Crete’s Best Beaches: 7 Popular and Hidden Seaside Destinations

As a beach lover, you'll be in your element on Greece's largest island: the coastline stretches for around 1,000 km and is dotted with expansive sandy beaches, idyllic lagoons and secluded coves.
 

Looking for a wide range of holiday options and excellent facilities? You'll feel right at home in the picturesque port city of Chania or the charming capital, Heraklion, on the north coast. Independent travellers are often drawn to the south and east of the island, where unspoilt nature awaits in rocky coves. Whichever coast you choose, Crete's best beaches can be found in every direction.

Soft sand perfect for sandcastles, a gentle slope into the water, and ice cream, snacks and drinks just around the corner. For many families, these are the essentials for a perfect day by the sea. Greece's largest island has many beaches that meet these requirements, and some are clear contenders for the title of Crete's best.

• Best for: Families, nature lovers, photographers
• Facilities: Sun loungers, parasols, toilets, showers, beach bars and snack stands

Elafonissi Beach in the southwest of Crete is considered by many to be the best beach in the world, beating even famous Caribbean beaches. Why holidaymakers love it becomes clear the moment you arrive. The sand, rather than being white or yellow, shimmers here in a delicate pink. Add the turquoise-blue water and a seemingly endless horizon, and you'll feel as though you've stepped into a surreal dreamscape.

Elafonissi attracts professional and amateur photographers alike, as well as families. The calm, shallow water is perfect for splashing about, and the fine pink sand is ideal for sandcastle-building – which makes for just as excellent a photo opportunity as the natural spectacle surrounding it. With a little luck, explorers of all ages may even encounter rare plants and small sea turtles.

•  On Crete's southwest coast, around 75 km from Chania
• 1.5 hours by bus or car from Chania, paid parking

• Best for: Families, music lovers, free spirits, couples
• Facilities: Sun loungers, parasols, showers, toilets, numerous cafés and tavernas

A special atmosphere awaits at Matala Beach, which became world-famous as a hippie hangout in the 1960s. Their motto was: "Today is life. Tomorrow never comes." That era may have passed, but its spirit fits perfectly with the relaxed Greek way of life you'll encounter at every turn on the beach and in the town of the same name.

Matala's sandy beach boasts top-notch facilities and is the perfect place to while away an entire day. Simply sink your feet into the sand, let your gaze wander over the famous sandstone caves and imagine hippies in colourful robes roaming their stone chambers. Joni Mitchell's song Carey is said to have been inspired by her time in Crete on this very beach. Cool off in the gentle waves, and before sunset, venture up into the caves to watch the romantic play of colours from above.

• On the south coast, around 65 km south of Heraklion
• 1.5 hours by car or bus, large car park at the entrance to the village

• Best for: Families, couples, sun worshippers, connoisseurs
• Facilities: Sun loungers, parasols, showers, toilets, small beach bar

In the north of the island, Voulisma Beach is another top contender on the list of Crete's best beaches. Stroll along the expansive golden sands and lose yourself in daydreams, or discover the underwater world while snorkelling. Sporty types can try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or beach volleyball, while little ones can build sandcastles in the calm, shallow water and watch the gentle waves wash their creations away.

There are also plenty of smaller coves scattered around Voulisma – some within walking distance, such as Agios Panteleimon and Karavostasi, perfect for a leisurely stroll away from the main beach.

• In Istron, approx. 12 km east of Agios Nikolaos
• 15 minutes by car or bus from Agios Nikolaos, free beach parking

• Best for: Families, water sports enthusiasts, couples
• Facilities: Sun loungers, parasols, changing rooms, toilets, water sports hire, beach bars, tavernas

Just 8 km east of Crete's capital, Amnissos Beach offers crystal-clear water and a gentle entry into the sea, making it one of Crete's best beaches for children and non-swimmers. A particular highlight is the aircraft taking off and landing at nearby Heraklion International Airport, a source of endless fascination for young beach-goers. Treat yourself to a sun lounger and parasol at the beach café, and enjoy delicacies like peach and hibiscus iced tea and grilled salmon while your gaze drifts across the water.

Seeking more action? Jet skis are available for hire right on the beach, or test your balance on a banana boat. If you prefer a gentler pace, hire a canoe or pedal boat for a more leisurely trip on the water.

• 8 km east of Heraklion city centre
• 10–15 minutes by car or bus from Heraklion, on-site parking

For a perfect day at the beach, what more do you need than a quiet spot under a parasol or in the shade of a rocky outcrop? Add to that the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the sand and a light, salty breeze in your hair, and you're sorted. If you want to experience nature and clear your head during your holiday in Crete, these are the three best beaches for you.

• Best for: Those seeking peace and quiet, couples, nature lovers
• Facilities: A few sun loungers, basic showers, portable toilets, kiosk in high season

No list of Crete's best beaches would be complete without the legendary Balos. Situated on a peninsula in western Crete, it isn't the easiest to reach by land, but if you're game for the 30-minute, at times slightly challenging hike from the car park, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views. Remains of a 16th-century Venetian fortress can be seen along the way, before a breathtaking panorama of the lagoon opens up from above. White sand, turquoise-blue water and dramatic rocky surroundings make it the perfect subject for postcards, social media or photo albums.

Arriving by boat? It's still worth making the detour up to the rocks for the spectacular views. With a little luck, you might spot cormorants drying their wings in the sun, falcons circling overhead, monk seals or even sea turtles. A snorkelling trip here is well worth it too.

• On the Gramvousa Peninsula, northwest Crete, 60 km northwest of Chania
• 1 hour 20 minutes by car (plus just under 30 minutes on a partly steep footpath) or by boat from Kissamos, car park available

• Best for: Those seeking peace and quiet, couples, experienced cliff divers, photographers
• Facilities: None

Just as unspoilt and wild as Balos, the narrow, fjord-like bay of Seitan Limania takes its name – meaning "Devil's Harbours" – from its dramatic landscape of steep limestone cliffs framing a narrow strip of beach. It's spectacular while also being defined by a tranquillity so often missing in everyday life. The beach itself is small, the water clear and the access adventurous. A quiet spot with a welcome touch of wildness.

The towering cliffs attract daredevils who jump from the very top, though this is best left to those who know what they're doing – the risk is real, however tempting it may look. Instead, settle on the beach and cast your gaze over the rugged rocks; with a little patience, you might even spot a goat picking its way nimbly across the cliff face.

• On the Akrotiri Peninsula, approx. 20 km northeast of Chania
• 40 minutes by car from Chania (plus a 10-minute steep descent), no public transport, small car park on site

• Best for: Those seeking peace and quiet, nature lovers, couples, adventurers, hikers
• Facilities: Basic showers, portable toilets, kiosk

Freshwater or saltwater? At Preveli Beach, the choice is yours: a river flows into the sea here, offering the best of both worlds. The beautiful sandy beach takes centre stage, though it faces stiff competition from the picturesque palm forest and the rolling foothills of the gorge of the same name. Enjoy the tropical atmosphere of the palm grove, hike through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge (with small pools for cooling off along the way), take a dip in the gentle waves, and refuel at the little taverna right on the beach. If you want to experience Crete's best beaches, Preveli is a must.
 

Interested in history or religion? Combine your beach day with a visit to Preveli Monastery, perched at around 170 m above sea level. It captivates visitors with its eventful past, impressive sea views, a small museum and a supposed splinter from the Cross of Christ, said to have healing powers.

• On the south coast, 10 km southeast of Plakias 
• 20 minutes by car from Plakias (plus a 15-minute steep descent) or by boat, paid parking

Inspired by this list of Crete's best beaches? Check out these beach holidays in Poland’s Gdańsk Bay, or Croatia’s stunning Adriatic beaches.