Cliff Dive at Mavra Volia Beach

Picture a desolate place tucked away from time. If you are looking for some peace of mind and serenity, Mavra Volia is magic. Follow a narrow road just past the harbor of Emporios and you will find this black pebble beach. The pebbles were created by lava from the now dormant volcano, Psaronas. There are two stunning beaches, partitioned by huge rock formations.

GETTING THERE: If you are facing the harbor of Emporios, take the road that follows the perimeter to the right. Just around the bend, the road splits. Take the left turn and it will lead you straight to the beach. Park anywhere on the right-hand side of this road (across from the houses).

CLIFF JUMPING: The rock cliffs between the two beaches jet out and make for a great jumping spot. Clarity of the water is deep so you have good visibility to scope out a safe landing. Pick a height anywhere from as little as 5ft to high as 50ft.

For those interested in a secluded space, continue walking down the second beach. There are some enclaves that provide privacy. In May, we had the beach entirely to ourselves. Summer months (June-August) are in season, so there will likely be other visitors but fear not - they will hardly take away from the beautiful oasis.