Crete beaches: The 55 most beautiful swimming spots

From fine sand to coarse gravel – the Beaches of Crete offer something for every taste and attract beach holidaymakers from all over Europe, and there are opportunities to refresh yourself in the deep blue Aegean Sea all over the island.

»The beaches of Crete shimmer in the most beautiful colors and so the coast of the island presents itself like a treasure trove full of sparkling beach jewels.«

With over 1,000 km of coastline, Greece’s largest island offers an amazing selection of dreamy beaches, paradisiacal bays and impressive coastal formations. However, many of the popular bathing spots of Crete are in July and August sometimes hopelessly overcrowded.

If you are not necessarily in Crete in the middle of summer, you have the chance to see the most beautiful beaches of the island in a different light without the crowds. Plus point for Crete: Due to the size of the island, individualists in the south and east always find a stretch of beach where they are almost alone.

In this article, we will introduce you to the most popular Crete beaches and also show you our personal favorites, including some insider tips that we discovered during our stay in Crete:

Where are the most beautiful beaches in Crete?

The question of the most beautiful beaches in Crete is of course very subjective. The most popular sandy beaches for holidaymakers are located in the west at Chania and in the north at Rethymno and Heraklion. Individualists will find their dream beaches in the south and east of Crete. Some of Crete’s beaches are so beautiful that they are considered typical postcard motifs of the island.

In the west of Crete, is Balos Beach with a picturesque lagoon and an offshore island – a truly tropical backdrop and for us personally one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. In the far southwest, Elafonisi Beach with its characteristic pink sand is the beach magnet par excellence.

In the north, on the other hand, Voulisma and the Bay of Seitan Limania with its milk-blue sea. The latter is one of the most beautiful bays in Crete because of its striking shape. It gets really exotic in the east, Vai Beach is located at the outermost tip and impresses with a huge palm forest in the background.

The 15 most popular beaches in Crete

Below we have compiled the most popular Crete beaches according to holidaymaker reviews. The beaches are spread all over the island, especially the top 5 are probably part of the standard excursion program of every Crete vacationer. However, the first 10 in summer are not recommended for those seeking peace and quiet.

1. Elafonisi Beach

Elafonisi Beach is the most popular excursion destination in the southwest. A stretch of coastline like from a lagoon, with pink sandy beaches, turquoise-blue, crystal clear water and an island connected to a dune landscape by a sandbank.

• Directions and parking Elafonsi: approx. 75 km from Chania, 2 hours continuous drive on asphalt. Parking available (from €5).
• Restaurants at Elafonisi Beach: Beach snack bar by the sea and tavernas in the village above the beach.
• Featured hotels near Elafonisi (Booking.com*): Elafonissi Resort*, Lafo Rooms*
• Excursions to Elafonsi (GetYourGuide*): To the guided tour to Elafonisi*

2. Balos Beach

Balos Beach is a unique natural beauty and one of the most popular Sights in Crete. The lagoon is huge and the water crystal blue. Reefs and an island lie around it and the sandy beach is snow-white and very fine.

• Directions and parking Balos: Approx. 56 km from Chania, 1.5 hours drive, of which approx. 8 km gravel road (25 min). Also accessible by boat or hiking trail, limited parking on site.
• Restaurants at Balos Beach: Two snack bars on the beach. Local taverns in the area near Kaliviani.
• Featured hotels near Balos (Booking.com*): Balos Beach Hotel*, Captains Beach Apartments*
• Excursions to Balos (GetYourGuide*): To the boat trip to Balos*

3. Preveli Beach

The Preveli Beach is a real oasis. The Megalopotamos River meanders through a gorge, past an avenue of palm trees, and flows into a wide sandy beach. Preveli is always well attended!

• Directions and parking Preveli: Approx. 40 km from Rethymno, 1 hour driving time. Accessible on foot from the parking lot or from the beach of Ammoudi or by boat from Plakias. Free parking above the beach.
• Restaurants at Preveli Beach: Snack bar on the beach and tavern in Ammoudi.
• Featured hotels near Preveli (Booking.com*): The Village House*, Alianthos Garden Hotel*
• Excursions to Preveli (GetYourGuide*): To the guided tour to Preveli*

4. Vai Beach

The Vai Beach is a stretch of beach with a huge palm grove (partly not accessible), golden sandy beach and crystal clear water. In summer it is very crowded! There are a few quieter Crete beaches nearby, for example Itanos and Erimoupolis.

• Directions and parking Vai beach: Approx. 150 km from Heraklion, 2.5 hours drive. Sufficient paid parking spaces available.
• Restaurants at Vai Beach: Overpriced beach bars by the sea and tavernas in the hinterland.
• Featured hotels near Vai (Booking.com*): Onar*, Castri Village*

5. Falasarna Beach

Falasarna Beach is a long stretch of coast in the west with golden sand and small rocky coves. Because of its spaciousness, it is a good recommendation even in summer. The sunsets are breathtaking!

• Directions and parking Falasarna: Approx. 60 km from Chania, 1.5 hours drive. Ample parking available.
• Restaurants at Falasarna Beach: Several taverns and bars right on the beach.
• Featured hotels near Falasarna (Booking.com*): Falasarna Bay Hotel*, Falasarna Village*

6. Seitan Limani Beach

Seitan Limani Beach is a mini beach that has a really fascinating, curved and quite secluded bay with milky blue water and steep surrounding cliffs. The sandy beach is very narrow and there is no operator.

• Directions and parking Seitan Limani: Approx. 21 km from Chania, 40 minutes by car. Steep driveway, limited parking.
• Restaurants at Seitan Limani Beach: Canteen on the road to the beach.
• Featured hotels near Seitan Limani (Booking.com*): Youth of Dope Hostel*

7. Voulisma Beach

Voulisma Beach is the most popular beach in the area of Agios Nikolaos. The sand is fine and dark and the water so blue that it is almost surreal. With north winds, the waves are often quite high and there is always a lot going on.

• Directions and parking Voulisma: Approx. 70 km from Heraklion, 1.5 hours drive. Few parking spaces above the beach.
• Restaurants at Voulisma Beach: Some taverns and beach bars above the beach, as well as in Istro
• Featured hotels near Voulisma (Booking.com*): Istron Villas*, Thea Apartments*

8. Matala Beach

The Matala Beach is probably the most famous beach in the south of Crete. It is located in the former hippie town of Matala. The bay is framed by sandstone cliffs, where the famous Matala Caves are located.

• Directions and parking Matala: Approx. 67 km from Heraklion, 1.5 hours drive. Easily accessible by car, parking in the village.
• Restaurants on Matala Beach: Numerous taverns and cafes along the seafront.
• Featured Hotels in Matala (Booking.com*): Ammos in Style Villas*, Flores Playa*

9. Stavros Beach

Stavros Beach is also known as Gold Coast Beach or Alexis Zorbas Beach (filming location of the famous 1964 black and white film). Fine, golden sand, shallow entry and lagoon-like bay in the coastal town of Stavros on the Akrotiri peninsula.

• Directions and parking Stavros Beach: Approx. 17 km from Chania, 30 min. drive. Parking on the street or in the village of Stavros.
• Restaurants at Stavros Beach: several taverns in the village, beach bars with high prices.
• Featured Hotels in Stavros (Booking.com*): Kavos Hotel & Suites*, Anima Villa*

10. Potamos Beach

The Potamos Beach is a popular beach in the north, very close to Malia. Extensive and wide stretch of sand with small stone bays and a photogenic amphora.

• Directions and parking Potamos beach: about 40 km from Heraklion, 40 minutes drive, free parking on the beach.
• Restaurants at Potamos Beach: Cafeteria on the beach, taverns in the wider area.
• Featured Hotels on Potamos Beach (Booking.com*): Pyros Beach Hotel*, Porto Sisi Hotel*

11. Marathi Beach

The Marathi Beach is a wind-protected double beach at the entrance to Souda Bay, which is popular with the locals. The sand is fine and the sea is not deep. The equally popular beach of Loutraki is only two minutes away.

• Directions and parking Marathi Beach: Approx. 16 km from Chania, 30 min. by car. Easily accessible by car, there are sufficient parking spaces for a fee.
• Restaurants on Marathi Beach: Tavernas and beach bars above the beach.
• Featured Hotels in Marathi (Booking.com*): Marathi Apartments*, CreteView*

12. Kalathas Beach

Kalathas Beach is a wide sandy beach at the coastal town of the same name on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania. The water is very clear and the entry is shallow, but with north-west winds there can be high waves.

• Directions and parking Kalathas beach: Approx. 12 km from Chania, 20 minutes by car. Easily accessible by car, limited parking spaces.
• Restaurants at Kalathas Beach: Cafeteria on the beach.
• Featured hotels near Kalathas (Booking.com*): Casa Manolesos*, Esplanade Apartments*

13. Rethymno Beach

The Rethymno Beach is a long beach in the city with light brown sand. In summer, almost all parasols on the beach promenade are occupied. In the far east, there are quieter sections that are very popular with the locals.

• Directions and parking Rethymno beach: Rethymno city, about 80 km from Heraklion, 1.5 hours drive. Easy to reach by car, parking along the street.
• Restaurants on Rethymno Beach: Numerous taverns and cafes along the seafront.
• Featured Hotels in Rethymno (Booking.com*): Calla Luxury Seafront Suites*, Rimondi Boutique Hotels*

14. Triopetra Beach

The Triopetra Beach is a popular long sandy-pebble beach in the south of Crete that is easy to reach. The three rocks are the landmark of the village (Greek: tria petra). Just a few kilometers away is the picturesque hamlet of Agios Pavlos.

• Directions and parking Triopetra: Approx. 50 km from Rethymno, 1 hour drive. Accessible by car, limited parking along the road on the beach.
• Restaurants on Tripetra Beach: two tavernas above the beach.
• Featured hotels near Triopetra (Booking.com*): Triopetra Villas*, Muar Suites*

15. Kedrodasos Beach

The Kedrodasos Beach Elafonisi Beach is a good alternative to Elafonisi Beach, but is now quite well-known. The scenery couldn’t be more beautiful: fine, light sand, black volcanic rocks and turquoise water, surrounded by cedar trees.

• Directions and parking Kedrodasos: Approx. 76 km from Chania, 1.5 hours drive. Access via hiking trail, limited parking.
• Restaurants at Kedrodasos Beach: none, only taverns in Elafonisi.
• Featured hotels near Kedrodasos (Booking.com*): Iliovasilema Apartments*, Akra Grammeno Beachfront Villas*

Our favorite beaches on Crete

Crete beaches in the west

West Crete is home to some of the most popular beaches on the island, from sand to gravel, everything is represented. The travel times are not to be underestimated, from Kissamos in the north to Paleochora in the south it takes an hour (40 km). Our personal favorites are: Balos, Lissos near Sougia and Pachia Ammos in Paleochora.

• Crete beaches in the northwest: Balos, Falasarna, Paralia Dumitopia, Viglia, Ravdoucha

• Crete beaches in the southwest: Elafonisi, Kedrodasos, White Lake Beach, Paralia Grammenou, Pachia Ammos (Paleochora), Paralia Anidri, Lissos Beach, Gialiskari

Crete beaches in the north

The north coast of Crete is considered the most touristic region of the island. No wonder – from Chania to Rethymno to Heraklion, numerous kilometers of sandy beaches await vacationers. But in summer, umbrella after umbrella lines up near the conurbations. Our favorites are: Kalyves, Marathi and Potamos near Malia.

• Beaches near Chania: Agii Apostoli Beach, Gold Coast Beach (Zorbas Beach), Marathi, Paralia Kalyves

• Beaches near Rethymno: Kalyvaki Beach, Peristeras Beach, Spilies Beach, Kamari, Panormos

• Beaches near Heraklion: Mpali/ Bali, Aposelemi, Potamos (Malia), Paralia Milatou

Crete Beaches in the East

The east coast of Crete is a true beach paradise and, with a few exceptions (e.g. Vai), is not yet overrun by mass tourism. Many palm-fringed sandy beaches exude South Sea flair. If you make it to Xerokampos in the remote southeast, you can enjoy peace and quiet by the sea even in summer. Our favorites are Itanos and Mazida Ammos.

With your own wheeled vehicle, you can also reach remote Crete beaches and insider tips away from the crowds. On the portal Discover Cars* you can find cheap rental cars and check prices directly: Car rental offers*

• Crete beaches in the northeast: Paralia Chiona (Spinalonga/ Elounda), Voulisma, Platani (Sitia), Itanos, Erimoupolis, Vai Beach, Maridati, Bontaláki (Kouremenos)

• Crete beaches in the southeast: Alatsolimni, Mazida Ammos (Xerokampos), Dragons Beach/ Ammoudi, Makrigialos

Crete beaches in the south

In addition to the east, the south of Crete is considered a paradise for individualists, larger hotels can be found in Agia Galini, Matala and Ierapetra hardly. Many sections of the beach are still natural today, in the smaller coastal towns a tavern or café-bar usually acts as the beach operator. Our favorites are: Agios Pavlos and Kommos Beach.

• Beaches from Frangokastello to Agia Galini: Vatalos, Frangokastello, Damnoni, Preveli, Triopetra, Agios Pavlos

• Beaches from Matala to Ierapetra: Kommos, Red Beach, Agiofaraggo, Lentas, Skouros, Paralia Mirtos, Koutsounari

Beaches of Crete in video

This video (© Robert Polasek) shows a part of the most beautiful Crete beaches from north to south and from west to east. We hope you enjoy being inspired:

→ Other interesting articles and Numerous Crete travel tips can be found here:

• Crete Island Overview
• Crete Highlights
• Best Crete Hotels

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