Along with tsikoudya, dakos, traditions, history and, of course, hospitality, Crete is famous throughout the world for its beautiful beaches. The island not only boasts beautiful pebble beaches, but also stunning sandy beaches with white, yellow, dark gray and even pink sand... Below are the most famous beaches, a visit to which will forever remain in your memory.
Elafonisi
Where: in the southwest of Crete, 78 km from the city of Chania
“If you haven’t seen Elafonisi yet, you haven’t seen anything,” this is what they say to everyone who came to Crete and did not visit Elafonisi beach. Turquoise waters, pink sand and incredible scenery - this is how Elafonisi Beach can be summed up very briefly.
You can wade onto the small island, since the water level during the crossing rarely rises above the knee.
Kedrodasos
Where: 76 km west of Chania and 1 km west of the famous Elafonisi beach
When you come to Elafonisi, be sure to visit Kedrodasos beach with a cedar forest, which is located just one kilometer away. It's a fantastic place with white sand, azure water, smooth pebbles and junipers growing everywhere. In recent years, Kedrodasos Beach has become very popular among vacationers, so you won’t be able to enjoy solitude here.
Balos
Where: in the northwest of Crete, on the Gramvousa peninsula
Agiofarango
Where: south of Heraklion, near Matala
Agiofarango is a small gorge leading to a bay closed on both sides by high rocks with a cozy and clean beach. You can get here either by walking through the gorge or by boat from the ports of Kali Limenes, Kokkinos Pyrgos or Agia Galini (which is why the beach has retained its pristine beauty). If you decide to go to Agiofarango beach walking through the gorge, keep in mind that the walk will take approximately 1.5 hours.
Tripiti
Where: south of Heraklion about 73 km, very close to Lendas
The small Tripiti beach with crystal clear water and small pebbles is located at the end of the gorge of the same name. There are no umbrellas or sun loungers, only one tavern with traditional Cretan cuisine. This place is suitable for those who want to relax quietly away from the bustle of the city.
Plaka
Where: about 16 km north of Agios Nikolaos, 5 km from the village of Elounda
Fabulous Plaka beach located in a bay well protected from wind and waves. The beach is well organized, there are umbrellas, sun loungers and a wide range of water sports. Plaka has many hotels considered to be the best in Crete, as well as a large selection of restaurants, cafes and bars. From here you have a beautiful view of the island of Spinalonga, which can be reached by boat that goes to the island every hour.
Kolokita
Where: in the Elounda area, 16 km from the town of Agios Nikolaos
Despite the funny name (translated from Greek: Pumpkin), Kolokita beach is one of the best in Elounda. To get to the beach, you need to drive along the dirt road to the Church of St. Luke (Αγίου Λουκά), and then, leaving the car near the church, walk to the beach. The magnificent Koloquita Beach with white sand and turquoise water will open before you. There are many trees growing here where you can hide from the scorching Cretan sun.
Gaidouronisi / Chrysi
Where: 8 nautical miles south of Ierapetra
The small island of Chrissi (translated from Greek: Golden) is one of the most beautiful places in Greece, known throughout the world. The name "Chrisi" was given to the island because of the golden color of the sand. The island is included in the Natura 2000 environmental protection program because it has endemic plants and a cedar forest. You can get to Chrissi Beach by boat from Ierapetra. There are several taverns on the island where you can enjoy Cretan cuisine, but there are no hotels.
A source of information:
Why do many families, when choosing a resort for a holiday with children, prefer greek island Crete? If you carefully read numerous reviews on forums and travel websites, it will become clear what exactly influences the choice of Russians.
Undoubtedly it is:
- the location of the island of Crete, most convenient for fast flights;
- an amazing climate that makes holidays with children extremely beneficial for health;
- magnificent beaches and clear sea;
- rich cultural heritage, safety and hospitality;
- small villages and towns scattered along the coast surrounded by mountains and valleys with vineyards and olive groves;
- good .
Resorts and beaches are scattered throughout the island, and in each of its four regions (Heraklion, Lasithi, Chania, Rethymno) you can always find something suitable for families with children. Although most of them are traditionally located on the eastern and northern coast of Crete. The tourist infrastructure is better developed here, there is more entertainment, and many facilities for comfortable and varied accommodation.
However, as for holidays in Crete, all these divisions of resorts into categories (for youth, family holidays, etc.) are very arbitrary. Wherever we go, we can find a resort where we would like to return again and again.
Without diminishing the importance of cognitive and excursion holiday, after all, most often, we go to Crete with our children for a beach recreational holiday. All conditions have been created for this. Partly, nature itself took care of this, covering kilometers of coastal areas with small lagoons, warm water and hot sun with soft sand and comfortable small pebbles.
Even the sand here comes in very unusual colors: in addition to the usual golden and white, there are beaches with pink and even black sand. However, such a natural phenomenon and the abundance of various beaches are easily explained. After all, the island of Crete is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
Beaches and resorts of Heraklion - the central region of Crete
In this largest area of the island there are several wonderful resorts that position themselves as family-friendly and provide all the necessary services for a comfortable children's holiday.
The beaches of the small resort of Gouves (18 km from Heraklion - the capital of the island) are pebble and sandy, long and well equipped. They are regularly awarded Blue Flags for cleanliness and ecology. The sea is warm, shallow near the shore, and the entrance to the water is shallow. But in windy weather, due to the open coastline, there are strong waves.
The beaches of Kokkini Hani (15 km from Heraklion) are varied: spacious sandy and pebble, well equipped. But the main thing that attracts families with children here is the nearby Water City water park.
Amoudara (8 km from Heraklion) has spacious sandy beaches stretching 5 kilometers in length. Excellent infrastructure and proximity to attractions and the capital have made this place extremely popular among holidaymakers.
The beaches of Agia Pelagia are a luxury resort located in a small bay (25 km from Heraklion). The sea, protected from the winds by rocky cliffs, is always calm. The beach is sandy. But there is a serious inconvenience for children - the entrance to the water is not gentle, but rather sharp.
The resort village of Stalida with excellent infrastructure and an advantageous location (from here it is convenient to get acquainted with all the attractions in eastern Crete), with wide sandy beaches. Here all the buildings are one or two floors, which organically fit into the mountain landscape. And the hotels in the village offer comfortable and inexpensive accommodation. All this makes this resort convenient for a family, relaxing holiday.
The resort of Malia (next to the resort of Stalida) is famous for its good sandy beach. There is no embankment as such. And the entertainment area is present in a larger volume than in Stalida.
The beach of Hersonissos is quite narrow, with a good entry into the sea and a coastline with coarse sand. The resort is very noisy, crowded, party-oriented, recommended mainly for youth recreation. Vacationers with children will most likely not like such a fun atmosphere. But if these circumstances do not bother you, here you can find good hotels with their own sandy beaches, convenient for family holidays.
Resorts and beaches of Lassithi - the most picturesque region of Crete
This is perhaps the sunniest, but also the most expensive region of the island in its eastern part, which is home to the stunning Mirabello Bay. It is washed from the northern part by the Cretan Sea, and from the southern part by the Libyan Sea.
Its main resorts are: Agios Nikolaos - the most beautiful picturesque coastal city of Crete (and the capital of the region), which is sometimes called the “Cretan Saint-Tropez”, luxurious and expensive Elounda and Ierapetra - considered the southernmost city in Europe.
The beaches of Agios Nikolaos are very different: sandy and sand and pebbles. But they are all calm, quiet and very clean. Most of them are surrounded by hotels.
Celebrities and the rich often prefer to relax at the Elounda resort. Everything is provided here for perfect comfortable rest, including for children: an endless sea, varied landscapes, magnificent hotels with equally luxurious beaches for family holidays, located in a small beautiful bay in an almost closed bay, well protected from the winds.
Voulisma Beach - a charming small lagoon with soft fine golden sand, azure clear water, surrounded by bizarre rocks - is located 12 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos near the village of Kalo Chorio in Mirabello Bay. The entrance is very good, the bottom is clean and level - the place is ideal for children.
The beaches of Ierapetra are magnificent and numerous. They stretched for a seven-kilometer strip along the coast of this southern city, indented by picturesque secluded bays. The westernmost and most popular is well equipped, sandy, but the bottom is rocky. Katarades beach is covered with dark coarse sand, the bottom is also rocky. There are beaches covered with small gray pebbles mixed with sand. All of them are marked with Blue Flags for cleanliness and environmental friendliness.
Chrissi island beach – small paradise, located in the Libyan Sea, with soft white sand, clear water, with a good gentle and level entrance to the sea. There is a desire to compare it with tropical islands. Only, unlike palm trees, centuries-old Lebanese cedars grow here.
On east coast The Lasithi region has a series of not very well-known small resort villages with unique sandy beaches.
Vai Beach is magnificent, with soft sand and crystal clear water. Its main feature is that a real tropical forest of wild palm trees grows next to it. Warm shallow water and excellent entry into the water make it very good for small children. And its popularity, especially in the high season, is simply off the charts.
Makrigialos beach with fine pleasant sand and always warm shallow water is good for beach holiday with kids. It is small but well equipped and has everything you need.
Lagoofa beach is located in the same way as the previous one, on the coast of Makrigialos near large hotels in lagoons sheltered from the winds. The water here is warm and shallow. This attracts tourists with children. In addition, the east coast is not so crowded, and you can always find a quiet place here.
Ammoudi Beach is cozy, with fine golden sand, surrounded by white rocks. The bottom is flat. But there is nowhere to hide from the sun; you must take an umbrella.
Sissy – in the past a simple fishing village - today a resort with several sandy beaches: Bufos, Kalimera Kriti.
Resorts and beaches of the Chania region - the greenest part of Crete
This westernmost region of the island is home to a mass of magnificent, many-kilometer-long Cretan beaches - pink Elafonisi, snow-white Balos, the huge Falasarna beach, and many other, less famous, but no less charming beaches where you can relax with children.
Chania has all the conditions for this - a large number of cozy bays, quiet and windless, sandy beaches with a good entrance to the sea, equipped beach areas with children's playgrounds and simple but fun attractions.
Many kilometers of beaches with amazing pink sand are found only in Chania. And the most famous of them is Elafonisi. This beach is simply adored by children and their parents: shallow, warm, clean water, with a nice gentle slope into the sea. You can meet swimmers here as early as April, because the water here is a little warmer than in other places on the island. The downside is that there is often strong wind and sometimes it is crowded.
The magnificent beaches of Falasarna with snow-white soft sand with pink splashes and azure warm water, a smooth entrance to the sea are the best in Crete. There are 5 of them in total and they are located nearby, following the shore one after the other. Their territory is huge and it is partially equipped. Due to the vast territory, there is never a crowd here and you can always find a secluded place.
The wonderful beaches of Georgioupolis with a gentle, safe entry even for children attract families with children to these places. The local unique flavor of the fishing village and pristine nature make these places even more attractive.
The beaches of Kavros are sandy, wide, clean, with shallow seas - the best that can be offered for children. The disadvantage is that there are often waves in the open bay.
The sandy beach of Platanias, 4 kilometers long, is well equipped and has been awarded the Blue Flag more than once. The resort is quite lively and popular.
Agia Marina is a small town and resort with a magnificent sandy beach. It is the largest on the island and the most comfortable with picturesque pine forests.
Kalamaki Beach is sandy with a picturesque small bay and shallow bottom. Located in the village of Galatas.
The sandy beach of Agia Apostoli is located in two bays, well protected from the wind. The water is clean, around there are beautiful rock formations and a picturesque small park with a pine grove.
Chrissi Akti beach consists of two bays with a sandy beach separated by a picturesque hill. One of them, located to the west, with a smooth entrance to the water and shallow water.
Stavros beach with bright yellow sand, located in a beautiful, almost closed bay on all sides at the foot of the mountain in the quiet and peaceful village of Stavros (Akrotiri peninsula), is considered one of the best in Chania for a family holiday, even with kids. It is always quiet and windless here, there is an easy entrance to the sea, and well-warmed water.
Maronti Beach is an ideal place for children and those who have not yet learned to swim. These are several sandy beaches in a large bay sheltered from the wind in the village that bears the same name. There is a very good flat bottom and a picturesque view of the White Mountains.
Loutraki beach, like Maronti and Stavros, is a very suitable place for a beach holiday with children on warm, soft sand. There is amazingly clean and transparent water, a flat bottom, beautiful sand, and a quiet shore.
The beaches of Palaiochora are loved by families with children for several reasons. Beaches with both soft sand and those covered with small, rolled, non-prickly pebbles stretch for several kilometers. There are always clean and transparent coastal waters, a gentle entrance and a good bottom. One of the beaches of this resort, Pachia Ammos, is well protected from the winds.
Kalyves Beach – with a quiet calm sea, protected from waves and winds from the north by the Akrotiri peninsula. One part of it is covered with golden sand, the second with small pebbles, regularly awarded the Blue Flag.
Kissamos – resort town near the sea far from tourist places(42 kilometers from Chania) for relaxation in peace and quiet with a child. There are a lot of hotels in Kissamos itself and its surroundings. They are mostly small, homely and cozy, relatively inexpensive.
Not far from Kissamos are the island's famous beaches of Elafonisi, Falasarna and Balos Lagoon.
Balos Bay – most beautiful place The Mediterranean, where three seas meet: Mediterranean, Cretan and Ionian. The water in the bay is unique in its mineral composition, its color is completely unusual - bright azure with shades of turquoise, blue and green. The sand is pink and white, and the water is warm and absolutely clear. According to many, this beautiful beach of the Mediterranean is convenient for families with children: shallow water, you can sunbathe while lying right in the water on the sand.
Beaches and resorts of Rethymno
Due to its proximity to the capital and famous attractions, the Rethymno region is considered a good resort location for tourists. For a beach holiday, there are long sandy, clean beaches (16 km) with secluded coves and a smooth slope of the seabed. There are many calm and quiet villages on the coast where you can spend an unforgettable vacation with your children.
City of Rethymno (“Venice in the mountains”) – beautiful city Greece, striking with lush greenery, flowers, beauty of landscapes with ecologically clean beaches. It is approximately equally distant from Chania and Heraklion.
In Rethymnon there is a good city sandy beach near the embankment, quite comfortable and clean, with warm shallow water, with attractions and opportunities for active rest.
It may not be worth choosing the city itself for living with children - it’s a bit noisy. But a series of small cozy seaside villages located nearby are quite suitable for young tourists.
Sandy, clean and equipped beaches of Adele in the resort area located from Rethymno to the east - a good option for a relaxing beach holiday. But there are some disadvantages - the coastline is open, there are strong winds and waves. In addition, when entering the water, there are rocky areas in some areas of the beach. When choosing a hotel, you need to clarify this circumstance.
Platanias – quiet little resort village close to Rethymnon with sandy beaches for a secluded, relaxing holiday.
Skaleta Beach is sandy, well-equipped, and is positioned as a resort for a relaxing beach family holiday. There are only a few hotels in the village.
Panormo is a small resort village (22 kilometers from Rethymno) with a particularly authentic, calm atmosphere and a popular place for families with children. The beaches are located in a bay, sheltered from waves and wind, the bottom is flat, the sea is shallow - what else is needed for safe holiday with small children.
The four main sandy beaches of Bali are a place for a contemplative, serene holiday in a relaxed atmosphere among mountain slopes covered with greenery, in bays with clear and very clean water. There are never waves in the quietest bay of Karavostasi (or Evita), which is protected from the wind by a mountain cape.
For those vacationing in this area with children, one feature of the terrain needs to be taken into account - quite steep climbs uphill to the resort location and descents back down to the sea.
Preveli Beach is covered with small pebbles and is a natural attraction. It's beautiful here sand dunes, amazing palm groves, beautiful sea and strange looking layered rocks.
The state of the beach along with good hotel and convenient location - perhaps the main factors influencing our choice when we go to Crete with children. All that remains is to choose the right resort and hotel that will not allow you to be disappointed when going to the island of Crete with the whole family.
To determine how safe it is to enter the sea, experts advise checking this parameter with the descriptions of a particular hotel. Or additionally request this information from the hotel or tour operators. Most often, on private beaches the entrance to the sea is always sandy (due to bulk sand). And from the descriptions it follows that most of the Cretan beaches meet in all respects the requirements set by parents when looking for a beach for children. Have a good holiday everyone!
Some of these coastal areas are located far from popular resorts, so it’s more convenient to stop in a populated area, and from there go to admire the snow-white sand. The easiest way to make your choice is by looking at photos of Crete’s white sand beaches and their location on the map.
Popular beaches on the map of Crete
Don't forget about the following nuances:
The so-called “white” beaches naturally attract many tourists, so if you want to enjoy solitude, it is better to go there early;
if you are just interested in seeing what a white sand beach looks like once, it makes sense to rent a car or go to the nearest one public transport– bus service on the island is regular, so you will not have any difficulties getting to the right place;
As with any other beaches, be prepared to pay extra for umbrellas and sun loungers (but parking will be free in most cases).
Which white sand beaches are considered the best?
If you look at the map, there is a beach with white sand in all parts of the island. If we talk about the best white sand beaches in Crete, then according to the general opinion of tourists and experts, this category includes:
1. Platanias– a four-kilometer beach area in the north of Crete, characterized by excellent tourist infrastructure. In addition to beach equipment and lifeguard stations, you will find a huge number of souvenir shops, water activities, changing cabins, showers, as well as various bars and restaurants. You can admire the island of St. Theodore from the shore, and for diving enthusiasts there are places to rent scuba diving equipment.
2. – located two kilometers from Platanias and adjacent to the area where prestigious nightclubs are located.
3. Kedrodasos- a magical place, the peculiarity and advantage of which is the absence of crowds of tourists, and this despite the fact that literally a kilometer away is Elafonisi, where many people come every day to see the beach with pink sand. The only thing worth considering is that due to its privacy, nudists often gather on this beach.
4. Balos– extremely beautiful, but located in hard to reach place a beach best reached by boat from Kissamos.
5. Falasarna – unique territory on the Gramvusa peninsula, where there is a lot of space and very clean. Due to the fact that there are no city buildings or any elevations nearby, a feeling of unity with nature is created.
6. Potamos- a beach area that regularly receives the Blue Flag, where locals mainly spend time.
Crete, the largest Greek island, is known not only for its rich history, dating back several thousand years, for its many monuments and attractions, and not only for its unique nature with a variety of flora and fauna species. It is also famous for its picturesque beaches, which attract more and more tourists every year. In this article we have described the most best beaches in Crete.
1. Balos
Balos is the best beach in Crete, with snow-white and pink sand, ornate spits cutting through the fabulously beautiful sea, surrounded by picturesque shores. This place is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean.
The beach is in the most beautiful bay Balos, which, together with the surrounding area, is declared a protected area. The beach has preserved its original appearance since ancient times, and no achievements of civilization have touched it. Balos beach is absolutely wild, there are no cafes, restaurants or other establishments nearby, and getting here is quite difficult.
The water in Balos Bay remains calm even when a strong storm rages at sea. The bay is famous for its extraordinary crystal water, which is so clear that on a bright sunny day you can count up to 10 different shades of color in it, ranging from soft azure to dark blue. This feature is explained by the fact that in the waters of Balos beach there are three seas at once: the Aegean, Ionian, and Libyan.
2. Elafonisi
The small island of Elafonisi is located 100 meters from Crete. Elafonisi beach is famous for its unique pink sand and crystal clear water so clear that you can easily see all the pebbles and grains of sand at the bottom. By local legend, the sand of Elafonisi acquired this color after the tragedy that took place in the spring of 1824, when the Turks carried out a brutal massacre of hundreds local residents, hidden on the island. But in fact, numerous small inclusions of shells and remnants of corals give the sand near the shore a pink color.
Due to the shallow depth, there are almost no storms on Elafonisi, and the water in the sea warms up quickly, so swimming season lasts from late April to October. The beach is perfect for all lovers of a relaxing holiday, including tourists with children.
3. Vai
Vai is one of the most beautiful beaches Crete, located on the east coast of the island in the Lasithi area. The beach has been declared a protected area. The word "vaya" translated from Greek means "palm branches." The beach got its name due to the unique palm forest growing next to it. The palm forest has several thousand trees and is the largest in Europe. Interestingly, it has a natural origin. According to legend, about two thousand years ago the Phoenicians landed on the island of Crete. After eating the fruits, they scattered date stones along the shore, from which a forest subsequently grew.
Along the palm forest lies a beach with golden sand and stunningly beautiful light turquoise sea. Vai Beach is very popular among local population, and among numerous guests of the island. There are always a lot of people here, especially in high season. According to many tourists, the sandy beach against the backdrop of a palm forest is reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Vai beach has a very convenient gradual entry into the water, which is well suited for those who like to swim in shallow water, and especially for children. Everyone has the opportunity to make a tireless climb to observation deck, from which on a clear day there will be a stunning view of the golden beach surrounded by palm forests, the endless blue sky, majestic mountains and an amazingly beautiful sea of various shades, with numerous rocky islands.
4. Red Beach
Red Beach is located near the famous village of Matala, where according to Greek mythology Zeus brought Europe. It should be noted that the path to the beach along mountain paths and under the scorching sun is very difficult. However, all the problems of the difficult transition to the Red Beach are compensated by the most beautiful landscapes of majestic mountains and endless sea space.
This amazing beach of Crete got its name thanks to the sand, which has a red tint. It acquired this color thanks to the reddish rocks located in this area. The rocks surrounding the beach on three sides are also red-brown in color. And the blue-green sea contrasts with the red shore. This gives the whole landscape a unique and fantastic atmosphere.
And in the northern part of the beach you can see a local landmark - a group of limestone sculptures that were left here by a Belgian sculptor, shocked by the beauty of this unusual place.
5. Matala Beach
The village of Matala is located in the south of Crete, between two mountains. This place has its own microclimate, one of the most favorable and healthy on the island. There is a clean transparent sea here, soft White sand, and from the windows of numerous bars and taverns in the evening you can admire the most beautiful sunsets. According to ancient Greek legend, the supreme god Zeus, turning into a bull, kidnapped the beautiful Europa and took her first to Matala and then to Gortyna.
The beautiful Matala beach is located near the village, the length of the beach is about 300 meters. Among the many visitors to Crete, it enjoys great attention, so there are usually a lot of people here. The beach has a convenient gentle entrance to the water. Waves are rare in these places, since the sandy shore is fenced off by rocks.
Nearby is another local attraction - ancient caves, where prehistoric people lived in ancient times. In these caves the first Christians hid from persecution by the authorities. The caves are located in the rocks surrounding the beach and are popular with tourists.
6. Beaches of Plakias
Plakias is a small resort village on south coast Crete, 35 kilometers from Rethymnon, on the shores of the Libyan Sea. Not so long ago it was a small fishing village. However, its convenient location, beautiful and varied nature, and many magnificent beaches have led to the fact that today Plakias has become a popular resort.
Plakias has 16 magnificent beaches. Among them there are sandy and pebble, large and miniature, well-equipped and absolutely wild. The most famous of them include: Plakias, Souza, Skinos, Damnoni, Paligremnosa, Amoudi, as well as the magnificent Schinaria - one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete.
Schinaria is a small beach with coarse gray sand, small pebbles and unusually clear crystal water. It is located among rocks and is almost impervious to winds and bad weather. In these places there is a fairly steep approach to the sea - the depth increases quickly. The decoration of the beach is amazing beauty small freshwater lakes that were formed thanks to a mountain river. Lush emerald vegetation grows next to these ponds.
Schinaria is perfect for anyone who dives or simply enjoys snorkeling. There is a special scuba diving center here. And this is not surprising, because in local waters numerous representatives of the local marine fauna are found in abundance: octopuses, crabs, squids and huge moray eels.
7. Frangokastello Beach
This beach is located in small village Crete, next to the famous medieval fortress of Frangokastello, built by the Venetians in the 14th century. It is washed by the warm Libyan Sea. As a matter of fact, there are four beaches near the fortress, but only one of them, the largest and most picturesque sandy beach, was given the name of the settlement.
At the edge of the water there is light golden sea sand, but moving away from the sea it gradually acquires a gray color with small dark inclusions, probably of volcanic origin. In this place there is a gradual entry into the sea, a flat bottom, waves are rare, so the beach is excellent for children. Since Frangokastello is located far from large settlements, there are not very many tourists here, and therefore you can enjoy your holiday in a calm environment, sea and sun. The beach is equipped with everything you need. Near the beach there are several taverns offering their guests to try delicious fish dishes.
8. Platanias Beach
Platanias is a resort village located a few kilometers from the city of Chania. The village got its name thanks to the plane trees growing around the river that crosses it.
The picturesque sandy beach of Platanias stretches for 4 kilometers along the coast and is the largest beach in Crete. In some places, white sand alternates with pebbles. The beach is very developed infrastructure: There are umbrellas, sun loungers and showers, as well as numerous cafes, taverns and various shops. There are also many water activities to suit every taste: you can go water skiing, diving or windsurfing, scooter and banana ride.
Opens from the shore beautiful view to St. Theodore Island, home to a population of rare Kri-Kri goats. Platanias is one of the cleanest beaches in Crete. For its cleanliness and livability, it has received the Blue Flag for many years in a row.
9. Stavros Beach
Stavros is a quiet seaside village located in the Chania region. It is located at the foot of big mountains, shaped like a camel. The main beach of Stavros is considered one of the best in Crete. Located opposite the mountain, in a cozy, beautiful lagoon with turquoise water, it is completely protected from winds and bad weather. Transparent, clean water shimmers with a diamond shine in the rays bright sun. The mountains, frozen in their grandeur, give the entire landscape a special and unique beauty.
The entire coastline is covered with coarse white sand. Due to the shallow depth and lack of winds, the water near the shore warms up well. Although there are usually a lot of people on the beach, there is no feeling of crowding or crowding. All of the above factors, as well as a convenient gentle entry into the sea, have led to the fact that Stavros is very popular among families with children. However, this place is well suited for both young people and lovers of a relaxing holiday. The beach is well equipped and provides its guests with various services. In the immediate vicinity there are many shops, cozy taverns and bars.
10. Beaches of Anissaras
Anissaras is a small cozy resort village on the island of Crete, located 24 km from Heraklion, on the coast Aegean Sea. In Anissaros everything is conducive to a quiet and peaceful holiday: good climate, beautiful clean sea and magnificent beaches. It is perfect for families with children.
Anissaros has both sandy and pebble beaches. All of them are very clean and well-maintained, equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers, and also offer a wide range of water entertainment services. It should be noted that all Anissaros beaches are municipal, even near hotels, which means they are open to everyone.
The rocky seabed and immaculately clear water allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. Therefore, Anissaros is very popular among scuba diving enthusiasts.
These were the best beaches in Crete. But it is worth noting that in addition to those listed, Crete has many other wonderful beaches. So, one cannot help but mention the amazing Preveli beach - one of the most interesting natural attractions of the island, where you can swim in salt and fresh water at the same time.
And also about the most famous beaches, such as Falasarna, Kedrodasos, Triopetra, Malia, Lendas, Agios Pavlos and of course, Kournas beach, located on the lake of the same name and is the only freshwater beach in Crete.
Crete is the largest Greek island, shrouded in many legends. It attracts with its excellent ecology and mild, healthy climate.
There are no factories or industrial enterprises on the island or in the area hundreds of miles away. The Cretan landscape amazes with its picturesque beauty - mountains with olive groves, sandy and pebble, secluded and crowded beaches.
Sandy beaches of Crete
Most vacationers prefer beaches with soft sand. The choice of such beaches is huge. In addition, they are well landscaped; the sand is raked every morning. There are various attractions on the beaches.
The most popular beaches are those with soft sand.
The most popular beaches are in the following resort areas:
- Rethymno;
- Chania;
- Heraklion;
- Lassithi.
Crete resorts with sandy beaches
Wildlife lovers will enjoy the resorts of Western Crete with mountain peaks, deep caves, long gorges and many kilometers of beaches. The following resorts are located in the west of Crete:
- Rethymnon — old City, which preserved the spirit of the island’s conquerors - the Venetians (Loggia, Morosini fountain) and the Ottoman Turks (some residential buildings and mosques). The streets in the city are narrow, paved, and there are frequent ups and downs. The houses always have open shutters and tiled roofs. Rethymnon has galleries and cultural cafes. Many artists, poets and musicians live here. In addition to picturesque beaches, there is everything here so that your vacation does not seem boring: Archaeological Museum, Venetian fortress, walks by the sea, cafes, taverns, clubs, water sports;
- Bali– a resort located in a beautiful bay. Ideal for a serene, relaxing family holiday;
- Chania– a fabulous, historical city with various monuments, museums, a fortress and ancient churches. The city is surrounded by lime-colored mountains. Music festivals and exhibitions often take place here. Nightlife in Chania is very active;
Main resorts of Central Crete:
- Heraklion- a city that received its name in honor of Hercules, the hero of ancient Greek myths. It is the administrative capital of Crete;
- Amudara- a resort located near Heraklion. Most often, active tourists, lovers of nightlife and mass shopping relax here;
- Gouves– a very calm place. Along the coast there is a five-kilometer promenade, which is illuminated and has romantic benches near the sea, taverns, shops;
- Malia, Stalida – small towns, located in beautiful green groves. During the day it is very calm and quiet here, and at night there are noisy parties and discos.
The earliest fruits and vegetables can please you East End Krita. There is minimal precipitation here, even in winter there is no frost. Produced in Eastern Crete archaeological excavations ancient settlements of Driros and Kato Zakros, the cave of Dicteo Andro was found, where, according to ancient Greek myths, Zeus was born, there is a palm grove of Vai, the likes of which are not found in all of Europe.
The resort towns here are small:
- Agios Nikolaos- a city with a picturesque promenade, located in Mirabello Bay. Ideal for honeymoon trips and romantic walks. The town has fish taverns, restaurants, bars, cafes and jewelry stores;
- Elounda- a resort with expensive hotels, and used to be a fishing village. Prominent Greek politicians, athletes, singers, and actors hold weddings here;
- Elafonisi- differs in the original color of the sand - soft pink. The sea is very clean and shallow. The water here is slightly warmer than in other parts of the island. There is practically no entertainment on the beach; it looks like a separate island.
Where are the sandy beaches on Crete?
When choosing a sandy beach on the island of Crete, you should study the places where such beaches are located.
Rethymno has a 15 kilometer long beach, from Georgioupoli to Rethymnon, and there are also quiet deserted beaches on the right side of the city.
This area also includes the beaches of Panormo, located 20 kilometers from Rethymnon. On its outskirts there is the Grecotel Marina Palace hotel, which has a small bay; in high season its beach is crowded. Behind the rocks is the wide Panormo beach. On the pier there is a small calm beach, protected from waves. You can watch fish, crayfish and crabs here.
Ideal family holiday with kids
The beaches of Bali are no less attractive. This place is very popular with families who vacation with children. Hotels and beaches are fully adapted to this condition. Sandy beaches are located in bays with warm water and a flat bottom.
Livadi is considered the most open bay. It is close to the national highway, but there are often waves.
The Last Beach is well hidden from the waves - too quiet and green. Suitable for those who want to retire and take a break from the hustle and bustle.
Beaches of Chania
The sandy beaches of Kalyves, Almyrida, Plaka, Marathi, and Loutraki are best protected from the wind.
Lovers of walks will enjoy the Afrata beach in a sandy bay, to which you will have to walk along a narrow but very picturesque path.
Balos Lagoon is the best pink sand beach in Greece.
One of the best beaches in Greece is Balos Lagoon, with soft pink sand due to fragments of sea shells. The water here is always warm, the bottom is shallow. You can get there by ship or along a dirt road.
Frangokastello beach is ideal for families spending their holidays with small children.
Beaches of Heraklion
In the Heraklion region there are such wind-protected beaches as Karteros, Florida, Amnissos, Tompruk. Along the beaches there are various cafes, taverns, and restaurants. Also, the Kokkini Hani beach, which is located right along the main road, is not protected from the wind.
The beaches of Hersonissos are partially closed from the wind. Matala Beach is relatively protected from the wind. The beach itself is sandy, but there are stone slabs in the water at the bottom. There is a beach with a shallow sandy bottom - Kokkinos Pyrgos, not far from the fishing port.
Beaches of Lasithi
The sandy beach called Long Beach stretches for several kilometers. It is very wide and can accommodate a large number of vacationers.
Pachia Ammos is a beach protected from strong winds by the docks of the fishing harbor. Elounda Beach, located near the port, is also protected from the wind.
Crete hotels with sandy beach 3 stars
Those wishing to go on holiday to Greece should know that hotels in this country do not have stars, instead there are categories: C (approximate correspondence - 2 stars), B (3 stars), A (4 stars), Delux (5 stars).
Crete has hotels of completely different categories: from modest rooms to luxurious apartments.
3-star hotels are ideal for tourists who want to save money without sacrificing quality rest. They are not on the first line, but still not far from the sea. These hotels provide vacationers with slightly fewer services. For example, there is no fitness center, free Internet, etc.
Comfortable hotels at an affordable price:
- Adele Beach Hotel – located 2 kilometers from the town of Adele. It consists of seven bungalow-type buildings, built in the Cretan style. Suitable for a relaxing, yet economical holiday.
- Alianthos Beach Hotel– located in the fishing village of Plakias, opposite the embankment. There is always a warm, calm, and sincere atmosphere here. The windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding area, and the balconies are all planted with flowers. Suitable for both families with children and young people.
- Trefon Hotel-Apts– a hotel surrounded by picturesque greenery. Located near the city of Rethymno. There are all conditions for relaxation with small children. And young people can always go to the city, where life is vibrant and there are beautiful historical sights.
Crete hotels with sandy beach 4 stars
- Agapi beach– located in Amudara. Famous for its active animation, excellent food and gorgeous sandy beach.
- Grecotel Club Marine– located on the outskirts of the village of Panormo. One of the best hotels in Crete for families with children and even babies. The sandy beach has a gentle entrance to the sea. There is a water park with various slides for children.
Crete hotels with sandy beach 5 stars
- Grecotel Creta Palace Hotel 5* – best hotel in the resort town of Rethymnon. There are all conditions for relaxing with children. Many rooms of different classes. There are several original a la carte restaurants. Suitable for absolutely all categories of tourists.
- Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort 5*– a hotel complex located in the resort town of Agia Pelagia. Consists of four hotels: Crystal Energy - for lovers of active recreation, Capsis Oasis - for parents with children, Oh! All Suites - for connoisseurs of luxury holidays, Divani Thalassa - for those who want to observe the amazing beauty of the local nature. For children, the complex has a Minoan amusement park and a zoo.
- Fodele Beach Water Park Resort 5*– the hotel is located in Fodele on a hill in a calm, quiet bay. The sea here is clean, the bottom is sandy, the entrance is gentle. There is a water park. Please note the hotel's multi-level layout, which involves many staircases between levels. The road to the beach is very steep; there is a train going up.
All inclusive Crete hotels with sandy beach
The island of Crete is one of the most popular resorts in Greece, so hotel business it is well developed. Many tourists want to relax and not think about where to have breakfast, lunch or dinner. For such vacationers, there are hotels in Crete that are all-inclusive.
These, for example, are hotels:
- Aldemar Cretan Village– the hotel was built as a small separate town in the Cretan style. Here, in addition to food, children's playgrounds, discos, swimming pools, water slides, a club for teenagers and an active program of entertainment and games are provided.
- Grecotel Marina Palace– located in the village of Panormo. There are all the conditions for a relaxing holiday: Turkish bath, jacuzzi, parking, internet, animation, scuba diving and other entertainment for those who want to relax day and night.
The best sandy beaches in Crete
It is impossible to confidently name the best sandy beach on the island of Crete. All of them are unique and original.
The most famous among tourists is Elafonisi Beach, located in the southwest of the island. It is practically not equipped with anything, but this is its feature, which gives the beach a special beauty. It differs from many other beaches in its pink sand and looks like a separate island, around which there is a shallow isthmus of water.
Crowded beaches with wide coastline, are the beaches of Agia Marina, Falasarna, Platanias, Rapanyana, Nopigia.
Those who like the most secluded holiday will enjoy the beaches of Dictinna, Tavronitis, Afrata, Balos.
The beaches and hotels of the island of Crete are some of the cleanest in Europe. Many beaches have received the highest rating for their ecological status - they have been awarded the blue flag of the European Union. Every vacationer will be able to find the corner of their dreams in Crete.
You can find more information on the topic in the section.
