Crete is renowned around the globe as a result of its stunning natural scenery, history, mythology, local traditions and culture and of course the unique hospitality philosophy.
Golden beaches, crystal clear waters, majestic mountains, magnificent wild nature and blessed with sunshine during most of the year, are the facts that has been winning over the hearts of travelers for years.
If there is a single destination that has it all, it Crete. From fine dining and a buzzing nightlife to pure nature and deep-rooted traditional values. Crete is the land of myths and music, tradition and well-being
Famous Beaches in Crete
Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. 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, the beach of Balos amaze all visitors at first sight. Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, it is visited by thousands of people, who arrive mostly by the ferries running from Kissamos port. What makes the Balos beach sand pink. The characteristic pink colour is thanks to an oyster-like microorganism called Benthic Foraminifera. The foraminifera are tiny, shelled animals that live in the sea, attached by a pseudopod (i.e. a 'false foot') under various rocks, reefs, and caves to eat. beach
Located on the southwestern side of Crete, Elafonissi is a fantastic beach with exotic crystal waters. This place is a heaven on earth, with soft white and pink sand and with cedar trees reaching the coastline. Elafonissi means the island of the deer and is a magical place that should not be missed during your trip to western Crete. Elafonissos appears in the ancient times when the worshipping of Artemis and the other Olympian gods was in all its glory, and the island hosted a great temple of Artemis. Artemis was the goddess of haunting and this was a popular activity those times. In fact, Elafonissos counted on a vast population of red deer. The Pavlopetri is a small island opposite the homonymous beach, next to Viglafia across from Elafonisos. In the area there are archaeological findings that indicating that the area was inhabited since ancient times. Between the island and the shore is an ancient submerged city , aged about 5 millenniums.
Vai beach is located 94km east of Agios Nikolaos and 24km east of Sitia. It is the most famous beach in east Crete, as its main feature is the large palm grove with the Cretan Date Palm (Phoenix theophrasti). Its name derives from the word vai, meaning palm in Greek. On the northeastern side of Crete, in the region of Lassithi, is a fantastic beach called Vai. The special thing about this beach is that it is surrounded by the largest palm tree forest in Europe, consisting of 5,000 trees. The soft sand, the crystal water, and the natural beauty make this beach an inviting place for families.
Preveli Beach is definitely worth visiting. It's a place that appeals to both the adventurous spirit and the person looking for a relaxing day on the beach. Preveli Beach is truly unique, and it's a must-see coastal destinations on the island, On the southern side of the prefecture of Rethymno This beach is actually where a river flows into the sea, passing through many palm trees and forming a lake close to the sea. There are water sports in this lake to explore the river, Preveli is a wonderful place to swim.
Matala was famous in the 1960s and 1970s as a hippie place. Many hippies would come and spend many days or even months in the caves above the beach of Matala. Today the hippies are long gone and the nice seaside village attracts many families for the long, sandy and organized beach. Matala is a convenient place to stay during your holidays in Crete and a nice base for excursions in the region.
Plakias beach is one of the most famous and longest sandy beaches in South Crete (1.3km length). It is a well-organized beach with many sun loungers & umbrellas as well as sea sports like scuba diving, windsurfing etc. The road along the beach is ideal for walking or cycling. The eastern part of the beach is called Paligremnos where you can find a unique group of huge vertical cliffs rising above the sea. These cliffs are suitable for climbing.
If you love beaches and outdoor activities, you will love the calm azure waters, virgin sand, and fine pebbles that make up the Agiofarago beach. We highly recommend swimming under the shade of imposing cliffs that tower over the waters to the west of the beach. Agiofaraggo is a wonderful yet secluded beach located 80 km southwest Heraklion town close to the village of Kali Limenes, at the end of a small gorge. There are no tourist facilities in Agiofaraggo and the beach is not organized.
