Also nearby, within walking distance of the village of Paleokastro, is a pleasant beach. The Captain had understood that this area was named Chiona, but I am assured it is better considered part of Paleokastro. Small cliffs back on to the beach at the southern end. When the Captain visited in the mid-1990s nudity with discretion was possible here during the week; however it is well visited by Greek families especially at the weekends. (Rating: 40%)

The centre of Paleokastro is a mile inland from a bay several miles long which lies roughly NW-SE. The NW end of this bay is marked by the tiny fishing harbour of Kouremenos and a ridge running E-W inland. The southeast end is wild and essentially inaccessible. From Kouremenos the bay starts off as a single sweep of gravelly sand ending in a sandstone hill, whose cliffs drop sheer into the sea. Chiona is on the southern slopes of this hill, and a "beach at Chiona" would be expected to be the half mile sweep of gravelly sand south of the hill running past the ancient site of Rousolakkos until low cliffs break in.

Paleokastro

Paleokastro

7:12 am, Jul 20, 2025

24°C

clear sky

Humidity: 88 %

Pressure: 1008 mb

Wind: 5 mph

Wind Gust: 0 mph

Clouds: 0%

Visibility: 10 km

Sunrise: 6:19 am

Sunset: 8:32 pm

Weather from OpenWeatherMap

The naturist beach is actually immediately north of the hill. A dirt track runs all the way behind the beaches from Kouremenos to Rousolakkos, and there is ample parking area alongside the track for almost all its length. The naturist beach runs for at least 400m from the cliff barrier at N 35 12' 12" E 26 16' 32".

2002: except at the very start of the day, there were never less than half a dozen nudies around, and the numbers got up to a maximum of perhaps twenty. There were couples, families, singles. At the north-western end there was a certain amount of mixing, with outcrops of textiles in amongst the nudies, then nudies amongst the textiles, but nobody seemed bothered - there was plenty of room for everyone. I'd rate this beach quite highly. Although there wasn't a lot of fine sand, you could find patches if that was what you wanted, and the cliffs at the end were so steep that there was shade available throughout the day. Very peaceful, and with a good view. No sunbeds, umbrellas or beach bars, which might be a problem for some - others might find this a distinct advantage.

2011: barefooters spent a morning there : the nude area was only under the shadow of the cliff. But this is the best part of the beach : impressive scenery and view on the bay, with both shadow and sun to enjoy as you like. They saw only two other naturists and clothed people seated after the cliffs.

2014: Chiona beach - or rather, secluded parts of it - would show nude sunbathers.

2016: We have been there mid-Sept in a morning and we were almost alone.

2017: South of Chiona beach, under the dirt track, some some small coves, very quiet in weekdays.

2018: Called in for a few hours in the afternoon. Actually drove further down but returned to the first parking spot (where the track drops almost to beach level: Mpontalaki on Google maps.) Further down were mainly single men, on the main beach up to 4 couples (and one textile couple later). As couples departed, more single guys arrived, giving a bit of a cruisey vibe.