Summary
Crete has more than 1,000 km of coastline and arguably the most varied beach landscape in Europe — pink sand, palm rivers, fjord-like inlets and long sandy bays facing four different seas (Cretan, Ionian, Libyan, and the Aegean). This guide gathers the eight beaches you actually want on a first or second trip, with honest notes on how busy they get and how easy they are to reach.
The best beaches in Crete at a glance
| # | Beach | Distance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balos Beach | 56 km west of Chania | Iconic scenery, lagoon swimming |
| 2 | Elafonisi Beach | 75 km southwest of Chania | Pink sand, families, lagoon wading |
| 3 | Vai Beach | 85 km east of Heraklion | Palm forest backdrop, families |
| 4 | Preveli (Palm Beach) | 40 km south of Rethymno | Palm river, adventure swim |
| 5 | Falasarna Beach | 60 km west of Chania | Sunsets, wide sand, surf |
| 6 | Seitan Limania | 22 km northeast of Chania | Drama, photographers |
| 7 | Matala Beach | 70 km south of Heraklion | History, sunsets, surf |
| 8 | Xerokampos | 125 km east of Heraklion | Solitude, true wilderness |
1. Balos Beach
- Location
- Gramvousa Peninsula, Chania region
- Distance
- 56 km west of Chania
- Water
- Shallow, calm lagoon
- Facilities
- Semi-organised
Crete's most photographed beach — a shallow turquoise lagoon between cliffs and the Gramvousa peninsula, with white-and-pink-tinted sand. Best reached by day-cruise boat from Kissamos port; the alternative dirt-track-and-hike approach rewards the persistent.
Infrastructure
Limited sunbeds and basic canteen; semi-wild infrastructure that doesn't cover the whole beach.
Sand & swimming
Fine pale sand with pink streaks where coral has been crushed; lagoon is ankle-deep for a long way out — perfect for kids.
Local secret
The viewpoint above the lagoon (a 10-min uphill walk from the beach) gives the iconic shot — most visitors miss it.
How to get there
- Boat from Kissamos port (1 h drive west of Chania) — easiest and most popular.
- Drive the dirt track from Kaliviani village then 30-min hike down — adventurous but rough on small rentals.
2. Elafonisi Beach
- Location
- Southwest Crete (Chania region)
- Distance
- 75 km southwest of Chania
- Water
- Very shallow lagoon
- Facilities
- Organised
Famous for its pink-tinged sand and the shallow turquoise lagoon you can wade across to a protected nature reserve. A protected Natura 2000 zone — a small canteen, sunbeds in the central area and lifeguard in summer.
Infrastructure
Sunbeds, two canteens, lifeguard in peak season, toilets, marked walking paths.
Sand & swimming
Soft sand with pink coral patches; ankle-deep water for hundreds of metres — exceptional for toddlers.
Local secret
Arrive by 9:30 am to enjoy the lagoon before the tour buses (11 am+). Don't take any sand home — it's illegal under Natura 2000 rules.
How to get there
- Drive 1 h 45 m from Chania via Kandanos.
- Daily KTEL bus from Chania bus station in summer (€10 each way).
- Organised day trip with hotel pickup (most popular).
3. Vai Beach
- Location
- Far east coast (Lasithi region)
- Distance
- 85 km east of Heraklion
- Water
- Calm, shallow, warm
- Facilities
- Organised
Vai is Europe's only native palm forest beach — a sweep of golden sand backed by 5,000 protected Cretan date palms. Far enough east that it doesn't see the same crowds as the western beaches.
Infrastructure
Sunbeds and umbrellas, a beach bar, lifeguard, boardwalks through the protected palm grove.
Sand & swimming
Soft sand, calm protected bay, ideal swimming conditions.
Local secret
Walk 15 minutes north to the smaller "Psili Ammos" cove — fewer people, the same gorgeous water.
How to get there
- Drive 1 h 15 m east from Sitia, or 2 h from Agios Nikolaos.
- Combine with the Toplou Monastery and Itanos archaeological site for a full day.
4. Preveli (Palm Beach)
- Location
- South coast (Rethymno region)
- Distance
- 40 km south of Rethymno
- Water
- Open sea + cool river pools
- Facilities
- Limited
Where the Megalopotamos river meets the Libyan Sea under a grove of native Theophrastus palms. The most exotic-feeling beach in Crete; the descent is steep but the river pools upstream offer a unique cool-down.
Infrastructure
A small canteen at the beach, no sunbeds, no toilets.
Sand & swimming
Coarse sand and pebbles; open Libyan Sea swimming with cool currents from the river.
Local secret
Walk 200 m upstream from the beach to find natural pools shaded by palms — almost always empty in the morning.
How to get there
- Drive 1 h south from Rethymno via the south-coast road.
- Park near Preveli Monastery, walk down the steep stairs (20 min).
- Boat from Plakias in summer (no climb needed).
5. Falasarna Beach
- Location
- Far west coast (Chania region)
- Distance
- 60 km west of Chania
- Water
- Open sea, can be choppy
- Facilities
- Organised
A 3 km arc of pale golden sand on Crete's wild west coast facing directly into the sunset. Three connected sections (Big Beach, Pachia Ammos, Livadi) range from organised sunbeds to almost empty stretches.
Infrastructure
Sunbeds in the central section, two beach restaurants, easy parking at all entrances.
Sand & swimming
Very fine pale sand, open sea — calm in mornings, surfable swells in afternoon meltemi conditions.
Local secret
Drive 200 m past the main entrance to reach quieter Pachia Ammos with no facilities and dramatic rock formations. Stay for sunset.
How to get there
- Drive 1 h 15 m from Chania via Kissamos.
- Combine with a Balos boat trip for a full west-coast day.
6. Seitan Limania
- Location
- Akrotiri peninsula (Chania region)
- Distance
- 22 km northeast of Chania
- Water
- Deep, cold, clear
- Facilities
- None
A narrow deep-blue inlet between sheer white cliffs that looks like a Norwegian fjord. The descent is steep but the postcard view from the cliff-top is worth a stop on its own.
Infrastructure
Nothing at the beach — no toilets, shade or canteen. Bring water and snacks.
Sand & swimming
Pebbly shore with crystal-clear deep water in a sheltered cliff crack — beautiful for snorkelling, no shallow zone.
Local secret
Arrive before 10 am or after 5 pm to escape midday crowds. Wear proper shoes — flip-flops will not survive the descent.
How to get there
- Drive 30 min from Chania past the Cretan Aquarium and the airport — well signed.
- Park at the cliff-top, then walk down the marked path.
7. Matala Beach
- Location
- South coast (Heraklion region)
- Distance
- 70 km south of Heraklion
- Water
- Open sea
- Facilities
- Organised
A protected Libyan Sea bay framed by sandstone cliffs riddled with caves used in Roman, Christian and (in the late 1960s) hippie eras. The beach itself is wide golden sand; the village behind has good fish tavernas and quirky cafés.
Infrastructure
Full beach service (sunbeds, lifeguard, cafés); the cave area is an archaeological site you can walk through.
Sand & swimming
Soft golden sand, open Libyan Sea — gradual entry, surfable on windier afternoons.
Local secret
Walk south over the headland (20 min) to "Red Beach" (Kokkini Ammos) — clothing-optional, fewer people, dramatic ochre cliffs.
How to get there
- Drive 1 h 30 m from Heraklion via Mires.
- Combine with the archaeological site of Phaistos (15 min away).
8. Xerokampos
- Location
- Far southeast (Lasithi region)
- Distance
- 125 km east of Heraklion
- Water
- Open sea, very clear
- Facilities
- Almost none
A string of crystal-clear coves in Crete's least-developed corner — five hours from Chania, but if you're already in Lasithi, an unforgettable day. White-sand beaches with no infrastructure and rarely more than 20 people on each.
Infrastructure
Two seasonal canteens shared across the whole 5-km stretch — bring everything else.
Sand & swimming
Bright white sand, exceptional water clarity, mostly calm.
Local secret
The northern cove (Alatsolimni) has shallow rock pools — perfect for swimming with snorkel mask. Almost no signage; ask at the canteen.
How to get there
- Drive 30 min east from Sitia on a partly unpaved road.
- Combine with Vai (1 h north) only if you're prepared for a long driving day.
Frequently Asked Questions
No single answer. For pure scenic wow: Balos and Elafonisi. For palm-forest exotica: Vai and Preveli. For wild beauty: Falasarna at sunset and Xerokampos. Most visitors mix three or four across a 7–10 day trip.
Yes in July and August at the western big-name beaches (Balos, Elafonisi, Falasarna). Visit before 10 am or after 5 pm, or pick beaches in Lasithi (Vai, Xerokampos) which never see the same crowds.
Most are, especially the shallow lagoons (Elafonisi, Balos) and the sandy north-coast bays (Agioi Apostoloi, Ammoudara, Vai). Skip Seitan Limania with toddlers — too steep, too deep.
Before 10 am or after 4 pm in July–August. Midday is hottest and most crowded; the meltemi wind often makes west-coast beaches choppy in the afternoon.
Balos is most convenient by boat from Kissamos. Loutro on the south coast is boat-only. Agios Pavlos and many other south-coast coves are best reached by sea kayak or small boat tours.
