Enjoy a day by the coast, with the best beaches in Crete. The perfect place for families, couples, and adventure seekers, Crete caters to everyone. Read on to see our recommended list of beaches to visit.
Best beaches in Crete: families
From lagoons and rivers to shallow waters, Crete’s beaches are ideal for families. Check out our recommendations below for the best family beaches in Crete.
Elafonissi Beach, Chania
One of the best beaches in Crete for families is Elafonissi Beach. Located about 73 km (45 miles) from the centre of Chania, it takes around 1h 30min to reach by car. The beach with its golden sands is perfect for little ones to run around, and add to this the shallow turquoise waters, and you’ve got the perfect beach for a family day out.
A lagoon on the beach’s west side is especially good for children, as the water is rarely more than one metre deep. Whilst your kids play in the sand, you can relax on one of the sunbeds, and there are umbrellas for hire, too. The beach has a snack bar where you can keep the little ones well fed. This very well-equipped beach has changing rooms and toilets, making it the perfect location for everyone.
Damnoni Beach, Rethymnon
Another of the best beaches in Crete for family days out is Damnoni Beach. It’s located on the island’s southern side, about 34 km (21 miles) from Rethymnon. The beach boasts white sands and crystal-clear waters, and whilst the area is prone to strong winds during the summer months, the beach itself is shielded from waves, making it ideal for kids.
Damnoni Beach is surrounded by raw beauty in the form of rugged hills and Mediterranean vegetation, making it a spectacular place to unwind. All your needs are catered for on this beach, and with sun beds and umbrellas to hire, showers and changing rooms available, and supermarkets and snack bars aplenty, you’ll never have to go far to find what you need. It really makes for the perfect family retreat. If your kids don’t want to go into the sea, you can even swim in a small river on the west side of the beach.
Best beaches in Crete: couples
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, look no further than Crete. Take a stroll on the sand, enjoy the beautiful beaches and gaze at the stunning sunsets.
Chrissi Island, Lasithi
For a romantic day trip, Chrissi Island is one of the best beaches in Crete. Located south of Crete, you can take a roughly 45min boat journey from Ierapetra to this idyllic island. Upon arriving at Chrissi, head straight to the calm Agios Nikolaos Beach on the northern side, where you’ll find beautiful blue waters and white sands.
Agios Nikolaos Beach is a perfect escape for a romantic trip away from Crete’s busier areas. Boasting an exotic landscape, primarily of cedar trees, the island is an excellent place for some exploration. On the island’s south side, you’ll find Vlychada Beach, made up of small stones and rocks. As there isn’t much in terms of amenities on the island, Vlychada Beach provides you with the perfect opportunity for a romantic picnic, so be sure to pack a hamper.
Falassarna Beach, Kissamos
It wouldn’t be a romantic trip to Crete if you didn’t take in one of the stunning sunsets you can witness on the island. One of the best beaches in Crete to watch the sun goes down is Falassarna Beach. It’s located about 14 km (9 miles) from Kissamos, a trip of about 20min by car. Boasting golden sands and turquoise waters, it’s the perfect paradise to witness this natural spectacle.
The beach offers a range of facilities, including the Orange Blue Bar, with a sublime westerly view perfect for sunsets. Elsewhere on the beach, you will find sun loungers and umbrellas for hire, and there are food stalls and beach bars, making it a great place to spend the day with that special someone. During the summer months, you can dance the night away at beach parties that carry on right up until sunrise.
Best beaches in Crete: snorkelling
If you are looking for a bit of adventure, take a look at the best snorkelling beaches in Crete. With crystal-clear waters and rocky coves, you’ll have a whale of a time.
Almyrida Beach
One of the best beaches in Crete for snorkelling is Almyrida Beach. Located on the island’s north side, it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre of Almyrida. The beach is relatively small, so it can get quite busy during peak season. Its golden sands and crystal-clear waters make it the perfect place to explore marine life.
On one side of the bay is a rocky area ideal for snorkellers looking to discover sea creatures. The beach is protected from the strong summer winds, so it’s a peaceful place to relax for the day. If you don’t have a snorkel on hand, you can visit one of the shops in the lovely fishing village behind the beach. When it’s time to eat and drink, there is a range of amenities just a short walk away.
Voulisma Beach
Another of the best beaches in Crete for snorkelling is Voulisma Beach. It’s located on the north side of the island in Mirabello Bay, which takes about 15min to reach by car from the town of Agios Nikolaos. As with most of the beaches on this beautiful island, it has golden sands and transparent waters, making it ideal for a spot of marine exploration. Close to the beach, you’ll find a few rocky coves that are also great for snorkelling.
The beach also offers a range of amenities, including a canteen and a small cafe, where you can refuel before heading back out to sea. The umbrellas and sunbeds available for hire allow you to keep out of the hot summer sun, and if you’re driving to the beach, you’ll be able to find a conveniently located car park at its entrance.
Best beaches in Crete: hidden gems
Get off the beaten track with some of the less-trodden routes in Crete. With some spectacular beaches not yet claimed by holidaymakers, it won’t take you long to find peace and tranquillity.
Seitan Limania, Akrotiri Peninsula
One of the best beaches in Crete that isn’t visited by tourists as much as the others is Seitan Limania. Tucked away on the northeast side of Crete’s Akrotiri Peninsula, it takes around 40min for the 22 km (14 miles) car journey from Chania. The beach itself is tiny, but there is a reason it’s popular with locals: here, you will find a narrow strip of fluorescent blue water wedged between two cliffs, making it a picture-perfect place to visit.
Some people just come to see the view whilst others walk down the path to find a patch of sand to spend the day. There aren’t any amenities at this beach, though, so if you’re planning to make a day of it, you should pack food and drink. You’ll also find shade hard to come by, so taking a parasol is essential.
Koutalas Beach, Chania
If you’re looking for your very own corner of paradise where the crowds don’t congregate, then Koutalas Beach is for you. Relatively untouched, it is one of the best beaches in Crete. Located about 32 km (20 miles) east of Chania, you can travel there by car in about 45min. Be aware that the beach is quite rocky, but it boasts crystal-clear and shallow waters for you to explore.
The ideal location if you’re after some peace and tranquillity, the beach receives very few visitors. There aren’t any facilities here, so make sure you’re well stocked with food and water before you set off.
