First time on Crete ? yes or no, read on !
We have all seen the News where famous people have died on the islands through the excessive heat. AND we have several deaths each year from swimmers not heeding lifeguards warnings or local knowledge. Don't be another statistic.
How to avoid it.
- Always wear a hat when on the beach. Unless you're under an umbrella.
- Use a good sun cream always on the beach. Smother the little'uns in F50.
- If you have found one of our isolated places to visit :
Never be on your own.
Take a fully charged mobile phone.
Take plenty of water. At least a litre.
Always wear a hat.
Tell someone where you are going. - Wear the correct shoes for the environment. Boots for hiking, beach shoes for the beach.
- Buy an umbrella, worth it every time.
- The Aegean is a volatile sea with many scattered islands. This causes riptides to occur in places on each island. Locals and lifeguards know where they are.
- Never leave children unattended by the sea.
Temperatures can reach 45 degrees on the beach in summer. That's 113 Fahrenheit.
IN THE SHADE !
The Best Beaches in Crete.
This is why most of us come to Crete. The sunshine and the beach. Get a great tan to show off at home.
I've chosen five beaches from each region that in my opinion reach the criteria that this website sets across all the chosen places. Namely safe, fun and easy to get to.
Chania
Rethymno
Iraklio
Lasithi
Chania Region
Falassarna Beach
If the westerly wind is not blowing, this is my idea of a great beach. Fine sand and great swimming. If the wind gets up a bit then the sea turns into rollers that the kids love. Beware, it can get very hot here as the only shelter are paid umbrellas unless you brought your own. There are plenty of facilities, showers and food. The taverna at the back of the beach is very good. There is plenty of car parking and all quite near to the beach.
There are about five beaches in total and they are all very good. There are plenty of good restaurants in the area if you are stopping for lunch or dinner. You must stay for the amazing sunset over the sea.
You must check the weather forecast. If it's going to be windy, don't go.
Elafonissi beach.
This is not a beach that I am recommending although I agree it is the most picturesque on the island. Strictly speaking Elafonissi is an island off the south west coast of Crete but the whole area has become known as that over the years.
The local Council have banned vehicle parking in the shrublands by the beaches since 2022 to protect the nesting turtles and the indigenous cedar trees as well as sea daffodils and other rare flowers.
Visitors now have to park in one of the three car parks at the end of the top road, then a thirty minute walk to the sea. The charge for parking in 2025 is 3 euros. If you are disabled they run a take and pick up from the car park to the beach. I am disabled and I would advise you not to go if you are.
There are still a lot of beds and umbrellas along the waters' edge., but they are greatly reduced from previous years.
If it isn't windy and you can manage the very long walk laden down with kids and beach kit, then the island is best as no sunbeds are allowed and there are a few coves. But don't forget the long walk back, all uphill.
Kids do love it here though as the lagoon is quite shallow. The snorkeling is good with many types of fish and octopus in the lagoon.
Facilities are very basic at the beach although there are toilets which will cost you a euro for a pee.
There is only one small cantina on the whole beach, so stock up at the shops by the car parks.
Check the weather forecast for the area before venturing out. It will mostly be windy but there is wind and there is WIND !
Last weekend in August 2025, I witnessed several families of differing nationalities, breaking down the wire fencing to be able to change in the shade of a protected tree ! Absolutely disgraceful. Please do not do this as it will spoil Elafonisi for future generation.
Marathi Beach
I thought about this beach to put in the " places to visit " section, as it is my favourite place to visit. Three great beaches, a very sheltered shoreline, plenty of space on the beach for your own kit and two exceptional restaurants with a well stocked bar between. What more could you want. Marathi faces south so wear plenty of sun cream and a hat. The swimming on the west beach is as good as anywhere on the island. There are a lot of pleasure and fishing boats moored to the quay and you can fish from the end of the quay for Bream, Mullet and small Bass. There are also many boats for hire.
Marathi also caters for disabled people, even in wheelchairs. They also have a chair lift for disabled people to get into the sea. There are plenty of facilities, showers, changing rooms and WCs. Great place, definitely worth at least an hours drive. There is also a nice beach in the next door bay at Loutraki which can be less busy.
#note. During July there may be many sea urchins off the east beach. Wear shoes.
The beach is adjacent to an American and a NATO base. Would I be cynical to suggest this is why Marathi is such a great place to visit ?
Gialiskari Beach
This beach is also known as Anidri beach after the inland village directly north of this beach.
The beach is huge and you will always find a spot to drop onto. The last time I went, there was only a cantina on the beach, but that was ten years ago, I bet there is more there now. This is a great area for adventuring and if you're staying in Paleochora, then this is just a short distance to the east. Don't expect beautiful soft sand though as it is mainly a small grit. A good place to take your umbrellas. Great snorkeling.
White Lake Beach ( Aspri Limni )
Just west of the beautifully appointed monastery at Chrisoskalitissa you can find this idyllic and very picturesque sandy beach in front of a small lagoon great for swimming. There are no facilities or amenities unless the nearby hotel has left any beds there. I've included it here because if its too windy for Elafonissi or you're out visiting the monastery, this beach is worth a visit.
Rethymno Region
Ammoudi Beaches
There are four beaches in this area on the South coast just to the East of Plakias and West of Agia Galini. Klisidi beach is for naturists but it is a lovely beach, unfortunately dreadfully dangerous access. The beach next door Ammoudaki can be an overspill for the naturists but once again the access is not good. The other two are well worth a visit. Just put them into google maps and you'll find how far they are away. Rethymno and Chania are short distances as are Plakias and Agia Galini.
Damnoni Beach
There is not much to choose between these two beaches. I like both of them very much. Maybe Damnoni appears to be more crowded but this may be due to it being narrower than Ammoudi beach. The small hamlet of Damnoni is behind the beach so food and drink and beach facilities are not a problem. Parking is easy even if there are a lot of cars. The countryside around the area is stunning and the beach and sea are really good.
Ammoudi Beach
The quality of the beach is the same as Damnoni but I think the swimming especially snorkelling is better. The beach is huge and many people will be camping all through the summer. Access is good and parking is good. There is a beach club and the beach has good facilities. It is a very picturesque beach and is rated very highly by local Greeks. I would rate Damnoni better for kids but that's just my opinion.
Skinaria Beach
Not to be confused with the beach of the same name on Zakynthos, Skinaria lies a little East of the Ammoudi beaches and has all the same type of facilities, food and drink etc. There is car parking, free last time I was there and a good restaurant. The sea is great for kids if they can swim or make sure they have floating aids as the sea dips quite sharply. You will see a lot of divers as the beach is great for snorkelling, plenty of fish.
Access is easy and a picturesque drive.
Not a beach to go to if it is windy.
Karavostasi Beach
Often called the hidden gem of Bali. This beach is located north of the main village. It can still get crowded in July and August as Bali is a big resort. There are great facilities and there is a good restaurant at the back of the beach. It's the swimming though, that make this beach the best in the area. The sea is perfect for snorkelling.
Episkopi Beach
A short distance east of Georgioupoli just off the main highway to Rethymno you can find this fine sandy beach. Stay to the west of the big beach for the best sand and swimming.There are good facilities and amenities with plenty of easy parking with simple access to the beach.
If there is little or no wind, this is a great beach for kids. There are some kids' playground areas nearby but PLEASE keep an eye on the youngsters as some drivers like to use the National Highway as a racetrack. Also if the wind blows, the rollers cause a big undertow beachside.
Iraklio Region
Hersonissos Beaches
There are about sixteen beaches altogether in the area of Hersonissos. Some you pay, some are Hotel guests only. They are all very good and all have great facilities. I've picked the top three IMO, for sand, swimming, food and drink, kids and facilities. All will be fairly crowded in July and August.
Sarantaris Beach
There are four beaches in this area north west of the main Hersonissos area. Careful because one is a naturist beach. They are all very clean, landscape is stunning and the facilities are very good. A little bit away from the very large crowds. Beach faces East.
Aposelemi Beach
Just around the corner to the west of the beaches of Hersonissos and past Analipsi beach you will find the small beach at Aposelemi. Sunbeds are cheap, many facities and the sea has a nice sandy bottom. There is a wild life refuge just behind the beach. Beach faces North.
Analipsi Beach
If you live or are staying in this area, any of these three beaches will suit you. The area gets very busy with tourists in high season, especially on the beaches by Hersonissos and the big beach at Anisaras. It's a good beach for kids but mind the rocks on the sea bottom. Beach faces North.
Vathi Beach
A short way south of Matala this is one of the most spectacular beaches on Crete. Unfortunately it is one of the most difficult to get to. Don't think of going without a 4x4. Between Myrtos and Matala there are many beaches and I haven't seen them all but I wouldn't recommend any of them as access is usually by sea only and there aren't any facilities or places to eat and drink. This would be the best beach but I did break my front suspension trying to get there once. Not to be confused with the hotel beach at Agios Nikolaos.
Ammoudara Beach
This is a beautiful long sandy beach which is well serviced by buses from the capital. There are bars, cafes and sunbeds with umbrellas. The sea is quite shallow. The beach lies just to the west of the city and is about 20 minutes on the local bus. There are three or four beaches very local to the city and can be reached by bus. It's difficult to pick the best beach in this area as Lygaria is a superb beach but you would need a car. The beach at Malia is fabulous but the village is extremely rowdy.
Lasithi Region
Ammoudi Beach
This fine sandy beach lies just on the north side of the resort of Agios Nikolaos. There's great facilities and very good amenities, access is easy as well. You will need to pay to enter the beach under the guise of a " Beach club ". This is another beach that will get quite crowded during high season but they do let you reserve sunbeds for the next day.
Almyros Beach
This lovely kids friendly beach lies just to the south of the large town of Agios Nikolaos. It has good facilities and amenities and has very easy access. Of course being this close to Ag Nik it can get quite crowded in July and August. Kids love messing about near the river as it enters the sea south of the beach.
Vai Beach
Beautiful sandy beach and very good swimming. Facilities and amenities are what you would expect for the second most famous beach on Crete.
A couple of things you may not know.
The beach was used by Mars for the Bounty advert and legend has it that the Romans who were returning from Egypt laden with dates would stop at Crete and use the back of the beach as their toilet, hence the large palm grove.
Kouremenos Beach
If you like wind surfing, this is THE beach on Crete. They have held the European Wind Surfing Championship on this beach. It's all due to the Meltemi which blows during high season from June onwards. There is a quaint " Shirley Valentine " like taverna within walking distance just to the North of this beach.
