Mátala was known as a hippie hangout in the '60s and '70s. "The beach has two sections the first section pebble which was our favourite part with glorious views and a lovely chilled out cantina serving great food, cold beer, perfect background music and friendly staff." Which beaches are a ‘must’ visit for families on holiday in Crete? chania | Januar 7, 2021 Best Beaches in Chania, Crete Stretching over a glorious sun kissed coastline the pristine beaches of Chania, Crete are rightfully considered some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece as they combine the tranquillity of the sea with exotic surroundings, emerald waters and fine sand. W ith its pretty pink sands separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon, Elafonisi was once Crete’s best kept secret. It has been awarded several times as the best beach of Greece and is constantly included in the best beaches of the world together with Balos and Elafonisi. Discover our best beaches of Crete: What are the best places for beaches in Crete? These are the best places for groups seeking beaches in Crete: Which places provide the best beaches in Crete for travelers on a budget? Want to make your own trip? The beach is long, and its southern part is used by nudists. Geographically Tymbaki is located between two large tourist places of southern Crete, Matala and Agia Galini, which makes it a convenient base for excursions in the region. This is tucked away in a remote pocket of Crete’s south-western corner, so … Istro beach in eastern Crete is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas and provides a nice family place to swim. The name Glyka Nera means Sweet Waters. The Guide & Map to Top 10 Best Beaches in Crete Island, Greece 2020 1. Stretching 1,046m (650 miles) long, it allows for countless beaches and it gets hard to choose a favorite as the exotic sands, both wild and calm waters, villas, hotels, excursions, flora, and fauna are all a natural beauty that make s up the coastline. #30 Best Value of 78 Beach Resorts in Crete “ I visited thhis luxury hotel on my own and was very pleased to be cherished by all the restaurant and bar staff - my favourite being the Sail-In Bar! Best Beaches in Crete Best Beaches in Crete From the mountainous terrain to the smooth white sand beaches along the shore, Crete has … But almost … Beaches on the southern side of Crete are less windy but sometimes they can also be affected. There are no tourist facilities in Agiofaraggo and the beach is not organized. Part of the beach is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas. If you decide to visit western Crete you can fly to Chania airport or take a ferry from Athens. 10 Best Beaches in Crete, Greece 1. Not surprisingly, it can be windy here (a funnel... Mátala. Where to stay? Matala Beach 8. The turquoise water is beautifully contrasted by pink-tinted sand ( pictured above ), making this beach... Mátala Beach. The almost tropical waters (sheltered by the islet of the same... Koureménos. Our insider guide to the best beaches on Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands: where to head for swimming, sunsets and sun-bathing. Sougia beach, although it is a pebble beach, is one of the best beaches for several reasons: being 1200 m long and located by a small village it is never crowded, there are no beach umbrellas (but the inhabitants of Sougia have thoughtfully provided a few showers), nudism is tolerated on a large part of the beach, the sea and the beach are very clean, the surrounding … Access Easy drive from the North coast. North Crete or South Crete: South Crete (that basically looks to Africa continent) is full of unique beaches (like Agia Roumeli, or Palaiochora) , cute remote villages (like Hora Sfakion) but no big towns (like Chania or Heraklion); the best hotels in Crete and the best towns in Crete are all on the north side of the island; it’s also good to know that the roads network between … Kommos Beach 10. One of the most exotic sandy beaches of Crete are Balos, a wonderful place in Chania with crystal Caribbean-like water. July and August are the most popular months and when the beaches tend to get more crowded. Greeka? For peaceful lassitude the beach at Frangokástello is among the best beaches in Crete, with fine sand and crystal-clear water (with good snorkelling opportunities). It can be reached through a narrow road west of this village. Part of Plakias beach is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, while there are also some fish taverns and apartments lining up the beach. By Kate Morgan. Crete is the largest island in Greece, and it’s no surprise that Crete beaches offer a huge choice for every taste. Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. Well-known for its history as a “hippie beach” in the 60’s and 70’s, Mátala Beach drew crowds of peace-loving freedom seekers as well as celebrities such as Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. The part of Crete with the best beaches is definitely Chania. Even now (except for the height … It is one of the best beaches of Crete for stretching for 1200 metres due to which it rarely gets crowded. Small or large, organized or secluded, the beaches of Crete are wonderful places to spend a long day under the sun. Stefanou beach. Crete Beaches - Beach by Beach. The coastal village of Makrigialos lies 24 km east of Ierapetra and 60 km south-east of Agios Nikolaos town, in the center of Kala Nera Bay. Balos Beach; Agios Pavlos Beach; Elafonissi Beach; Kedrodasos Beach; Gramvousa Beach; Falassarna Beach; Stavros Beach; Gialiskari Beach ; Kalypso Beach ; Geropotamos Beach ; We visited all of the above Crete Beaches in the summer of 2019. This fantastic place is ideal for families with kids due to organized facilities and soft sand. The beach looks like a lagoon when viewed from the hills which surround it. The large island of Crete is famous for its fantastic beaches. A collection of the most beautiful Cretan beaches to visit on your holidays. Crete is considered to have some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece and someone can swim almost everywhere. more. Greece has the best beaches in Europe. Balos Lagoon. Malia is the best place on Crete for nightlife and beach parties, many young people are seeking this place and if there is a need for a bit of history, there is an ancient Malia Minoan Palace not that far for the … . Located on the southwestern coast of the island, the beach is actually an islet that is separated from the coast by a shallow lagoon. But it’s worth it, trust me. “... Kostas, Alex, Thomas, Ross, Lia, Elena & Kiki in Blend, Georgia, Nicholas, John & Eleni in Haute, AJ & Thanasis at the beach, Dimitris and Lefteris in Yaosai and the lovely Nicoletta and her housekeeping team.”. Do you like On the southern side of the prefecture of Rethymno is a place of great natural beauty, Preveli. The beach is very beautiful and the water is pristine. All the beaches of West Crete . Vai Beach is one of the best family beaches on Crete and is surrounded on almost all sides by a truly enormous palm tree forest, giving it a real private island kind of vibe. Our team of experienced travel specialists can organize your unforgettable vacation in Greece! Read reviews about our services. Today the hippies are long gone and the nice seaside village attracts many families for the long, sandy and organized beach. In the northeast of Crete, you will find the world famous Bounty Beach or Vai Beach. Another of the most beautiful beaches of Crete is the exotic Elafonissi in Chania, on the westernmost spot of Crete, as well as the long, sandy beach of Falassarna. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic. The seaside village has many tourist facilities and a calm environment, away from the noisy world. In the northwest of the island, 17 km from Kissamos, Falassarna is maybe the most beautiful beach of the island. Best Beaches in Crete – discover the best beaches on the island. Where to swim? Which beach is the best? Being the largest of the Greek islands, Crete has plenty to offer. It is located 52 kilometers from Chania town and can be reached by car within one hour via the village of Platanos. Located 2 km east of the town of Palaiokastro, the sandy beach of Hiona is magnificent. The best beaches in Crete Elafonísi. Often included in several world’s best beaches lists, Elafonisi is a no-brainer pick when holidaying in Crete. From west to east - here are some of our favourites and the most beautiful beaches in Crete.... Western Beaches. While most of us are coming to Crete for the beautiful natural beaches or Minoan and mythological origins, some of us can’t separate beach experience from beach parties. Marathi is an organized beach particularly popular among the locals. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. A protected area, this is well worth the visit. Whether seeking for a populated beach, a deserted cove or a scintillating bay for endless hours of swimming and relaxation, the prefecture of Chania in Crete will leave you breathless… Check out some of the best beaches in Chania Crete from our Chania beach guide and get ready to dive in the crystalline waters of the Cretan Sea. "This beach is accessible from the road connecting Rethymno to Agia Galini ; it can be considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the south coast of Crete ; the name comes from the three majestic rocks which d..." "There are some small tavernas by the beach (we had a great lunch in Vasilis Taverna)." Plakias is a lovely tourist place on the southern side of Rethymno, Crete island. Our services are rated Falasarna is a long wide beach on the north-west tip of Crete. The water has beautiful turquoise-like colors. The beaches here are shallow and calm water without currents. Crete Itinerary – discover the highlights of Crete with this comprehensive itinerary. Marathi is a small cove about 14 km east of Chania Town. Balos Beach Crete has featured in many a best beaches list – Crete, Greece, the Mediterranean, Europe, the world.It’s one of the top Crete travel destinations, a beach you can visit on a tour from just about every travel agency between there and Heraklion.It features on just about every what to do in Crete list.. Beach umbrellas at Balos – you can hire them on the ferry or on the beach WHY IT’s AWESOME: One of the most spectacular beaches in Crete can be found off the western side of the island, about 60 kilometers’ drive from Chania. One of the most famous beaches in Greece, Falasarna has previously been voted the best beach in Crete and even among the ten best beaches in Europe. I know it’s usually better to save the best for last, but you know what? These days the beaches are not appropriate for swimming except for skilled swimmers. Top 10 best beaches , Crete Island - Greece Save Up to 80% on Accommodation‎ - http://best-hotel-deals.info Photos: https://www.beach-inspector.com Elafonisi – Crete Tucked into Crete’s southwestern corner, this symphony of fine pink-white sand, turquoise water and gentle rose dunes looks like a magical dreamscape. Matala became known during the 60s, when hippies from all over the world started arriving to the island where they settled. When To Visit Greece: Greek beaches are at their best from late May to early October when there’s great weather and the sea water is warm for swimming. These places are best for beaches in Crete: Which places provide the best beaches in Crete for kids and families? The beach is called like this because when someone digs a hole in the sand, sweet water appears from the ground. In close distance to the town of Agios Nikolaos, in the region of Lassithi, is a nice beach with golden and white sand. The soft sand, the crystal water, and the natural beauty make this beach an inviting place for families. List of the best beaches in Crete Crete in general. The Red Beach 9. There are water sports in this lake to explore the river, while the sandy and unorganized beach of Preveli is a wonderful place to swim. We’re gonna kick this list off with a bang because Elafonissi Beach is one of the best beaches in Crete, possibly even THE best. ✔ DISCOVER THE MOST AMAZING BEACHES! And more? Above the beach, there is the archaeological site of Ancient Falassarna. Balos beach is a gorgeous beach with white soft sand, unique crystalline water and a soft seabed. Chrissi island is located... Istron Bay beaches. "In beginning of May the beach was very quiet, hikers from E4 trail may stop for refreshments and go for a swim (sea was a bit cold, around 18 degrees)." Sougia. It has a large sandy beach and all kinds of watersports facilities, sun loungers, and parasols. Crete Beaches – Lasithi Area Vai beach. With small pebbles and clean water, Krios is a great place to relax. Krios is one of the most secluded beaches of Chania located 70 km south west of the main town and close to Paleochora. Balos Beach 7. Malia Beach 4. West Crete Beaches Elafonissi Beach. Out of these 11 great beaches in the Chania region, eight of them made it onto this list of 12 best beaches in Crete. Here are our top 10 best beaches in Crete. Best Beaches in Crete Elafonísi Beach. Take an organized island hopping tour! Check our proposed Crete hotels. This beach is actually where a river flows into the sea, passing through many palm trees and forming a lake close to the sea. As with many of the other best Crete beaches, many visitors instantly fall in love with this location and want to come back again and again. For solitude, head west along the shoreline. Because of its long stretch of sand and its crystalline blue waters, Makrigialos has become one of the most popular tourist resorts in the area. Finding a perfect beach is not a problem for visitors, as there are nice clean beaches in Crete all around the island. Despite its popularity it is still quiet and calm. Agii Apostoli is located near Chania, so it’s easy to get here by bus or car. 2,012 reviews. Crete is blessed with beautiful beaches along most of it's accessible coastline. This is one of the reasons making the country popular for nudists Book your ferries online and view more services that can help you organize your trip. Explore our travel services & make the most out of your GREECE holidays! Being the largest of the Greek islands, Crete has plenty to offer. Falassarna 6. Crete is certainly one of the best Greek islands when it comes to seaside holidays. This is a small cove, on the southern side of Akrotiri peninsula, protected from strong winds. Elafonisi. For ease of use, the beaches are listed starting at Rethymnon and moving anticlockwise (so westwards along the north coast of Crete, then southwards along the west coast, then eastwards on the south coast, all the … The Best Beaches in Crete Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands, with a coastline stretching over 1000km. Its coordinates are N 35 12 ’12 “E 26 16′ 32”. Discover our best beaches of Crete: Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna in Chania, Preveli in Rethymno, Vai in Lassithi, and more. With a coastline of over 1000km (650mi), it is home to hundreds of beaches. On the southern side of Rethymno, close to the tourist village of Plakias, is the large and sandy beach of Rodakino. You can even play in some small sand dunes. The special thing about this beach is that it is surrounded by the largest palm tree forest in Europe, consisting of 5,000 trees. There is the ancient Knossos to explore, Samaria Gorge to conquer and of course many stunning beaches! Balos Beach – Pilgrimage To Paradise. This amazing place is like the Caribbean side of Crete. It is located 40 km east of Heraklion and 26 km north-west of Agios Nikolaos town. Alabastron has given you plenty of food for thought but do bear in mind too that there are great beaches along the more built up north coast but these do tend to be in much more densely populated holiday towns. Balos Beach (or Balos Lagoon) is definitely one of the top beaches in Crete. Where to stay in Crete for best beaches. Crete Island is the largest in Greece. Falassarna is a large sandy beach on the western side of Crete, within a close drive from Kissamos town. W ith its pretty pink sands separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon, Elafonisi was once Crete’s best kept secret. Due to its large size, Istro also offers some spots for privacy. The hippies are long gone, but the allure of what drew them here remains. 01 Sep 2019 1. It has fine grey sand and pristine waters. It is one of the most beautiful Greek islands and we prefer it for several reasons. A vast beach with both sandy and pebbled parts, Tymbaki is located on the southern side of Heraklion. ; The Greek islands with the best beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. Once almost uninhabited, this part of the coast has become the main tourist concentration in western Crete. The beach of Agios Pavlos (Saint Paul) lies 58 km south of Rethymno town, and 50 km from the village of Agia Galini. If you want company you’ll find it around the castle, where the best part of the sand is sheltered slides slowly into the water. The sea in Crete is beautiful and, as we said above, it boasts white beaches that have nothing to envy to the Cariabi, pink beaches, coves, cliffs and dark beaches. The village of Agia Fotia is located 8 kilometres east from Ierapetra and 47 km south east of Agios Nikolaos Town, surrounded by tall pines. Another place in Crete that has made it to the list of the most famous beaches in the world is Matala Beach and its hippie village. Located on the southwestern side of Crete, Elafonissi is a fantastic beach with exotic crystal waters. Located between the southern side of the Aegean Sea and the northern side of the Libyan Sea, Crete gets very popular in summer due to the gorgeous beaches, the traditional lifestyle of the locals and the beautiful nature. This place is a heaven on earth, with soft white and pink sand and with cedar trees reaching the coastline. According to the currents, the lagoon can range from just a few inches to up to a meter high. Agia Fotia has developed as a lovely tourist resort over the last years, however it keeps its quiet atmosphere. It has a rich history going back to the beginnings of modern society and a culture full of warmth and hospitality. This is one of the most popular tourist beaches on the south coast of Crete. But in Crete, except for a few other gems that I have found (and I am listing further in this article), I have found that the following beaches are famous for a … Hi there. These are our favorite Crete beaches but are in no Kids Love Greece: Briefly, how would you describe the island as a holiday destination for families? The crystal waters and the relaxing environment amaze all visitors at first sight. With our help, it will be easy to find the best beaches in Crete. Heraklion | Chania | Rethymno | Lassithi. Please send us a request and we will rapidly answer you with a free quote! "The beach has two sections the first section pebble which was our favourite part with glorious views and a lovely chilled out cantina serving great food, cold beer, perfect background music and friendly staff." Today, romantics from all over the world enjoy... Sweetwater Beach. Chrissi island is a wonderful day trip to make during your holiday on Crete. These are the best places for kid-friendly beaches in Crete: Which places provide the best beaches in Crete for couples? Where to eat? Due to its difficult access the beach is very calm with a few swimmers enjoying the beautiful area. Falassarna is not as grandiose as the other best beaches in Crete but is is one of the most practical. The summer season starts quite early on Crete, most beaches start welcoming people from the last days of April, with the season normally ending in late October. This place amazes visitors with stunning natural beauty. These are the best places for budget-friendly beaches in Crete: Which places provide the most romantic beaches in Crete? Top Greek islands & Mainland Destinations, Most popular Greek islands & mainland destinations.