If you don’t know which city or resort to choose in Crete to go on vacation, then in this article you will find a description and comparison of resorts and beaches on the island of Crete by region.

Cities and resorts of Crete - where to go

There are a lot of resorts with sandy beaches in Crete. We'll consider best resorts for holidays to help you choose where to go in Crete.

Review of resorts on the west coast of Crete

The resorts in western Crete are very easily accessible from Chania airport, or by ferry to the port of Souda Bay.

Agia Marina– located west of Chania on the island of Crete, Greece. The resort of Agia Marina is popular due to its large sandy beach, good hotels and developed tourist infrastructure, as well as fun establishments and vibrant nightlife.

Almyrida Crete is a small fishing village east of the port of Souda Bay. It has a good location - 25 km west of Chania. There are many good taverns, cafes and shops here. Near Almirida there are 2 sandy beaches with a shallow entrance.

Kalyves Crete- Almirida's neighbor. This is one of the best beach resorts in Crete. This resort is big enough to have a good choice hotels, but at the same time small enough to retain the flavor of Greece. Kalyves is also a fishing village, it has beautiful beaches and even has its own church.

Chania set against the backdrop of the wonderful white mountains of Lefka Ori. This city successfully combines modern Venetian and traditional Turkish architecture. Chania town is not a beach resort in Crete, but it has good beaches and fun night life.

Chania © sidibousaid/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Resorts of central Crete

The central resorts of Crete are easily accessible from the airport or seaport of Heraklion, or from Chania.

Adelianos Kampos– one of the most popular beach resorts in the Rethymno region. This resort is called Adele for short. It is located east of the city of Rethymno. There are many bars, restaurants and inexpensive hotels.

Agia Pelagia you will find on the northern coast of Crete near Heraklion just 20 km west of Heraklion airport - Nikos Kazantzakis. It is very calm here, good beaches, hotels and establishments.

Bali (Crete Bali)- a small village on the island of Crete. It can be found on the northern coast between Heraklion and Rethymno. There is a good selection of hotels and restaurants. Near the village of Bali there are 4 small bays with beaches and a calm sea.

Georgioupolis Very popular with families and elderly tourists. There are very beautiful beaches with golden sand. A large selection of hotels for every budget and good restaurants on the seashore. If you visit this resort, be sure to visit Corrisia Park with a huge swimming pool.

Gournes- another little one beach resort in the north of the island of Crete near Hersonissos. There are several small beaches and the famous Cretan Aquarium - the largest marine aquarium in Greece.

Gouves or Kato Gouves- a village in Crete, which is located 20 km east of Heraklion airport. This is a very popular beach resort in Greece. There are good hotels, golden sandy beaches, coastal taverns and vibrant nightlife - in general, everything for a comfortable holiday.

Rethymno © robertpaulyoung/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Kokkini Hani Crete is a popular resort on the northern coast of Crete, Greece. This resort is perfect for families and young people. It has excellent beaches, many 4 and 5 star all-inclusive hotels and an active nightlife. Kokkini Hani is located 15 km west of Heraklion.

Panormos located near Rethymno, Crete. There are 2 beautiful sandy beaches with golden sand in best traditions Greece, a beautiful bay, coastal bars and taverns.

Platanes- a resort on the northern coast of Rethymno. There is interesting nightlife here: sirtaki dance shows, lounge and cocktail bars, night clubs. The beach in Platanes on Crete is long with golden sand mixed with pebbles, so many people wear beach slippers here.

Rethymnon or Rethymnon (Rethymno/ Rethymnon)– one of the most visited resort towns in Crete, Greece. There are many wonderful beaches in the Rethymnon area. There is plenty to do here: beaches, luxury hotels, cozy taverns and restaurants, and nightlife. However, the Rethymnon region is also great for families with children. Rethymno can be reached by bus from Heraklion Airport, the journey takes about an hour.

Agia Pelagia © maca89/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Eastern resorts of Crete

You can easily reach the eastern resorts of Crete from the airport or port of Heraklion.

Agios Nikolaos is the main city of the Lasithi region. It's a city first and a beach resort second, but there are some nice beaches here.

Elounda– a special beach resort in Crete. It is close to the metropolis of Agios Nikolaos, there are very beautiful beaches and many luxury hotels.

Hersonissos- one of the most popular resorts in Crete. It is 27 km from Heraklion airport on the northern coast of Crete. There is a wide choice of hotels, catering establishments and options for a fun night out.

Istron - Kalo Horio are 10 km from Agios Nikolaos. Istron is a quiet beach resort on the coast, while Kalo Chorio is further inland. Istron has 3 beautiful bays within walking distance of each other, where it is very pleasant to swim.

Istron is a quiet beach resort on the coast, while Kalo Chorio is slightly inland. Istron has three attractive coves within walking distance of each other, close to fine tavernas and small shops.

Malia © 104249543@N07/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Malia very popular among tourists 18 - 30 years old. Malia is located 30 minutes from the airport. Here is one of the best beaches in Crete. The hottest nights in Crete take place here. Malia is famous for its clubs and bars that will draw you into the pulsating rhythm of this resort.

Sissi Small and beautiful beach resort in Crete. It has its own small picturesque port and several good beaches. The seaside village of Sisi is 25 km from Agios Nikolaos.

Sitia– the easternmost resort of Crete. The harbor of Sitia has many nice fishing boats and a beautiful promenade lined with palm trees. Long and clean sandy beach.

Stalis or Stalida (Stalis or Stalida)– the best beach resort in Crete There is something for everyone here. The beach here is very long with soft golden sand. This resort is great for families with small children. Stalis is located 30 km from Heraklion and between Chersonison and Malia. Hotels, shops, restaurants - everything is here.

Matala © pamontgo/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Resorts on the south coast of Crete

Resorts in southern Crete can be easily reached from both Heraklion and Chania.

Agia Galini is located in the Rethymnon region. This small resort has a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. There are enough hotels and restaurants to give you plenty of choice without losing your sense of Greek identity.

Ierapetra– the southernmost city in Europe. There are excellent beaches and hotels that will suit any traveler's budget.

Makrigialos is a small coastal village in the south of Crete. Despite its modest size, Makrigialos has several good beaches and a wide range of holiday accommodation. But a very calm atmosphere.

Matala– a popular resort in Crete. Matala is located in the southern part of Heraklion. Matala Beach is an example of true natural beauty. Messara Bay with its soft shelf sands and sandstone cliffs will not leave anyone indifferent. It is here, according to Greek mythology, Zeus swam ashore in the form of a bull with Europa on his back.

Paleochora is the most popular beach resort on the south coast. Usually, you get to Paleochora from Chania. Hotels, restaurants, nightlife and beaches are all there.

Sougia located on the southern coast of the Chania region. Sougia is a quiet beach resort on the island of Crete. The southern coast of Crete is generally calmer than the northern one. Therefore, Sugiya is great for families with a small budget, because... many restaurants and hotels here are cheaper than in more popular neighboring resorts.

Palaiochora © erral/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Chora Sfakion located in a picturesque area on the south coast of western Crete. Usually people get here from Chania. There are several small quiet beaches in the Sfakia area. Many tourists come here to go trekking in the mountains and gorges of Crete. And the local cheese pies with honey are beyond praise.

Frangokastello nestled next to Chora Sfakion. This is another small beach resort on the south coast of Crete. There are few calm sandy beaches here, but there are the ruins of the Venetian castle of Frangostello, which looks very impressive on the beach with shallow crystal clear water.

Loutro– probably one of the most desirable resorts in Crete due to its inaccessibility. You can only get here by ferry. It's a very relaxing place to stay, and if you want to be in silence, then Loutro will not disappoint you. There are inexpensive hotels and accommodation, and taverns.

Among the Greek islands, Crete occupies an honorable first place. It is the largest and most interesting on the list of attractions. There are excellent facilities for families with children, it is always comfortable and satisfying.

Best beaches

Despite the historical value of the entire island, the beaches are the first thing that attracts tourists here. The cleanliness and service here are truly outstanding high level, that not every European resort can compare with them. But even among the best of the best, the first ones can be distinguished.

• Elafonisi . This is the southwest of the island. There is pink sand and spotlessly clean sea. The only peculiarity is that the sea is shallow. If you are with children, then this is a plus, because due to its smallness it only warms up faster and even in comparison with other Cretan resorts, Elafonisi is always warmer. Another advantage, although for many this will be a disadvantage, is that there is no beach infrastructure. You will relax literally in the lap of nature, without external interference.
• Frangokastello . We once talked about it, and they mentioned the Frangokastello fortress. Here we are talking about the sandy beach of the same name. It is very clean and this, not to mention the sea, the water in which is always warm and clear.
• Matala . The beach is located next to a rock that has an interesting layered structure, creating many tiers, and in them there are caves. You can visit them, because a beach holiday is ideally combined with exploring local natural attractions.

Vacation with children

Above we have mentioned beaches that are suitable for any tourist. What if you are purposefully looking only for options for holidays with kids? In this case, the same Elafonisi will suit you, but we recommend taking a closer look at other options.

• Makiyalos . Shallow water, safe even for the little ones. The peculiarity of the beach is its privacy - there is no noise or crowds in the neighborhood, which is ideal for families. The Grecotel Club Marine Palace hotel is very conveniently located nearby. There are others that are similar, but this one offers cribs, high chairs specifically for feeding babies, heated milk, and even an audio baby monitor. Comfortable. Everything is provided specifically for married couples.

Recreation for youth

We offer small young companies to choose the following:

• Hersonissos . This resort is by and large similar to the rest of Crete, but it is in Hersonissos that many nightclubs are concentrated, which guarantees a bright and rich atmosphere until the morning. The beaches are the same, the only difference is the atmosphere.
• Mallya . A favorite tourist destination for young people is horseback riding, lots of activity, lots of sights and nightlife. All inclusive.

For lovers of sights

If you are going to Crete only for the sights and it doesn’t matter to you when you sleep or that there is a children’s club nearby, then choose any resort. In terms of exploring local museums, fortresses, monasteries and gorges, all tourist centers are good.

To prepare for the study of the ancient world,. There we share tips on choosing places for excursions and renting a car if you want to travel around the island on your own.

Holidays by region

On Crete 4 administrative center or noma. The regions are similar to each other with minor differences, but for a beach holiday it is better to choose something northern; the south has a harsh climate and there are often storms.

• Chania . Not the most developed region in tourism, although it has something to show. In particular, you will find yourself in wildlife, far from developed civilization. That’s what’s good about Chania – there is nothing better than real Greek authenticity. This is the greenest nome on the island, surrounded by cypresses and plane trees. But there is also plenty of historical architecture - ancient churches, dilapidated palaces and ruins of fortresses are located next to gorges and bays.
• Rethymnon . Here are the longest beaches, one of them stretches for 15.5 km. Nearby are villages with a unique atmosphere frozen since ancient times, and an endless sea. Head here for the sights.
• Heraklion . Of all the resorts, Heraklion is the most visited. Here is the capital of Crete, and here is the airport. The most developed tourist infrastructure is also here - water parks, entertainment centers, and the beaches here are the most well-groomed, not wild. By the way, you don’t have to go far to find the main architectural monuments - the Palace of Knossos is in this room.
• Lassithi . It has everything: beautiful landscapes, historical beauty, and ideal beaches. There is nothing different from other regions, except that this is where Mirabello Bay is located, and the city of Agois Nikolaos. If they interest you, then come here.

Now you know where it is better to relax in Crete. As you can see, the choice is simple and, under a number of circumstances, very definite. If you have any questions, write to us in the comments.

Crete is the largest island of Greece. There are many different stories, myths and legends associated with it. Fiction and reality are so closely intertwined here that it is impossible to separate them. Crete is considered the birthplace of the father of all gods - Zeus. It was here that King Minos created his empire, and the bloody monster Minotaur was killed by Theseus. This is the most unforgettable place on Earth, where tourists from all over the world flock. Here they are waiting - bright sun, gentle alluring sea, unique natural landscapes and hospitable residents.

General information

Crete (Κρήτη) is the fifth largest island by area Mediterranean Sea. Located 111 km from the European coastline. Asia is located 176 km from it, and Africa is 310 km away. Its unique shores are washed by the waters of three seas: from the north – the Cretan, from the south – the Libyan and from the west – the Ionian. The city of Heraklion is the territorial center of the island.

Features of holidays in Crete

The island of Crete attracts tourists unusual landscapes, mild and healthy climate. There is no suffocating heat here, even in the hottest months. The air is heady and clean. Cloudy days practically never happens. The sun pleases vacationers throughout the year - 345 days.
For a complete holiday, you should choose a place that matches the nature of the planned. Picturesque beaches are available in all areas of Crete - pebble and sandy, deep and shallow, noisy and quiet. There are beaches that can only be reached by swimming. The entire island is divided into four nomes (administrative centers):

• Chania - west coast;
• Rethymnon - northwestern part;
• Heraklion - northeastern;
• Lasithi - east coast.

All zones are different. Each has its own characteristics. It should be noted that on the southern shores of Crete weather do not contribute to the development of tourism. The climate there is harsher, and storms often occur.

Holidays in Chania

Regardless of small sizes region, there is a lot to see. Tourism in Chania is somewhat less developed than in other parts of Crete. So you can relax in the lap untouched nature, feeling the authentic Greek flavor. The area is considered the greenest on the island. Sycamore forests occupy a significant part of the space, and a stunning smell of pine needles emanates from the cypress thickets.
In the region, in addition to huge, well-maintained beaches, you can find deep caves, picturesque bays and mysterious gorges. The city is surrounded by limestone mountains. Chania has many ancient churches, palaces, fortresses, museums, which creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

Holidays in Rethymnon

The region attracts tourists with sun-drenched meadows and hills, winding paths and endless beaches with developed infrastructure. The longest of them stretches from Georgioupoli to Rethymnon 15.5 km. The view reveals toy villages located on the slopes; ruins of buildings and crystal sea. And tired of beach holidays and travel, you can relax in a local tavern, which serves excellent Greek dishes and local wines.
Tourists who prefer cultural holidays will not be dissatisfied either. There are many museums, archaeological sites, galleries, as well as the Monastery of Arcadia, the Rimondi Fountain and buildings from the time of the Venetians.

Holidays in Heraklion

The Heraklion region is the most visited resort area. It houses the capital of Crete with the same name. Nearby is the airport where all guests of the island arrive. There are a variety of resorts, a lot of entertainment facilities, and water parks. Many of Heraklion's beaches are "blue flag", which increases their attractiveness. In addition to well-kept beaches and impeccable service, Heraklion is the most major center entertainment throughout the island, with a lot of shopping centers and shops.
In the center of the region are the palaces of Gortyna and Knossos, the museum of archeology and other cultural institutions. The entire region is literally permeated with ancient myths and fascinating ancient epics.

Holidays in Lasithi

The region is located on a kind of plateau with the same name. A variety of vegetation grows in amazingly beautiful landscapes. And also here is the most charming bay of Mirabello on the entire island. It is on the shores of the bay that the center of the region, the city of Agois Nikolaos, was built. The surrounding mountain ranges are covered coniferous trees and gardens. Everywhere you can see Greek villages and windmills surrounded by flowers. And the coast is indented with many coves and bays. Early fruits and vegetables appear first in this part of the island.

April 28, 2015 9:20 am Crete, Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Kissamos, Bali + 1 city - Greece August 2014

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands. Its length from west to east is 250 km and from 14 to 37 kilometers from north to south. The huge size of the island allows any traveler to find here exactly the place that will be especially to their liking, because Crete is famous for both popular tourist areas and calm, secluded mountain villages.

On the eve of the holiday season, it suddenly occurred to me that this year, as usual, many will decide to spend their holidays on the Greek island of Crete. And I wanted to make travel a little easier for those who plan to actively travel and see the whole island, as we once did, and make a brief announcement of Cretan attractions and places that are definitely worth visiting.

1. The first place in this ranking undoubtedly goes to city ​​of Chania. You can get to Chania by regular buses and car. You can also fly directly to Chania airport.

Chania is mainly famous for the fact that the Venitians had a hand in its construction. And there is a well-preserved embankment, similar to Venice. But past the embankment, the whole city consists of narrow quaint streets with beautiful houses and a lot of bright, impressive details. The city itself is not suitable as a place for a beach holiday, but next to it there are small cozy villages with good beaches. Accommodation in Chania is quite expensive and finding a place to stay during the season will be difficult, but it is quite possible.

For example, we went to almost every house and ended up renting a very nice room with all the amenities and a stone’s throw from the embankment.

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Chania. Houses.

2. I rightfully give second place Balos Bay. According to the stories of the Greeks, this is the confluence of three seas. The place is very beautiful. Balos Beach is a breathtakingly beautiful and unusual beach in Crete! Former pirate harbor with ancient fortress Gramvousa on top of the mountain and with white sand on the beach. It is located in the north-west of Crete, at the very edge of the Gramvousa peninsula. There are two ways to get there yourself. By land by car (the closer to the bay, the worse the road). Or by sea on a boat from the city of Kissamos. The ship also sails to the Gramvousa fortress. Time is given to climb the fortress. The fortress offers incredibly beautiful views. So I'm for the boat. Moreover, it is still dangerous to puncture, for example, the wheels on a rented car.

Personally, I stayed overnight in Kissamom, bought a boat ticket in the evening and sailed from there to Balos in the morning. This trip will take a whole day. The ship returns back around 6 pm. You can get to Kissamos by car or by regular bus from Rethymnon or Chania.

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Balos Bay.

3. I will give third place to the fresh mountain Lake Kournas. You can only get to the lake by car or on a guided tour. The lake is located among the mountains and has clear water of a beautiful turquoise color. Ducks wander along the shore, and turtles live in the water.

On the shore there are several cafes, free sun loungers and umbrellas. You can also rent a catamaran and sail around the lake in search of turtles that are hiding on the other side of the lake. A wonderful place where you can spend the whole day enjoying nature.

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Freshwater lake Kournas.

4. Pink Elafonisi Beach- amazing a natural phenomenon. There are two versions of its origin. The first, rational: this color near the beach appeared due to the content large quantity impurities in the sand, as well as small fragments of shells, sea shells and corals. The second, historical: in 1824 Elafonisi was attacked by the Turks; More than seven hundred were killed in the massacre local residents. In memory of the bloody massacre of the Greeks, a memorial was erected at the highest point of the island. And the pink color of the coast of Elafonisi to this day is a reminder of those tragic days. This island is separated from Crete by a small narrow strait, about 100 meters. At any time of the year, the depth in this strait does not exceed 20 centimeters, and therefore there will be no problems fording this strait. People come to this island to relax with children for a quiet holiday. Due to the fact that the sea depth near Elafonisi is shallow, it is possible to swim safely even during a storm. The island of Elafonisi is located in the southwest of Crete, 42 km from Kastelion and 76 km from the city of Chania. From Heraklion to Elafonisi you can travel by car along the E75 highway, which turns into E65 closer to west coast. Before the town of Castellion, you need to turn left, deeper into the island, and continue moving. Be careful: when approaching Elafonisi, a mountain serpentine will begin, with sharp ascents and descents; the road winds its way to the southwestern coast of Crete. Since this is a mountainous section of the route, the journey will usually take longer than planned. For example, the road from Chania to Elafonisi may take an hour, but the colorful views of Crete that open from the steep descents are worth it. During the summer season, a bus runs from Chania to Elefonisi. From other cities you can get there with a change in Kissamos, from where regular buses depart several times a day. Also, from May to October, you can visit the pink beaches of Elafonisi by purchasing sightseeing tour for 1 day.

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Elafonisi.

5.Matala- a very interesting, original place. And it is not the beach itself that is original, but the rock into which it rests. The rock has a layered structure, thanks to which nature has created multi-tiered long balconies. And at different levels, people dug caves - rooms that were used for burial in the Byzantine era. However, in the 1960s, the caves were occupied by hippies from different parts of the world and American young people hiding from the army. Even people like that lived there famous personalities, like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell. But one bad day a man fell to death in one of the caves, and the hippies were kicked out of the caves. Now no one lives there, but the caves can be visited. You can get to Matala on your own by car or bus, or with a guided tour. Along the way there will be beautiful views of the central mountainous part of the island of Crete, small villages where locals live, as well as the zero kilometer of Crete - its central point.

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Matala. Aegean Sea.

6. The town of Rethymno. The sweetest Cretan town. Located in the west of the island of Crete between Heraklion and Chania. The northern part of the city has an endless beach with hotels and cafes. Rethymno is a very convenient place to live while traveling around the island. From there you can take buses to any part of Crete, and you can also fully enjoy the sea and walks around the old town.

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7. Spinalonga Island. Leper Island, which can be reached by boat from the village of Agios Nikolaos.

The island offers very beautiful views. Be sure to take hats with you; there is absolutely no place on the island to escape the scorching Greek sun.

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8. The volcano island of Santorini. There are speed boats to Santorini from the Heraklion pier. They can be purchased either independently or with a tour. Santorini is a wonderful place. But during the season there is a big drawback - a huge number of people. It is also hotter in Santorini than in Crete. My advice to you is that when sailing to the island, take a quad bike and a map, that’s all you need to feel a surge of happiness on this island. Drive around the island. Let the warm sea wind blow on you. Visit all the different beaches of the island: with red sand, with black volcanic sand... Get up early and walk along the streets of the island empty of tourists, among the white houses of its cities. In the evening, take a seat in a restaurant with a view of the sunset in advance. In the evening, it will be very difficult to find a free seat, not only in a restaurant, but also just on the street. The sunset in Santorini is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. And the island itself is one of the most romantic places.

Crete, the largest Greek island, is famous not only for its rich history dating back several thousand years, with many monuments and attractions, and not only its unique nature with a variety of flora and fauna species. It is also famous for its picturesque beaches, which attract everyone year after year larger number tourists. 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 located in the beautiful Balos Bay, which, together with the surrounding area, has been 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 sand Pink colour and so clear crystal water that you can easily see all the pebbles and grains of sand at the bottom. According to 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 of local residents hiding 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 the swimming season lasts from the end of 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 of Crete, located on the east coast of the island in the Lassithi 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 both the local population and numerous visitors to 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 the observation deck, from which on a clear day there will be a stunning view of the golden beach surrounded by palm forests, endless blue skies, 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 beautiful landscapes to the majestic mountains and endless sea expanse.

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 beach is decorated with amazingly beautiful small freshwater lakes that were formed by a mountain river. Lush emerald vegetation grows next to these ponds.

Schinaria is perfect for anyone who dives or simply enjoys snorkeling. Here it is special center scuba diving. 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 a small village of 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 becomes grey colour 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 has a 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 most clean beaches Krita. 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 a large mountain, 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 pure 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 Aegean coast. 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 provide 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 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.