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.

Katholiko beach at Agios Nikolaos

Katholiko beach at Agios Nikolaos

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 1.08 (134 Votes)
After leaving the sheltered beach of Amoudi behind you and taking the road leading to Elounda, you will soon meet one bay 1km north of the center of Agios Nikolaos, next to Hotel Minos Palace. It is a small pebbly and sandy cove, called Katholiko shaped in a very well protected narrow bay, which is mainly used as a harbor for boats (and thus is not organized).

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Beach Diana in Gavdos

Beach Diana in Gavdos

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.70 (10 Votes)
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.

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Alatsolimni beach

Alatsolimni beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.87 (181 Votes)
500m east to Xerokambos you will find one of the weirdest landscapes on Crete. Here you will see a large dry lake next to the sea. You may not get very excited on summer, but if you come here in spring or in winter, you will understand why this is so important. In the winter Alatsolimni (Salt Lake), as it is called, is flooded with water, forming a small lagoon.

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Sarikambos beach

Sarikambos beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.60 (149 Votes)
If you head 1km to the east of Myrtos you will meet the long beach of Sarikambos, that is more secluded, but the seabed becomes coarser. 2 more km on the east, you'll find a small bay next to the greenhouses of Nea Myrtos settlement. This is avoided for swimming due to the greenhouses that might pollute the water.

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Mirabelo beach

Mirabelo beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.00 (137 Votes)
2km north of Agios Nikolaos you will meet the historic Hotel Mirabello. In front of the hotel there are the two bays of Mirabello with two beautiful sandy beaches. The first beach is protected by docks and a small marina. Both of them are very well-organized, with umbrellas, sunbeds, showers and bar. They are separated by a short artificial peninsula with tamarisk trees.

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Pigaidakia beaches

Pigaidakia beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.68 (196 Votes)
The first beaches of Elounda that you meet after Lenika, as you come from Agios Nikolaos, are the beaches in front of the famous hotels of Elounda at position Pigaidakia. Every hotel that respects itself here has its own harbor, where yachts can stop. Next to the piers there are small sandy beaches which offer all kinds of opulence and luxury services.

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Kamini beach at Gournia

Kamini beach at Gournia

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 1.02 (149 Votes)
Kamini is an area with 5 pebble beaches in a series close to the famous Minoan settlement Gournia by Pahia Ammos. The area is located north of the site and was the access point of Gournia people to the sea. Therefore we still meet Minoan buildings in the area with the most important almost on the sea level.

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Agia Paraskevi beaches

Agia Paraskevi beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.01 (196 Votes)
Starting from Elounda, if you follow the road to Plaka, which passes right next to the shore, you will soon meet several small beaches with pebbles and stones at settlements Mavrikiano and Agia Paraskevi. In some places the olive trees are planted on the beach because the salty water of the lagoon is always calm and does not destroy them. In some places you will find beach bars on platforms.

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