Timing
Go early or late. Parking, wind, and boat schedules decide whether the day feels easy.
Swim and coast
Beaches and coast
Beach bars, coastal stops, cruises, swim spots, and seaside places worth opening first.
393 guide picks4 regions83 beach places
Bookable experiences
Turn beaches and coast into a booked Crete day.
Plan before you go
Make the beach day work in real life.
Bring
Water, sun protection, shoes for rough access, and cash for parking or beach services.
Backup
Save a second beach nearby in case the road, weather, or crowds turn ugly.
Book when
Use tours for Balos, Dia, Gramvousa, remote coves, or any beach that depends on boats.
Beach places
Coastal towns, beach bases, swim spots, and seaside areas worth opening first.
Tours & Activities
Agia Marina
Tours & Activities
Agia Roumeli
Tours & Activities
Almyrida - Kokkino Chorio - Gavalochori
Tours & Activities
Chania
Tours & Activities
Chrysoskalitissa
Tours & Activities
Falassarna
Tours & Activities
Frangokastello-Korakas
Tours & Activities
Georgioupolis
Tours & Activities
Gialos
Tours & Activities
Gramvousa-Platanos-Agios Georgios
Tours & Activities
Kalamaki
Tours & Activities
Kalyves
Swim and coast
All beaches and coast
Search this category, filter by region, and open the guide entry you need.
393 guide picks
Beach & coast: Agia Marina Beach
Agia Marina
Agia Marina Beach
Agia Marina is one of the busiest and most accessible beaches near Chania, offering a great mix of beautiful waters, tourist amenities, and v...
Beaches
Open guide pick: Agia Marina BeachBeach & coast: Agios Paulos Beach
Rethymno City
Agios Paulos Beach
Agios Pavlos is a small and relatively secluded beach in southern Crete. Its serene surroundings, calm waters, and a few tavernas along the s...
BeachesPebble Beach
Open guide pick: Agios Paulos BeachBeach & coast: Balos Lagoon - Balos Beach
Chania
Balos Lagoon - Balos Beach
Balos Lagoon is a world-renowned beach located in the northwest of Crete, where the turquoise waters meet a white sandy shore. The lagoon is...
BeachesOrganised BeachSand Beach
Open guide pick: Balos Lagoon - Balos BeachBeach & coast: Elafonisi Beach - Pink Sand Beach
Chania
Elafonisi Beach - Pink Sand Beach
Elafonisi is often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete and even Europe. The crystal-clear waters and soft, powdery pink sa...
BeachesSand BeachOrganised Beach
Open guide pick: Elafonisi Beach - Pink Sand BeachBeach & coast: Falassarna Beach
Falassarna
Falassarna Beach
Falassarna Beach, located in the western part of Crete, is one of the island’s longest and most popular beaches. Known for its golden sand an...
BeachesSand BeachOrganised Beach
Open guide pick: Falassarna BeachBeach & coast: Kommos Beach
Heraklion City
Kommos Beach
Kommos Beach is a beautiful, long stretch of sand located on the south coast of Crete. It’s less crowded than some of the island’s other beac...
BeachesSand BeachOrganised Beach
Open guide pick: Kommos BeachBeach & coast: Preveli Beach
Rethymno City
Preveli Beach
Preveli Beach, located at the mouth of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, is a unique blend of river, palm trees, and sea. The river that flows into th...
BeachesUnorganised BeachSand Beach
Open guide pick: Preveli BeachBeach & coast: Seitan Limania
Chania
Seitan Limania
Seitan Limania is a hidden gem tucked away between steep cliffs in the northwest of Crete. The beach features stunning turquoise waters, and...
BeachesHike to BeachSand Beach
Open guide pick: Seitan LimaniaBeach & coast: Vai Beach
Agios Nikolaos
Vai Beach
Vai Beach is famous for its lush palm forest, which is the largest natural palm grove in Europe. The beach, with its golden sand and clear wa...
BeachesSand BeachOrganised Beach
Open guide pick: Vai BeachBeach & coast: Achlias Beach
Makris Gialos - Agia Fotia
Achlias Beach
Achlias Beach is located in the Lassithi region of northern Crete, near the village of Kritsa and the town of Agios Nikolaos. It is a beautif...
BeachesHike to BeachSand Beach
Open guide pick: Achlias BeachBeach & coast: Adele Beach
Rethymno City
Adele Beach
Adele Beach is a picturesque stretch along Crete's northern coast, situated approximately 6 km east of Rethymno's city center. The beach is p...
BeachesSand BeachOrganised Beach
Open guide pick: Adele BeachBeach & coast: Adelianos Kambos Beach
Adelianos Kampos
Adelianos Kambos Beach
Adelianos Kampos Beach is a popular and well-organised beach located on the northern coast of Crete, about 6 kilometers east of the charming...
BeachesOrganised Beach
Open guide pick: Adelianos Kambos Beach