Crete has some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches — pink sand lagoons, turquoise bays beneath white cliffs, remote pebble coves only reachable by boat. Here are the 10 best beaches in Crete, with honest advice on how to visit each one.
1. Balos Lagoon, West Crete
Balos is Crete’s most photographed beach — a shallow turquoise lagoon where the sea shimmers in shades of emerald and pale blue, set against low dunes of pink-white sand. It really is as beautiful as the pictures suggest.
How to get there: Two options — a 1.5-hour boat trip from Kissamos port (with a short walk at the end), or drive to the car park and walk 45 minutes down a rough track. The boat trip is more scenic. The dirt road to the car park can damage standard cars.
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon; midday in July–August is extremely crowded.
2. Elafonisi, Southwest Crete
Elafonisi is a small island-peninsula connected to the mainland by a shallow wade. The sand here contains fragments of rose-coloured seashells, giving it a soft pink hue in good light. The lagoon between the island and the shore is shallow enough for children to wade safely.
How to get there: Drive (about 1.5 hours from Chania) or take a daily tour bus from Chania. The road is paved all the way.
Best time: Arrive before 10:00 in summer. By midday it gets very crowded.
3. Seitan Limania, Near Chania
One of Crete’s most dramatic beaches — a narrow strip of white pebbles between near-vertical white limestone cliffs, the turquoise water impossibly clear. The name means “Devil’s Ports” — a reference to the treacherous approach.
How to get there: A steep, poorly marked path (30–40 minutes descent) from a small parking area on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania. The descent is manageable; the ascent in afternoon heat is tough. Wear proper shoes and bring water.
4. Preveli Beach, South Coast
Preveli is unique: a freshwater river bordered by tall palm trees meets a beautiful sandy beach and the Libyan Sea. The combination of river delta, palm forest, and turquoise sea is unlike anywhere else on the island.
How to get there: Drive to Preveli Monastery and walk 40 minutes down a marked path, or take a boat from Plakias or Agia Galini. The path has some steep sections — hiking shoes recommended.
5. Falassarna, Northwest Crete
Five kilometres of wide sandy beach facing west — which makes Falassarna one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset. The sand is golden, the water deep blue, and the beach is wide enough that even in peak season it doesn’t feel overcrowded.
How to get there: 45 minutes west of Chania by car. Parking available.
6. Vai Palm Beach, East Crete
Vai is home to the largest natural palm forest in Europe — around 5,000 wild date palms that create an almost tropical backdrop for a sandy beach. The combination is genuinely extraordinary.
How to get there: 25 km northeast of Sitia in far eastern Crete. Best reached by car; day tours also run from Agios Nikolaos.
7. Kedrodasos, Near Elafonisi
Just 2 km east of the busy Elafonisi, Kedrodasos is virtually unknown to tourists. The beach sits beneath a dense juniper forest, the sand is pink-white, and in season it hosts nesting loggerhead sea turtles. The peace compared to Elafonisi is striking.
How to get there: A rough dirt track (4WD or high clearance recommended) or a 20-minute walk from Elafonisi.
8. Martsalo (the Blue Lagoon), South Coast
Martsalo is a hidden sea cave-lagoon near Matala on the south coast — a narrow canyon that opens into a glowing turquoise pool with overhanging cliffs. Accessible only by boat from Matala.
How to get there: Small boat excursion from Matala harbour (approximately 30 minutes). The cave-lagoon is too narrow for large vessels — this keeps the crowds down.
9. Triopetra, Southwest Crete
Three large sea rocks give Triopetra its name (tria petra = three rocks). The beach stretches across three adjacent bays divided by headlands — each bay with slightly different character. The eastern bay is the busiest; the western bays quieter and more remote.
How to get there: A 30-minute drive south of Rethymno. The road is sealed but narrow in places.
10. Xerokampos, East Crete
In Crete’s far east, below the Minoan palace of Zakros, Xerokampos is a collection of small, mostly empty sandy beaches in a remote bay. Crystal clear water, almost no facilities, virtually no crowds even in August. This is what many Mediterranean beaches looked like 40 years ago.
How to get there: From Sitia, drive south to Zakros and then continue on a minor road to the coast. Approximately 1 hour from Sitia.
Tips for Visiting Crete’s Beaches
- Arrive early at the famous beaches (Balos, Elafonisi) — before 09:30 in July–August.
- Bring water to remote beaches; many have no facilities.
- Check sea conditions — the south coast can have strong swells even in calm weather.
- Protect marine life: Sea turtles nest on several Cretan beaches; stay behind marked zones and don’t disturb them at night.
Private Beach Tours with 105Olives
Visiting the best remote beaches often requires local knowledge — knowing which dirt track to take, where to park, when to arrive. 105Olives’ private day tours include beach excursions combining 2–3 of Crete’s best swimming spots with visits to local villages and tavernas. See our Crete experience options.
