Best Beaches in Crete
13 hand-picked beaches in Crete, ranked by our editors. Top pick: Elafonissi Beach (4.8 / 5).
Elafonissi Beach
Crete, Greece · Pink Sand · 4.8 / 5
Balos Lagoon
Crete, Greece · Pink Sand · 4.8 / 5
Falassarna Beach
Chania, Crete, Greece · Sunset Sands on Crete · 4.7 / 5
Preveli Beach
Rethymno, Crete, Greece · Palm and River Cove · 4.6 / 5
Seitan Limani
Akrotiri, Chania, Crete, Greece · Narrow Fjord Cove · 4.6 / 5
Glyka Nera Beach
Sfakia, Crete · Pebble cove under cliffs on the south coast of Crete · 4.6 / 5
Vai Beach
Sitia, Crete, Greece · Palm Forest Beach on Crete · 4.5 / 5
Matala Beach
Matala, Heraklion, Crete · Sandy bay below the famous Matala caves · 4.5 / 5
Kedrodasos Beach
Chania, Crete · Quiet Sand and Cedars near Elafonisi · 4.4 / 5
Damnoni Beach
Crete · Sandy Bay near Plakias, Crete · 4.4 / 5
Triopetra Beach
Rethymno, South Crete · Long south-coast beach with three rock formations · 4.4 / 5
Plakias Beach
Plakias, Rethymno, Crete, Greece · Long south-coast beach with tavernas · 4.4 / 5
Marathi Beach
Kato Marathi, Chania, Crete · Calm bay beach near Chania, Crete · 4.3 / 5About beaches in Crete
Crete is the largest Greek island, with long sandy beaches, pink-tinted sand in the west and gorges that meet the sea in the south. The north coast is easier to reach, while the south and west coasts have wilder beaches.
When to go
May to October is the main beach season and the sea stays warm into October. The meltemi wind in July and August can affect exposed beaches, so sheltered bays are a good backup.
Getting around
Car hire is the norm. Some of the best-known beaches need a boat trip or a long walk. Chania and Rethymno are good bases for the west and centre.
Easiest beaches to reach
Elafonissi Beach, Falassarna Beach, Vai Beach, Matala Beach.
Quieter hidden gems
Balos Lagoon, Preveli Beach, Seitan Limani, Glyka Nera Beach.
All beaches at a glance
- Elafonissi Beach: best May–October, water about 25 degrees C, access easy.
- Balos Lagoon: best May–October, water about 25 degrees C, access moderate.
- Falassarna Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Preveli Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access challenging.
- Seitan Limani: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access challenging.
- Glyka Nera Beach: best June–September, water about 24 degrees C, access challenging.
- Vai Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Matala Beach: best May–October, water about 24 degrees C, access easy.
- Kedrodasos Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Damnoni Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Triopetra Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access moderate.
- Plakias Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
- Marathi Beach: best May–October, water about 23 degrees C, access easy.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the beaches in Crete?
May to October is the main beach season and the sea stays warm into October. The meltemi wind in July and August can affect exposed beaches, so sheltered bays are a good backup.
Which beaches in Crete are easiest to reach?
The easiest access is at Elafonissi Beach, Falassarna Beach, Vai Beach, Matala Beach. Check each beach page for parking and facilities.
Do I need a car for the beaches in Crete?
Car hire is the norm. Some of the best-known beaches need a boat trip or a long walk. Chania and Rethymno are good bases for the west and centre.