The Best Crete Beaches

Family beaches with lifeguards, beach tavernas and mini-markets selling lilos, inflatables, snorkels and ice cream are easy to find in Crete. The beach resorts of Kalyves and Almyrida are particularly popular with families.

Many of the beaches on Crete have scuba diving, snorkelling or windsurfing. The busier resort beaches add jet skis, parasailing, banana boats and donuts. Young visitors who want beach bars and nightlife usually head for Malia.

Elafonissi beach, in the far south-west, is known for the pink tint of its sand and its shallow lagoon.

Crete Beaches for Snorkelling and Diving

Crete's rocky coves, clear water and offshore islets make good snorkelling, and dive centres in the main resorts run trips and courses. Our scuba diving in Crete guide covers the dive sites and what you can see underwater. For gear and safety tips without a tank, read the guide to snorkelling in Crete.

Accessible Crete Beaches

Several Crete beaches have ramps, wooden walkways to the water and parking close to the sand, and some have a Seatrac, a solar-powered seat on rails that lets a wheelchair user enter the sea without help. Kalyves, Rethymno town beach and Ierapetra are among the beaches with a Seatrac listed as in operation on seatrac.gr. Our guide to accessible beaches in Crete lists the access details beach by beach.

Family Friendly Beaches on Crete

Crete Beaches for the Young and Lively

The liveliest Crete beaches have beach bars with DJs, water sports and nightlife a short walk away. Malia, Hersonissos and Hani Kokkini, all east of Heraklion, are the busiest, with Agia Marina near Chania in the west. Our guide to lively beaches in Crete describes each one.

The Best Nudist Beaches on Crete

Greece has no official nudist beaches, but discreet nude bathing is tolerated at the far ends of some long beaches and in quiet coves, mostly on the south coast. Topless sunbathing is common on almost every beach. Our guide to the nudist beaches in Crete covers Sougia, Plakias, Kommos and other naturist spots, with the local etiquette.

Hidden Beaches in Crete

Crete's quietest beaches are the ones at the end of a gorge walk, a boat ride or a rough track. These 5 have no road to the sand or only a steep path down.

1. Agiofarago Beach – A Quiet Cove for Nature Lovers

Agiofarago Beach lies at the mouth of the Agiofarago Gorge on the south coast, and you reach it on foot through the gorge.

• What to expect: Clear water, a pebbly shore and high cliffs on either side.
• Activities: Swimming, snorkelling and exploring the rock formations.
• Travel tip: Bring everything you need for the day, because the beach has no facilities.

2. Kedrodasos Beach – A Hideaway Near Elafonissi

Kedrodasos is a quiet beach a short distance east of Elafonissi Beach. Its name means "cedar forest", after the juniper trees that grow on the dunes and give natural shade.

• What to expect: Soft sand, turquoise water and far fewer people than at Elafonissi.
• Activities: Sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling.
• Travel tip: The beach has no amenities, so pack plenty of water and food.

3. Seitan Limania – A Narrow Cove on the Akrotiri Peninsula

Seitan Limania is a narrow cove between high cliffs on the Akrotiri peninsula, east of Chania.

• What to expect: A small beach at the end of a narrow inlet of clear blue water.
• Activities: Swimming and cliff jumping.
• Travel tip: The path down to the beach is steep, so wear sturdy shoes and watch your step.

4. Glyka Nera – The “Sweet Water” Beach

Glyka Nera, or Sweetwater Beach, is named after the freshwater springs that rise among the pebbles at the water's edge. It lies on the south coast between Loutro and Chora Sfakion.

• What to expect: Fresh and salt water mixing in the shallows, a pebbly shore and a few trees for shade.
• Activities: Swimming, sunbathing and walking the coastal path.
• Travel tip: Reach Glyka Nera by boat from Chora Sfakion or Loutro, or on foot along the coastal path.

5. Marmara Beach – Sea Caves West of Loutro

Marmara Beach, west of Loutro, is reached only by boat or on foot. The small beach is surrounded by rocks with sea caves to explore.

• What to expect: A small pebbled beach, clear water and natural sea caves.
• Activities: Swimming, exploring the caves and sunbathing.
• Travel tip: Take water and food with you, because there are no shops near the beach.

For more quiet beaches, from Orthi Ammos at Frangokastello to Kato Zakros in the far east, read our guide to secluded beaches in Crete.

Top Beaches for Scenic Sunsets

The beaches with the clearest sunsets in Crete face west or south-west, with open sea on the horizon. These 4 are on the west and south-west coasts.

1. Falassarna Beach – A Wide Western Horizon

Falassarna Beach, on the west coast of Crete, has a wide sandy stretch and nothing between you and the horizon, so the sun sets straight into the sea.

• Why it suits a sunset: The long beach faces west and is framed by rugged hills.
• When to go: Arrive in the late afternoon and spend a few hours on the beach before the sun goes down.

2. Elafonissi Beach – Pink Sand at Dusk

Elafonissi Beach, in the south-west corner of Crete, is known for its pink-tinted sand and shallow turquoise lagoon, and the evening light deepens both colours.

• What to expect: The shallow water reflects the changing colours of the sky.
• Where to sit: Walk away from the main stretch to one of the quieter sections for a calmer view.

3. Balos Lagoon – Sunset Over Shallow Water

Balos Lagoon, on the Gramvousa peninsula in the north-west, has shallow turquoise water surrounded by mountains.

• Getting there: Balos is remote, and reaching it takes a walk down from the car park or a boat trip from Kissamos.
• When to go: The beach gets quieter in the late afternoon, once the day-trip boats have left.

4. Agios Pavlos Sandhills – A Quiet Sunset on the South Coast

Agios Pavlos, on the south coast of the Rethymno region, has a quiet beach backed by sand dunes and rocky cliffs.

• What to expect: Dunes and cliffs make a striking skyline against the evening sky.
• Local tip: Bring a picnic and stay on for the evening.

Crete Beaches for a Quiet, Relaxing Day

Calm, shallow water and a spa or taverna close by make these 5 beaches good for a slow day by the sea.

1. Elounda Beach – Luxury Hotels and Spas

Elounda, on the north-east coast near Agios Nikolaos, has many large luxury resorts with spas and private beach areas. Hotels such as the Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas offer massages and spa treatments by the sea.

2. Ammoudara Beach – Calm Water Near Heraklion

Ammoudara Beach, just west of Heraklion, has calm, shallow water for gentle swimming. Arrive early for a quieter spot, because the beach gets busier in the afternoon. Our guide to Ammoudara covers the resort behind the beach.

3. Matala Beach – Caves and a Relaxed Village

Matala Beach, on the south coast of the Heraklion region, sits below sandstone cliffs carved with ancient caves. The village keeps a relaxed, bohemian feel from its hippie years, and it hosts the Matala Beach Festival of music and arts each June. Our Matala guide covers the caves and the village.

4. Marathi Beach – Calm Water on Souda Bay

Marathi Beach, on the Akrotiri peninsula east of Chania, is a sheltered bay with shallow water and fish tavernas. It suits a quiet day with children.

5. Agia Pelagia Beach – A Sheltered Bay

Agia Pelagia is a small bay surrounded by hills, west of Heraklion. Its clear, calm water suits paddle boarding and gentle swimming. Our Agia Pelagia guide covers the village and its beaches.

Crete's Secret Coves

Our guide to secret coves and secluded beaches in Crete lists 12 of them, from Kyani Akti near Kalyves to Myrtos in the south-east.

Crete Beaches with Full Amenities

Crete's fully organised beaches have easy access, clean water, sun loungers, parasols, showers, toilets and tavernas within a few steps of the sand. The 12 beaches below suit visitors who want everything to hand.

Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti), Chania

Chrissi Akti, or Golden Beach, is a soft golden sandy beach a short walk from Chania town. It is 1 of 3 sandy beaches within walking distance of the town. The water is clear and shallow, which suits children, and the beach has umbrellas, sun beds and water sports. Golden Beach gets busy in July and August, especially at weekends, when local families come to cool off. The nearest town is Chania in western Crete.

Platanias Beach

Platanias Beach is a long sandy beach about 11 km west of Chania. Seafront tavernas and bars line the beach, and it has facilities for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The island of Theodorou lies around 800 m across the bay and has good scuba diving and snorkelling sites. Our guide to Platanias village covers the resort behind the beach.

Agia Marina Beach

Agia Marina is a busy beach resort about 10 km west of Chania town. Its long sandy beach has room for the crowds of July and August. Seafront tavernas, bars and hotels back the sand, and the beach has facilities for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Our Agia Marina resort guide covers the village itself.

Agioi Apostoloi Beach

Agioi Apostoloi has 3 sandy coves in a row, about 7 km west of Chania town. The coves are sheltered from the wind, and the water is very clean and clear. Tavernas, bars and accommodation line the seafront behind the organised beaches.

Rethymno Town Beach

Rethymno Town Beach is a long sandy beach that runs east from Rethymno along the north coast. Beach bars, tavernas and water sports line the whole stretch. The beach is often busy, but its length means a quieter spot is never far away. Our guide to Rethymno town covers the old town and harbour.

Gouves Beach

Gouves Beach is a fully organised sandy beach in front of the village of Kato Gouves, in the Heraklion region. It suits water sports fans, with windsurfing, water skiing, jet skis, banana rides, parasailing and pedalos. Sunbeds and umbrellas line the clean golden sand, and the water is clear and shallow.

Ammoudara Beach

Ammoudara is a soft golden sandy beach about 5 km west of Heraklion town. It has toilets, showers, a lifeguard station and a first aid station, plus sun umbrellas, sun loungers and some water sports. Wooden walkways and ramps make the sand easier to reach. Our Ammoudara resort guide covers the village near the beach.

Stalis Beach

Stalis, also called Stalida, is a soft white sandy beach about 30 km east of Heraklion. Its clear, shallow water suits families with children, though the sea turns choppy on windy days. Shops, tavernas and bars sit just behind the beach. The coast nearby mixes sandy swimming beaches with rocky spots for snorkelling, and our Stalis resort guide covers the village.

Plakias Beach

Plakias Beach is a sandy south coast beach in the resort of the same name, about 40 km south of Rethymno. It has clean water, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports, including diving. Seafront tavernas and beach bars run along the bay.

Hani Kokkini Beach

Hani Kokkini is a lively, fully organised beach a few kilometres east of Heraklion on the north coast. Large hotels, tavernas, bars and shops back the beach, and it has a range of water sports. The beach bars play loud music and draw a young crowd.

Agios Nikolaos Municipal Beach

The Municipal Beach sits in the centre of Agios Nikolaos in the Lassithi region. The beach is a little pebbly, with clean, clear water. Grass and trees give shade, and there are sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and a bar. Our Agios Nikolaos town guide covers the shops and harbour nearby.

Makrigialos Beach

Makrigialos Beach is a white sandy beach on the south coast of Lassithi, well protected from the wind. The name means "long shore": makri means long and gialos means shore. Its clean, shallow water suits families with small children. The organised beach has umbrellas, sun beds and water sports, and our Makrigialos village guide covers the resort.

What a Blue Flag Means on a Crete Beach

A Blue Flag is an international award for beaches that meet strict standards for water quality, safety and environmental care. Crete has many Blue Flag beaches, and Greece regularly ranks among the countries with the most awards. Each beach must meet these 4 groups of criteria:

• Water quality: tests show the water is excellent for bathing and free from sewage or industrial pollution.
• Environmental management: the beach meets cleanliness standards under a managed environmental system.
• Safety and services: lifeguards or lifesaving equipment protect bathers.
• Environmental education and information: notices explain the coastal ecosystem, the beach code of conduct and the water quality.

The Blue Flag list changes every year. Check the current awards before choosing a beach for its flag.

Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete

The Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete is a 20-hectare park about 15 km south of Chania, just past Fournes, and a good break from the beach. It was created on land burnt in the 2003 fires, and a charred century-old olive tree stands as a memorial to them.

Fruit trees from around the world, herbs and medicinal and ornamental plants grow along its paths, and the park has a restaurant serving Cretan food. Our Botanical Park of Crete guide has more on the gardens and how to get there.