beaches header with image of Elafonissi on Crete.

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Crete has over 500 beaches at the last count.

Below I've included what I believe to be the top 30 beaches around this wonderful island. If anyone disagrees or finds any better beaches please email me with a short description and current photographs. Remember there must be facilities, amenities, good swimming, OK for kids, easy access and no beaches from my Places page.

Chania Region

Rethymno Region

elafonissi beach image

Iraklio Region

Lassithi Region

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 now banned vehicle parking in the shrublands to protect the nesting turtles and the indigenous cedar trees as well as sea daffodils and other rare flowers. Unfortunately they haven't banned the hundreds of sun beds tightly packed around the perimeter of the shoreline. The car parks on the top road will now charge for parking.
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.
Kids do love it here though as the lagoon is quite shallow.

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

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

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

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.

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.

ammoudi beaches.jpg

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 Crete

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.

Frangokastello to Plakias

There are many beaches between these two main villages. However I have not recommended any, even though I like going there, as they are not all easy access, several are naturist beaches in high season, there are very limited facilities and are frequented by party going Greeks. They are not great beaches for kids either as there are plenty of rocks in the sea. I haven't noted Frangokastello as a good beach as the facilities are poor, I don't like the large restaurant, it gets extremely crowded and you won't see the Drosoulites even if you go in early June. Drosoulites are rumoured to be the ghosts of the Greek soldiers who defended the fort against the Turks in the 19th century. I have noted Plakias in PLACES.

Myrtos beach

Myrtos Beach

I wondered about including Myrtos as a place to go as the village is very picturesque and there are many sights and places to visit. But I think anybody venturing to Myrtos would head for the nice beach. If you are staying around Agios Nikolaos or Irapetra and fed up with the crowds, then Myrtos isn't far and it has great facilities and plenty of eating places. The beach is tiny pebbles and it always seems to be sheltered from the wind. There are usually lifeguards so a nice safe place to take children.

vathi beach Crete

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.

East Lassithi

If you live or are staying East of Sitia and Irapetra, you will find the area can be desolate and very rocky with very few olive groves or vineyards. There are many beaches along this end of Crete but probably the easiest to access and ones that have the best facilities are Xerokampos, Kouremenos and Vai.

Xerokampos beach, Crete

Xerokampos Beach

Probably the best beach in this area and lies just south of the village area of Xerokampos. It's a fine sandy beach with turquoise crystal clear water. Its easy access and the facilities and amenities are good. Which is why it may get crowded in high season.

Kouremenos Beach, Crete.

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.

Vai beach, Crete

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.

Agios Nikolaos Beaches

The coastline along Agios Nikolaos features many fine beaches and although I include Agios Nikolaos as a place to visit, I thought I would include a couple of beaches here that have good sand, good swimming and are great for kids. Unfortunately we are in an area that can get very crowded and some of the beaches in front of the hotels are considered " private ". Also you may be charged for entering the beach. I wouldn't pay on principle.

Almyros beach, Ag Nik, Crete

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.

Ammoudi beach, Ag Nik, Crete

Ammoudi Beach

This fine sandy beach lies just on the north side of the town. 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.

Iraklion Beaches

Unless you lived there I don't think you would go to the capital city for the beaches so I've included the four best. Two to the west of the city and two to the east. Of course, if you are holidaying in the Iraklio or Heraklion area then these beaches may be good for you. This is a holiday island and around the capital beaches may get very crowded. All these beaches are very similar in that they all have fine sandy beach, sandy bottom for swimming, ease of access, good facilities and amenities.
Skafidaras and the second beach at Ammoudari straddle the village of Ammoudari and lie to the east of Iraklio. Amnissos and Arena beach straddle the resort of Stavremeno and lie to the west of Iraklio.

 

Skafidaras Beach

Skafidaras Beach

Ammoudari beach II

Amoudari Beach 

Amnissos beach, Crete

Amnissos Beach

Arena beach, Crete

Arena Beach

Karavostasi beach, Crete.

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, Crete.

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.

Chania Region

I've chosen what I believe to be the best beaches, leaving out the ones that feature in Places. I've noted Kalyvaki Beach because visitors to the large town of Georgioupoli may miss this beach. I've also noted Aspri Limni or White Lake, which has no amenities or facilities but the most amazing tranquility, not to be missed.

Kalyvaki beach, Crete

Kalyvaki Beach

A nice sandy beach away from the bustle of the main town beach of Georgioupoli. It's great for swimming but mind, the water is devilishly cold due to the underground springs. Facilities and amenities are great with two good tavernas behind the beach. The beach is cut off from the main town by the pretty river Almyros, so you have to go over the main bridge to get to the town.

Kalathas Beach, Crete

Kalathas Beach

Nestled between the villages of Kalathas and Chorafakia on Akrotiri lies this beautiful soft sandy beach with great swimming. Facilities and amenities are also good and there is a lifeguard during high season. It's a great beach for kids but they must be supervised. During July and August this beach gets extremely busy as the locals finishing work in Chania descend upon Akrotiri for the great beaches. Kalathas beach is one of the top ten beaches on Crete.

Golden Beach, Crete.

Golden Beach

If you head west from Chania on the Kissamos road you will come to the Agii Apostoli area. Turn toward the sea and the beautiful church on the headland of the same name. There are two notable beaches here, the first of which is Golden Beach. This beach can get crowded in high season as it is in front of a hotel enclave but get there early and you can have a great day. Good facilities and amenities.

marathi beach Crete

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 sheltered shoreline, plenty of space on the beach for your own kit and two great restaurants with a nice 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 boats for hire.
Marathi also caters for disabled people, even in wheelchairs. 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.

Nea Chora Beach, Chania

Nea Chora Beach

I wouldn't normally suggest a town beach but this beach has quite a bit going for it. It's a great place to walk around and explore the tavernas and the small harbour. Swimming is great but if the weather is very hot, small fish will congregate in the shallows and give you a bit of a nip. 

Iguana Beach, Chania

Iguana Beach

This is the second notable beach and like Golden Beach can get quite crowded in July and August, but get there early and enjoy some nice walks especially to the headland and the small church frequented by many locals for their wedding ceremonies. Water sports and beach sports are plentiful.

Plaka Beach II

Plaka Beach II

I must confess that I do not know this beach as I have not yet visited. But, having seen and been to the others around Kissamos, this must be the best. There looks to be plenty of space, facilities and amenities in the area, enough to make this a very good choice.

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 vey 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.

falassarna beach

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.

White Lake Beach
Gialiskari Beach, Crete

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 as 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.

map of crete beaches