15 beautiful beaches on Crete

Beach hopping on Crete's coast

Dreamlike beaches with golden sand and idyllic bays with turquoise-blue, crystal-clear water: the expectations of Crete's beaches are high. But you will always find a special spot on the 1,000 kilometres of coastline with some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. From the northern to the southern tip of the island, there are many breathtaking beaches where you can do much more than just sunbathe. A trip to the beach on Crete is always an excursion into the unique natural landscape. Pack your swimsuit, sunscreen and snacks and explore some of Crete's picture-book beaches - in a clockwise direction!

Rethymno Beach

ℹ️ Sand and pebble beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 North coast - 80 kilometres west of Heraklion

If you are on holiday in Rethymno on the north coast, the beach is not far away. The idyllic beach begins east of the city centre at the harbour and stretches for kilometres to the east. If you're a beach runner, you can cover a whopping 12 kilometres. The western part of the beach has all the comforts, the water is crystal clear and very calm when the north wind is not blowing. Ideal for families. Active swimmers can look forward to a wide range of water sports. The nearest taverna or beach bar is never far away. Some of the sand is extremely fine and soft, further east the surface changes to pebbles.

Potamos Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 North-east coast - 40 kilometres east of Heraklion

For many, Potamos Beach is the most beautiful in Malia and a good alternative to the often overcrowded main beach in the municipality. Potamos is in a quieter location (east of the harbour), has fine sand, light blue water and a moderate swell. If you wish, you can choose sunbeds and parasols or lie directly on the sand. There are lifeguards on the beach in high season.

Bali Beach

ℹ️ Sand & pebble beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 North coast (Rethymno) - 50 kilometres west of Heraklion

Bali is a small seaside resort on the north coast of Crete with plenty of choice. Bali lies in a large, east-facing bay, which is why the water at the small bathing areas and beaches is very calm and usually crystal clear. One of Bali's four main beaches is Livadi, which is also the largest and most family-friendly. Everything you need for a great day at the beach is available here: Catering, showers, toilets, car parks and lifeguards. The facilities on Bali's Varkotopos beach are at least as extensive. The sand here is particularly beautiful and children in particular are sure to enjoy it. The water is shallow and the entrance is flat.

Stavros Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 North coast (Chania) - 152 kilometres west of Heraklion

Stavros Beach is located on the northern tip of the Akrotiri peninsula, above Chania. The sheltered, attractively situated bay gained international fame as a location for the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek". And to this day, this natural beauty has lost none of its appeal. The soft sand still glows under the sun and the turquoise-coloured water is still inviting. The beach is equipped with parasols, sunbeds, showers and lifeguards, and there are tavernas and bars in the area. A perfect family destination, even with small children.

Malia Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 North coast - 35 kilometres east of Heraklion

Malia Beach is a beautiful sandy beach and just as lively as the nightlife for which Malia is known. The beach offers every comfort for relaxing beach days and is therefore extremely busy even in the high season. If you are looking for a quiet spot here, you are unfortunately in the wrong place. But if you come for the shallow, clean water and plenty of company, you've made a good choice.

Voulisma Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 North-east coast (Agios Nikolaos) - 74 kilometres east of Heraklion

A dream beach with small flaws not far from Agios Nikolaos. Everything is just right here: turquoise blue, shallow water, soft yellow sand, snorkelling and a real Caribbean feeling. There is a reason why Voulisma Beach is also known as Gold Beach and is one of the top destinations on the island. The beach is very well organised, although it is a little more secluded, and very family-friendly. Like all hotspots on the island, it can get a little crowded in high season. Bathers often report plastic waste in the water, which is washed up on the beach, especially in the late afternoon due to the changing currents.

Palm beach of Vai

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, family-friendly

📍 East coast (Palekastro) - 25 kilometres east of Sitia - 150 kilometres east of Heraklion

The beach of Vai is known beyond the borders of Crete as the palm beach - due to the countless date palms that grow on the grove of the 250-square-kilometre beach. According to sources, this is the largest natural palm forest in Europe. The partly white sand and the beautiful colours of the sea provide Caribbean flair. The palm beach is considered the most beautiful on the east coast of Crete and is also popular with locals. The beach is easy to reach by hire car (no public transport) and there is a car park. The beach is serviced in high season and sunbeds and parasols can be hired. A taverna is not far away.

Agia Fotia

ℹ️ Sand & pebbles, natural beach

📍 South-east coast (Ierapetra) - 110 kilometres south-east of Heraklion

The beach at Agia Fotia is not particularly wide, not particularly long and does not consist of fine sand, but rather coarser sand. But there must be a reason why the locals like to meet at the 150 metre long bay to swim and sunbathe. The beach is definitely one of the quieter corners of the island, it is not overcrowded, there are sun loungers on one side and outdoor seating on the other, plus a small taverna and a freshwater spring at the eastern end. Anyone approaching Agia Fotia will recognise from above how beautifully the bay with its bright blue water is integrated into the landscape.

Red Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, partly organised, nudist-friendly

📍 South coast (Kokkini Ammos) - 68 kilometres southwest of Heraklion

Not only on Santorini, but also on Crete there is a Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos) whose reddish sandy beach gives it its name. The beach has been known since the 1970s - as an FFK beach popular with hippies. Even today, many tourists still retreat to the beach off the more popular paths for nude bathing and sunbathing. There is also a cave on the north side of the beach, which the more adventurous can explore by swimming or canoe.

Agio Farago Beach

ℹ️ Pebble beach, suitable for hikers

📍 South coast - 70 kilometres south of Heraklion

Agiofarago is a natural beach on the southernmost tip of Crete, whose small gorges are popular with hikers and mountain climbers. If you want to get to the beach, you either have to come by boat or on foot. We recommend the hike through the Agiofarago gorge. This offers breathtaking views of the vertical cliffs, the caves where ascetics used to live and the chapel of St Anthony. Whichever route you choose, you will be rewarded with crystal-clear water and the unique opportunity to swim through a beautiful rock arch. Not to forget: Agiofarago is a beautiful spot for snorkelling!

Matala Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, organised

📍 South coast - 70 kilometres south of Heraklion

Matala in the south of Crete is a special place of longing: in the 1960s, the place where Zeus, the father of the gods, is said to have risen from the sea in bull form with Princess Europa on his back, was a mecca for hippies and dropouts. The caves, which were dug by locals in prehistoric times, are now a protected monument, but can be visited for a small entrance fee. If you want to experience the special attraction of the place, you should definitely go for a swim at Matala Beach and enjoy a cocktail under the bamboo umbrellas with a view of the caves.

Preveli Beach

ℹ️ Sand & pebbles, natural beach

📍 South coast (Plakias) - 112 kilometres southwest of Heraklion

Preveli is certainly not the first choice when it comes to a pure beach experience. There are better destinations for that on Crete. Those who descend the many steps to Preveli Bay (be sure to wear sturdy shoes) come for the exciting scenery, the crystal-clear water and the palm forest, which, however, tends to be by the river, not the beach. Preveli is also a port of call for a large number of boat excursionists. It can therefore get very crowded in high summer. Either turn up early or arrive at the end of the day. And if you want to save yourself the 400+ steps from Pakr Square, you can also take a 10-minute walk from the neighbouring beach of Drymiskiano Ammoudi or come by boat (from Agia Galini or Plakias)!

Elafonissi Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 South-western tip of Crete - 75 kilometres west of Chania

The unique beach of Elafonissi is certainly not only the most beautiful beach in Crete, but also one of the most breathtaking beaches in Europe. Broken shells colour the sand and water on Elafonissi beach an astonishing red - a magical sight that you should not miss! The lagoon is a true paradise for nature lovers, but also for families whose children can let off steam on the sand dunes.

Balos Beach

ℹ️ Sandy beach, touristy, organised, family-friendly

📍 West coast - 191 kilometres west of Heraklion

The Balos lagoon and the beach of the same name really are as beautiful as the postcard images that exist of them. A unique nature reserve in Europe and quite rightly one of the most beautiful beach landscapes in the world. Balos is located off the wild Gramvousa peninsula on the west coast of Crete and the landscape is characterised by turquoise blue water, white sand and rocky terrain.

The landscape of Balos is breathtaking, with a mixture of white and pink sand and different shades of blue in the water. The beach is surrounded by rocky hills and cliffs, creating a picturesque and tranquil setting. The beach is virtually undeveloped, yet the sunbed and parasol business is thriving. Those who make the journey to Baos should bring enough of everything: Water, snacks and sun cream.

Balos can be reached both by car and by boat. The car journey to the west is an adventure and the last section to the lagoon in particular can be difficult - the road is very bumpy.