Hidden Gem Beaches in Crete
We rank the 15 hidden gem beaches in Crete. Balos Lagoon (Greece) comes first with 4.8 / 5, followed by Glyka Nera Beach, Preveli Beach.
The sea reaches about 24 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 6 of the 15 have easy access, and 15 are hidden gems.
1Balos Lagoon
Crete, Greece · 4.8 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °CA shallow lagoon of pale pink sand and impossible blues at the tip of the Gramvousa peninsula.
2Glyka Nera Beach
Sfakia, Crete · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °CA pebble cove on the south coast of Crete beneath steep cliffs, known for cool freshwater springs that mix with the clear sea.
3Preveli Beach
Rethymno, Crete, Greece · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 23 °CA cove of sand and pebbles where a river meets the sea, below steep cliffs on the south coast of Crete.
4Seitan Limani
Akrotiri, Chania, Crete, Greece · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 23 °CA tiny sandy inlet squeezed between steep rock walls on the Akrotiri peninsula, with deep turquoise water.
5Stavros 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.
6Agiofarago Beach, Crete
Agiofarago, Heraklion, south Crete · 4.5 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °CAgiofarago is a small beach at the foot of a narrow limestone gorge on the south coast of Crete, in the Heraklion region near Matala.
7Agios Pavlos Beach, Rethymno
Agios Pavlos, Rethymno, Crete · 4.5 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CAgios Pavlos is a quiet bay on the south coast of Crete, with pale sand dunes, a small chapel and a rocky cape that shelters the water on one side.
8Kalathas 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.
9Xerokambos 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.
10Xerokampos 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.
11Kedrodasos Beach
Chania, Crete · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °CA quiet stretch of pale sand and clear water on the south-west coast of Crete, a short distance from Elafonisi.
12Sougia 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.
13Triopetra 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.
14Agia Roumeli Beach, Crete
Agia Roumeli, Sfakia, Crete · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 25 °CAgia Roumeli is a small village on the south coast of Crete with a long pebble beach, reached on foot through the Samaria Gorge or by ferry.
15Marathi Beach
Kato Marathi, Chania, Crete · 4.3 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °CA sandy bay beach near Chania in western Crete with clear water, rows of umbrellas and sunbeds in season, and a tree-lined backdrop.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balos Lagoon | Greece | 4.8 | 25 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 2 | Glyka Nera Beach | Greece | 4.6 | 24 °C | June–September | Challenging |
| 3 | Preveli Beach | Greece | 4.6 | 23 °C | May–October | Challenging |
| 4 | Seitan Limani | Greece | 4.6 | 23 °C | May–October | Challenging |
| 5 | Stavros Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.6 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 6 | Agiofarago Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.5 | 24 °C | June–September | Challenging |
| 7 | Agios Pavlos Beach, Rethymno | Greece | 4.5 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 8 | Kalathas Beach, Chania | Greece | 4.5 | 26 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 9 | Xerokambos Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.5 | 26 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 10 | Xerokampos Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.5 | 25 °C | June–September | Moderate |
| 11 | Kedrodasos Beach | Greece | 4.4 | 23 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 12 | Sougia Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 13 | Triopetra Beach | Greece | 4.4 | 23 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 14 | Agia Roumeli Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.3 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 15 | Marathi Beach | Greece | 4.3 | 23 °C | May–October | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when we flag the beach as a hidden gem, meaning it is quieter than the headline beaches nearby, then ranked by editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated hidden gem beaches in Crete?
Our top three are Balos Lagoon (4.8 out of 5), Glyka Nera Beach (4.6 out of 5), Preveli Beach (4.6 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 24 degrees C in season. Each beach page lists its exact season.
Which of these beaches are easiest to reach?
Stavros Beach, Crete, Agios Pavlos Beach, Rethymno, Kalathas Beach, Chania, Xerokambos Beach, Crete, Agia Roumeli Beach, Crete and 1 more have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.