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Best Beaches on Crete

I went to Crete for the first time during is past March 2017, and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. I went to Balos Beach, which was INCREDIBLE - if you can first make it through the 2km walk down the rugged trail at rustic parking area, after driving on the very rugged road. Suffice it to say, it was a VERY exciting adventure! And, I must say well worth the time and effort upon arrival at this pristine gem of Mediterranean splendor!

My question is- what other outstanding Cretan beaches are recommended?

Thank you,
Robert

Posted by
91 posts

Oh my, there are so many! You made a great choice to go to Balos out of season, in August there are hundreds of people there, not so perfect. My favourite trip to Balos was 1 sunny January day, where we saw not a soul from leaving Kissamos.

Out of season, obviously Elafonisi (but not near the carpark; walk/wade across the lagoon & over the sanddunes to find the perfect, pink tinged beach. Or Kedrodasos, next to it, please do be careful not to touch the juniper trees, they are very endangered.

The beaches at Falasarna are great, there are around 5, each with a slightly different feel, from the well-named Big Beach, up to the (my fave) Orange & Blue beach at the northern end. Whilst there, a little visit to the ancient port is worth it, to see where the ancient harbour wall has risen several metres.

Lots of great, quiet beaches on the South-West coast - the village of Sougia. Next to Frangokastelli (again the main beach is busy in summer now). Sweetwater & Marmara near Loutro. My favourites, because the water is clear, lovely scenery & there are few facilities & few people, are Agia Fotia, Ligres & Triopetra, all very quiet, south of Spili (S Rethymno prefecture).

Posted by
3399 posts

If you are going South ... and it's off-season, Matala is fun ... v. crowded in high season, but Sept on, not at all. Besides the beach, there is the fun of going up to the caves in the cliffside (where hippies hung out in the 1960s, see Joanie Mitchell song re same) ... and if you go to the other side of cliffs, there's the always empty Kommos beach, right near an arch. dig (the ancient seaport of the Palace of Phaistos.

Posted by
11579 posts

To the west, I recommend Falasarna and Elafonisi . The first one has larger waves, wide beach. The second is gentle, pink sand , aqua water; similar to Caribbean or Bahamas.