Best Pebble Beaches in Crete
We rank the 6 pebble beaches in Crete. Glyka Nera Beach (Greece) comes first with 4.6 / 5, followed by Agiofarago Beach, Crete, Elounda Beach, Crete.
The sea reaches about 25 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 3 of the 6 have easy access, and 4 are hidden gems.
1Glyka 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.
2Agiofarago 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.
3Elounda Beach, Crete
Elounda, Lasithi, Crete · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °CElounda has several small beaches of sand and gravel along a calm, sheltered bay on the northeast coast of Crete.
4Sougia 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.
5Agia 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.
6Myrtos Beach, Ierapetra
Myrtos, Ierapetra, Lasithi, Crete · 4.2 / 5 · Easy access · about 26 °CMyrtos is a small village on the south coast of Crete with a long beach of grey pebbles and coarse sand in front of whitewashed houses.
Quick comparison
| # | Beach | Country | Score | Water | Best season | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glyka Nera Beach | Greece | 4.6 | 24 °C | June–September | Challenging |
| 2 | Agiofarago Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.5 | 24 °C | June–September | Challenging |
| 3 | Elounda Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 4 | Sougia Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.4 | 24 °C | May–October | Moderate |
| 5 | Agia Roumeli Beach, Crete | Greece | 4.3 | 25 °C | June–September | Easy |
| 6 | Myrtos Beach, Ierapetra | Greece | 4.2 | 26 °C | June–September | Easy |
How we picked these beaches
Included when the shoreline is mostly of this type, then ranked by our editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top-rated pebble beaches in Crete?
Our top three are Glyka Nera Beach (4.6 out of 5), Agiofarago Beach, Crete (4.5 out of 5), Elounda Beach, Crete (4.4 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?
Elounda Beach, Crete, Agia Roumeli Beach, Crete, Myrtos Beach, Ierapetra have easy access. The others need a walk, stairs or a rougher road, so check the access note on each page.