Beaches of Crete

Travel Guide

    22/07/2025
    23/07/2025

    The largest island of Greece is washed by three seas: the Libyan Sea to the south, the Sea of Crete to the north, and the Ionian Sea to the west. Beaches on Crete are very varied — sand and pebble, with facilities and wild ones, for adults and for children.

    Beaches of western Crete, around the city of Chania

    Marathi: for holidays with children

    The largest island of Greece is washed by three seas: the Libyan Sea to the south, the Sea of Crete to the north, and the Ionian Sea to the west. Beaches on Crete are very varied — sand and pebble, with facilities and wild ones, for adults and for children. 

    Sites nearby: archeological digs of an ancient palace from Minoan times (bronze age) right behind the beach, while 2.5 km away you will find the Church of St. Nicholas.

    Nearest settlement: Marathi (Akrotiri peninsula).

    How to get there from Chania: by car, bus, or with a tour.

    Price: free entry, hire of two sunbeds, and an umbrella — €8 per day.

    Hotels nearby: Kalyves Beach Hotel, Almyrida Beach. 

    Island of Elafonisi: take your photo with pink sand

    This beach features unusual pink sand, which is created due to the red sea shells and coral. The area is protected: here you will find rare caretta sea turtles and almost extinct species of birds, while lilies and cedars grow here. You’re not allowed to take sand or plants from the beach.

    The beach is 76 km from Chania and is remote from the tourist spots, although there are still lots of people here. To relax in relative quiet, head 50-100 meters along the seafront in the direction of Elafonisi.

    Sites nearby: the lighthouse and chapel at Agia Eirini at the edge of the island, Chrysoskalitissa monastery 5 km to the north — this is the main place of pilgrimage in western Crete.

    Nearest settlement: Elafonisi.

    How to get there from Chania: by car or with a tour (an individual one costs €200 per person).

    Price: free entry, rental of two sunbeds and an umbrella will cost €10 per day, and a visit to the toilet will cost €1.

    Lissos: visit a wild beach

    Lissos — territory of the ancient town. On the way to the beach, you will come across ruins of buildings with mosaic floors, colonnades, and bits of an ancient theater. But you should come here for the wonderful coast: clean, untouched, far from populated areas. The beach has no sunbeds or umbrellas — just a lonely bench to rest on and a few trees. Nearby you will find a mineral spring from which you may drink.

    Sites nearby: the ruins of ancient Lissos and the Church of St. Kirikos.

    Nearest settlement: Sougia.

    How to get there from Chania: to Sougia by car or bus, and from there on the boat (€5) or walk (a two-hour walk along a picturesque route).

    Price: free entry.

     

    Balos beach: pretend to be a pirate

    In the past, this was a pirates’ haven, washed by three seas. Now, it’s one of the best beaches of Crete. The bay is sheltered from the winds, and the sea here is always warm — you can swim in it right up to November. It has a sandy, shallow seabed, and there are no waves. Occasionally you will find seaweed lying on the beach. There are several umbrellas and a couple of small cafes. You can find giant turtles in the sea and wild mountain goats on the shore.

    Sites nearby: a panoramic platform with a view over a lagoon from the western side of the Korikos peninsula, the island of Gramvousa with rare birds and other animals, Gramvousa fortress, sunk boats in the bay.

    Nearest settlement: Kaliviani.

    How to get there from Chania: by car, on a boat tour from the port of Trachilos near Kissamos (a ticket costs €20), or by foot from Kaliviani (8 km).

    Price: free entry.

    Hotels nearby: Nautilus Bay Hotel, Mediterranean Studios Apartments.

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