Best Beaches in Crete

Stavros Beach is a stunning white sand beach with clear turquoise water and marvellous views of the camel-shaped Vardies mountain. It is situated within the seaside village of Stavros on the northern tip of Chania in Crete. The beach is most famous as the location of the classic film "Zorba the Greek".

Potamos Beach is a popular beach but is also calm and peaceful. Situated on the east of the Malia port in Crete, it is named after the Potamos River, a small stream that flows at its eastern end. The 700 m long beach is picturesque with its warm sands and crystalline clear waters. Umbrellas, sunbeds, toilets, showers, and also a few water sporting activities are available here.

Marathi Beach is situated east of Chania, on the southeastern coast of Akrotiri in Crete. The beach is essentially a tiny cove divided into two parts by a small pier-cum-harbour. It is known for its crystal clear waters that is shallow and ideal for adults and children to swim in. It offers spectacular views of the Drapanos Cape and the White Mountains and is also a great place to watch the sunset.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, Skinaria Beach is situated in the eastern part of the Plakias region. It is a pebbled beach surrounded by rocky cliffs with clear blue waters that run deep and have a rocky seabed. The water is perfect for swimming and watersports like snorkelling and diving, especially since it has a diverse aquatic life and fascinating underwater canyons.

The second largest beach in the Agia Pelagia region in Crete, Lygaria Beach is about 420m long and is stunning with clear and deep turquoise waters. It is surrounded by rocky cliffs and is suitable for swimming and diving. There is also a professional dive school here. Showers, changing rooms, lifeguards and other facilities are available.

Red Beach or Kokkini Ammos is a beautiful beach located south of the Matala resort in Crete. It is called Red Beach because of its reddish-brown sand. Usually a little secluded, it boasts of the greenish-blue waters of the Aegean Sea which is ideal for swimming. It is one of the world’s top nudism-friendly beaches. Red Beach is also the nesting ground for sea turtles (Caretta Caretta).

Damnoni Beach is a popular beach located a little away from the Plakias resort, about 35km south of Rethymno in Crete. This white sand beach is usually not very crowded and is well known for its clear turquoise water, perfect for kayaking, scuba diving, windsurfing and paddling. Facilities like showers, changing rooms and parking are available here, along with regular ferries to and from the beach.

A relatively secluded beach that lies towards the south of Rethymno in Crete, the Agios Pavlos Beach is a stunning location featuring clear green waters and a rocky waterbed. The water here is usually warm and therefore suitable for swimming and snorkelling. A few sunbeds and umbrellas are scattered around the sandy beach, making it ideal for sunbathing, watching the sunset and relaxing.

The Agiofarago Beach is an utterly stunning and serene rocky beach that boasts of clear waters and is surrounded by imposing cliffs. It is situated south of Heraklion city in Crete at the exit of the Gorge Agiofarago. It is excellent for sunbathing, watching the sunset and taking photographs. Those looking for a little adventure can also try climbing the cliffs, especially since the view from the top is spectacular.

Balos is an exotic beach and lagoon situated about 50 km from the city of Chania. The beach at the lagoon is made up of pinkish white sand and thousands of broken and intact seashells, with shallow water. The beach is muddy, which may make walking on it difficult. Out of the lagoon things are far better. You can swim in a deep crystal clear sea and if you like snorkelling you will find the beach to be an ideal place.

Triopetra Beach is located at the foot of Siderotas mountain, a few kilometres off Akoumiav village in Crete. Surrounded by the Libyan Sea amidst olive groves, it comprises two beaches separated by a peninsula and connected by three big rocks. The Small Triopetra beach is in a closed sandy bay with adequate provisions of umbrellas beside a few taverns and a small harbour. West Triopetra, or the main beach, is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and watching the sunset.

Kommos Beach is located south of Heraklion in Crete and is a scenic beach that was once part of the ancient port of Phaistos. It lies along the Bay of Messara and overlooks the picturesque Libyan Sea. One of the largest beaches on the island, it boasts of golden sand and clear turquoise water which is a treat for swimmers. The northern end is the non-nudist section, while the far end is the nudist section.

Frangokastello is a gorgeous seaside village in Chania on the southern coast of Crete. It is predominantly known for its magnificent 14th century Venetian castle and its sandy beach, which has shallow turquoise water. The beach is ideal for swimming for both adults and children, sunbathing, watching the sunset, and taking pictures of the surrounding mountains.

Matala Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Crete, located on the island's southern edge in the Heraklion region. It spans across 300m and provides the best escape with its beautiful sandy shores, crystal clear waters and idyllic tall cliffs. In addition, it is a popular diving spot. One can jump into the sea from the cave located on the north end of the beach.

Preveli Beach is a sandy beach in Rethymno, close to the Monastery of Preveli. The Megalos Potamos or the Grand River runs into the sea from the mountains here. The beach is surrounded by Theophrastus palm trees and is also known as Palm Beach. With turquoise clear seawater, Kourtaliotiko and Preveli Gorges nearby and accessibility to numerous water activities, it is one of the most famous beaches in Crete. Swimming and snorkelling are popular here.

Falassarna beach, also spelt as Phalasarna, is one of the most famous beaches in Greece located on the western edge of Gramvousa. With white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, it has often made it to the list of Top 10 beaches in Europe. It actually consists of 5 beautiful beaches, all of which face the West and make for the perfect spot to catch the setting sun!

Considered to be one of the top beaches in Greece, it is a popular place among tourists. Vai beach can be crowded even on the weekdays, so parking spaces are hard to find near it. Many adventure activities happen on the beach including snorkelling. The sea floor is hard and slippery at many spots. The hill near the south gives a complete bird's eye view of the beach.

Elafonissi is an island located close to the main island of Crete. It has soft pink and white sand and is lined with cedar trees. When the weather is fine, one can walk through the shallow water and spend quite a time on the beach. Part of the beach has sunbeds and umbrellas available.