The 15 best beaches in Crete
Mesmerising Crete is the ultimate, showstopping Greek island paradise – hence its global popularity. According to INSETE, from January to August 2023, Crete saw 3.7 million international air arrivals. Crete’s enchanting, beachy shores are part of its trademark, yet there are still plenty of equally iridescent, lesser-travelled beaches to seek out.
In 1913, Crete became part of Greece, and because of the Minoan civilisation, Crete was at the heart of early Europe's global standing. It’s the largest of the Greek islands. With that, it has something for everyone: breathtaking, blissful aquamarine-meets-gold beaches, secret sandy coves with see-through, cyan-blue waters, a rich and captivating history, wonder-filled mountainous trails, and superabundant greenery for miles. Cretan cuisine is a discovery of its own, and sophisticated beach picnics or taverna stops are the order of the day.
As far as beaches go, there is a brilliant array on the island – where we’ve carefully covered the best beaches in Crete, including the sandy sweeps near the big-hitting sights, quietly confident local shores that offer an authentic taste of Cretan life, and a wow-factor paradise island experience. Read on for 15 of the best beaches in Crete.
Getty ImagesAgiofarago Beach
A little off the beaten track on Crete’s southernmost tip, this pebbled beauty is set beneath a magnificent gorge – in fact, Agiofarago translates as ‘Gorge of Saints’. You can get here by boat from Matala or Agia Galini, among others, but the most breathtaking way to arrive is by foot. Make the 45-minute hike that leads you within the vertical walls of the gorge, and you’ll exit dramatically onto the beach with its impeccably blue waters. Usually calm, it’s an excellent beach for a paddle and on its western side, there is a rocky arch you can swim beneath. It might be challenging to reach, but this quiet gem is well worth it.
Address: Agiofaraggo Beach, Greece
Getty ImagesGlyka Nera
Glyka Nera is known for its Ionian character, where vertiginous, pine-strewn cliffs give way to hot white pebbles and the clearest of deep turquoise waters. It’s not easy to reach this south coast beauty: you can either attempt the adventurous 30-minute hike along the path from Chora Sfakion or take a water taxi to its rugged shores. Translating as ‘sweet water’, its name is inspired by the refreshingly cool water that bubbles up from the springs beneath. In high summer, you might find a few sun loungers and a small taverna on the rocks for drinks and food – plus a few tamarisk trees for shade. Note that Glyka Nera is a clothing-optional beach.
Address: Glyka Nera Beach, Greece
Getty ImagesVoulolimni Beach
Not strictly a beach, Voulolimni is a beautiful natural rock pool that makes for an interesting change from Crete’s usual sand and pebbled numbers. Often quiet and delightfully unique, Cretan locals love this saltwater spot that sits half a kilometre northwest of Chrysoskalitissa’s Byzantine monastery on the western coast of the island. Well protected by the strong winds that often blow in the area and with an emerald glint in its calm waters, Voulolimni is a sensational place for a swim. Bring your snorkel and mask, too; you might even spot an octopus here.
Address: Chrissoskalitissa,, 730 12, Greece
Getty ImagesElafonisi
This lagoon beach is tucked away in a remote pocket of Crete’s south-western corner, but it is known to many island regulars and gets busy on a summer weekend. However, its raw beauty makes it still worthwhile: glassy aquamarine waters kiss the shore, made up of swirls of pastel-pink sands – a natural phenomenon caused by thousands of shells washing up over the years. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, scattered across the main beach and lagoon, while the shallow waters make it perfect for families. If you’re in need of a bit more privacy, do as the naturists do and head to the island’s coves and dunes beyond for a more peaceful patch of sand.
Address: Kissamos 730 01, Greece
Getty ImagesFalassarna
Set on Crete’s western coast, the short, winding drive down to Falassarna might seem a little underwhelming with its sea views blocked by greenhouses plonked across the olive groves. But once you reach this broad sweep of a beach, all is forgiven. One of the finest beaches in Crete, there is plenty of room to spread your towel, superbly clear water and see-forever views. Behind the beach, a sloping hill is dotted with a handful of tavernas and villas to rent. While the waves rolling off the Mediterranean might not be ideal for families, windsurfers are in their element here and everybody appreciates Falassarna’s sunsets, when the burning orange slowly melts into the glittering sea.
Address: 734 00, Greece
Getty ImagesPreveli
Located at the point where the Megalopotamos River and the Libyan Sea meet, Preveli is as pretty as they come. Backed by the craggy cliffs of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge and jungly riverbanks lined with lush, towering palm trees, it could be mistaken for a deserted tropical island. You have to work for it though; access to this beach is granted by a knee-pounding climb down a steep path and a real thigh-burner on the way back up. Waiting for you at the bottom, however, are pure white sands and the clearest of waters that are ripe for snorkelling. You can combine a splash-around at Preveli with a visit to the nearby Preveli Monastery, a magnificent building set on a hill. Otherwise, the location is wonderfully remote, with just a few snack bars in summer and a taverna near the car park
Address: 740 60, Greece
Getty ImagesBalos
You might recognise Balos from numerous Crete travel brochures, beckoning visitors with the promise of lily-white sands, vivid turquoise waters and a wild and secluded setting on the Gramvousa Peninsula – and it doesn’t disappoint. Backed by rugged hills, the beach and its lagoon are not easy to reach, but that doesn’t put off its cult following who brave the precarious dirt-road drive to get here. If you don’t fancy the former, you can hop aboard the boat and spend a precious afternoon on Balos. Don’t forget to pack yourself a picnic, as there aren’t any places to buy food or drinks.
Address: Balos, Greece
Getty ImagesKommos
Hugging Messara Bay in southern Crete, Kommos is a beautiful wide arc of sand backed by dunes and ringed by green mountains. A steep, winding road leads down to its brilliant blue waters, pearl-white sands and views of ancient ruins of an old Minoan port (off limits to the public). The wind produces some decent-sized waves here so it’s less suited to young families, though the nudists at the northern end of the beach don’t seem to mind. At its southern end, there are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, as well as a couple of tavernas that are perfectly placed for sundowners.
Address: Kommos Beach, Greece
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Getty ImagesMatala
A once laid-back fishing village that was discovered by hippies back in the 1960s, the legendary Matala – not far from Kommos Beach – is no longer a well-kept secret, so it’s best-visited off-season. The gentle waters of the Messara Bay are flanked by honeycomb-like sandstone cliffs and mysterious caves – and myth has it this was the spot where Zeus swam ashore under the guise of a bull with the kidnapped Europa on his back. Explore its incredible landscape before grabbing a bite to eat at one of the restaurants overlooking the water.
Address: 702 00, Greece
Getty ImagesVaï
In the Lasithi province, Crete’s easternmost region lies a little slice of the Caribbean: Vaï. On this small, idyllic beach, calm, shimmering waters are backed by a large grove of swaying Cretan palm trees. It can get a little busy, but you can easily escape the worst of the crowds by taking the 30-minute stroll along a trail that heads to the ancient Minoan site of Itanos, where you’ll find a trio of small, secluded bay beaches.
Address: 723 00, Greece
Getty ImagesSeitan Limania
In a hidden corner on the northeastern side of Crete’s Akrotiri Peninsula, just a short drive from Chania, this secret cove is well worth the hair-raising steep and winding downhill drive to get here. Tiny and perfectly formed, there is a reason why locals make the trip here: a narrow strip of eye-popping, near-fluorescent blue water wedged between cliffs that you won’t forget in a hurry. Take in the views from the top of the hill or deftly scramble down the rocky path to claim your patch of sand for the day and take endless well-earned dips.
Address: Seitan Limania, Greece
AlamyFrangokástello
Known as one of the best beaches in Crete, Frangokástello is a dreamy Cretan beach – uniquely fringed by a 14th-century castle with a story behind it. Though not as razzle-dazzle as some Cretan beaches, its pale, powder-blue waters, biscuit-hued sands, and dramatic mountainous backdrop are still seductive: spy some rainbow-bright Nemo’s in the glassy sea. There are nearby wild coastal trails – where you’ll be hard-pressed to find another soul among the rocky outcrops – just the song of the vitamin sea and yours truly. For beach days – the wraparound mountain views are magical.
Address: Sfakia, Greece
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Getty ImagesGaidhouronísi
To truly escape to paradise, go to a desert island. And Gaidhouronísi (or Donkey Island) is a pristine desert island just 50 minutes by boat from Crete. Any time spent on this petite (read: 5km long) yet perfectly formed island is time well spent; it’s one of the loveliest experiences. Take your pick of the sandy beaches, but Shell Beach is a must – true to its name, its carpet of artful, coloured mollusc shells simply has to be seen. The scent of the cedar forest in the air means a sweet slumber – leaving you wondering whether permanent relocation is possible.
Address: Ierapetra, Greece
AlamyIstro
Istro is a beautiful, exquisitely peaceful bay in Lassithi that is not to be overlooked – for the serious business of taking time out. The superbly sandy swathe, bedecked with day beds, offers front-row views of the cerulean-blue sea – its calming shores are the perfect elixir for the daily hustle. Perfect the art of doing nothing: the best plan is to bliss out on irresistible Istro for the entire day, swimming, picnicking, and gazing at the glittering sea, cocooned by the pretty-as-a-painting, fresh-green natural landscape.
Address: Ayos, Ag. Nikolaos 721 00, Greece
AlamyKoureménos
Famed for being one of the best beaches for windsurfing on Crete, Koureménos is the place to hit the waves. This windswept part of Crete’s coast is perfect for seasoned windsurfers and learners – professionals can get out onto the big blue; newbies can take windsurfing or winging lessons at Gone Surfing. The sandy sweep is impressive: a snaking stretch of sand and pebbles. There’s a spirited, young energy around Koureménos; hit the beach and hang with the surfers for a while – or recline on a lounger and watch the action from land.
Address: Κουρεμένος 723 00, Greece