Aliko Beach, Beach on the island of Naxos, Greece
Aliko Beach is a sandy beach on the southwestern coast of Naxos island in Greece, set within a small sheltered cove. Rocky formations and a forest of old cedar trees frame the shore, with the trees growing right behind the dunes.
The coastal area around Aliko was shaped for centuries by the nearby saltpans, which were part of the island's working life. In the 1960s and 1970s, unfinished buildings appeared near the shore and became a surface for murals painted by artists, though those structures have since been torn down.
The Aliko area is known for the cedar forest called Kedrodasos, which sits just behind the dunes and is a protected natural zone. The old trees grow directly above the sand, giving this stretch of coast a look that feels very different from most beaches on the island.
The beach is easy to reach by car, with parking available along the road and before the forest area. There are no umbrellas or sun-beds on site, so bringing your own supplies, including water and food, is a good idea.
Some of the cedar trees in the forest behind the shore are over 200 years old, and their roots actively hold the dunes together, keeping the coastal strip from shifting. Several of the trees reach up to about 20 feet (6 meters) tall and have unusually wide trunks for their species.
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