This guide covers the Patmos beaches you can realistically reach by rental car from Skala port, with drive times, parking notes, and the best beach choices for a day split between Skala, Chora, and the north coast. Patmos road planning matters because the island’s routes funnel through the Skala corridor, while the Meltemi can make exposed parking and ferry-tender timing less predictable. This table gives a planning snapshot from Skala port, with the most practical beach choices, parking conditions, and on-site facilities. The Skala-to-beach drive-time matrix is most useful if you are trying to match your beach day to an evening ferry or a restaurant booking in Chora, because Patmos parking can tighten quickly around Grikos, Kambos, and Lampi during the August peak. For a rental plan that prioritises beach access, the cheapest A-segment options such as a Fiat Panda, Peugeot 208, or Opel Corsa usually suit these routes better than a larger Jeep Renegade Longitude, which can be harder to place on narrow roadside shoulders. If you are collecting a rental car at Skala port after a foot passenger arrival on a ferry tender, confirm the operator’s exact pick-up point at the Skala pier and ask whether the car is already covered for the first day’s beach route, because some agencies release the car only after payment verification and a signed damage check. Lampi Beach is the best Patmos stop for volcanic pebbles, calm water, and a quieter feel north of Skala. The beach sits about 9 km from Skala, and the final approach after the Kambos junction becomes a narrow descent that rewards careful driving in a small rental car such as a Fiat Panda, Toyota Yaris, VW Polo, or Smart Fortwo Convertible. For visitors staying in Skala, Lampi usually takes 20-25 minutes by car and is easier to manage than a late return from Psili Ammos. Lampi’s multicoloured stones and the long-running Lampi Taverna make it a reliable lunch stop, especially if you are splitting the day between Agriolivado and the north coast. The beach is also a good place to see how the island’s road geometry works in practice, because the route passes through the broader Kambos area before turning toward the quieter coast. Arrive at Lampi before 08:30 if you want the small free lot and street parking closest to the beach, because the number of spaces is limited and the return flow from Kambos can build after lunch. Kambos Beach is the most organised family beach on Patmos, and its shallow water makes it a strong choice for visitors staying in Skala, Grikos, or the Netia corridor. The bay sits about 9 km north of Skala, and the free roadside parking often fills early in July and August, especially near the main cafés and tavernas. George's Place and Atmos (also written as Àtmos Patmos) are the most visible dining options, and both have long opening histories that make them dependable for a beach day. Kambos is also the most practical base for combining a morning swim with a lunch stop before continuing to Livadi Geranou or Meloi. The mix of sand, shade, and easy access means Kambos often suits families better than more remote coves like Psili Ammos or Aporthianos. Diakofti is the southernmost point you can reach by car before the trail to Psili Ammos begins, and the drive from Skala usually takes 15-20 minutes over roughly 7 km. A small free parking lot marks the trailhead, and this is where most drivers leave their car before continuing on foot toward one of Patmos’s most photographed beaches. For rental planning, Diakofti is the easiest place to park if you are using an A-segment car such as a Fiat Panda, Opel Corsa, or Peugeot 208. Psili Ammos is reachable only as a foot passenger on the trail from Diakofti, and the walk typically takes 20-30 minutes each way over uneven ground. The reward is a quiet bay of fine sand with tamarisk shade and a more remote feeling than Kambos, Grikos, or Agriolivado. Psili Ammos is not reachable by car, and the return hike to Diakofti can take 25-30 minutes, so you should leave at least 45-60 minutes between leaving the beach and arriving back at Skala port if you need to catch an evening ferry. The Meltemi north Aegean wind can affect both the trail comfort and any small-boat service from Skala, so a rental car gives you more control than a ferry tender or water taxi if your schedule includes a same-day return.