Crete has a few of Greece’s finest sandy seashores – many removed from developed areas, so you may really take pleasure in a distant vacation on the sand.
Though virtually each foremost seashore will get busy in July and August, you may normally stroll just some minutes away to discover a patch of heaven sans crowds. With a couple of notable exceptions, the water at Crete’s seashores is normally calm and good for swimming and watersports.
This is our decide of the highest eight seashores in Crete.
For white sand and panoramic views, head to Elafonisi
Glowing white sand with a pinkish hue makes Elafonisi a standout in a nation of islands the place pebbly, gray seashores are widespread. Its shallow, azure waters encompass an islet simply offshore that’s a straightforward stroll.
Cliffs, dunes and semi-secluded coves are highlights right here. Beat the summer time crowds by strolling 1km (0.6 miles) alongside the coastal path east to Kedrodasos Seaside. In any other case, climb the dunes on the islet for panoramic views of this whole magical spot.
In summer time, there is not any scarcity of refreshments, and you will find umbrella, lounger and kit leases on the principle seashore. Rare ferries hyperlink Elafonisi to seashores to the east alongside the southwest coast. Enterprise additional afield for extra solitude, or come within the low season when the water dazzles with myriad factors of sunshine and the one sounds are the wind and waves.
Get off the overwhelmed monitor with a visit to Balos
The drive alone to the seashores at Balos makes a go to right here a should. The distant Gramvousa Peninsula on the far northwest tip of Crete boasts cliffside views and wild rocky terrain.
Lagoons encompass the principle seashore with shallow waters brimming with tiny, darting fish and cagy shellfish. There are two simply reached islets proper offshore (stroll by way of the placid waters): Agria (wild) and Imeri (tame). The latter consists of the ruins of a Sixteenth-century Venetian fortress that has nice views throughout the seashores and lagoons. Providers listed here are few past umbrella and lounger leases.
Simply attending to Balos is an journey. By highway, you want 4WD to navigate the 12km (7.5 miles) grime monitor from the village of Kalyviani. From a tiny automotive park with a snack stand, it is a 1.2km (0.7 miles) hike down the sandy cliffs to the seashore. A fair higher choice is the day-trip boat from Kissamos, which features a few scenic stops alongside the peninsula. Even in summer time, there are few folks at Balos earlier than 11am and after 4pm.
Wander round Paleohora, then hit the seashore
The liveliest city on the southwest coast boasts two seashores, every with a reputation that tells you all it’s essential to find out about its character: Pahia Ammos Seaside (Sandy Seaside) and Halikia Seaside (Pebble Seaside).
Word that “energetic” does not imply something near manic. Paleohora nonetheless has a village really feel, with slender, stone lanes meandering previous cafes, tavernas and bars. The latter are identified for his or her reside Cretan music. Providers abound, and households can lease gear for stress-free days on the seashore. The sports-minded can windsurf off Pahia Ammos Seaside. Hikers will discover coastal trails resulting in much more quiet seashores and numerous historic and archeological websites.
Few can resist the pull of the commanding Venetian citadel, which dates to the thirteenth century. Do not anticipate a fortress, nonetheless, as centuries of battles have made it extra spoil than a redoubt.
Paleohora is value a go to year-round and is well reached by bus from Hania.
Surf the waves in Falasarna
Sunsets dazzle all year long on the lengthy seashore in Falasarna, which faces instantly west throughout azure water. Waves listed here are repeatedly the most important in Crete, which draw folks able to journey them, whether or not on a board or freestyle. Units of rollers crash into the sand from the open Mediterranean.
The sand has the identical pinkish-white hue that makes Elafonisi to the south well-known. Tavernas, cafes, modest resorts and kit rental stands line the shore in summer time. Olive timber and greenhouses kind the backdrop. A straightforward 2km (1.2 miles) stroll alongside a mud path takes you to the location of Historical Falasarna, which dates to the 4th century BCE. Stones mark out the place partitions protected the outdated port.
Like most seashores in Crete, Falasarna will get busy in summer time, however there are extra remoted and quiet sandy coves north of the lengthy, foremost seashore. Buses listed here are summer-only. Missing a year-round village, Falasarna is a beautiful and lonely escape in winter.
Discover the cliffs at Vaï
Get right here earlier than the builders! An area monastery that owns a lot of the land at Vaï, on the northeast finish of Crete, is intent on constructing resorts, however within the meantime, you may attempt to catch falling dates from the most important pure palm forest in Europe. Botanists suppose that these timber are a sub-species distinctive to Crete. Guests simply suppose they’re magnificent – they provide a little bit of lush tropical enchantment on an island higher identified for its sun-drenched, semi-arid expanses.
The seashore at Vaï is small however completely framed by turquoise waters lapping on the edges of the inlet. It is a beautiful setting and one value exploring past the principle seashore. Trails result in cliffside walks, vista factors and extra secluded, clothing-optional coves.
From Might to October, there are common buses right here from Sitia, 24km (14.9 miles) to the west. Journey these to keep away from the trouble of the traffic-clogged entry highway to the automotive park.
Take a dip in a freshwater pool at Preveli
On the finish of a gorge on the south coast of central Crete, the seashore at Preveli is a legend on the island. The river Megalopotamos flows into the ocean right here and you’ll wander the river banks taking dips in contemporary water swimming pools shaded by palm timber. Elegant!
The principle seashore space has the same old umbrella and snack distributors. There isn’t any everlasting village, so out of season, your complete space is sort of devoid of individuals. It is a steep stroll down from the automotive park, however as soon as on the sand, it is value strolling a bit extra because the furthest reaches are a few of the most interesting and sandiest.
Few folks go to Preveli with out additionally stopping at Moni Preveli, an historical monastery that sits excessive on a promontory trying throughout the Libyan Sea. The chapel is a spectacle of glittery art work and gilded artifacts. A museum covers the numerous struggles for Cretan independence that have been centered right here.
Discover your peace at Agios Pavlos
Not removed from Rethymno, the seashore at Agios Pavlos is correct out of central casting: a beautiful sandy crescent surrounded by rugged cliffs and lapped by good blue water. This whole space is free from mega-resorts and exudes the form of elegant calm that draws mystics and yoga fanatics. Just a few tavernas supply languid lunches and a scattering of low-key resorts means you may cheerily wave farewell to the day-trippers because the solar units over a seashore you may then virtually name your personal.
Residents compete with different beachside villages in Crete by claiming that this was the spot the place Icarus and Daedalus took their historical flight too near the solar. With your personal toes firmly on earth, there are hikes and walks over the excessive dunes to much more remoted seashores.
For household enjoyable, head to Karavostasi
You needn’t go to Indonesia for Bali – Crete has its personal. Bali is sort of equally distant from Iraklio (also called Heraklion) and Rethymno however feels worlds aside from these cities. It is residence to a collection of seashores in little coves alongside the corrugated shore. Karavostasi is good for households. It is quiet, sheltered and good for inexperienced swimmers prepared for his or her first dip. The sand is well mounded into castles and some summer time distributors lease out watersports gear.
For a extra energetic vibe, head south alongside the small bay to Livadi Seaside, which has tavernas blasting pulsing music for a nonstop get together. There are myriad decisions for meals, drink and enjoyable.
