Update: From June 4th, 2024 until further notice, due to the bad condition of the road, entry on the segment starting at the intersection to Ano Meria and ending at Kipos beach is forbidden for all types of vehicles.
Kipos Beach ("the garden"), also known as Kipi Beach ("the gardens") is one of the most beautiful beaches of Samothraki. It has a rare beauty, different from the typical poster image of Greek beaches.
Similar to Pachia Ammos, Kipos is at the end of the perimetral road - the other end. From Kamariotissa take the road towards Therma and 28 km later (about 35 minutes), after crossing all the northern coast, you'll get to Cape Kipos and the beach. This is the only similarity between the two beaches, even though they are on the same island they're nothing alike.
Kipos Beach stretches for over a kilometer, making it one of the biggest beaches in Samothraki. Its pebbles have a dark color, the result of past volcanic activity, in sharp contrast to the dark blue of the water. The place has a strange beauty. The landscape looks almost out of this world with huge, sharp granite and basalt cliffs rising abruptly out of the water.
The road ends with a parking area. The place is not only popular with tourists but also with goats so if you leave your car underneath the trees by the mountain, you might find a goat climbed on top of it nonchalantly nibbling at the leaves above.
Typically, the beach is not organized and shade is hard to come by, so it's advisable to bring your own. Aquashoes are also a must.
The water deepens relatively slowly, but constantly and once you get further from the shore there might be strong currents, dangerous even for the most experienced swimmers.
The cliff area is good for snorkeling and if you swim past it you'll stumble upon caverns and small beaches otherwise inaccessible.
On the horizon, there's a beautiful view (especially at sunset) of Gokceada (Imvros), which belongs to Turkey since 1923. Because of its proximity and the weak reception of the Greek mobile networks, your phone might connect to a Turkish one. Roaming charges are no joke so it's better to just turn off mobile data while there.
Mount Saos towers menacingly to the west, so direct sunlight is gone early in the afternoon, sooner than in other parts of the island.
Although Kipos is not a sandy beach, a lot of people love it for the clear blue water, its unspoiled natural beauty, the quiet and the lack of amenities. The isolation and considerable size make it a favorite spot for nudists.
Places to visit nearby
On the road to Kipos, you can make a quick stop at the church of Agia Paraskevi. You'll find it on the shore nearby the intersection with the road that climbs to the village of Ano Meria.
Taverns near Kipos Beach
Relatively near Kipos in Ano Meria, there's the popular Taverna Karydies in a beautiful plate forest.
Accommodation near Kipos Beach
The closest accommodations are Ktima Holoway and Archondissa Beach Hotel, near Therma, aproximately 11 km away (about 15 minutes by car) from Kipos Beach.
Pachia Ammos, the most popular beach in Samothraki
Vatos, the hidden beach of Samothraki
Therma Beach and Saoki Beach Bar
The beach of Paleopoli
Fonias Beach and the medieval tower
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