Best Beaches with Free Parking in Crete
We rank the 8 beaches with free parking in Crete. Stavros Beach, Crete (Greece) comes first with 4.6 / 5, followed by Kalathas Beach, Chania, Xerokambos Beach, Crete.
The sea reaches about 25 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 5 of the 8 have easy access, and 6 are hidden gems.
1Stavros Beach, Crete
Akrotiri, Chania, Crete · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CStavros is a small, sheltered bay of fine sand and clear shallow water on the Akrotiri peninsula of Crete.
2Kalathas Beach, Chania
Kalathas, Akrotiri, Chania, Crete · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 26 °CKalathas is a sandy bay on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania in Crete, with shallow turquoise water and bare hills around the shore.
3Xerokambos Beach, Crete
Xerokambos, Sitia, Lasithi, Crete · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 26 °CXerokambos is a remote beach on the south-east coast of Crete, with pale sand, clear turquoise water and bare hills behind the shore.
4Xerokampos Beach, Crete
Xerokampos, Sitia, east Crete · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °CXerokampos is a remote bay in the far east of Crete, with pale sand, flat white rocks and clear blue water.
5Frangokastello Beach, Crete
Frangokastello, Sfakia, Crete · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CFrangokastello is a long beach of pale sand on the south coast of Crete, beside a square Venetian castle with the White Mountains rising behind.
6Kommos Beach, Crete
Kommos, near Matala, south Crete · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CKommos is a long beach of coarse golden sand on the south coast of Crete, close to Matala and beside the excavated site of a Minoan harbour town.
7Sougia Beach, Crete
Sougia, Chania, Crete · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °CSougia is a small village on the south-west coast of Crete with a long pebble beach in front of its tavernas.
8Triopetra Beach
Rethymno, South Crete · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °CA long, quiet beach of sand and fine pebbles on the south coast of Crete, named for the three rock formations standing in the water.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stavros Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.6 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 2 | Kalathas Beach, Chania | Greece | 4.5 | 26 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 3 | Xerokambos Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.5 | 26 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 4 | Xerokampos Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.5 | 25 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 5 | Frangokastello Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.4 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 6 | Kommos Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 7 | Sougia Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 8 | Triopetra Beach | Greece | 4.4 | 23 °C | May–October | Moderate |
How we picked these beaches
Included when our practical info reports free parking at or near the beach, then ranked by editorial score. Lots can fill early in summer. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated beaches with free parking in Crete?
Our top three are Stavros Beach, Crete (4.6 out of 5), Kalathas Beach, Chania (4.5 out of 5), Xerokambos Beach, Crete (4.5 out of 5). Scores are editorial ratings from the EuroShores team.
When is the best time to visit these beaches?
Most are at their best from June to September. Water temperatures average about 25 degrees C in season. Each beach page lists its exact season.
Which of these beaches are easiest to reach?
Stavros Beach, Crete, Kalathas Beach, Chania, Xerokambos Beach, Crete, Frangokastello Beach, Crete, Kommos Beach, Crete have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.