Just 7km south of Chios Town, Karfas is the island's most accessible and most popular beach — a wide, gentle arc of golden sand lapped by calm, shallow water that makes it ideal for families with young children. In summer it comes alive with beach bars, sunbed rentals, and the laughter of Greek families who have been coming here for generations.
Karfas lacks the dramatic scenery of Mavra Volia or the seclusion of Agia Dynami, but it more than compensates with its ease and its energy. The water warms quickly in the protected bay, and the sandy bottom shelves gradually — perfect for young swimmers. Behind the beach a string of tavernas, cafes, and rental accommodation has grown up over the decades.
This is also a wonderful place to watch Chian sunsets. As the sun drops behind the hills to the west, the water turns copper and gold, and the cafes along the beach fill with locals eating grilled fish and drinking cold Mythos beer. It is the Greece of postcards — but entirely authentic.