Turquoise lagoons, pink sand, palm groves reaching the sea and hidden coves among the rocks: Crete has beaches for every taste, on two seas, the Aegean to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south.
Crete has over a thousand kilometres of coast and hundreds of beaches. The north coast, on the Aegean, is the busiest and best served, but exposed to the summer meltemi; the south coast, on the Libyan Sea, is wilder, with mountains plunging into the sea and water often calmer and warmer.
Western Crete (Chania)
Beach
Why go
Balos
A turquoise lagoon below the Gramvousa peninsula, reached by boat from Kissamos or by dirt road and footpath
Falassarna
Long sandy beach on the west coast, famous for sunsets
Elafonissi
An islet joined by a sandbar, with pink sand and shallow water, ideal for children
Seitan Limania
A tiny cove between rock walls on the Akrotiri peninsula
Stavros
The beach from the finale of Zorba the Greek
Sougia and Loutro
South-coast villages, Loutro reached only on foot or by boat
Central Crete (Rethymno and Heraklion)
Beach
Why go
Preveli
A palm grove along a river flowing into the sea, below the monastery of the same name
Triopetra and Agios Pavlos
Wild beaches with dunes and rocks on the south coast
Matala
The bay with caves carved into the rock, home to hippies in the 1960s
Kommos
Long beach where loggerhead turtles nest
Agia Pelagia and Bali
Sheltered bays on the north coast
Eastern Crete (Lasithi)
Beach
Why go
Vai
Europe's largest palm forest, the Theophrastus palm, beside a golden beach
Xerokambos
Lonely beaches at the south-eastern tip
Voulisma
Turquoise water near Agios Nikolaos
Chrissi
Uninhabited island off Ierapetra, with ancient cedars and golden sand, reached by boat
Tips
Balos and Elafonissi are crowded in summer: arrive early in the morning or late afternoon. They are protected areas: don't take sand or shells and respect marked zones.
In a strong meltemi choose south-coast beaches or sheltered bays.
Many south-coast beaches have no facilities: bring water, shade and food.
Dirt roads to some beaches, such as Balos, may not be covered by rental car insurance.
