Explore Crete

Beaches

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.

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With around 1,000 kilometres of coastline,
Mediterranean-scented scenery is entwined with Crete’s
outdoorsy way of life.

20 Top beaches | Tips | Balos | Chrissi | Elafonissi | Vai | Preveli | Agiofarago | Sea Sports | Diving

Beaches

From the dunes of Elafonissi and Xerokambos to the turquoise waters of Kedrodasos and Chrissi, and from the secluded beaches in the wild gorges of Sfakia and the Asterousia Mountains to the sandy shores of Triopetra and Plakias, the coastline of Crete offers exceptional variety. The lagoons of Balos and Elounda, the palm groves of Preveli and Vai, the pine-fringed beaches near Ierapetra, secluded rocky coves and long organised sandy beaches complete the island’s coastal landscape.

Agios Georgios beaches (Lichnistis)

Agios Georgios beaches (Lichnistis)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.01 (401 Votes)
The valley of St. George is located 3km west of Agia Galini, 69km southeast of Heraklion and 60km south of Rethymno. There are two small bays with wonderful pebbly beaches, which are separated by a rocky shore. The weather here is always mild, making the beaches ideal for swimming all year round.

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Pirate Fjord

Pirate Fjord

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.18 (202 Votes)
The Pirates’ Fjord is located 33km south of Rethymnon, in a secluded cove south of Mouri or Karavos Cape, near Plakias. It is a very narrow cove, formed between enormous vertical cliffs. The tiny beach shaped here has sand at its starting point and doesn’t exceed 2m in width.

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Kolimbari beach

Kolimbari beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.15 (323 Votes)
Kolimbari is fairly well developed, mainly due to the beautiful long beach that stretches in front of the village and extends east to Tavronitis. The beach in Kolimbari is sandy and in some places has small pebbles. The water is deep, but usually wavy (like all the open beaches of northern Crete).

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Mononaftis beach

Mononaftis beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.00 (184 Votes)
Mononaftis is a beautiful pebbly beach, located 24km northwest of Heraklion and just 1km north of Agia Pelagia main beach. According to the tradition, a ship was sunk here once and only one sailor survived. This story gave the name Mononaftis to the beach, which means “One sailor”. However, Mononaftis is a huge rock floating just 50m off the coast.

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Mazida Ammos beach

Mazida Ammos beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.61 (218 Votes)
500m west of settlement Xerokambos you will meet the first hotels in the area and the long beach of Mazida Ammos, the largest beach of Xerokambos. Mazida Ammos, falsely known as Amatos, is a beautiful un organized beach with white sand and turquoise swallow waters. It is well protected on the east by Cape Trachilos, on the edge of which there is a sealcave.

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Ammos beach in Agios Nikolaos

Ammos beach in Agios Nikolaos

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.23 (194 Votes)
Ammos Beach is located 500m south of the center of Agios Nikolaos. It is a long beach which starts near the city's marina, at Nearchos Street. It runs near the stadium of the town and extends to the south, to the Municipal Beach. The part near the marina is a beautiful beach with umbrellas, sunbeds, showers, water sports, restaurants, and hotels around it. It is located near the city center and its stores. The water is shallow, ideal for little kids and the sea is usually flat.

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Nopigia Beach

Nopigia Beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 1.92 (348 Votes)
The seaside village of Nopigia is located 6km east of Kissamos and 30km west of Chania. It is built on the east side of the Kissamos Bay, next to the basis of Rodopos Cape and after the east end of Drapanias beach.

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Paliokastro beach

Paliokastro beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.65 (201 Votes)
Paliokastro (or Paleokastro) is located 14km west of Heraklion, on the western shores of the Bay of Heraklion. It is a picturesque beach with pebbles, shaped in the exit of a green valley which is crossed by the torrents descending from the village Rogdia. Paliokastro cove is well protected on both sides by tall cliffs and faces east.

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