All four prefectures of
Crete Greece offer splendid beaches and we recommend purchasing a good map of Crete and visiting as many as possible. The most popular Crete beaches are:
Chania Crete Beaches
Agia Marina, Agii Apostoli, Balos, Falasarna, Georgioupolis, Kalyves, Kastelli-Kissamos, Kolymbari and Platanias, as well as Gramvoussa Island on the northern coast of the Chania Prefecture, and Domata, Frangokastelo, Fournoti, Loutro, and the isles of Elafonissi and Gavdos, which are celebrated for their clear waters, on the southern coast of the Chania Prefecture.
Heraklion Crete Beaches
Agia Pelagia, Ammoudara, Fodele, Gournes, Hersonissos, Malia, Mononaftis and Stalida (Stalis) on the northern coast of the Heraklion Prefecture, and Agios Nikitas, Dermatos, Kalamaki and Katalyki, Lendas, Loutra and Matala on the southern coast of the Heraklion Prefecture.
Lassithi Crete Beaches
Almyros, Amoudara, Driros, Elounda, Havania, Istro, Milatos, Mochlos, Pachia Ammos, Plaka, Sisi, Sitia and the islands of Chryssi, Koufonissi and Spinalonga, which have turquoise waters and powder-like sand, on the northern coast of the Lassithi Prefecture, Agia Fotia, Ierapetra, Langada, Makrygialos, Myrtos and Xerokambos on the southern coast of the Lassithi Prefecture, and Itanos, Kato Zakros, Palekastro and the famous Palm Tree Beach of Vai on the eastern coast of the Lassithi.
Rethymon Crete Beaches
Near Rethymnon Town, and in Adele, Bali, Episkopi, Gerani, Panormos and Platanes on the northern coast of the Rethymnon Prefecture, and Agia Galini, Agios Georgios, Agios Pavlos, Ammoudi, Damnoni, Plakias, Preveli, Rodakino and Triopetra on the southern coast of the Rethymnon.
Beaches in western
Crete are strung like washing along the north and south coasts with a mighty string of mountains between. The mountains are so dominant that, as storms and rain batter the north, the south can enjoy warm and peaceful skies. Some northern beaches have turned belly up to the package tour industry, especially along the strip west of
Chania, but many more a low key, almost sedate air.
The west coast beaches are more remote and have few tourist facilities yet are so beautiful they are a magnet to coach trippers. In the south the mountains plunge vertically into the sea leaving much of the coast uninhabited but with occasional bays host small unassuming resorts. Wherever you are, that mountain backdrop provides awesomely splendid scenery. The west cost of Crete provides some of the most remote, some say the finest, beaches in the whole of
Crete. Many are spectacular indeed and the dramatic coastline itself makes a visit worthwhile. But facilities are few here and many take the day trip option offered by tour firms and boat owners.
