15 of the best beaches in Crete

1. Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi Beach isn’t just the best beach in Crete – according to Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025, it’s the best in the world.

This double take-inducing stretch is sprinkled with crushed pastel pink shells that wash up on the sand and has clear, lagoon-like shallows that reach all the way to another island hangout, also called Elafonissi.

When you’re not snapping Instagrammable photos, spend your day sipping on a cold beer from one of the beach bars, or trying your hand at windsurfing – because, fair warning, it can get windy here.

2. Balos Beach

On Crete’s far north-western peninsula, beautiful Balos Beach is named after the aquamarine lagoon that surrounds it. Swathes of chalk-white sandbars reach out into the water, creating a stunning beach that looks more like an idyllic Maldivian island than the Cretan coast.

You’ll need to take a boat (or hike along a track road from Kissamos) to reach the beach, but the picturesque scenery is absolutely worth the effort.

When you arrive, stroll along the wide curve of sand to the large Tigani islet, and head up the rocks to enjoy panoramic views across the lagoon.

3. Preveli Beach

The Megalos Potamos River flows through a forest of bright green palms on its way down to Preveli Beach, where it meets the Libyan Sea.

If you can handle the steep descent down the leafy cliffside to the river mouth, you’ll be rewarded with white sandy shores and a wonderfully unspoiled little bay that looks out across the sea.

The beach has little in the way of facilities, but the impressive Preveli Monastery, which is perched on the clifftop overlooking the sea, is worth stopping by while you’re here.

4. Falassarna Beach

Another crowd favourite, Falassarna Beach was ranked tenth in Europe in Tripadvisor's 2025 awards. That this sandy stretch is made up of not one but five beaches might have something to do with it.

There’s always plenty of space to put down your towel across the interlinking beaches, and you’ll find a few sun-loungers for hire. Compared to some of the other beaches on the island, there’s much less development and the sand actually backs onto a bushy hillside, rather than a town or promenade.

The beach also catches the last sun of the day, so if you stay late enough you can watch the burnt orange sun set into the glossy Mediterranean below.

5. Matala Beach

Once the spiritual hangout of hippies and musicians, Matala Beach is famous for its sandstone caves that flank the right side of the bay.

These intricate caves are shrouded in spirituality and mythology, and are said to be the place Zeus once swam ashore – which perhaps explains why so many have been drawn here over the years.

Away from the caves, the beach itself is lovely and its wide, pebbly sand and calm turquoise water makes it one of the best in Crete. There are even a handful of tavernas lining the beach, so you can admire the caves and the sea views while you eat lunch.

6. Vai Beach

Wander through Europe’s largest natural palm grove and, when you emerge, you’ll find yourself on golden Vai, one of Crete’s best sandy beaches.

Nicknamed Palm Beach because of the estimated 5,000 Cretan date palms that surround it, this little patch of paradise in the island’s east is almost entirely unspoiled, with just a few sun-loungers and umbrellas for hire.

A handful of interesting rock formations protrude out from the calm surface of the sea, which you can admire from a shady spot underneath a palm when the heat gets too much.

7. Glyka Nera Beach

Looking for a mini adventure? Lace up your trainers and make the trek along the European E4 trail from Loutro to Glyka Nera beach, in the south of the island.

The walk takes around an hour and offers stunning coastal views, but the real showstopper is the beach itself. Backed by towering sandstone cliffs, the pebbly shore is small but perfectly formed, and it’s totally pristine.

Step into the gin-clear water and you’ll notice it's considerably colder than many of the other beaches in Crete – it’s actually fresh spring water, seeping up from under the pebbles and into the sea, giving it the nickname, ‘sweet waters’.

8. Agiofaraggo Beach

Some of Crete’s best beaches require a little extra work to get to. Agiofaraggo Beach ensures your efforts are worth it.

Curious goats are often your only company on the 45-minute walk through a towering gorge to this pretty sunspot. When the gorge finally widens, you’ll find a clean, pebbly cove lapped with invitingly blue waters – the perfect spot to cool off after your hike.

As with any off-the-beaten-track spot, remember to bring everything you’ll need for the day as there are no facilities here.

9. Kedrodasos Beach

Low-key with soft sands and a backdrop of lush juniper trees, Kedrodasos is the ultimate antidote to its busier neighbour, the famous Elafonissi Beach.

Its seclusion makes it popular with nudists – it’s about a ten-minute walk from the nearest car park – but there’s plenty of space for everyone around on this wide, sandy swathe.

There are no facilities, so bring everything you’ll need for the day, especially a snorkel for a peek under the crystalline waters. For hikers, you can pick up the E4 trail west towards Elafonissi or east to pretty Krios Beach.

10. Agios Pavlos Beach

Surrounding the quaint village of Agios Pavlos you’ll find a smattering of small, dune-backed beaches that make the perfect ‘escape from it all’ destination.

There’s very little to see and do here, but that’s part of the charm – it’s all about relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet.

If you’re into snorkelling, there are also several little inlets between the rocky shoreline, which make a great spot to look for fish and shellfish. Stay until the sky burns orange at sunset.

11. Triopetra Beach

If you’ve made the journey down to Agio Pavlos, it’s worth making the extra hop to Triopetra Beach. Three unique rock formations that jut out of the sea give the beach its name – literally trio (three) and petra (rocks) – and its pretty surrounds make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete.

Two tavernas and parking right by the beach make up for the slightly tricky drive to Triopetra; you’ll also be rewarded with some of the clearest waters on the island.

Time your visit with a calm day to see the beach at its best, as the wind can really whip up the waves.

12. Seitan Limania (Stefanou Beach)

Not far from Chania, this thrillingly wild spot on Crete’s Akrotiri Peninsula demands some effort to reach, but the payoff is spectacular: a sliver of pebbly sand pinched between sheer cliffs that frame the intensely blue water of the cove.

This isn't the spot for sun-loungers and snack bars; Seitan Limania is all about the drama of the landscape. The descent down to the beach is a challenging scramble, so sturdy shoes are essential.

13. Plakias Beach

You’ll find both organised comfort and unspoiled beauty at pretty Plakias Beach, on Crete’s south coast. There’s plenty of space on this wide arc of a beach, with sun-loungers scattered throughout the sand and room in between if you prefer just to bring a towel.

Restaurants and bars fringe the shoreline, while out in the clear water, the seabed slopes gently, providing calm, shallow swimming conditions that are ideal for families.

14. Frangokastello

Locals whisper tales of ghostly ‘Drosoulites’, shadowy figures said to appear near the ruins of Frangokastello’s 14th-century Venetian at dawn in late May.

Whether you believe the legends or not, this sandy beach is still wonderfully atmospheric, with a handful of tavernas overlooking the sea and a tiny marina on its eastern end.

Located on the southern coast, Frangokastello is popular with windsurfers thanks to the reliable breezes and the clear waters are ideal for snorkelling. If you’re up for a walk, the steep sand dunes of Orthi Ammos are just ten minutes away.

15. Chryssi Island beaches

One of the few shores in Crete that’s truly only accessible by boat, uninhabited Chryssi Island is one of Crete’s coolest hidden gems.

Take the 25-minute boat ride from Ierapatra on Crete’s southeast coast, and you’ll find yourself on Chryssi’s flat, white sandy shores, which stretch for some 15km (9.3 miles) all the way around.

Most boats dock at Vougiou Mati Beach on the south of the island and just five minutes’ walk north is Golden Beach, which has sun-loungers and umbrellas for hire.

The rest of the island has a much wilder feel, so lace up your shoes and get walking to discover quieter beaches at Kataprosopo and Vages.