The best 20 beaches in Crete

<< Anyone in this island feels a mysterious power, warm, good to be branched into his veins, and grow his soul>> Reference to Greco, Nikos Kazantzakis

Crete is the largest island in Greece and for many people the most beautiful. We found and present to you the 20 beaches of the island, to visit in which prefecture you are, in order to experience its unique beauty. Enjoy!!

Prefecture Chania

1.Seitan Limania Beach. The wider area is named Seitan Limania, after the wild landscape, the steep cliffs and the strong sea streams which are considered dangerous. Here are situated three parallel narrow coves, well protected from the waves. In the northern cove a tiny fantastic beach is shaped, with deep azure waters, namely the beach of Stefanou.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/seitan-limania-krhth-2/

2. Elafonissi Beach. The beach has white sand and turquoise waters, reminiscent of exotic landscape from an exotic Caribbean. Sand in many places gets pink colors from the thousands of broken pillows. At the point where the peninsula breaks the water does not exceed half a meter and creates a small lagoon with warm waters, ideal for children. It has joined the Natura Protected Area network, as it is an ecosystem of exceptional ecological importance that unfortunately has been downgraded due to the huge number of visitors. In the dunes of Elafonissi there are many endemic species of flora, while the white lilies of the bloom blossoming in autumn are impressed. This is where the turtle turtles nest and some sand dunes.
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3. Balos Beach. Balos is definitely the most photographed beach of Crete, a very favorite theme of all tourist guides in Greece. It is famous for its turquoise waters, wild natural beauty and exquisite exotic scenery. In the summer, the beach is flooded daily by hundreds of visitors, who mostly arrive by boat from Kissamos.
The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, deep blue-green and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal destination for young children as well. In many places the sand has a lovely pink color, coming from the crushed shell shells.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/balos-beach-krhth/

4. Falasarna beach. Falasarna beach is a bay with a deep blue sea and endless light sand, giving the water a tropical color. The area around Falasarna is enchanting and it is part of Natura Protected Areas. You can expect on the beach until the sunset, which is considered the best in Crete.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/falasarna-beach-crete/

Pachia Ammos Beach. The beach of Pahia Ammos is located on the west side of Paleochora, 79km south of Chania city. It is the main beach of Paleochora, well organized and in close proximity to all touristic amenities. The beach is almost 500m long, which makes it always seem empty. It has fine soft sand and shallow water. However, when westerly or southerly winds blow, the waves are quite big and need attention.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/pachia-ammos-beach-crete/

Prefecture Rethymno

1. Beach of Agios Pavlos. The beach of Agios Pavlos, perhaps the most beautiful beach of prefecture Rethymnon, is a fantastic bay in a wild and majestic scenic landscape with huge sandhills. There are a few umbrellas, but you can find shade in the rocky caves shaped in the middle of the beach. Moreover, given its large size, the beach never seems busy and you can easily stay nude even in peak season. The beach has rich seabed and is ideal for snorkeling.The sunset of the area is stunning.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/agios-pavlos-beach-crete/

2. Agia Galini Beach. The sea in the area is almost always calm. The part of the beach near the port is very well organized and provides all the necessary amenities. It has fine pebbles and cold water, due to the river Platys or Amarianos which is located 200m east of the port. In the area near the river, ruins of an ancient temple of Artemis have been identified. If you cross the river (there is a metal bridge), you will find the second beach which extends further 1km to the east. The beach has small pebbles and is less organized. Next to it, there is the camping site of Agia Galini.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/agia-galini-beach-rethymno-crete/

3. Plakias Beach. Along the beach there is a road, ideal for walking or cycling. Along this road there are several restaurants and hotels, while on the beach there are tamarisk trees, umbrellas, water sports, beach volley courts, snack bars, changing rooms, showers, etc.The eastern part of the long beach is called Paligremnos. Characteristic of Paligremnos are nearby vertical cliffs that rise to a great height that attract many climbers. In Paligremnos a strange phenomenon takes place on every full moon, from September to January. The moonlight is reflected in the mirror-like towering cliffs.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/plakias-beach-rethymno-crete/

4. Preveli Beach. On the beach there is also the mouth of the Kourtaliotis River, which has enough water and in the summer before spilling into the sea forms a small lagoon. Behind the beach and along the lake and the river there is a small forest of palm trees that looks like an exotic place. The visitor can enjoy the beach with the amazing sandy beach with cold, crystal blue waters, swim in the lake, walk in the palm grove, and climb the river.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/preveli-beach-rethymno-crete/

5. Schinaria Beach. Schinaria is a small beach on both ends of which there are rocks that encircle it. On the coast you will find fine sand and pebble, while the crystal clear waters with the magnificent blue-green color deepen sharply. At the seabed, in a large part of it, you will encounter in the first meters sand and then you will find beautiful rocky formations. This results in the bottom being rich and impressive by hosting many marine organisms and causing the diving school to operate. It has a limited number of sun loungers and umbrellas and there is also a tavern. There is also plenty of room available if you want to use your own equipment.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/schinaria-beach-rethymno-crete/

Prefecture Heraklion

1. Matala Beach. Matala with its homonymous sandy beach of 300 meters long and the countless carved caves on the tall rocks that surround it, forming a closed secluded bay, is one of the most popular destinations in Crete. The beach has sand, fine pebbles and deep water. It is well organized with umbrellas, deck chairs, showers, toilets, while there is a lifeguard for the bathers’ safety. The beach is ideal for water sports, and there are beach volleyball courts, where games are also organized. These impressive caves, from prehistory to the Hellenistic and Roman times was used as a place of residence or burial place of the dead, and much later, in the late 60s the “flower children”, the hippies, settled and lived to them.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/matala-beach-heraklio-crete/

2. Ligaria Beach. The bay of Lygaria is closed and protected from winds and frequent summer winds, so it is almost always a safe choice for families. The beach is very beautiful with thick sand and turquoise waters, while the kayaks make the landscape magical and only 21 kilometers from Heraklion. It is well organized with umbrellas, deck chairs, water sports, diving school, beach bars, tavernas and rooms.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/ligaria-beach-heraklio-crete/

3. Kalamaki Beach. The beach has thick sand, while in the sea there is a plaque. The large waves usually erected by the northwest winds, coupled with the rocky bottom, make it difficult for some days to swim and to enter the sea. In front of the settlement the beach is organized, with umbrellas, chairs, taverns, rooms, lifeguard, playground, water sports.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/kalamaki-beach-heraklio-crete/

4. Agiofarago Beach. Agiofarago, which was named after the 300 hermits who practiced it, is a small 1 km long gorge in the south of Matala. The gorge ends up on a beach, surrounded by tall, imposing rocks. It is a unique beauty, secluded beach with fine pebbles and deep, crystal clear waters. Access to this is done either through the gorge or by boat from Kali Limenes, Matala and Agia Galini. Agiofarago is also preferred for camping, especially by those who have a boat, as otherwise the transfer of campsite equipment is possible only through the canyon.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/agiofarago-beach-heraklio-crete/

5. Analipsi Beach. The beach of Analipsi is a long sandy beach, well organized and open to the north. From there the beach stretches eastwards to the stream of Arapi, on the border with Anissaras. West of the church the beach is rocky. Few will prefer it for a bath unless they want to enjoy the seclusion that they offer or a delightful walk down the alpine. If you like fishing off the coast, the rocks on the beach offer the ideal seabed for this sport. Walking west you will come across a small sandy beach, suitable for swimming especially when the wind rises to the other beaches. At the end of the road there is another sandy beach next to the estuary of the Aposelemis River, with some ducks making their walks and attracting the attention of the visitors.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/analipsi-beach-heraklio-crete/

Prefecture Lasithi

1. Vai Beach. Vai beach is sandy with golden fine sand and pebbles at its northern edge. It is fully organized and has deck chairs, rattan umbrellas, and wooden walks for a comfortable walk on the beach. In Vai there is the possibility of doing water sports such as banana, jet ski, wakeboard and more. The beach has the Blue Flag of the European Union. If you are willing to walk a bit, you can climb the stairs to the side of the beach and go to the observatory, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire area and the beautiful palm trees of Vai. Vai, or more specifically the Vai palm forest, is one of the most popular attractions in Crete and one of the most beautiful and unique locations in the entire Mediterranean. Vai Palm Tree is located in Crete, in the prefecture of Lasithi. It is located at the eastern edge of Crete by the sea, specifically on the Cretan coast of the Carpathian Sea.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/vai-beach-lasithi-crete/

2. Agia Fotia Beach. It is a quiet, sheltered beach with tall rocks, fine pebbles, sand and crystal, crystal clear waters that are steep, while there are many tall pines, olive trees and olive trees around. The beach is quite organized. Besides sun loungers, umbrellas and showers, you will find some taverns and rooms to let. There is also a beach volleyball court and a beach volleyball tournament is organized every July. The beach is also ideal for underwater exploration. Its name is due to the temple of Agia Fotini which is built near the beach.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/agia-fotia-beach-lasithi-crete/

3. Voulisma Beach. About 12 km southeast of Agios Nikolaos on the way to Ierapetra, there is the beautiful beach of Istro or Voulisma as it is known otherwise. Blue, clear and crystal clear waters, white sand and verdant slopes are the features of this coastline. There are sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as a canteen for coffee or food. Istro beach is quiet and ideal for relaxation. In the area you can find rooms to let and taverns.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/voulisma-beach-lasithi-crete/

4. Makrigialos Beach. It is a large beach area, near the village of Analipsi. The waters are shallow and crystal clear and the coast is sandy. The beach is organized and in the fishing village of Makry Gialos you will find all the comforts. Rooms, taverns and cafes. Makry Gialos is an ideal destination for families.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/makrigialos-beach-lasithi-crete/

5. Chrysi Island and Beaches. Chrysi or Gaidouronisi is located 8 nautical miles south of Ierapetra and has a length of 5 km and an average width of about 1 km. The impression created on someone who visits Golden is that it is located on an exotic island. Its beaches have white and blond sand, while they are pinked by shell fragments scattered in many places. Their waters are crystal and clear with turquoise shades. Chrysi survives a large cedar tree, 350 acres, with large, impressive cedar trees. The entire island has been included in the NATURA 2000 European Nature Conservation Program and is protected by Greek law. 49 species of fossils have been found on the volcanic rocks of the island. To visit the island, boat trips take place daily from Ierapetra, from mid-May to the end of October. The trip takes less than 1 hour. The boat will leave you at the port on the southern coast of the island, at Vougiou Mati. Right next to you will find the South Beach, which has blond sand and shallow, crystal clear waters. In it you will find, besides umbrellas, several cedar trees to relax in their shade. From the South Beach, a trail runs through the sand dunes and crosses the island, leading to the beaches of Belegrina, Chatzivolakas and Kataprosopo. A 5-minute walk from South Beach and the port of the island, Belegrina beach (or Golden Beach) is located. It is the most popular beach of Chryssi and is located on the northern coast of the island. It is a beautiful beach with white sand, broken shells and shallow, blue-green, crystal clear waters. The image resembles an exotic beach.
http://mygreekheart.com/en/item/chrysi-beach-crete/