About Crete

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!

Crete Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Senior friendly

Lagoufa beach

Analipsi 0.8 km
Very good
8.8
Partly hotel beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Small open area • Crowded in season
8.3 Amenities index
Very good
8.7
Partly hotel beach • Picturesque • Easy access • Bright sand • Small open area • Very crowded
6.8 Amenities index

Vathi Kritsas

Vathi 0.8 km
Very good
8.6
Hotel guests only • Hotel beach • Picturesque • Easy access • Light fine pebble • Crowded in season
8.3 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Damnoni beach

Damnoni 0.3 km
Very good
8.6
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Picturesque • Easy access • Light fine pebble • Crowded in season
7.8 Amenities index
Wild camping

Itanos beach

Itanou 0.3 km
Very good
8.6
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Exceptional beauty • Picturesque • Easy access • Crowded in season
1 Amenities index
Wild camping

Ammoudi beach

Damnoni 0.8 km
Very good
8.6
Large free area • Beach resort • Picturesque • Easy access • Light fine pebble • Crowded in season
6.8 Amenities index

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.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of Crete, they are as follows:

  • The region's beaches are mainly wide, quite short and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is pebble of bright color.
  • Since many beaches are pebbly, we recommend taking special shoes with you to avoid discomfort during your vacation.
  • Usually, entry into the water is moderately gentle, such beaches are 396.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in Crete is less than 500 meters. 374 beaches are relatively easy to access, 20 beaches are difficult to access, which in most cases means that you have to walk a quite long distance, and 68 beaches are only accessible from the water. The latter include both island beaches and beaches with no land routes due to the natural borders.

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.

Latest reviews on Crete's beaches

Preveli Beach
10 Lenny Karamanlis.

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.

Matala beach
10 Nikolai Kozlov.

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.

Triopetra beach
8 Kairos Wexler

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.

Agia Galini beach
9 Enrico Stucchi

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.

Saradari Beach
4 Avery Sinclair

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.

Kedrodasos Beach
10 Lila Rivers

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in Crete?

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

How to view only nearest to me beaches in Crete?

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.

What are all easy accessible beaches in Crete?

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

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in Crete?

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

How to find uncrowded beaches in Crete?

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

How to view all beaches by amenities details in Crete?

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in Crete?

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