Best Beaches on Crete

See Greece chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.

Choosing the best beaches on Crete is an impossible job, as Greece’s largest island has hundreds of them. Some are always incredibly busy, and you can’t blame people for flocking to the beautiful settings of beaches like Vai and Elafonisi, on opposite corners of the island.

You can also find quiet coves and little beaches down tracks, which you can enjoy in solitude. You’ll have to find those for yourself, though. Here we’ve listed our top ten personal favourite beaches, that are either extremely scenic or have some unusual feature about them. We list our top ten Crete beaches in strictly alphabetical order.

Ayia Galini

The long strip of beach has more rocks than sand, but is pleasantly lined with tavernas. Although the town can get busy it is a real delight off-season.

Balos Beach

This beach by Balos Lagoon is one of the most photographed on the island. It’s about 56 kms (35 miles) northwest of Chania and has soft white sand and a Caribbean feel to it.

Elafonísi

Elafonisi Beach on Crete — Elafonisi Beach

The vast beach here has even been called the best beach in Greece. It’s usually busy but there’s acres of space on its mix of pink and white sand. Lots of shallow waters too. It’s in the southwest of the island, just over an hour’s drive west of Palaiochora.

Falassarna

In the northwest corner of Crete, this soft sand beach has plenty of facilities including windsurfing in summer. It’s actually made up of five different beaches, and has been voted the best beach on Crete and even one of the best in Europe.

Istro Beach

This long sandy beach is one of the best beaches close to the town of Agios Nikolaos. It’s usually busy but it’s also big and has beautifully clear water. There are several other beaches nearby, both sand and pebble, so you can choose between them.

Matala

Matala Beach, on the southern coast of Crete, is famous for its striking sandstone cliffs carved with ancient caves. Once a haven for hippies in the 1960s, it blends history with a relaxed seaside vibe. The sandy beach and clear waters attract swimmers, while tavernas and sunsets add to its distinctive charm.

Plakiás

Plakias Beach, on the south coast of Crete, is a long, sweeping stretch of sand and pebbles facing the Libyan Sea. Known for its clear, deep waters and steady breezes, it’s popular for swimming and windsurfing. Backed by mountains and a relaxed village, it offers a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere than northern resorts.

Préveli Beach

This lovely sandy beach is near the monastery of the same name, at the foot of the Kourtaliotikos Gorge. Here a river flows into the sea, and the beach is backed by palm groves, giving it a tropical feel. Don’t forget to dress respectably if you also plan to visit the monastery.

Rethymnon

Crete’s third-largest town, Rethymnon, has one of the best long beaches on the north coast, running for several miles. There are numerous other beaches within easy reach, too, both east and west of the town.

Vái Beach

Vai Beach is famous for its unique natural palm forest—the largest in Europe—fringing golden sands and clear turquoise waters. Located on the east coast near Crete’s north-eastern tip, it feels almost tropical. Visitors enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and scenic views, though it can get busy during peak summer months.