Best Secluded Beaches in Crete Guide

Crete's secluded beaches are the long beaches where you can walk away from the crowds and the small coves at the end of a track, far from the big resorts. Many Crete beaches get crowded in the high season of July and August, so these are the ones we head for when we want a quiet day.

A good secluded beach gives you space to spread out, clean water for swimming and snorkelling, and scenery such as a palm grove, a rocky cove or a mountain backdrop. The 12 beaches below start in the Chania region in the west and end in Lassithi in the east.

Secluded Beaches in Crete

Kyani Akti Beach

Kyani Akti is a long sandy beach on Souda Bay, 2 kilometres from Kalyves, so it is easy to find a quiet spot. It has food and drink and some sunbeds and umbrellas. The beach is far enough from the crowds to relax, but close to the shops and tavernas of Kalyves.

Our Kalyves village guide covers the nearest resort.

Frangokastello Beach

Frangokastello, on the south coast of the Chania region, has 3 beaches next to each other.

2 of them are busier. The pebbly beach to the west has a rocky seabed that is good for snorkelling. The sandy beach in front of the castle has white, pinkish sand and very shallow, clear water, which suits families with children, and it has sunbeds, umbrellas, food and drink, and rooms nearby.

The quiet one is Orthi Ammos, a sandy beach a 10-minute walk east of the castle, with big sand dunes and clear water. Naturists use the far eastern part of this long beach.

The nearest village is Frangokastello.

Kissamos (Kastelli) Beach

Kissamos (Kastelli) Beach is a long sand and pebble beach on the Kissamos Gulf, in the far west of the Chania region. The sea floor is sandy, and the water stays shallow for up to 20 metres from the shore before it slowly deepens, which makes it safe for children. The beach is long enough to find a quiet spot.

Our Kissamos town guide covers the town behind the beach.

Bali Beach

Bali is a coastal village on the north coast, about 34 kilometres east of Rethymno, with mountains around the Bay of Bali. Small sandy and pebbly inlets along the coast in front of the village have clear water and a laid-back feel.

The nearest town is Rethymno.

Panormos Beach

Panormos is a fishing village on the north coast, about 20 kilometres east of Rethymno. Its main beach is sandy, with clear water, sunbeds and water sports. A few quieter coves a little further west are the place for a peaceful swim.

Our Panormos village guide covers the village.

Damnoni Beach

Damnoni is a sandy beach on the south coast, a few kilometres east of Plakias. Beside the main beach are small bays and coves with soft sand and clean, emerald-green water, and these stay quiet.

The nearest village to Damnoni Beach is Plakias.

Tsoutsouros Beach

Tsoutsouros is a small fishing village on the south coast of the Heraklion region, with a sandy beach and clean water. The beach has a few showers and no other facilities. It is popular with locals and can get crowded at weekends in July and August, so go on a weekday or outside the high season for a peaceful spot.

The nearest village is Tsoutsouros.

Milatos Beach

Milatos, a fishing village in the Lassithi region, has a small sandy beach in front of the Minos Imperial hotel. A dirt track from the main beach of Milatos leads to it. Because it is a little off the beaten track, the beach is often quiet.

The nearest village is Milatos.

Karavostasi Beach

Karavostasi Beach is the quietest of the 3 beaches at Istron and Kalo Horio, about 10 kilometres from Agios Nikolaos. It lies just before the entrance to the village, surrounded by olive groves. Karavostasi, which means "the ship's stopping place", is a pebbly beach used mainly by locals, and its coloured pebbles shine in the clear water. A small kantina sells drinks and snacks in the summer months.

Our Istron and Kalo Horio guide covers the village.

Zakros Beach

Kato Zakros is a fine pebble beach in a cove at the far east of the Lassithi region, beside the Minoan Palace of Zakros. The water is clean and deep blue. The beach has none of the full facilities of the organised beaches, and it is rarely crowded.

Our Zakros guide covers the village and the palace.

Achlia Beach

Achlia is a sandy beach on the south coast of the Lassithi region in eastern Crete, about 15 kilometres east of Ierapetra, and it is well protected from the wind. It has sunbeds and umbrellas for hire but is far less crowded than other beaches along this coast. A few tavernas in the small settlement serve food and drink.

Our Ierapetra guide covers the nearest town.

Myrtos Beach

A quiet pebble beach lies 2 kilometres west of the village of Myrtos, on the south coast of the Lassithi region. Its rocky parts are good for snorkelling, and it has none of the facilities of the main beach at Myrtos. It is one of the most secluded beaches in the area.

The nearest village to the beach is Myrtos.

Visiting Secluded Beaches Safely

Secluded beaches in Crete often have no lifeguard, no shade and no taverna, so plan the day before you set off:

• Take everything with you: water, food and shade, and carry all your rubbish home.
• Check the sea and the wind: south coast beaches can turn rough quickly when the wind picks up.
• Tell someone your plans: mobile signal can be weak in remote coves.