepens quickly - not a shallow, kid-friendly beach Southwest-facing, sheltered from northerly winds Views over the Thracian Sea and Samothraki What it offers Organised: Organised in front of the taverna with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, a WC, changing rooms, and free space on the rocks for your own umbrella. Beach bar with music: A beach bar operates here with cocktails, aperitivo, and a summery music vibe - low-key in the morning, picks up in the afternoon. A meal right by the water: Ai Giorgis Taverna sits right on the shore, with tables next to the water. You can swim and eat without leaving. Atmosphere: Quiet in the morning for a swim, livelier in the late afternoon and evening for drinks and food. Not a DJ party beach, but not deserted either - it has a proper beach-bar soundtrack. History next door 300 metres east is the Cyclops Cave - three carved chambers, a cult centre of Thrace and, according to tradition, the cave of Polyphemus. 500 metres north is the Neolithic settlement of Makri. Practical info Address: Agios Georgiou Beach, Makri 68100 Distance: 16.63km, 20 minutes from the centre Access: By car towards Makri-Dikella, turning off towards Agios Georgios. Large free parking. KTEL bus to the main stop, then a 5-minute walk. Facilities: Parking, sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, WC, restaurant, beach bar.
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