If you’re heading to Syros’ beaches and looking for one that’s perfect for families, easygoing travelers, and anyone who enjoys a blend of comfort and crystal-clear, calm waters, then Vari Beach is a must.
When we first arrived at Vari Beach with our kids, we instantly thought: “This is the kind of beach where parents actually get to relax.” No crashing waves, no sharp rocks, just a laid-back bay with shallow, safe water that lets kids play freely while parents can finally sit back with a coffee (or something stronger, we won’t judge ;-)).
Read more: Syros with kids
And just when we thought we’d found the perfect spot, we discovered Achladi Beach, Vari’s little neighbor. Smaller, quieter, and somehow even more charming, but still with a place to eat and some basic amenities.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Even if you have no children, visiting Vari Beach and Achladi Beach is something you should do in Syros. Any traveler will appreciate the beauty of this bay while paddleboarding over its calm waters or tasting some local tzatziki overlooking the Aegean.
This mini guide covers everything you need to know about Vari Beach and Achladi Beach, including some tips we collected when we spent our days there, so you can make the most of your visit. Read until the end to discover where to eat and stay around Vari Beach, as well.
How to get to Vari Beach and Achladi Beach?
Reaching Vari Beach (and Achladi Beach) is very easy. From the capital Ermoupoli, it’s just an 8 km drive, which is about 15 minutes by rental car (check this article to find out everything about renting a car in Syros) or scooter. If you wonder where to park around Vari Beach, there is a parking lot close to the beach for free. However, in summer, parking spots can fill up quickly.
If you don’t have wheels, you can also grab a taxi by calling them directly (Syros Taxi or Hermes Taxi). Or, if you are staying in Ermoupoli, you can go to Miaouli Square or the port in Ermoupoli, where they usually line up.
Another great alternative is taking the local bus, which runs regularly from April to October from Ermoupoli Port and stops at all the beaches, including Vari and Achladi Beach (no long treks with beach bags, snorkels, and inflatable unicorns required).
TIP: You can find the local bus timetable here. There are two lines, one going clockwise, the other one going counterclockwise. To go back, just go to the same bus stop where you got off the bus. There is also a bus stop at Achladi Beach.
Read more: How to get to Syros Island in Greece
Best time to visit Vari Beach and Achladi Beach
If you ask us, June and September are the golden months. The water is warm enough for endless swims, the tavernas are open and lively, but you don’t have to fight for a sunbed. It’s busy enough to feel the fun without being overwhelming.
July and August are, of course, peak season, great if you love a buzzing beach scene and don’t mind a bit of a crowd, but be ready for packed parking and plenty of fellow families.
If you’re more into quiet swims and empty stretches of sand, May and October are surprisingly lovely too: the sea might be a little cooler, but the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed, and you get to enjoy Vari almost like a local, while most tavernas are still open.
Visiting Syros in winter (like we did)? Vari and Achladi are still relaxing and nice places, but usually everything closes, and there are no more amenities on the beach. So you will have to bring everything yourself.
Read more: Best time to visit Syros
TIP: Because Vari Beach lies in a sheltered cove, it is usually one of the best beaches on Syros when it is very windy (especially the northern Meltemi winds). So if you are blown away at Azolimnos, Kini, or Galissas, or if the waves are just too much at Asteria Beach, Vari Beach (and also Achladi Beach) will save your beach day!
Things you need to know about Vari Beach and Achladi Beach
Here are a few practical tips that are handy to know if you plan a visit to Vari Beach or the smaller Achladi Beach.
- Shallow, calm waters: As mentioned before, Vari Bay is protected from northern winds, which means calm, safe waters that are perfect for children or less experienced swimmers. Even more so, because it is shallow for quite a while.
- Sandy beach: Another thing that adds to the beach vibes and family-friendly atmosphere of Vari and Achladi Beach is the sandy shoreline, allowing parents to relax while kids play.
- Amenities: Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent, linked to the tavernas and cafés on the far side of the Vari beach. At the beginning (closer to the road), there are a few free umbrellas provided by the municipality where you can lay your own towel to sit on. You’ll also find a shower to wash off the salt, and a changing booth. Same thing at Achladi Beach.
- Shade: Besides the free umbrellas, there are only a couple of trees around the beach, so you’ll have to be early, unless you bring your own umbrella or are willing to pay for sunbeds.
TIP: If you have restricted mobility, there is a sea ramp at Vari Beach that will help you to get into the water.
- Beachfront vibe: You’ll find a couple of tavernas and cafés, a tiny supermarket (at Vari), lining the coast. So everything you need is just a few steps away.
- Best time of the day to visit: Mornings are calm and less crowded, while evenings are ideal for dining by the sea. During the day, it gets pretty busy.
- Bring water shoes (optional): The beaches are sandy, but water shoes can be handy for children if they plan to explore the rocky edges.
- Sports: At Vari Beach, there is a volleyball net you can use, and there’s a place where you can rent stuff for water sports (more about that further in this article).
- Stay nearby: Staying in Vari or Achladi means you can walk to the beach every day and soak in the Cycladic summer vibes without worrying about transportation.
Read more: What to pack for the Cyclades
What to do at Vari Beach, Syros
Let’s be real, most of us will come here to spend the day relaxing, swimming, sunbathing, and having long talks with friends or family. But there are a few things to do at Vari Beach, worth mentioning:
- Do some water sports: Besides playing volleyball on the beach, you can also rent canoes, SUPs (stand-up paddleboards), and even a pedalo at Vari Beach during the high season. Great fun if you want to be a bit more active!
- Have a drink or a meal: Although Vari Beach is small, there are multiple wonderful restaurants and bars lining the beach, from a coffee bar to a traditional taverna. You definitely don’t need to leave the beach for food and drinks. Below we list our favorite ones.
- Walk from Vari Beach to Achladi Beach: We’ve talked about Achladi Beach before in the article, and it is the cutest little bay, very close to Vari Beach. Follow the main road for 5 minutes, and you’ll already see this small gem!
- Visit Makryonitis Distillery: A hidden gem near Vari Beach, if you love to know more about the process of making Tsipouro, tasting it, and getting a bottle as a souvenir or for a drink on the beach. Best to call Makryonitis Distillery to arrange a visit, which they will happily do!
- Walk from Vari Beach to Fabrika Beach: This small beach is located outside of the sheltered bay (meaning you can feel the wind a lot more), and is only 15 minutes walking from Vari Beach. There are a few free umbrellas at this beach, but not a whole lot of other amenities.
Read more: Best hikes in Syros
Explore Achladi Beach: Vari’s Neighboring Gem
Just around the corner from Vari lies Achladi Beach, a smaller and quieter alternative that is perfect for those seeking a more peaceful vibe, or anyone who wants to escape the busier family scene at Vari.
Like Vari, Achladi is also well-protected from winds and has a sandy, shallow beach, making it equally as safe and calm. Although small, Achladi also has everything you need, from sunbeds you can rent to some free umbrellas provided by the municipality. There’s even a tiny harbor.
And, you are on a Greek beach, also two places where you can eat a delicious local meal or enjoy your coffee in the morning, just steps from the sea.
You can easily walk to Achladi from Vari. It’s only a few minutes away. If you’re driving, there’s a small parking area near the beach. And the bus also stops here.
We loved that you can easily switch between the lively vibe of Vari and the laid-back charm of Achladi. It’s like having two beaches for the price of one.
Where to eat in Vari and Achladi
One of the best things to do at Vari Beach (or any Greek beach for that matter) is to sit down at one of the seafront restaurants for a meal or a drink, after a refreshing swim in the Aegean.
There are only a few restaurants and cafes right by the beach, and honestly, you can’t go wrong! Here’s an overview, though:
- N’plo: Just like all the following places, you have a great view from this restaurant, which serves mixed international cuisine.
- Enlefko: Beautiful seaside restaurant with nice cuisine and relatively reasonable prices. They serve some delicious fish dishes.
- Vox Grill and more: At this restaurant, they serve both Greek and international cuisine (you have to try the pasta) right at the beach. You can rent sunbeds here.
- Bolas Restaurant: Nice beach taverna, part of the Kamelo Hotel. They offer great value for money, especially given the prime location. You can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas here.
- Kiboo: A proper beach bar, located a few steps away from the beach, but they also have sunbeds and bean bags for rent on the beach. If you are looking for more loungy vibes.
- Emily Boutique (Achladi): They rent out sunbeds and umbrellas, but the food and drinks here are amazing too!
- Achladi Restaurant: You come to this restaurant for the location, which is hard to beat! Right by the warmer, in this small idyllic bay, with some small fishing boats floating right next to it. To be honest, the food isn’t the best we’ve ever had (for that price), but it was definitely worth it for the spot.
Read more: Best restaurants in Syros
TIP: Most restaurants close during the winter, so make sure to bring your own food and drinks if you are visiting Vari Beach during those months.
Where to stay near Vari
If you want to go for the full beach experience, try to stay in a beachfront hotel in Vari or Achladi. Here are some of our favorite accommodations in Vari:
- Hotel Kamelo: Great hotel, right on the beach, with nice and spacious rooms. They also have the Bolas Restaurant downstairs, so you actually never have to leave if you don’t want to.
- Seaside Haven: Beautiful apartment right at the beach. The views from the terrace are hard to beat. And it’s also located above the restaurant of the owners, making it even more convenient.
- Syra Suites (Achladi): Fantastic accommodations in beautiful stone buildings, overlooking Achladi Beach. They also offer free parking and a large terrace.
Read more: Where to stay in Syros
Our final thoughts on Vari Beach
For us, Vari Beach was the ultimate family-friendly spot: shallow, safe, organized, and filled with good food. Achladi, right next door, gave us a quieter option when we wanted a slower pace. Together, they’re like two sides of the same coin, one lively and social, the other calm and intimate.
So whether you’re traveling with kids, as a couple, or solo, spending a few days around Vari and Achladi is a recipe for sunshine, swims, and way too much seafood.