Pebbly beaches, clear turquoise water and mountain landscapes - all this is magnificent Crete. Mountains and sea - a powerful mixture that takes the breath away from even the most sophisticated traveler! Please don't say we didn't warn you!
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Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 478 beaches in the region.
To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in Crete.
As for the main features of the beaches of Crete, they are as follows:
Wild beaches with no infrastructure dominate the coastline of Crete however, even here you can find a beach with a standard set of accessories: sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, showers and toilets.
This beach is absolutely stunning! The scenery is breathtaking, making it feel like a tropical paradise in Crete. You have the opportunity to take a stroll along the river and even swim in it, as well as explore the palm forest. It's definitely worth a visit and shouldn't be missed. If you want to avoid the 382 steps, a simpler way to get there is to drive to Dionysos beach and walk for just 8 minutes to reach Preveli beach.
This stunning beach has an array of activities to indulge in if you feel like taking a break from soaking up the sun or swimming. Our group thoroughly enjoyed venturing into the whimsical hippy caves, basking in the serene ambiance of the shoreline, savoring delectable cuisine, and browsing through the local shops.
If you're seeking a serene and less populated beach, this is the perfect spot for you. We had the pleasure of enjoying the beach with only about 10 others in our vicinity during our visit. However, it's important to note that certain areas of the beach are not suitable for swimming due to the presence of sharp stones and plates. I learned this the hard way when I accidentally cut my foot. As a word of caution, please be mindful of where you step. On the bright side, there's a nearby tavern that serves scrumptious food if you're in need of a bite.
The most beautiful beach in Crete. Crystal clear water, bucolic landscape, excellent tavern food and in addition equipped beach and free beach. Relaxation in the round and never crowded.
This location is a complete disaster. The treacherous descent from the cliff is only possible via a few jagged and unstable rocks. The left side of the beach is riddled with sharp rocks that caused me excruciating pain as I attempted to navigate through them. The water and sand are teeming with lifeless seaweed, which completely defeats the purpose of having crystal-clear waters. I highly advise against visiting this beach and instead suggest finding a more suitable location. I have visited much better spots and this one does not even come close.
Undoubtedly, this beach on Crete is the epitome of beauty. It rivals even the esteemed Balos beach, yet boasts the added convenience of accessibility. The azure hues of the water are so captivating that you could spend hours gazing at it, unable to look away. The beach's immaculate white sand is reminiscent of those found in the Caribbean, and the lack of plastic waste only adds to its allure. The cedar trees provide ample shade, making it a delightful spot to unwind. I have visited countless beaches, yet this one reigns supreme. While the descent to the beach may not be arduous, it is advisable to forego flip-flops.
Please note that lifeguards supervise 103 beaches in the region, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!
Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.
The hottest month of the region is August - air temperature during this time warms up to 29.2°C and water up to 26.8°C. The coldest month is January - air temperature drops to 11.6°C and water to 17.4°C.
Do you know how many beaches there are in Crete? In total there are 478 beaches and the most popular is Elafonissi Beach.
When it comes to finding the best beaches in Crete, the following aspects should be taken into account.
There are 478 beaches in total, of which about 42 can be called high-rated.
The best beaches in the majority:
They are also usually:
The best beaches in Crete:
View all beaches in Crete and create your selection by features
To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.
Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in Crete, you must be in that area to get the correct results.
See also: View all beaches in Crete and create your selection by features.
To view and filter by characteristics all beaches of Crete, use the link below:
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View all beaches in Crete and combine selections by features
Most of the beaches located in Crete are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).
Popular categories of beaches in Crete by access:
See also the categories:
Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in Crete:
View all beaches in Crete and select by features
Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.
The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features
Beach coverage and water
Natural scenery
Other popular categories
View all beaches in Crete and select by features
The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in Crete by occupancy.
Popular categories:
If the presence of a crowd on the beach is critical for you, pay attention to where you should not go in the season.
View all beaches in Crete and select by features
The selections of the beaches in Crete according to the recommended audience:
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Use filter in search results to select a beach according to your preference for amenities.
Popular beach infrastructure categories:
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View all beaches in Crete and select by specific amenities
Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.
View all beaches in Crete and select by activity