Explore beaches of Crete

Chania

Echoes of Blue – a photographic guide to the beaches of Crete
Photographic Guide

Echoes of Blue

A unique journey through the beaches of Crete, with images that capture the island’s light, colours and natural beauty.

Order the book
Order the book

Get the most out of Crete

Crete's west is renowned for its beauty and seascapes
hosting some of the most famous beaches in Europe

Top 20 beaches | Elafonissi | Balos | Falassarna | Paleochora | Fragokastelo | Gavdos | Loutro | Agia Roumeli | Platanias | Sougia | Georgioupolis

Calypso's Island

Gavdos

Explore

Lagoon

Elafonissi

Explore

Lagoon

Balos

Explore

Chania beaches

The beaches of Chania are among the best known in Crete and stand out for their turquoise waters and distinctive natural landscapes. On the western side of the region lie the Balos lagoon on the Gramvousa Peninsula, Elafonissi at the southwestern edge of Crete and the extensive sandy shores of Falassarna. More secluded choices include Kedrodasos and Aspri Limni, while the wild beaches of Agiannis and Lavrakas are found on the island of Gavdos.

Chania Map

Balos lagoon

Balos lagoon

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.75 (572 Votes)
Balos Lagoon lies between the Gramvousa peninsula and Cape Tigani in northwestern Crete. It is known for its shallow turquoise water and pale sand. It can be reached by excursion boat from Kissamos or via the dirt road from Kaliviani, followed by a walk down to the beach.

Read more ...

Elafonissi beach

Elafonissi beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.43 (692 Votes)
At the southwestern tip of Crete, a shallow channel separates Elafonissi Beach from the islet opposite. Turquoise water and patches of pink sand line the shore, while coastal junipers and sea daffodils grow on the protected dunes.

Read more ...

Falassarna Beach

Falassarna Beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.20 (474 Votes)
At Falassarna, on Crete’s west coast, the wide sandy beach of Pachia Ammos is flanked by smaller beaches and rocky coves. Pale sand gives the water its turquoise shades, and the coast faces west towards the open sea. The remains of the ancient harbour lie at the northern end of the bay.

Read more ...

Kedrodasos beach

Kedrodasos beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.61 (1039 Votes)
Kedrodasos is a beach with no visitor facilities in southwestern Crete, east of Elafonisi. White sand alternates with smooth rock slabs along the shore, with juniper-covered dunes behind it. A footpath leads down from the car park, and the E4 European trail passes along the beach.

Read more ...

Nea Chora Beaches

Nea Chora Beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.35 (501 Votes)
Nea Chora is a sandy beach in Chania, about 15–20 minutes on foot from the Venetian Harbour. The main beach has shallow water, visitor facilities and fish tavernas along the seafront. Farther west, the coast is quieter near the mouth of the Kladissos River.

Read more ...

Aspri Limni beach

Aspri Limni beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.55 (541 Votes)
Aspri Limni (i.e. White Lake) is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Crete, that almost nobody knows. This is a small secret beach, located 500m west of Chrysoskalitissa monastery and 70km southwest of Chania. Thousands of visitors are attracted by the nearby exotic Elafonissi lagoon, but actually nobody has heard of this magnificent neighboring place.

Read more ...

Glyka Nera Beach

Glyka Nera Beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.72 (589 Votes)
Glyka Nera (meaning "sweet water") is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, with deep blue water color and nice pebbles. In 2003, the beach was ranked among the best 20 in Europe by London Times. This is located 4 km west of Chora Sfakion and 75km south of Chania. This is called like this because of the fresh water that gushes from the pebbles!

Read more ...

Gramvousa Islet

Gramvousa Islet

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.42 (302 Votes)
The island of Imeri Gramvousa is located 20km northwest of Kissamos, opposite the imposing Cape of Gramvousa and 2 miles northwest of the famous lagoon of Balos. Gramvousa is famous for its historical Venetian fortress, which still stands at a height of 137m, over the beach. The fort had also been used by pirates.

Read more ...

Download Free Premium Joomla Templates • FREE High-quality Joomla! Designs BIGtheme.net