Agio Nikolaos
6. August 2021
Apotripiti Beach
7. September 2022
The most beautiful beaches of Crete
Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek Islands, is famous for its beautiful coastline and picturesque beaches, making it a true paradise for bathers. The island's diverse landscape offers a wide range of options, from secluded coves and hidden gems to popular tourist spots full of hustle and bustle. Crete's beaches are more than just a place for swimming and sunbathing, they are destinations that offer breathtaking natural beauty, rich history and vibrant local culture.
Watch out for the wind
When exploring the beaches of Crete, you will find yourself in paradise. However, not all beaches are safe for swimming. The wind brings occasional strong gusts and big waves, and swimming can become an adrenaline rush. The southern part of Crete in particular, where the iconic Matala Beach is located, is known for its windiness. If you're not on a sandy beach, you can easily come to grief when you hit a rock. I also don't recommend going into the sea with sunglasses on, unless you want to donate them to the Little Mermaid.
The island's natural beauty is further enhanced by its dramatic landscape including high cliffs, lush palm forests and tranquil lagoons. Many of Crete's beaches are lined with remarkable geological formations and offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and sea.
Nudist beaches
As in the whole of Greece, Crete has many nude beaches. Especially if you are travelling with children, I recommend you prepare yourself for a possible question: "Mommy why don't those people have swimsuits?" Yes, there are nude beaches on Crete, but these are often among the most beautiful and cozy. With their limited number of visitors, especially locals, you'll have no problem finding a corner for you and your family. And if you do venture out, you'll find yourself in an environment where time seems to stand still and your worries with it.
The ranking of the most beautiful beaches is also quite influenced by their fullness. We don't like beaches where the head is on the head and we can't enjoy the splendour they offer, which is why we've ranked them lower than they might deserve.
1. Seitan Limani
Seitan Limani is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It consists of a turquoise narrow strip of sea surrounded by high cliffs, over which smaller or larger waves roll according to the wind and fine white sand. The beach is unorganised but offers adventure. If you're lucky, goats will keep you company.
3. Kedrodasos Beach
Kedrodasos Beach is a hidden treasure of Crete, famous for its wild beauty and nature. This beach lies on the west coast, close to the famous Elafonissi, and is surrounded by cedar trees. The fine sand, the black rocks in the sea and all the shades of blue make for a stunning scenery. It is, however, nudist.
4. Balos Beach
Balos Beach is an icon of the whole Crete, situated on the west coast of the island, close to the town of Chania. This beach oasis is famous for its breathtaking beauty. Here you will find fine white sand, turquoise shallow water and picturesque rocky cliffs. The water is so shallow that it's barely up to your knees. You can swim beyond the coves.
5. Chrisi
Chrisi, also called the "Golden Island", is a small Greek island located south of Crete. This island is famous for its deserted sandy beaches, turquoise waters and unique natural scenery. Its surface is almost flat. A full day of relaxation on the sand awaits you here. That is, if you choose the right day to visit.
6. Matala Beach
Matala Beach, located on the southern coast of Crete, is known for its unique atmosphere and rich history. This picturesque natural gem, also known for its hippies, lies about 75 kilometres southwest of Heraklion. In addition to the beach, here you will find the iconic caves carved into the cliffs that surround the beach.
7. Elafonissi Beach
Elafonissi Beach is one of the sunniest beaches on the island. It is located in the southwest of the island. Here you will find fine sand, and a turquoise sea with small islands, creating a fairytale-like scenery. And you might even see the rare pink sand. The shallow lagoons create an excellent opportunity for children to chase each other in the water.
8. Marmara Beach
Marmara Beach is a real wonder in the south of Crete. Here you will find crystal clear sea, numerous caves along the coast and complete tranquility. The beach is located near the village of Loutro on the south coast of Crete and is only accessible by boat or on foot along the hiking trail from Loutro. A day is waiting for you here, almost devoid of people.
9. Agios Pavlos
Located in the south of Crete, an hour from Rethymno, Agios Pavlos Beach is one of those mysterious and untouched beaches that offer visitors an escape from the crowds and harmony with nature. There are two beaches next to each other. The beautiful one is just Agios Pavlos Sandhill Beach, not the other one. Here you will find sand dunes and a turquoise sea.
10. Vai Beach
Hidden in the very east of Crete, surrounded by lush palm trees and fine golden sand, lies Vai Beach - one of the most impressive and exotic beaches. With its tropical atmosphere and natural beauty, it feels like a piece of the Caribbean in the middle of the Mediterranean. The advantage is that it is not heavily visited.
11. Falasarna Beach
Falasarna Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the west coast of Crete. This beautiful stretch of sandy beach with azure sea, breathtaking views and easy accessibility is a popular destination for visitors to Crete. The beach is long and there is something for everyone. And we even saw pink sand here.
12. Preveli Beach
Preveli Beach, also known as Palm Beach, is one of the most picturesque and iconic beaches in Crete. This beautiful beach, surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush vegetation, is located on the south coast of the island, close to the Moni Preveli Monastery. In addition to the beach, there is a palm grove, a river and a stunning canyon.
13. Skinaria Beach
Skinaria Beach is a hidden gem near the more famous beaches of Prevelli and Plakias on the south coast of Crete. As a result, its beauty is mostly discovered by locals. It is the ideal place for those who seek a quiet environment and beautiful scenery without the crowds of tourists. A trip here is an experience in itself.
14. Stavros Beach
Stavros Beach is located on the northwest coast of Crete, a short walk from the town of Chania. It is a small bay, surrounded by rocky cliffs on almost all sides. Thanks to this, you can enjoy the great scenery without wind. At the same time, the beach is less crowded, so you can relax here in peace.
15. Plakias Beach
Plakias Beach is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches on the south coast of Crete. That's why we headed here as well, as we've heard nothing but praise for the beach. Much of the beach is nude, making it a popular spot for nudists. Plenty of bars in turn attract young people. For us, the beach was too windy and disappointed us.
In Crete, there is literally a beach waiting for you on every corner. We are lovers of sandy beaches, so you won't find the traditional stone ones here, but Crete is full of them. However, you need to be very careful of the wind and waves.
If you decide to explore the island, you're sure to come across plenty of other beautiful beaches worth a visit. The ones that appealed to us the most were these
What we regret that we haven't managed to visit yet are mostly the beaches in the south of the island. These beaches include Listis, Agios Nikitas, Triopetra Beach or Kalypso Beach.
We visited all the beaches in the northwest and west and the others were not worth mentioning. We skipped the northeastern ones, as most of them are occupied by hotels and that's not for us.
