This hidden Greek beach was just crowned the most “paradise-like” in Europe — and you can only get there by boat

A hidden Greek cove with electric-blue waters and a legendary shipwreck — Navagio Beach is paradise, revealed only to those who arrive by boat.

If your dream holiday involves turquoise water, untouched shores, and a dash of adventure, Greece has just the place for you. Tucked deep within the Ionian Sea, lies a beach so surreal, so cinematic, that even seasoned travellers describe it as “paradise.” And now, it has the official title to match.

Navagio Beach — the iconic “Shipwreck Beach” of Zakynthos — was recently named the most paradise-like beach in Europe, and No. 8 in the world, in a global ranking by leading U.K. travel company Kuoni. The recognition puts this secret cove among the planet’s most enchanting, postcard-perfect coastal destinations.

And here’s the twist: you can only get there by boat, which makes it all the more irresistible.

To create the ranking, Kuoni studied over 180 world-famous beaches, analysing thousands of traveller reviews across major platforms. They looked specifically for one word: “paradise.”

Navagio Beach didn’t just appear in the results — it dominated them. Nearly 10% of all reviews described it as “paradise,” even from travellers who admired it only from a boat due to sea conditions. The verdict: Navagio isn’t just beautiful; it’s breathtaking in a once-in-a-lifetime way.

(Image: Canva)

Navagio Beach is a masterpiece sculpted by nature. Imagine a crescent of bright white pebbles, hugged tightly by towering limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea. Below, the water glows a shade of electric, milky blue so vivid it almost looks filtered.

This hypnotic blue colour is caused by the area’s unique underwater limestone and sunlight reflecting off suspended minerals. It’s the kind of place where your eyes struggle to believe what they are seeing.

Because it’s accessible only by boat, Navagio has retained a raw, untouched allure — a rarity in the age of mass tourism. The remoteness enhances its reputation as one of Europe’s last true hidden gems.

Navagio Beach’s centrepiece is the haunting yet beautiful rusting remains of the MV Panagiotis, a smuggler ship that ran aground in the 1980s. Half-buried in the white stones, the shipwreck has become one of Greece’s most photographed landmarks.

Its presence gives the beach a rugged, cinematic charm — part mystery, part myth, and entirely unforgettable. It’s not just a beach; it’s a story waiting to be explored.

(Image: Canva)

According to the study, beaches that feel like “paradise” tend to offer three things beyond good looks:

1. A feeling of privacy: Even during peak season, Navagio’s boat-only access keeps it free from the overwhelming crowds that pack many Greek islands.

2. Untouched nature and wildlife: Zakynthos is home to dolphins, rare seabirds, and the beloved Caretta-caretta loggerhead sea turtles, often spotted near the coastline.

3. A sense of escape: Visitors often say they feel like they’ve stepped onto another planet — one where the cliffs shelter you from the world and time seems to slow.

Navagio delivers all three effortlessly.

There are beautiful beaches, and then there are beaches that change the way you think about beauty. Navagio Beach falls squarely into the latter.

Whether you’re:

• A photographer chasing a once-in-a-lifetime shot,
• A romantic longing for a secluded escape,
• A history lover intrigued by the shipwreck’s past, or
• A traveller searching for a truly unspoilt destination,

this beach offers an experience unmatched anywhere in Europe.

And when you finally glide toward it by boat, watching the cliffs open up to reveal that unreal blue lagoon — it feels like a curtain lifting on paradise.

(Image: Canva)

Since Navagio Beach can only be reached by water, getting there becomes a memorable part of the experience. Several boat tours operate regularly from Porto Vromi, Agios Nikolaos, Zakynthos Town, and Skinari, each offering a scenic ride across the Ionian Sea before you arrive at the iconic cove.

Most daily excursions include a stop at Navagio Beach itself, giving visitors a chance to step onto its dazzling white pebbles and admire the shipwreck up close. Depending on the weather, tours usually allow time for swimming in the crystal-clear waters that surround the bay. Many trips also offer panoramic views of the shipwreck from both land and sea, creating picture-perfect moments from every angle.

To round off the journey, the tours often include a visit to the nearby Blue Caves — another breathtaking highlight of Zakynthos, known for its glowing sapphire waters and dramatic rock formations.

Navagio Beach isn’t just a destination — it’s a sensation, a scene, a memory carved into white limestone cliffs and electric blue waters. With its rare blend of isolation, dramatic scenery, rich wildlife, and storied shipwreck history, it has effortlessly earned its place among the most paradise-like beaches on the planet.

If Greece is on your travel list, make room at the very top for this hidden Ionian wonder and prepare to fall in love at first sight.