11 Best Beaches in Crete

Crete is unique. The largest island in Greece proudly preserves its local traditions and ancient Minoan heritage. Cretan food is an example of the balanced Mediterranean diet. As for the beaches, you will be spoilt for choice here. 650 miles of the coastline gift travelers to Crete with many heavenly spots to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. See the pink sands in Elafonisi, relax next to hundreds of palm trees in Vai, gaze at the stunning mountainous panoramas at Balos, and ride the powerful winds at Falasarna. There's always a new beach to discover on Crete. Pebbles, sand, rocks or gravel—the island has got you covered. I always feel at home on Crete, it's the destination where I know I am welcomed. Here are the best beaches to visit on the island. 

Best for shallow waters and pink sands

The sprawling Elafonisi may be one of the most awe-inspiring beaches in Europe. It's definitely Crete's most beautiful. Located in the remote southwestern corner of the island, it's a wonderful spot with pink sands, transparent shallow waters, and dramatic mountains behind. The remoteness is a blessing and a curse here. During the summer, the beach gets extremely crowded, putting a strain on the limited facilities. If you're coming in July or August, it's best to arrive super early for a calm experience. Shoulder season is when you can admire Elafonisi at its most tranquil and stunning. The beach is also Crete's best for families with small children—the lagoon is great for wading and playing in shallow water. A nice bonus is the access to the nearby islet of Elafonisi by a sandy isthmus.  

Best for relaxing under the palm trees

Reaching Vai is an experience in itself. The road takes you through the magnificent palm tree grove, which contains thousands of Phoenix theophrasti date palms. Vai is part of Sitia Nature Park, a picturesque coastal area in East Crete. The palm trees give the beach an almost tropical appearance. Most importantly, they provide shade from the often scorching summer sun (a welcoming alternative to mostly barren Cretan beaches). Also, Vai is perfect for families. The golden sand is soft on your feet, and the sea is crystal-clear. A panoramic Palm Beach Vai Restaurant overlooks the bay, providing snacks, drinks, and local dishes. The area closer to the cliffs is good for snorkeling. There's also a water sports center for jet ski rides, catamaran rental, and flyboarding. 

Best for white sand

If you're looking for those white-sand Caribbean-like bays, Voulisma Beach is that strip on Crete. The water is sapphire-blue, perfect for a swim. Voulisma is indeed among Crete's most magical bays. That being said, there's trouble in paradise. During high season, that heavenly corner of 12 km east of Agios Nikolaos gets almost entirely covered with overpriced loungers. This doesn't decrease its dreamy appearance, but it definitely spoils the mood. However, my advice would be to visit outside of the high season. Late spring and early autumn will give you a more peaceful time on the beach and a chance to embrace its white-sand beauty in full. Right beside Voulisma, reached by the steep hike, is Istro Municipal Beach. It's a postcard-perfect turquoise cove, where you find a mix of white sand and pebbles. 

Best for breathtaking views and wild nature

If Elafonisi mesmerizes you with its gentle Mediterranean looks, Balos is for jaw-dropping natural panoramas. A gem of the undeveloped northwest coast, this beach is the most famous in Crete. The view of a turquoise lagoon between the rocky Cretan coast and the wall-like Cape Tigani won't leave you indifferent. Balos is a sandy beach with a tranquil lagoon section and a wavier open sea part. Due to its geography and lack of trees, it gets windy here. Tour boats to Balos depart from Kissamos and Chania. Reaching by land is trickier—there are over 10 miles of dirt road to get to the parking spot. Then, there's a scenic, but tiring descent to the beach (and then a climb back, when you finish the lounging). Mountain goats are a nice addition to the hiking experience and you will almost certainly meet one or two of these cute Cretan locals. While it gets very crowded, the sheer size of Balos also means that there's always space to put your towel on. 

Best for windsurfing

Falasarna is a vast sandy bay, overlooking the open sea in the northwestern corner of Crete. As in Elafonisi, you'll find the dreamy pink-colored sand here. Combined with the translucent water, it's a beautiful sight. Thanks to its exposure to the strong Meltemi winds, Falasarna is also the premier surfing location on the island. It's not always windy here, but when the waves get bigger, there's no better place for wind- and kite-surfing. Don't forget your snorkeling goggles—the more rocky northern section of Falassarni is a top location for underwater exploration. Tavernas and beach bars flank the sands, supplying the beachgoers with grilled seafood and refreshing drinks. You can rent surfing equipment and organize a paragliding jump from the water sports center right on the beach. If you're into ancient history, the ruins of the 7th-century BC Dorian-founded city-state of Phalassarna are a few miles away. 

Best for the natural pools and gorge hikes

Preveli is hard to confuse with any other beach. It serves as a gateway to a stunning natural area. An oasis-like palm grove stands above the narrow Megalopotamos River, which flows into the blue Mediterranean waters. Hike upstream to find a spectacular gorge, surrounded by tall cliffs. The palm trees reflect in the calm river waters, creating a beautiful visual effect. And then there are freshwater pools, perfect for cooling off during the summer heat. With this amount of natural attractions, Preveli is among Crete's best beaches to visit. The surface here is pebbles. The palm trees offer pleasant shade. There's also a heart-shaped stack near the shoreline, adding to the magical look of this place. You can either park your car next to Ammoudi Beach or at the parking lot near Rousolakos tavern. In both cases, be prepared to follow a steep walk down the cliffs to reach the gorge and the beach. 

Best for a laid-back beach experience

A laid-back neighbor to busy Preveli, Ammoudi is just a good Cretan beach for having a relaxed time by the sea. Go here to escape the crowds and soak in the Mediterranean atmosphere. The beach is alongside the parking lot for the Preveli Beach hiking trail. Ammoudi is mostly composed of pebbles and rocks, so bring the water shoes. You can sample Cretan food at two tavernas nearby. The stones at the shore are nice for snorkeling. Ammoudi works great as a low-key alternative to the crowded island stretches. 

Best for the hippie vibes and whitewashed houses

"And they're playin' that scratchy rock and roll, beneath the Matala Moon," sings Canadian eleven Grammy award winner Joni Mitchell in her folk rock hit "Carey." Back in the '60s, the sleepy village of Matala in Crete's south-west was a popular hippie hangout. The freedom-loving community squatted in the local coastal caves, taking in the sea breeze and the turquoise waters of the picturesque Matala cove. The hippies are long gone, but the laid-back spirit remains in this mesmerizing beach town. Wander the whitewashed streets, explore the labyrinth of limestone caves (dating back to the Neolithic Age), stop for a hearty Cretan meal at one of the pretty local tavernas, and spend a day on the beautiful pebbly beach, bordered by an impressive beige cliff. 

Best for the stunning wild looks

The most beautiful beaches are often those that are difficult to reach. Hidden on the rocky coast of the Akrotiri Peninsula outside Chania, Seitan Limania is a visual spectacle. The dark blue of the Aegean Sea becomes bright aquamarine in this divine corner of the coast at this snake-shaped cove. Set among the barren landscapes, where goats roam freely, this tiny beach is accessible only by a challenging and steep hike. Here, it's more about the journey than the destination. The small size of the cove makes it an ideal spot for a quick dip and a photo op. Spending a whole day here isn't the best idea, as the beach is very narrow and there's no shade. Seitan Limania is also a fantastic place for cliff-jumping. 

Best for families and history

If you enjoy scenic beaches, Frangokastelo is the one. Here, you'll bathe next to the 14th-century-built Venetian fortress set against a stunning mountain backdrop. The beach is perfect for families—it's sandy, with translucent waters and shallow access. Castle-building takes a cool spin when you are alongside an actual castle. You kids will love it here. A small reef at the western end of the beach is great for snorkeling. You'll find a supermarket and several traditional restaurants in Frangokastelo behind the beach. Walk further west to reach Orthi Ammos, another beautiful South Cretan stretch, backed by the tall dunes. 

Best for a wilder beach experience

Sometimes all you want is peace and tranquility. The South coast of Crete offers many semi-wild beaches in the middle of nowhere. Gialiskari is one of the best for such an escape. Located 3 miles away from Palaiochora and backed by the Anidri Canyon, it's a beautiful pebbly stretch. Except for the simple tavern, there are no other signs of civilization here, making this beach the ideal destination for a true remote break. Gialiskari overlooks the dramatic mountainous coastline. It's a Greek beach dream—order yourself souvlaki (the traditional meat skewers) and sit for hours, gazing at the beautiful Mediterranean and listening to the music of the waves. Palaiochora, nearby, is a picture-perfect whitewashed town with a hilltop Castel Selino and a pleasant resort town. You can also embark on a hiking adventure through the gorges of Anidri Canyon.