New Beach of Alexandroupoli (Lighthouse Beach)

New Beach of Alexandroupoli (Lighthouse Beach)

0.27 km from the center

  • SandyNo
  • OrganizedYes
  • LifeguardNo

About

A small, sheltered cove right below the city's imposing Lighthouse and next to the Luna Park. It's the ultimate "urban beach" of the neighbourhood - the perfect spot to walk down in your flip-flops for a quick dip, right in the heart of Alexandroupoli. Thanks to its enclosed geography, the water is usually very calm, with no waves at all, making it an ideal choice for families with young children.

Is the sea clean below the Lighthouse?

This is the No.1 (and entirely reasonable) question, given that the beach sits right next to the port. The answer is yes:

  • Official checks: The coast is closely monitored under the official "Bathing Water Profile" programme. According to results from the past four years, the waters at Alexandroupoli's Municipal Beach (which includes the Lighthouse zone) are consistently classified as "excellent quality."
  • Wastewater treatment: The city has had a modern, reliable wastewater treatment system (DEYAA) for years. Untreated sewage doesn't end up in the sea, which is why the central beaches pass their inspections.
  • Clarity vs. Quality: A distinction needs to be made. The beach doesn't have the "crystal-clear" water of Mesimvria. It's an urban beach, with traffic and sand that stirs up and clouds easily. So, from a hygiene standpoint (bacteria/inspections) it's perfectly clean for swimming, but visually it's only moderately clear.

The Beach, Water & Seabed

  • Shore (two faces): Towards the beach bars, the shore is laid with sand, comfortable for a towel and easy to enter from. As you move towards the Naval Scouts building, it becomes more natural and rocky, requiring a bit more care.
  • Seabed: Mixed, made up of sand, pebble and, in places, flat stones. Very shallow at first, but clouds up quickly when it's busy, due to the enclosed bay.
  • Water: Calm, safe, and warms up very fast.
  • Snorkelling: Not recommended, as visibility is limited.

Facilities & Atmosphere

The area has been given new life thanks to two beach bars on the shore - one more modern and polished, the other more laid-back. Between them, the Municipality has set out free straw umbrellas for anyone to use. In the evening, the scene becomes wonderfully atmospheric, as the colourful lights of the Luna Park reflect on the calm waters of the cove.

Practical Info

  • Address: Lighthouse Beach, below the Alexandroupoli Lighthouse, 68100
  • Access: Very easy on foot from anywhere in the centre (just 0.27km away).
  • Facilities: Beach bars, free municipal umbrellas, Luna Park, nearby parking in or around the port area.
  • Lifeguard: No lifeguard coverage on this particular small stretch.

Weather in Alexandroupoli

Live
11°CPartly cloudy
Feels like 9°C 5 km/h 75%

From 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.

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Marine World at This Beach

Species you most often encounter freediving with a mask here.

Purple Sea UrchinPurple Sea Urchin
Annular SeabreamAnnular Seabream
Dusky GrouperDusky Grouper
Mediterranean MusselMediterranean Mussel
Mediterranean DamselfishMediterranean Damselfish
GarfishGarfish
Mediterranean Horse MackerelMediterranean Horse Mackerel
Flathead Grey MulletFlathead Grey Mullet
Black SeabreamBlack Seabream
Red ScorpionfishRed Scorpionfish
Mediterranean ParrotfishMediterranean Parrotfish
Striped Red MulletStriped Red Mullet
Mediterranean Rainbow WrasseMediterranean Rainbow Wrasse
Common OctopusCommon Octopus
White SeabreamWhite Seabream
Saddled SeabreamSaddled Seabream
Brown MeagreBrown Meagre
Mediterranean Moray EelMediterranean Moray Eel
Snakelocks Sea AnemoneSnakelocks Sea Anemone
Sea StarsSea Stars
Salema PorgySalema Porgy
Two-Banded SeabreamTwo-Banded Seabream
BogueBogue
Common PandoraCommon Pandora

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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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Nea Chili Beach
BEACH

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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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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