The Best Beaches in Crete

Why go: Almyrida is a resort beach on the Apokoronas peninsula east of Chania, with shallow protected water and a long sandy shore that suits families and swimmers of all levels.

Almyrida is a resort beach on the Apokoronas peninsula east of Chania, with shallow protected water and a long sandy shore that suits families and swimmers of all levels. The village behind the beach has cafes, tavernas, and water-sports operators offering windsurfing, SUP and small-boat rental.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Small lot

Certification

Blue Flag

Why go: Voulisma, often called Golden Beach, is a small sandy cove on the eastern Lasithi coast of Crete near Istro and Agios Nikolaos.

Voulisma, often called Golden Beach, is a small sandy cove on the eastern Lasithi coast of Crete near Istro and Agios Nikolaos. The bay is sheltered with shallow turquoise water and pale golden sand, making it one of the most family-suited beaches on the eastern side of the island.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Small lot

Certification

Blue Flag

Why go: Damnoni is a small sandy cove just east of Plakias on the south coast of Crete in Rethymno region, set between two rocky headlands with clear shallow water and views toward the Libyan Sea.

Damnoni is a small sandy cove just east of Plakias on the south coast of Crete in Rethymno region, set between two rocky headlands with clear shallow water and views toward the Libyan Sea.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Small lot

Why go: Falasarna is one of the most celebrated beaches on Crete’s western coast.

Falasarna is one of the most celebrated beaches on Crete’s western coast. It consists of a long bay made up of multiple contiguous sandy stretches, offering wide views, soft pale sand, turquoise water, and superb sunsets. The beach lies near Kissamos / Platanos, about 59 km west of Chania.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Moderate

Parking

Large lot

Why go: Marathi Beach lies on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 17 km east of Chania, Crete.

Marathi Beach lies on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 17 km east of Chania, Crete. It’s nestled in Souda Bay, making it sheltered and calm, with golden sand, shallow waters, and views of Drapanos Cape.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Large lot

Why go: Matala lies on the southern coast of Crete in Heraklion region, set in a small bay framed by sandstone cliffs riddled with Roman-era burial caves.

Matala lies on the southern coast of Crete in Heraklion region, set in a small bay framed by sandstone cliffs riddled with Roman-era burial caves. The site became internationally famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s when hippies — Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens and others — lived in the cliff caves, and the village…

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Large lot

Why go: Vai sits on the far eastern tip of Crete in Lasithi region, famous for the largest natural palm forest in Europe — a grove of native Cretan date palms (Phoenix theophrasti) that rises directly behind the sandy beach.

Vai sits on the far eastern tip of Crete in Lasithi region, famous for the largest natural palm forest in Europe — a grove of native Cretan date palms (Phoenix theophrasti) that rises directly behind the sandy beach. Shallow turquoise water, fine golden sand, and a backdrop unlike anywhere else in Greece.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Large lot

Why go: Balos is a spectacular coastal lagoon on the Gramvousa Peninsula, in northwestern Crete (Chania region).

Balos is a spectacular coastal lagoon on the Gramvousa Peninsula, in northwestern Crete (Chania region). Its pale coral-white and pink sand, shallow turquoise waters, and wild surrounding landscape make it one of Crete’s iconic natural beaches.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Small lot

Why go: Chrissi (also Chrysi or Gaidouronisi) is an uninhabited island in the Libyan Sea south of Ierapetra, reached by daily seasonal boat from the Crete mainland.

Chrissi (also Chrysi or Gaidouronisi) is an uninhabited island in the Libyan Sea south of Ierapetra, reached by daily seasonal boat from the Crete mainland. A protected nature reserve with shallow tropical-looking water, pristine pale sand and pink shell fragments, and a juniper forest behind the beach.

Type

Sandy

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

No parking

Why go: Elafonissi (or Elafonisi) is a spectacular coastal gem on Crete’s southwestern tip, known for its shallow turquoise lagoons, sandbars, and patches of pink sand derived from crushed shells.

Elafonissi (or Elafonisi) is a spectacular coastal gem on Crete’s southwestern tip, known for its shallow turquoise lagoons, sandbars, and patches of pink sand derived from crushed shells. The beach is partly separated by a narrow sand strip from a small islet, which becomes walkable at low tide.

Type

Mixed

Wave conditions

Calm

Parking

Small lot