There are some nice beaches on Folégandros. First of all, there are several beaches Northwest of Chóra. You can reach them by bus. From the different bus stops, you then have to walk on footpaths, down to the varying beaches.
One of the busiest is Angáli beach, with summer-only taverns and some rooms, which you will reach after a fifteen minutes walk down a steep but mostly paved road. This is a nice beach with sand, often full of sun worshippers.
Galifos beach is a 8-10 minutes walk Northwest from Angáli beach, half the distance to Ágios Nikólaos, see below. It's a small cove often uses by guest at Galifos rooms, beautifully located just above the beach.
If you dislike swimsuit or swimming trunks, I recommend that you take the path to the right (Northwest) from Angáli beach, and walk about fifteen minutes to reach Ágios Nikólaos, with many tamarisks, coarse sand and a beautiful view back over the island. It's considered to be the best beach on the island, and I agree. At Ágios Nikólaos a lone tavern operates, which is a good thing if you get tired of eating the fruit or biscuits you have brought with you!
Another nudist beach is Fira, which you also reach from Angáli, by choosing the path to the left (Southwest), and then walk about ten minutes. This beach has no facilities at all, but if you like a rather deserted beach, this could be the one to pick. The beach consists of much stones and some sand. The swimming is great, and the relatively closeness to Angáli and the taverns there is a plus.
I you are fond of walking and like a good workout, you should try a couple of other beaches, in the more northerly part of the island. To get to Livadaki and Ampelli, go by bus to the final stop at Áno Meriá. A few hounded metres after the tavern, you find two signs to guide you in the right direction. You then have to walk about 45-60 minutes, to reach the beaches. Ampelli, the northernmost of the two, is a rather small beach, mostly with stones. The surroundings immediately before you get to the beach, is very nice and green, and some cultivation take place here.
Livadaki is a little wider, with a surface of much stones and some sand. It's a really beautiful cove with step rocky sides and inland about 100 metres from the beach there are some shadowing trees. On the right side (if you come from inland) there is also some limited shade behind the rocks. The swimming is great and snorkelling here is popular. This is also a popular beach among naturists.
Ágios Georgios is a beach at the Northeast part of the island, with a very nice path down towards the beach, which will take about 45 minutes of walking. It's a nice beach with sand, some shadow from tamarisks, but unfortunately not so good swimming, because of dirt in the water and difficulties of getting into the water. Since some years there is a new dust road down to this bay. It seems like people now is starting to renovate old summer houses or fishermen's home, thanks to the new road.
If you walk right beyond Cape Kastellos from Ágios Georgios beach, you will find a tiny little beach call Lygaria. This is a nice and secluded beach with sand. The disadvantage with this beach is that there is a great chance that you may step in some oil, since this beach is exposed to northern winds. There are also some difficulties of getting into the water. But if you like a place of your own, this is it!
An alternative route to this beach is to walk to the north from the final bus stop at áno Meriá about 400 meters, and then take to the right between two well cistern.
Note: since a few years a road to Ágios Georgios have been
built, passing close to Lygaria beach. Unfortunately the
charm of this beach is gone, since it's NOT secluded anymore!
A little north of Chora there is a beach called Voreina. You get there by taking the little road toward the windmills north of Chora and then continue a path down to the beach. Alternatively you start your walk at the church Aghii Saranta and down to the beach, a 15-20 minute walk. The walk is quite nice! Unfortunately this beach is exposed to the north wind and thus often full of garbage and oil, alternatively with seaweed. In lucky times you se the beach surface that consists of stones and some sand. The advantage with this beach, as I see it, is that you get "your own" beach, because no one hardly get here. Unfortunately it is often difficult to get into the water, since the waves are often strong and the sea bed is full of stones.
Note: try to avoid the oil on the beach and rocks.
Another thing: the sun disappears early at Voreina.
In Karavostassi there is a beach called Chochlidia. It’s a stony beach. This is a popular beach to many people. I don't fancy it at all!
Around Karavostassi you will find several beaches, for example Vardia a small sand-and-pebble beach, which is to the right from the port (behind Vardia hotel).
If you instead walk in southern direction and passing the beach at Karavostassi, Chochlidia, you will find several small beaches that are all right. Personally I often visit the third beach, Pountaki, where you can drop your swimsuit without be embarrassing to other people (at least most of the time).
One of the most beautiful beaches on the island is Cartegó, which you will find if you continue to walk in south-western direction. When you reach the settlement of Livadi with a few houses, there is a first sign in direction towards Cartegó. Some 150 meters later the next sign shows up, which points to the left or Southern direction. Follow the path and about 15 minutes later you will have a very nice view of the beach from above. It can be tricky to get down to the beach from here, but look carefully were you put your feats and all will be ok! It takes about 10 minutes to get down. On this beach there is a mixture of dressed and undressed people (as on many others). The surface of the beach is mostly small stones or rather gravel. Shadow is limited to a few rocks, depending on the time of the day.
In 1994 (my first year on the island) I didn't found the signs for some reason (should have continued a couple of hundred metres more towards Livadi), and walked over the mountain the hard way, without following any trail. That was a very tiresome and difficult way to reach the beach. If you are fond of trekking you can do the same, but otherwise I recommend you to follow the signs to the correct path!
If you not into walking, you can join the boat, which leave from the port about 11:15. This boat carries on to Angáli, ágios Nikólaos and also Livadaki and Ampelli during the main season.
Danger: look out for the dangerous water currants
on this beach. To swim out to the islet just outside
is not always a good idea!
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