Crete Beaches: Our Favourite Beaches Near Chania and Beyond

Crete beaches are some of the most beautiful in Greece. The island is big, so you can find pink sand, palm forests, wild lagoons and tiny coves. Here are our favourites, from the west near Chania to the south and east of the island.

Crete beaches in the west

• Elafonisi. In the far south-west, with shallow turquoise water and sand that looks pink in places. It is a protected nature area, so please leave the sand and shells. It is about two hours’ drive from Chania.
• Balos. A lagoon at the north-west tip of the island. You can reach it by boat from Kissamos port, or by a rough road and a steep walk down.
• Falassarna. A long sandy beach on the west coast. In fact, it is one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset.

Near Chania town

Seitan Limania is a tiny cove between steep cliffs on the Akrotiri peninsula, close to Chania. The path down is rocky, so wear good shoes. After a swim, head back to Chania old town for dinner by the harbour.

Crete beaches in the south

• Preveli. A river runs through a palm forest and meets the sea. As a result, you can swim in fresh water and salt water on the same day.
• Matala. Famous for the caves in its cliffs, where travellers lived in the 1960s. Today, it is a lively little beach town.

Crete beaches in the east

Vai, in the far east, has a palm forest right behind the sand. It feels almost tropical. Similarly, the coast around it has quiet coves with clear water.

Tips for visiting Crete beaches

• First, start early. The most famous beaches get busy by late morning in summer.
• Next, bring water, shade and snacks, because some beaches have no facilities.
• Also, check the wind. When it blows from the north, south coast beaches are often calmer.
• Finally, take your rubbish home and stay on marked paths in protected areas.

You can read more about the island on Wikipedia.

All photographs in this article © Simov P Store. All rights reserved.