The island of Crete has no shortage of beautiful beaches: but which ones to visit?
Let me make the choice easier for you with pictures of my selection of the 27 best beaches in Crete: the most scenic, the most colorful, the most unique, the sandy beaches… with tips, map and photos to make your selection!
Note: all the selected beaches listed are accessible by most people (no 4WD or very long hike to reach them)
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Crete:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Crete: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Gramvousa island + Balos Lagoon
Fun activity: Quad excursion off the beaten path
My favorite places to stay:
- Chania: see best rated hotels – e.g. Casa Delfino
- Palaiochora: see best rated hotels – e.g. Blue Horizon Hotel
- Rethymno: see best rated hotels – e.g. Leo Hotel
Content
Best Beaches in Crete – the Most Famous
The island of Crete is the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean. With a coastline of over 1000km (650mi), it is home to hundreds of beaches.
In many places, the most famous beaches have not been my favorites. But in Crete, except for a few other gems that I have found (and I am listing further in this article), I have found that the following beaches are famous for a good reason. They are breathtaking!
Those beaches are some of the best places to see in Crete!
1. Balos Lagoon Beach
Above is the view towards the sea, with the ferry on the left and Gramvousa island in the background. And below is the lagoon which is only a few cm deep.
- Location – North West Coast of Crete
- Why visit?
The region is wild, no buildings in sight, the mountains are dropping in the sea, the water is emerald and turquoise… The boat is large and crowded, but the views are spectacular and it is worth the trip. The views are scenic in all directions.
Plus the boat tour also stop at the beautiful Gramvousa island (see beach#8) - Access
The easiest way to get to Balos beach is to take the boat from Kissamos (you can combine with a bus from Chania and Rethymno if you are not traveling by car) – Book your tour here
Otherwise there is an unpaved road leading to a carpark (for 4WD only) and then you have to walk a steep slope down to the beach. - Facilities
There is nothing much at the beach. A few long chair and facilities on the mainland part of the beach (so, if coming from the boat, you have to cross water to get there) - Sandy? Crowded?
The area is mostly sandy. The boat is crowded, but once everyone scatters around the lagoon, it is not bad - Good to know
The area is facing West and can be very windy, bring warmer clothes just in case (I saw people freezing) - Where to stay nearby
There is no accommodation at Balos beach itself.
The closest town in Kissamos. And at the beginning of the 4WD road to the beach is the Balos Beach Hotel where I have stayed. Spacious modern rooms and good food. Check out pictures or check out the best rated accommodations in Kissamos. - More
Check out my article about Balos Beach
2. Elafonisi Beach (Pink sand beach Crete)
- Location – South West tip of Crete
- Why visit?
Elafonisi is known as the pink beach. This is due to shells being crushed and creating pink sand. Fun!
However note that you can see the pink at the limit of the water but don’t expect a sand that is completely pink! Otherwise, you will be disappointed
There is a small island that protects the shallow lagoon and the large sandy area.
Plus it is a wonderful place to watch sunset! I recommend staying nearby to experience this location without the crowds. It is a real treat. - Access
The beach is accessible via a mountain road that is not too difficult. The last few hundred meters are unpaved to reach the carpark, but it is not difficult.
And if you don’t have a car, some day trips from the main touristic towns (Chania and Rethymno) take you to Elafonisi. Check out their programs. - Facilities
There is no large buildings along the beach, which makes it even more enjoyable.
However you have small structures with facilities, snacks and beach equipment. - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy beach
Crowded during the day but if you go early or late it is a wonderful and peaceful place to enjoy. - Good to know
There is a shallow lagoon area, which is great for families - Where to stay nearby
There are several accommodations near the beach. I stayed at the closest one, in one of the villas at Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family. It was great, spacious, modern with a large terrace surrounded by olive trees. Check out pictures and book. - Learn more on my complete article about Elafonisi beach
3. Preveli Beach (Palm beach)
- Location – Middle of the South Coast
- Why visit?
This is such a unique place in Crete!!! The beach is at the end of a gorge where a lake has formed (and still has water had the end of the Summer). Palm trees have grown around.
The views from the access path with the green of the valley, the blue of the water and the coastline is one of the best viewpoints on the whole island of Crete.
Even if you don’t have the knees to walk all the way down to the beach, you can climb down the first 130 steps to enjoy the view! - Access
Mountain road in very good condition and wide (except when going through the village).
Large carpark for a fee.
However access to the beach itself requires you to walk down more than 400 steps (and then back up at the end).
There is a closer carpark on the other side of the beach but it is only accessible via a dirt track.
This is the least accessible of all the beaches listed in this article. But you can also take a boat from Plakias, which takes you directly on the beach.
Note: if you don’t have a car, some day trips from the main touristic towns include a stop at Preveli. Check out programs. - Facilities
Snackbar at the beach level in Summer - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy and crowded - Good to know
Careful of mosquitoes when going towards the gorge - Where to stay nearby
Not far from Plakias (driving required or boat) – Check out the best rated accommodations in Plakias
4. Falassarna Beach
- Location – North West coast of Crete
- Why visit?
Falassarna is not as grandiose as the other best beaches in Crete but is is one of the most practical. It offers large sandy area as well as smaller coves.
The colors are quite intense, with the turquoise water against the dark rock.
You can even play in some small sand dunes. - Access
Easy drive from the North coast. The last drive down offers splendid views of the whole area. - Facilities
Taverns and facilities around the main beaches - Sandy? Crowded?
Both sandy and rocky beaches. Crowded in the heat of Summer. - Good to know
It is facing West, so it often has waves - Where to stay nearby
Several accommodations very close to the beach. Check out options in Falassarna - Learn more on my article about Falassarna beach
5. Matala Beach
- Location – Middle of the South Coast of Crete, not far from Phaistos Minoan palace.
- Why visit?
Matala has been one of the most famous beaches in Crete for a long time for 2 main reasons.
Its wall on the North side has been carved with caves and it has been a hippie central hub for many years.
The cove is well protected and perfectly aligned to admire the sunset!
Check out more pictures - Access
Very easy drive from the main road along the South Coast. Large carparks in town for a fee.
If you don’t want to drive, day trips from the main towns include Matala beach – check out their programs - Facilities
All you need. It is right by the town with many restaurants and shops. - Sandy? Crowded?
Mix of sand and small pebbles. Very crowded, even at sunset. - Good to know
Gets deep quickly - Where to stay nearby
Lots of accommodation in Matala. Check out the best rated ones.
Sadly I can’t recommend where I stayed because it was not good.
6. Vai Beach (Also known as palm beach)
- Location – North East Coast of Crete
- Why visit?
Sand, turquoise water and thousands of palm trees!
This is not the most scenic of all those famous Crete beaches but the possibility to climb and see it from above made me love it 🙂 I love seeing places from above. - Access
Easy access from Sitia and the North Main road. Large carpark for a fee. - Facilities
Taverns and facilities around the beach - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy and very crowded - Good to know
You can climb on both side to admire the beach and the palm valley from above. - Where to stay nearby
The main town nearby is Sitia – Check out the best rated accommodations in Sitia
7. Chrysi Island
- Location – South Crete
- Why visit?
I must admit it is not one of my favorite, it is too flat for my taste.
But the beaches of Chrysi island (also written Chrissi) are some of the most famous because of their white mix of sand and pebbles and views of mainland Crete. - Access
By boat from Ierapetra - Facilities
Snacks and facilities - Sandy? Crowded?
Mix of sand and small pebbles – popular but quite large, so you can find more peaceful areas - Where to stay nearby
You can’t stay overnight on Chrysi island. Many accommodations in Ireapetra. Check out the best rated ones.
Beaches in Crete – Map & Facts
Crete Beaches Map
Before I continue sharing pictures and info about the best beaches in Crete, below is a map identifying the location of the 7 most famous I have just listed, and 3 others I loved.
This should help you get oriented and plan your road trip around Crete.
All the beaches listed in this article and more, are included in my eBooks (and in more detailed maps):
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
Useful info about Cretan beaches
- Where to go for a beach holiday in Crete?
The North coast of Crete offers the highest number of organized beach with all the facilities, while the South Coast offer wilder beaches – see the resort options further in this article - Is the sea warm in Crete? What is the water temperature?
The sea is warm in Summer around 24/24°C. There is no issue getting into the water.
It gets colder from October to May. However the temperature normally stays above 17°C.
Temperature will vary from one beach to the other depending on how shallow it is. - What animals can we expect in Crete waters? Are there sharks?
Crete is located in the Mediterranean Sea. There are some sharks in the sea but so far they have not approached the shore and there has been no reported shark attacks in Crete.
Cretan beaches don’t have any dangerous animals. You can occasionally be confronted to jellyfish like everywhere else - Are Crete beaches free?
Contrary to mainland Greece, I have not come across a beach where I had to pay. Sometimes you have to pay a fee for parking but the access to the beach is open.
Video snapshot
Before I share with you many more amazing beaches in Crete, below is a short video to give you snapshot of what they look like:
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Most beautiful beaches in Crete – Colorful
The most amazing thing about the Cretan beaches are the colors. The island is actually a lot greener than what I was expecting.
The mix of orange, brown rock, greenery and intense turquoise water is simply mesmerizing.
Below are a few beaches that represent particularly well the painted colors of the island.
8. Gramvousa
- Location – Island off the North West tip of Crete (near Balos lagoon)
- Why visit?
The island is on your way to Balos Lagoon. It is a stunning small rocky place with steep cliffs, unique fauna and fortifications at its highest point.
If you don’t want to clim the 400 steps and slopes to get to the top, I recommend enjoying the beautiful beach with views of mainland Crete and turquoise water. - Access
By ferry from Kissamos (same as Balos Lagoon) - Facilities
None - Sandy? Crowded?
Mix of sand and small pebbles – Most people climb, therefore the beach does not get overcrowded.
9. Voulisma Beach
- Location – North coast, close to Agios Nikolaos
- Why visit?
You get a fantastic view from above as you walk down from the carpark.
The water is shallow and very clear offering mesmerizing turquoise color all around the cove. - Access
Close to the main road – 30 steps + slope to get down to the beach - Facilities
Snack bar and toilets - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy and crowded - Good to know
Very loud music both at the bar and at the beach - Where to stay nearby
Developed part of the island, many places to stay – Istron is the town right by the beach – Check out the best rated accommodations near Voulisma
10. Itanos Beach
- Location – East Coast, North tip, close to Vai beach
- Why visit?
Itanos is not famous, it is often overlooked and it does not show the attribute of the other famous ‘exotic-looking’ beaches of Crete. However I really enjoyed it because it was quiet and the rocks around the beach had a beautiful mix of colors with greens, blues, oranges and pinks. - Access
4km from Vai beach. Good road. Carpark by the beach - Facilities
None - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy and away from the big crowds - Good to know
The beaches are not big. You can also walk to the other side of the fortress’ ruins to another cove. - Where to stay nearby
The main town nearby is Sitia – Check out the best rated accommodations in Sitia
and of course the pink of Elafonisi…
I mentioned it earlier (#2) but of course Elafonisi is also an excellent examples of the colors of Crete.
On top of the amazing typical colors on displays, it adds a layer of Pink sand that makes the whole scene unbelievable.
The pink is due to millions of shell being crushed and forming sand.
Why is the water so turquoise in Crete?
The main criteria impacting the color of the sea are:
– how clear the water is,
– how shallow/deep the water is,
– what compose the bed of the beach,
– how clear the sky is.
So with a shallow beach, clear water and light sand, you get vibrant colors as the suns rays are reflected and amplified.
Most intriguing beaches for Geology lovers
Maybe you are like me and you love rocky formations and geological wonders.
If that’s the case, I have selected 3 beaches where you could find interest, including one of my favorite beaches in Crete: Triopetra!!!!
11. Triopetra Beach
- Location – Middle of the South Coast
- Why visit?
The beach itself is not really fascinating. It is a very long stretch of pebble beach.
However at the end of it are 3 fascinating rocks which give its name to the beach (Triopetra means three rocks).
You get get up close with the sheets of rocks are stacked vertically. It is absolutely fascinating!
See more pictures here - Access
Smaller road at the end but not difficult. 5min walk from carpark to rock formations - Facilities
Tavern - Sandy? Crowded?
Pebbles and not crowded at all - Where to stay nearby
The rocks are beautifully hit by the sun setting in the evening. Limited accommodations by the beach. Check out options.
12. Paligremnos Beach
- Location – Plakias, middle of the South Coast
- Why visit?
Plakias is a big resort with a long beach. Not fascinating but great for families.
However if you get all the way to the end of the beach, pas the sand dune, there is a 80m rock wall standing facing the beach.
It is even more special in Winter during a full moon where the light is reflected by the cliff in the water, attracting big squids. - Access
Main road along the beach - Facilities
All in the resort town - Sandy? Crowded?
sandy, main beach crowded. - Good to know
Climbers enjoy this wall.
The beach at the bottom of the wall is where the naturists set up. - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Plakias
13. Glyca Nera Beach (Sweet water beach)
- Location – South Coast (West half)
- Why visit?
Glyca Nera is a very small beach at the bottom of an impressive cliff as you can see in the picture above.
There is no road and no permanent building.
The particularity of this beach (except its extreme location) is the spring that arrives there, so fresh water flows through the pebbles. - Access
30min hike from the carpark or by boat from Chora Sfakion - Facilities
Snackbar - Sandy? Crowded?
Pebble beach, not crowded - Good to know
Because of the fresh water, the sea water is colder than at other beaches - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Chora Sfakion
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
Most scenic beaches in Crete (with mountain backdrop)
Despite its small size, Crete has 3 mountain ranges, with a highest summit reaching 2456m (8058ft).
The island being not wide, some of those mountain ranges drop into the sea creating magnificent landscapes.
Below is my selection of the most scenic beaches (apart from the ones already mentioned before in the article).
14. Xerokampos Beach
- Location – East Coast
- Why visit?
Xerokampos was one of my favorite beaches in Crete, probably because I love bare landscapes off the beaten path.
Because of its isolated location, the long sandy beach is quiet. The water is transparent and pinkish rocks makes the beach more interesting.
The surroundings are magnificent with a deep gorge and bare mountain. The drive down from the South Coast is particularly magnificent!
See more photos here - Access
Winding mountain road (but in good condition and wide enough) – beach by the road - Facilities
Few accommodations - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy, off the beaten path - Where to stay nearby
Just a few accommodation options at Xerokampos. Check them out and book
15. Stomio Beach
- Location – West Coast
- Why visit?
Stomio is not a beach to lie down. It has big pebbles.
However the area is very scenic with lush vegetation, mountains dropping into the sea and a charming white chapel. Great spot to photograph. - Access
Winding mountain roads (paved) – beach by the road - Facilities
Not much - Sandy? Crowded?
Pebbles but nobody
16. Zakros Beach
- Location – Mid East Coast
- Why visit?
Quite a fascinating historical place! Orange cliffs, turquoise water, caves, deep gorge and the ruins of an old Minoan town. Zakros is worth the detour!
Even if you don’t hike the famous gorge ‘Valley of the dead”, you can enjoy the beautiful drive down with the bare landscapes and the views of the Zakros cove.
Don’t miss the ruins with the turtles who have set up there home there. - Access
Winding mountain road (paved) – beach by the carparks - Facilities
Taverns and few accommodation - Sandy? Crowded?
Mix sand and pebbles – Not very crowded - Where to stay nearby
You can find accommodations at Zakros high at the other end of the gorge and at the beach. Book by the beach (Kato Zakros)
17. Sougia Beach
- Location – South Coast (West half)
- Why visit?
Sougia is the West limit of the National park where the mountains drop dramatically into the sea.
If you are looking to spend the night away from it all, Sougia is one of the best place, once the tourists of the day have left.
The walls of the canyon are impressive and protecting the dark pebble beach - Access
Winding mountain road (paved) – beach by the carpark - Facilities
Taverns and accommodations - Sandy? Crowded?
Pebbles / only crowded when ferry arrives - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Sougia
Lake Beach – Kournas
Looking for something a little different?
Crete has only one fresh water lake. Its name is Kournas. And it has a beach!
18. Lake Kournas Beach
- Location – close to the North coast (West half)
- Why visit?
Great option to enjoy something different.
The beach is a bit muddy but you can take a pedal-boat and go swim in the middle surrounded by mountains - Access
Easy access, end of road is a bit narrow – large carparks with slight slope to reach the beach - Facilities
Many taverns - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy and crowded - Good to know
Don’t miss the views!!! Climb the road to the taverns above the lake to see it fully
Small Crete beaches in charming villages
Then sometimes the beach is not that interesting by itself but it is located in a charming picturesque village.
Those places are great options to unwind and take in the Greek island life (although most have only tourist accommodations left and no more locals…).
19. Mochlos Beach
- Location – North Coast (East half)
- Why visit?
Mochlos is a charming village away from the crowds. It is especially appreciated by French tourists.
Its taverns serve delicious fresh seafood and you can take a boat to cross to the island and tour the ruins.
The village has a lot of charm.
The beach is small and right in the center of the village - Access
Easy access on the North Coast - Facilities
Taverns and accommodations - Sandy? Crowded?
Sand and Pebbles – off the beaten path - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Mochlos
20. Chora Sfakion Beach
- Location – South Coast
- Why visit?
Chora Sfakion is the departure and arrival point for the ferry going to Loutro and the arrival of the Samaria gorge hike. So it is often used a a transit place to stay.
However the village has a lot of charm with restaurant in the seafront, small shops in the back alleys.
It has a small beach hidden on the west side (Vrisi beach), a peaceful cove with stunning views of the rock cliffs - Access
Winding mountain road – carpark near the castle ruins, beach 5min walk from there - Facilities
Tavers and accommodations in town - Sandy? Crowded?
Pebbles - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Chora Sfakion
21. Loutro Beaches
- Location – South Coast, West half
- Why visit?
Loutro is one of the most famous villages in Crete. It is located in a small cove at the foot of the mountains. There are no roads, you can get there hiking or by boat.
The white houses, against the emerald water and the orangy cliffs makes the location unique.
Loutro has 2 small beaches: one in the middle and another one at the end of the village - Access
2h hike from Chora Sfakion or 40min ferry from Chora Sfakion - Facilities
Taverns and accommodations in the village - Sandy? Crowded?
Pebbles and rocks – crowded - Good to know
The walking path goes right next to the beach, there is not much space - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Loutro
22. Myrtos Beach
- Location – South Coast (East side)
- Why visit?
Myrtos is a small village, away from the main touristic hub. Its center has a Cycladic island feel.
It has a long beach with restaurants - Access
Easy drive – carpark not far from the beach - Facilities
Taverns and accommodations in the village - Sandy? Crowded?
Small gravel – quite long and large beach, so does not feel overcrowded - Where to stay nearby
Check out one of the best rated accommodations in Myrtos: the Big Blue Apartments
Crete Beach Resort areas
Wondering where the Best beach destinations in Crete are?
Well there are many options to chose from to stay in a place with a large choice of restaurants and activities near a beach.
Here is a selection of 5 to consider, with all very different vibes.
For more ideas about the best places to stay in Crete, check out my article here.
23. Palaiochora Beach
- Location – West of South coast
- Why visit?
Palaiochora was one of our favorite places in Crete. It is a beach destination but away from all the touristic hub. It feels quieter and cleaner. Plus the mountains are dropping dramatically into the sea. The view from the castle ruins are splendid!
Palaiochora has a large sandish beach with a great view of sunset - Access
Easy access – parking along the road - Sandy? Crowded?
Mix of sand and small pebbles - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Palaiochora
24. Bali Beaches
- Location – North Coast
- Why visit?
Who wants to go to Bali??? LOL
Yes. Crete is home to the Bali beaches, a series of coves with sandy beaches. They look very different from one another.
The first one is long and for people wanting to sunburn, while the North one has more a village feel. - Access
Easy access - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy and crowded - Good to know
Resort style – Loud music at tall bars and restaurants - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Bali
25. Elounda Beach
- Location – North Coast, East side
- Why visit?
Elounda is the main access to the famous Spinalonga island and its long history.
Thanks to the peninsula, the bay is protected and it has a great beach for families.
The town has lost some of its authenticity, but it feels less of resort and more of a real town than Bali. - Access
Easy access North of Agios Nikolas, Large carpark - Sandy? Crowded?
Sand - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Elounda
26. Plakias Beach
- Location – South Coast
- Why visit?
Plakias is a great central location on the South Coast
It is a good option for those who want to alternate between staying at the beach in town or explore the rest of the coast with its gorges and wilder beaches.
For example from here you can take the boat to Preveli. - Access
Easy access from the East road - Sandy? Crowded?
Sand and small gravel - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Plakias
27. Malia Beaches
- Location – North Coast (East side)
- Why visit?
Malia is famous for it archeological site. It is also a great area with sand beaches and rocky beach areas to explore.
However it is not for those who enjoy quiet. Malia is know for its nightlife and party vibe. - Access
Easy access from main North road - Sandy? Crowded?
Sandy and very crowded - Where to stay nearby
Check out the best rated accommodations in Malia
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Beaches near Major touristic towns
The main towns in Crete
In Crete, there are 3 main towns where tourist are staying and where you can find plenty of activities and departures for day trips.
If you want to combine with some beach time, here are your options.
Beaches near Heraklion
- Heraklion is the main town in Crete.
- It has an old town and the large harbour
- However you will not find a beach inside the town (whatever article your read, the beaches listed are outside of the town)
- The closest beach West of Heraklion is Ammoudara. A very long beach with brown sand.
- And to the East is Karteros Beach or a little further Arena beach
- You can find accommodations near all of those beaches – Check out the accommodations in Heraklion Ammoudara
- But if you have a car, you can find other options within a short drive such as Fodele beach in the photo here.
Beaches near Chania
- Chania is often considered as the best touristic city in Crete. Its Venetian harbour has a lot of charm.
- No beach right in the center but you have a couple of options just 15min walk away.
- To the East is Koum Kapi beach (on the picture) with nice rocks and soft sand
- To the West os Neo Chora Beach with an organized section
- And further the to West, you can find a few beautiful cove beaches: Chrissi Akti, Agioi Apostoloi and Iguana beaches.
The last 2 are protected from strong winds. - Check out the best rated accommodations in Chania
However if you have a car, you can explore quieter beaches less than 30min drive away, especially in the peninsula.
On the picture here you can see the charming beach of Marathi.
Beaches near Rethymno
- Rethymno is located between Chania and Heraklion.
- It is the most beachy of the 3 town.
- The beach is not wide but it stretches all along the east of the town with hotels across the road the whole way.
- However I must admit, I did not find the beaches very inviting.
- Check out the best rated accommodations in Retyhmno
Other categories for beaches – Sandy, for families, naturists…
Best Crete beaches for Sunset
Many beaches have a great orientation for sunset. However some are especially spectacular. For example:
- Elafonisi (Photo below)
- Matala
- Falasarna
- Balos
Best sandy beaches in Crete
I must admit that I was a bit surprised by the beaches of Crete. most of them do not have nice sand. And you cannot find the amazing fine sand of the beaches of South Corsica.
Anyway, I think the best beaches amongst those listed in the article for the quality of the sand (the best sandy beaches in Crete) are:
- Marathi beach (near Chania)
- Elafonisi
- Voulisma
Crete’s Best beaches for families
A lot of the the beaches listed cater for families, at least part of the beach.
Many of them are shallow at the beginning.
Of course Elafonisi is a top choice because of the lagoon area.
You should avoid beaches facing West, as they get big waves.
Beaches for naturists in Crete
Crete welcomes naturists.
You will find a lot of options. Often there are coves near the main beaches where naturism is well tolerated.
And on long beach, one end is often also allowed for naturism (such as in Plakias at the Paligremnos end).
However, sometimes you will have to hike a little to find your paradise. Below is the sign for a naturist beach near Vai (the sign is at the top of the staircase South of the beach).
Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?
- 40 best landscapes in Crete (in pictures) – read article
- 20 best things to do in Crete – read article
- The most beautiful archaeological sites – read article
- The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete – read article
- The best destinations in Crete, where to stay – read article
- Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary – read article
- The most beautiful boat trips around Crete – read article
- Which side of Crete is best? – read article
Planning a trip to Crete?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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