CRETE: THE 15 BEACHES TO DIVE RIGHT IN
With its flamingo-pink sands and luminous blue water, there’s something uniquely magical about Elafonissi Beach.
Balos beach
This amazing place is like the Caribbean side of Crete with exotic waters, soft white sand and a huge island with a Venetian Castle on top.
Falassarna
Located on the island’s west coast, Falasarna beach with superbly clear water gives you a front-row seat to the most dramatic sunsets.
Kommos
Hugging Messara Bay in southern Crete, Kommos is a beautiful wide arc of sand backed by dunes and ringed by patchy green mountains.
Matala
Mythology has it that this was the spot where Zeus swam ashore under the guise of a bull with the kidnapped Europa on his back.
Vai Beach
An exotic sandy beach, with thousands of palm trees in the background, reminiscent of the Caribbean, dominates the eastern side of Crete.
Preveli beach
The sandy beach of Prevelis stretches out with the splendid waterfalls flowing into the sea, making it one of the best beaches in Crete.
Agia Pelagia
The beach is a narrow strip of sand, which due to its calm water is perfect for swimming regardless of the weather.
Plakias beach
Plakias is one of the most famous resorts at south Crete with many excellent sandy beaches along the clear waters of the Libyan Sea.
Tymbaki beach
A vast beach with both sandy and pebbled parts, Tymbaki is located on the southern side of Heraklion.
Marathi beach
Marathi is a small cove about 14 km east of Chania Town with crystal water that is protected by strong winds.
Frangokastello Beach
Crowned by a formidable Venetian castle, Frangokastello Beach is a photogenic strand on the far south side of the Chania prefecture.
Red Beach
Just as the name implies, it’s the orangey-red tint of the sand at Red Beach that makes it such a favourite. Its northern corner is a well-known nudist spot.
Souda Beach
Just 2.5 kilometers west from Plakias, Souda Beach is set in a wide cove with a steep rock wall at one end.
Livadi Beach
Under mountains blanketed in scrub and olive trees, little Livadi Beach offers a refreshing swim midway between Rethymno and the city of Heraklion.
Spinalonga Beach
This beach is as much about its translucent water as it is its unusual location and remarkable history.