Achla Beach Andros, Greece: My Car-Free Guide + Tips
Achla Beach on Andros, Greece is one of the best beaches on this under-the-radar Greek island. Once you see a picture of it, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it as much as I did.
Whilst Achla Beach isn’t straightforward to reach, it’s definitely worth the effort. I loved making my way to this remote beach, with water so blue it looked like it had a filter on it.
When I visited, there were no facilities at all, so bring everything you need. I reached Achla without a car, combining an e-bike with a hike from Agios Nikolaos Monastery.
This quick guide covers how to get to Achla Beach, what to expect and what else you can do nearby.
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In a hurry? Can you get to Achla Beach without a car?
Yes. I did it myself by e-bike to Agios Nikolaos Monastery, then on foot along route 6. It took some planning and determination, but it was completely doable.
If that doesn’t appeal, you can also take a taxi to the monastery and hike from there, or visit by boat. I cover each option below.
If you’re still at the planning stage, start by checking ferry options from Athens to Andros on ferryhopper.com. I love that you can see all ferry companies in one place. I cover all the details in my article on how to get to Andros by ferry.
Achla Beach: my experience
Before my trip, I was a little worried that I might not be able to visit Achla Beach without a car. It looked like one of the very best beaches on Andros though, so I was determined to find a way.
I set off reasonably early to give myself a better chance of reaching the beach before more people arrived. I biked to Agios Nikolaos Monastery, locked up my bike and skipped visiting the monastery because I wanted to get started on the hike.
From the monastery, I followed hiking route 6 towards Achla. There was a family visiting the monastery when I arrived, but they were the only other people I saw for the entire hike down.
The route was rough in places, with scrubby bushland scratching at my legs. The return, uphill in the blazing heat of the day, was the toughest part.
When I arrived at Achla Beach, I spent quite a bit of time taking photos before having a wonderfully refreshing swim in the deep blue water. With the wide expanse of beach pretty much to myself, it was exactly the reward I needed after the hike.
I also looked around the little church by the shore and stopped for the picnic I’d brought with me. A few small groups arrived in the early afternoon, but everyone remained well spread out. I also had a lovely chat with a Greek lady about her time living on Andros before starting the return hike.
What to expect at Achla Beach
The views
The sweeping curve of Achla Beach, surrounding hills and turquoise water make the view worth lingering over. For me, the extraordinary colour of the water was the standout feature.
Achla Beach
Achla Beach is a huge expanse of pale pebbles and sand. One of its most unusual features is the Achla River, which runs down to the beach before meeting the sea, while a small church sits on the eastern side.
The water
The sea at Achla was beautifully clear and blue when I visited. It was wonderfully calm, and I found swimming in the sheltered bay very easy.
I experienced strong meltemi winds elsewhere during my Andros trip, although not on the day I visited Achla. If they’re blowing strongly, check local sea conditions before setting out, particularly if swimming or a boat trip is a priority.
Facilities
When I visited, there were no facilities at all: no toilets, cafés, beach bars, shops or anywhere to buy food or drink.
Bring everything you need, particularly if you’re hiking, and take more water than you think you’ll need for the exposed walk back.
The lack of facilities does require some preparation, but it’s also one of the reasons Achla still feels so special.
The surroundings: don’t miss the Achla River
Route 6 also continues inland from the monastery towards Vourkoti. On another day, I followed this section beside the Achla River through surprisingly lush greenery, passing a stone bridge before heading towards Gerolimni waterfall and its natural pool.
When I visited there was a rope swing over the water, and the cool pool was absolutely divine on a hot day.
It felt very different from the dry, exposed landscape on the hike down to Achla Beach.
Finding Gerolimni can be tricky because you have to leave the official trail and clamber over rocks for part of the route. If you’d prefer the reassurance of going with someone who knows the way, consider joining a guided river trek to the waterfall.
You can also visit Agios Nikolaos Monastery while you’re in the area. You only need to allow a short amount of time, so it’s an easy extra stop.
Crowds: when’s the best time to visit Achla Beach?
I arrived mid-morning in early summer and there were only two other people on the entire beach. Nobody else arrived for a good few hours.
A few small groups appeared later in the afternoon, but Achla still didn’t feel busy because there was so much room to spread out. Peak summer may be different, but based on my experience I’d arrive earlier if you want the best chance of a quieter beach.
Shade
There was almost no shade when I arrived. I found a little towards one side later in the day, but I’d still bring a hat, strong sun protection and, if you’re staying for several hours, your own shade.
How to get to Achla Beach
Achla Beach is one of the more remote beaches on Andros, but you have several options for getting there, including ways to reach it without hiring a car.
Hiking to Achla Beach
Hiking route 6 runs from Vourkoti via Agios Nikolaos Monastery to Achla Beach. I joined the route at the monastery.
The official Andros Routes listing gives the full Vourkoti-to-Achla route as 9.4 kilometres and around three and a half hours. My timing below is only for the monastery-to-beach section.
It took me around one hour and twenty minutes to walk from the monastery to Achla Beach. I found the path straightforward to follow, but the rough terrain, scrubby vegetation and lack of shade made it more tiring than the distance might suggest.
The return is steeper and mostly uphill, so cover up, wear suitable footwear and carry plenty of water.
The Andros Routes website has maps and current trail information. I’d also recommend downloading the Maps.me app before you arrive on Andros.
Getting to route 6 without a car
You could walk to Achla Beach from Chora, but that would make for a very long day.
Instead, I rented an e-bike from Riva Rentals in the centre of Chora. It’s just over 10 kilometres from Chora to the monastery and the ride took me around 30 minutes.
The e-bike made the hills surprisingly easy, but parts of the road are exposed and it was very windy when I cycled it, which at times made the ride feel a little treacherous.
At Agios Nikolaos Monastery, I locked up the bike and continued to Achla on foot.
For me, this was a great car-free combination, giving me the hike without adding a substantial walk before I’d even reached the trail.
Staying in Chora makes this car-free option much easier, as you’re close to Riva Rentals, taxis and the start point for boat trips. If Achla is high on your Andros list, I’d look for accommodation in Chora rather than basing yourself too far away. The wonderfully luxurious Micra Anglia Boutique Hotel & Spa has a pool and popular restaurant.
Driving to Achla Beach
You can drive to Achla Beach, but a large part of the one-hour journey from Chora is on an untarmacked dirt road. I haven’t driven it myself, although I did see cars making their way down the track while I was at the beach.
The final road is rugged and some say it’s only suitable for 4×4 vehicles. If you’re hiring a car, check that your vehicle and rental agreement are suitable for untarmacked roads before setting off.
Taking a taxi
Another useful option is to take a taxi from Chora to Agios Nikolaos Monastery and start the hike from there.
You can usually find taxis around the main square in Chora, close to many of the main restaurants in Chora. During my trip I used Vicki Manesi Taxi and found it easy to arrange journeys in English via WhatsApp on +30 698 052 8250.
I paid €25 for the journey from Chora to Agios Nikolaos Monastery. Confirm the current fare when you book.
Take a boat trip to Achla Beach
For the most relaxing way to reach Achla Beach, take a boat trip from Chora. You can travel along the Andros coastline, passing caves on the way, before arriving at the beach from the sea.
I had hoped to return to Achla this way later in my trip, but the meltemi winds were blowing. Having already hiked there once, I still think approaching the beach by boat would be a fabulous way to experience it a second time.
If you’re visiting Andros without a car and don’t fancy the hike, I’d choose the boat trip option.
Is Achla Beach on Andros, Greece worth it? My view
Yes. Achla Beach was one of my favourite things to do in Andros and one of the best beaches, with clean water, a gorgeous setting and hardly anyone there when I visited in early summer.
It takes some effort to reach, but the e-bike and hike combination made it possible for me without a car, and a boat trip gives you an easy alternative. If you like wild, undeveloped beaches, I’d definitely make room for Achla Beach on your Andros itinerary.