Beaches of Crete

Absolutely all travelers who go to Greece, or to the island of Crete in our case, will be looking for places to visit. Probably in the first place to search will be the beaches and there is an incredible number of them, for every taste. In this article we will analyze 10 most popular and 10 unknown beaches of Crete. So, in order not to get confused, let’s start with 4 areas of the island: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi. Some beaches have the same names, but are located in different areas, so while you will be searching for a specific place in the Internet, don’t forget to specify the region where it’s located in addition to the name.

If you are planning to rent a car, then you can consider absolutely all areas to visit, if you do not plan to drive during your vacation, then it is better to look for some beaches and attractions close to the hotel where you’re planning to stay on Crete or purchase an excursion.

The 10 Most Famous Beaches of Crete

BALOS BEACH (CHANIA) is probably one of the most recognizable beach on the island of Crete. You’ve definitely seen the photos of Balos on many postcards and advertisements of the island. It is located in the very west in the region of Chania. Due to the shallow water and white sand, the water in the bay has an incredible color, from pale to deep blue and green. The water temperature is always high, that’s why it attracts families with kids and even infants. You can get to this heavenly place by the following ways. Probably the most comfortable way is to purchase an excursion and in addition to Balos beach, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of Gramvousa island and fortress standing nearby and the wild shores of western Crete, the bus from the hotel will take you to the port of Kissamos where you will start your boat cruise. This way to visit Balos is the easiest physically. The next way to get to the beach is by rented car, you should know that the road is unpaved, so you need to choose a very strong car and if it rains, the trip will be not completely safe. The unpaved road ends with a large parking lot with an indescribable view. But you will need to continue your trip and in order to fully enjoy it, you need to descend 1 kilometer along the path with steps, you should also climb back up the same way. There is also a city bus that will take you to the parking lot, but it runs quite rarely. The beach is fully organized. 📌 View on Google Map
ELAFONISI BEACH (CHANIA), is as beautiful as Balos. It is located in the region of Chania, 76 kilometers from the city of Chania itself. The beach is known for the color of the sand, it is really pink. It’s under protection, so it’s strictly forbidden to pluck flowers, plants and take the sand with you as a souvenir. The color of the water is turquoise, the maximum depth in the bay does not more than 1 meter, that’s why the sea is always warm. The beach is well organized, it’s a great place for families with children, lovers of swimming with mask and of beauty in general. You can visit the beach either with an excursion or on your own. 📌 View on Google Map
PALM BEACH VAI (LASITHI), probably everyone has heard this name and description of the incredible beauty of this place, where it’s said one of the famous commercials was filmed in 1970. Already on the way to this beach you begin to realise that this place is unique. Palm trees and sandy ground long before the entrance to the beach begin to surround the road, which is becoming more interesting with every step. You can reach this beach either by car or with an excursion. We should emphasize that this place is the first in Europe in terms of the number of wild date palms. A fully organized beach, fine sand and a gentle entrance to the sea, are suitable for families with small kids. If you walk to the right of the beach, all the charms of this place will open up to you from the hill. Since the beach is under guard, it is strictly forbidden to stay overnight and go beyond the fences. 📌 View on Google Map
PREVELI BEACH (RETHYMNO) is a place where consisted of snowmelt and rain river from the Kurtaliotiko gorge flows into the sea, forming a fresh reservoir. Around the reservoir and up to the shore grows the second largest palm forest on Crete. The water in this heavenly place is cold because of the mountain river. You can get to the beach either with an excursion or on your own, in both cases the road reaches the parking lot located on steep cliffs, from which a fantastic view of the beach and the river opens, then you need to go down the path with steps for about 15-20 minutes. Don’t forget you will need to climb back up the same path. The second way is easier, you need to drive to the Drimiskiano Amoudi beach, which is located a little to the left, leave your car in a parking lot and walk along the path to Preveli Beach for just 5 minutes. There is one significant disadvantage of this method, you will not see the beach itself from a bird’s-eye view as in the first case. The beach is fully organized, suitable for families with children and snorkeling enthusiasts. 📌 View on Google Map
FRANGOKASTELLO BEACH (CHANIA) is famous for its ancient castle, and stories about the ghosts of “Drosulites” who come to visit the castle in early summer. The shore itself is quite wide with fine sand and a gentle entrance to the water. Families with children love this fully organized beach.. For lovers of snorkeling it’s also suitable, you just need to walk to the left to the stones. A road is incredibly beautiful running through the Imbros Gorge requires special attention. The views opening from this part of the way will amaze you long before you reach the beach. 📌 View on Google Map
MATALA BEACH (HERAKLION), the most famous of the beaches in the south of Crete. It is famous for the caves where hippies lived in the 1970s. It’s also located near the Phaistos Palace, the second largest archaeological site of the Minoan civilization on Crete. The beach itself is sandy and pebbly, the entrance to the sea is under a sharp slope. For fans of extreme sports, there are several rocks from which you can dive into the sea. There is a very picturesque village with the same name where you can enjoy walking under the southern sun. 📌 View on Google Map
PLAKIAS BEACH (RETHYMNO) is 1.5 km long, and of course, we must mention it. Since this place is located in the middle of the island in the south, swimming on the beach will fit perfectly into almost all routes. The well-equipped coastline, gentle entrance to the sea, and fine sand make this beach very attractive for families with children. Along the entire beach, there is a country road without heavy traffic, and on its side, there are local taverns and shops, as well as trees, so you can rest while walking. 📌 View on Google Map
SEITAN LIMANIA OR DEVIL’S BAY (CHANIA) is located on the Akrotiri Peninsula in Chania. The way to this “devilishly” beautiful place became reachable by car only a couple of years ago. When you get to the parking place, you will understand this because there is simply no road further, but you will immediately be able to enjoy the indescribable view. Milky-blue waves slowly run onto the sandy beach along a narrow winding tunnel of rocks. The descent to the beach itself passes over the stones, so if you have any health problems, you should not climb down and enjoy the beauty from the parking lot. Keep in mind that the wayer current is very strong, so if you are not sure in your swimming skills, do not go deep. 📌 View on Google Map
PACHIA AMMOS BEACH (LASITHI) is located on the narrowest point of the island of Crete and is surrounded by villages. In the distance there is a rock with a waterfall and an exit from the Ha gorge, unfortunately in the summer months the waterfall almost completely dries up, and access to the gorge requires special training and equipment. The beach itself is one of the largest on the northern coast of the Lasithi region. There can be a lot of seaweed by the beach because of the waves, but walking closer to the pier, where local fishermen tie their boats, you can enjoy the clean sand and the gentle entrance to the sea. Due to the size of the coastline, it is possible to find organized and wild parts under the trees. There are many attractions near this beach, so it is a great place to visit. 📌 View on Google Map
KOLOKITHA BEACH (LASITHI) an incredibly beautiful beach with blue waters has been attracting a lot of guests lately, so it’s worth visiting it either early in the morning or after lunch when all the excursion programs have not yet begun or have already been finished. There are no umbrellas and sun beds on the beach, but tree crowns that reach almost the shore will protect you from the burning Cretan sun. The entrance is sandy and gently sloping. If you still visit the beach during a large amount of people, don’t worry, walk a little further south, there you will meet several more beaches, but they are certainly not as beautiful as Kolokitha beach. The road to the beach itself also requires attention, it is laid along a narrow isthmus that connects Crete with the Kolokitha peninsula, it is decorated with old mills and salt marshes. 📌 View on Google Map

Top 10 unknown beaches of Crete

ALMYROS BEACH (LASITHI), at the exit from the city of Agios Nikolaos, there is a very picturesque beach called Almyro which means “salty” in Greek. The name of the beach was given in honor of the river that flows to the sea through it. The river feeds vegetation throughout the year, that’s why the beach is surrounded by greenery. Absolutely the entire beach is sandy and well equipped with a gentle entrance to the sea, but the water is always cool because of the river that flows from the mountains. The beach can be reached on foot from the city center in about 20 minutes by a very well organised comfortable hiking trail. A very important point, this beach is appropriate to people with disabilities. 📌 View on Google Map
THOLOS BEACH (LASITHI), which can be reached by a road with olive groves, attracts families with children because ofthe gentle entrance to the sea. On one hand, the beach is completely sandy, on the other it is pebbly, there are often waves, but the island called Flea (Ψείρα), located opposite, protects a little. Because of the tree crowns that grow right on the shore, your stay on the beach becomes more comfortable. To the left of the beach there are the ruins of the Roman granary, and if you walk the path along the shore through the hill on the left, you can find the wild beach. 📌 View on Google Map
THE BEACH OF TENDAS AND TENDOPOULA (LASITHI) attracts surfers, as it is located in an incredibly narrow place where there are strong winds and waves. The entrance to the sea is flat, sandy, in some places there are stones. You can get there only by car. The beach is completely wild, it will also be interesting for lovers of snorkeling. 📌 View on Google Map
THE BEACHES OF ERIMOPOULOS, SORAYA AND ITANOS (LASITHI) are located very close to each other, connected by a path that passes through the archaeological excavations of ancient settlements. Fine sand, a comfortable and gentle entrance to the sea, shade from the crowns of trees and the absence of waves, this all can guarantee a pleasant stay in these bays. For lovers of snorkeling this place is also nice. These beaches also attract nudists. 📌 View on Google Map
KEDRODASOS BEACH (CHANIA) is located not far from famous Elafonisi beach. Cedar trees growing right on the sand reach the shore. Since these trees are very sensitive, it is better not to approach them. The beach is completely wild, and fine white sand and crystal clear water, this all is perfect to enjoy, relax and run away from busy everyday life. You can get there by car. 📌 View on Google Map
KORAKAS BEACH (RETHYMNO) located on the southern coast of the island, it is well organized, has a gentle entrance to the sea and a sandy beach. It’s great for families with children, but it is also great for snorkelers, as in the left part of the beach there is a rock that divides the beach into 2 parts and creates a shadow, goes under the water, where it gives shelter to many marine life. The road to this beach is also quite picturesque. 📌 View on Google Map
PIRATE FJORD OR CALYPSO BEACH (RETHYMNO) attracts lovers of crystal-clear water and snorkelers. According to the stories, pirates were hiding in this place, since the bay is completely protected by rocks. Suitable for lovers of wild beauty and walks. Avoid this place on weekends in the high season, as there are quite a lot of fans of deep waters of this place. 📌 View on Google Map
THE BEACH OF AGIOS PAVLOS (RETHYMNO) is located in the south of the island on the shore of a quiet village. It is fully equipped with sun beds and umbrellas. The church of St. Paul rises above the beach itself. But all the beauty is hidden behind a small hill, which you can climb up by the steps to the right part of the beach. From the top you will have a view of the incredible size of the beach with sand dunes. The beach is sandy, there are stones in places, the sea is deep, cool. 📌 View on Google Map
TRIPITI BEACH (HERAKLION), as you have already understood, the most incredible beaches are located far from civilization, like this one. To get to it, you will need to rent a jeep or visit it with excursion. Pay attention to the road that crosses the entire island from north to south, it is laid along the bottom of the Tripiti Gorge. Wild mountains, endemic plants and birds listed in the Red Book will amaze you all the way to the beach. The color of the water is greenish, the beach itself is sandy and pebbly. The water is a little cooler than usual, since the depth in this place is quite large. The beach, as well as the places in general are wild. Small cafés are open during the summer months. Trees grow on the shore, almost to the surf, so if necessary, there is always an opportunity to hide from the burning summer sun. 📌 View on Google Map
STAVROS AND PACHIA AMOS BEACH (CHANIA) is located on the Akrotiri peninsula. The Vardjes Mountain rises above the beach where an episode of the movie “Zorba the Greek” was filmed, in which the main character danced the famous Sirtaki dance. The beach is good because it is protected from the winds, and the sandy and sloping bottom make it even more comfortable. There is a rapidly developing infrastructure so the beach is fully organized and suitable even for the most demanding guests. 📌 View on Google Map
So, this article has come to an end, in fact it was very difficult to choose beaches to describe, since in fact there are more than 600 of them on the island and they are all good in their own way. You should pay attention that all of this beaches have the blue flag. We hope we helped you with this difficult choice and now it will be easier for you to plan a trip or, in general, a plan for a long-awaited vacation on the paradise island of Crete.