The most famous and most photographed beaches on the island of Crete, known for their exotic water and majestic natural environment, are the heavenly lagoons of Balos at Gramvousa peninsula and Elafonissi, which lie in the southwestern edge of the island. Between them, lies the virgin beaches of ancient Falassarna. For those looking for seclusion, there is the hidden paradise of Kedrodasos and White Lake near Elafonissi and the African seascapes of Agiannis and Lavrakas on Gavdos island.
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#BeachAttributesOur ratingGavdos island

Vatalos is located 80km southeast of Chania, 1.5km west of Fragokastelo beach. Most of Fragokastelo hotels and rooms to let are located in the area of Vatalos, which is a flat area with fertile fileds and amazing views to the south slopes of White Mountains.

“Tou Meri to Pigadi” is located 8km northwest of Kissamos and 44km west of Chania, on the eastern side of Cape Gramvousa. The name means “Meri’s well”, probably named after the name of someone, who owned a well.

If you head east of Fylaki beach, you will soon (100m only) reach the exit of the Sfakiano Gorge, with a nice pebbly beach formed. The area is called Plakakia and hosts some of the most spectacular beaches in Crete, formed on small narrow fjords. Indeed, some of them are formed inside small caves! There is a tricky dirt road leading close to the beach.

The beach that stands out from all of the west side of Gavdos is Diana. Diana is actually the second southernmost beach in Europe, after Tripiti which is located a few meters to the southeast. The beach stands out from the rest as it is less rocky, has small pebbles and has a massive rock below which you can find shade all day.

Kalivaki is the westernmost beach of Georgioupolis bay, located 38km east of Chania and 21km west of Rethymnon, near the exit of Almyros river which has water all year round lies the nice beach of Kalivaki. It is a beautiful sandy beach and water, due to the rivers is very cold.

On the E4 European trail that connects Sougia and Paleochora we meet the astonishing tiny beach of Astropelekita. We meet this beach to the east of Plaka stony cape and before starting ascending to Flomos Cape for reaching Lissos. This cove is a great chance to have a cooling bath while hiking the E4 trail.

The beach can be mainly accessed by boat, as it is hard to find the beach in the complicated dirt road network of the area. The beach is surrounded by low vegetation.

The beach of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony) is located in a quiet bay, 2.5km east of Sougia and 68km west of Chania, in one of the most remote places on Crete. The surrounding area is called Charéi, thus you might hear many locals calling that like this.