20 beaches of Crete not to miss 
From famous lagoons and palm-fringed shores to remote coves reached only on foot or by boat, these 20 beaches reveal just how varied the coastline of Crete can be. Each one stands out for a particular landscape, natural feature, history or atmosphere that makes it worth discovering.
1. Fragokastelo beach in Sfakia Province
Frangokastelo combines a broad sandy beach and shallow turquoise water with one of the most recognizable landmarks of southern Crete, the Venetian fortress standing just behind the shore. The beach is especially suitable for families, while the wider area is also linked with the famous local legend of the Drosoulites.
2. Glika Nera beach in Sfakia Province
Glyka Nera, meaning “Sweet Water”, is known for the freshwater springs that rise through the pebbles and keep the sea noticeably cool even in midsummer. The beach is reached mainly by boat or on foot along the E4 trail, and its deep blue water, tamarisks and dramatic Sfakian cliffs create a strikingly secluded setting.
3. Domata beach in Sfakia Province
Domata lies at the exit of the wild Klados Gorge and takes its name from the unusual stepped conglomerate formations that resemble huge natural walls or roofs. With fine pebbles, crystal-clear water, freshwater springs beneath the beach and pine trees providing shade, it feels exceptionally remote; access is by boat or a demanding section of the E4 trail.
4. Kedrodasos beach in West Crete
Kedrodasos is a wild beach of white sand, smooth rocks and dunes covered with fragile juniper trees rather than true cedars. The protected juniper grove extends over a large area and, with almost no facilities nearby, gives the beach the feeling of one of Crete’s last truly untouched coastal landscapes.
5. Elafonisi beach in West Crete
Elafonisi is famous for its shallow turquoise lagoon and sand that turns pink in places from countless fragments of shells. The peninsula is part of the Natura 2000 network, with dunes, sea daffodils, junipers and important habitats for wildlife, while the very shallow water around the lagoon makes the scenery especially distinctive.
6. Falassarna beach in West Crete
Falassarna stretches along the western coast of Crete in a series of long beaches with pale sand and turquoise water. At the northern end lie the remains of ancient Phalasarna, while the west-facing position makes the area one of the island’s classic places for watching the sunset.
7. Balos beach in West Crete
Balos is formed between Cape Gramvousa and the rocky peninsula of Tigani, creating one of the most photographed landscapes in Crete. Its shallow lagoon, white and pink-tinged sand and intense turquoise water are spectacular, especially early in the morning before the excursion boats arrive.
8. Agiannis beach in Gavdos island
Agiannis on Gavdos is a secluded sandy beach surrounded by dunes, pines and junipers in a landscape that feels almost African. The sea is shallow and exceptionally clear, while the lack of large-scale development preserves the remote atmosphere that makes this part of Gavdos so memorable.
9. Sandhills beach in Agios Pavlos
The Sandhills of Agios Pavlos lie beneath Cape Melissa, where huge dunes descend dramatically toward a deep blue sea. The beach remains relatively quiet despite its beauty, offers excellent snorkeling around its rocky seabed and is particularly impressive at sunset, when the surrounding cliffs and Paximadia islets dominate the horizon.
10. Souda beach by Plakias
Souda lies at the mouth of the Finikas River, just east of Plakias, in a green valley where colonies of the native Cretan date palm grow along the watercourse. The sandy beach is backed by this unusually lush landscape, although strong northern winds can occasionally make conditions more exposed.
11. Preveli beach in South Rethymnon
Preveli lies where the Grand River, flowing out of the Kourtaliotikos Gorge, reaches the South Cretan Sea. A large colony of Cretan date palms lines the riverbanks, and the river forms a small freshwater lake before reaching the beach, creating one of the island’s most distinctive and almost tropical landscapes.
12. Agiofarago beach in Asterousia Range
Agiofarago sits at the exit of the dramatic Agiofarago Gorge in the Asterousia Mountains. Reaching it on foot means walking between towering gorge walls, passing caves once used by hermits and the chapel of Saint Anthony, before arriving at a fine-pebble beach with usually calm, clear blue water and a natural rock arch nearby.
13. Kommos beach in Messara plain
Kommos is a long, open beach on Messara Bay, just north of Matala, with the ruins of the ancient port of Phaistos visible beside the shore. From May to September, the protected loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta nests in its sand, adding an important natural dimension to a beach already rich in archaeological interest.
14. The beaches in Chrissi island
Chrissi is best known for Belegrina, or Golden Beach, where bright blue water meets pale sand with pink tones created by broken shells. The island’s extensive juniper vegetation and intensely colored sea give the coastline an exotic character unlike almost anywhere else in Crete.
15. Agia Fotia beach in Ierapetra
Agia Fotia is a small bay east of Ierapetra, formed at the mouth of a stream descending from the Thripti Mountains. Plane trees grow along the stream, conglomerate cliffs frame the bay, and the beach itself has coarse grey sand, usually calm crystal-clear water and tamarisks providing natural shade.
16. Alona beach in Xerokambos
Alona, also known as Krinakia, lies near the exit of Katsounaki Gorge in the remote landscape of Xerokambos. Its sand dunes are covered with white sea daffodils in autumn, while the shallow, usually calm water and surrounding wild terrain make it especially attractive to visitors looking for a quieter corner of eastern Crete.
17. Vai palmgrove in East Crete
Vai is one of the most distinctive beaches of eastern Crete because it is backed by Europe’s largest natural palm grove, with around 5,000 Cretan date palms (Phoenix theophrasti). Whitish sand, flat turquoise water and the dense palm forest create an unmistakably exotic landscape that has made Vai famous for decades.
18. Erimoupolis beach in Itanos
Erimoupolis at Itanos combines beautiful beaches with the remains of the ancient city of Itanos, part of which has even been identified beneath the sea. Three adjacent bays offer quiet sand, calm water and excellent snorkeling, while scattered palms and the archaeological setting give the area a character very different from a typical resort beach.
19. Voulisma beach in Istron
Voulisma, also known as Golden Beach, is the best-known of the bays around Istron near Agios Nikolaos. Its fine white sand, shallow turquoise water and sheltered setting create postcard-like colors, while the beach is easily accessible and well organized.
20. Kolokytha beach in Elounda
Kolokytha is a small, sheltered cove near Elounda, reached after crossing the scenic Spinalonga Peninsula past the old salt pans, canal and windmills. White sand, calm crystal-clear water and old olive groves surround the bay; visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon is particularly rewarding before or after the excursion-boat crowds.
