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.

Filaki caves at Plakakia

Filaki caves at Plakakia

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.39 (28 Votes)
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.

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Gra Ligia beach

Gra Ligia beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.01 (160 Votes)
Gra Ligia is a seaside village located just 5km west of Ierapetra and 39km south of Agios Nikolaos. It is situated at the exit of a large fertile valley, which is full with greenhouses with early vegetables. Locals were the first to grow vegetables in greenhouses and this was later extended throughout the area of Ierapetra. There are so many greenhouses, that locals call Gra Ligia as “Silicon Valley of Greece”.

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Kokina Grema Beach

Kokina Grema Beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 1.50 (278 Votes)
The secluded beach of Kokkina Grema (i.e. Red Cliffs) is located 55km west of Chania, 28km southwest of Kissamos and 3km west of Platanos village. The beach is named after the huge reddish peninsula at its north end.

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Agios Vasilios and Skotini beaches

Agios Vasilios and Skotini beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.80 (10 Votes)
In the area between Ravdoucha and Nopigia several secluded bays with small beaches are formed, mainly with pebbles and rocky bottom. From Nopigia the road runs along the coast through a spectacular seascape till the church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa at position Choni and stops a little further.

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Agios Pavlos Beach, Ravdoucha

Agios Pavlos Beach, Ravdoucha

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (1 Vote)
Agios Pavlos (i.e. St. Paul) is a beautiful secluded beach, located in a picturesque cove at Peninsula Rodopos, 40km northwest of Chania. The easiest way to access the beach is by boat from Ravdoucha or Kissamos.

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Chomatistra beach

Chomatistra beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.15 (200 Votes)
The bay of Chomatistra is located 24km north of Agios Nikolaos and 9km north of Plaka, near the village Vrouchas and the Cape of Agios Ioannis - Aforesmenos. The wild landscape of the area is characterized by bare mountains, steep cliffs and strong winds.

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Pera Galini beach

Pera Galini beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 0.83 (170 Votes)
The secluded bay of Pera Galini is located 48km east of Rethymno and 39km west of Heraklion, near the village Sises. The name “Pera Galini” is known to all Cretans because of the local disposal center, which accepts the garbage of the city of Heraklion. Almost nobody knows that there is a beach nearby, however severely degraded by pollution.

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Katharades beach

Katharades beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 1.80 (142 Votes)
Shortly after the suburb Peristeras of Ierapetra starts the area of Katharades. This is a series of small beaches just before the famous shores of the village Koutsounari. This is a rugged place with strong winds, ranked among the 2-3 places with strongest wind blasts on Crete.

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