Crete is Greece's largest island and by far the most popular tourist destination in the Greek archipelago. The island is home to Europe's oldest settlement in Knossos and has been a cultural hotspot since prehistory. This rich background is imprinted anywhere you look, from the buildings and the landmarks to the people and the land itself, Crete is a true kaleidoscope of history, culture and tradition with roots lost in mists of time. The island is surrounded by amazing coastlines and its mainland is virtually only mountains, creating a unique and exciting landscape where sea meets land.
Crete spans 260 km from east to west and is 60 km to its widest point. Across the island, tourists can find a wide range of activities and a diverse array of attractions. The island is known for its water sports activities, amazing restaurants, world-class spas, fine wines and spirits, and, of course, the famous Greek hospitality. Crete's climate is the perfect example of Mediterranean weather; mild and pleasant the weather on the island allows tourists to enjoy Crete all-year round. A top holiday destination loved by many.
White sand beaches
Blue Sea Beach in Stalis is a pristine golden-coloured bay overlooking the islet of Agia Varvara. This popular, family-friendly beach is very close to the Blue Sea Resort. The plethora of tourist facilities and calm waters make the Blue Sea beach ideal for families and elderly tourists.
Ligaria Beach in Aghia Pelagia is located in a beautiful and secluded bay only a few kilometres away from the island's capital Herakion. The beach has very fine white sand with a few pebbles and azure waters. The Ligaria is fairly secluded as you have to walk up and down a hill to reach it, making it ideal for naturists.
Stone / rocky beaches
Agia Fotia (literally meaning 'holy fire') beach is a pristine blue flag beach at the south eastern side of Crete, just 12 kms east of Lerapetra. Agia Fotia comprises dark sand and stones. Its waters are fairly deep, making it ideal for snorkelling.
The Listis (literally meaning 'thief') beach is a rocky beach that attracts naturists thanks to its secluded location. The beach has shallow waters and calm waves, though entering and exiting the water can be mildly inconvenient thanks to the stones underfoot.
Family friendly
The two beaches of Nea Chora are quiet and perfectly suited for families with children. Both beaches have fine clean sand and shallow waters. Nea Chora has numerous tourist facilities such as parasols, toilets, showers and numerous restaurants at walking distance from the beaches, making them ideal for families. Several water sports are also practiced here, including parasailing and windsurfing.
Frangokastelo beach is one of the most welcoming and family-friendly beaches in Crete with lots of amenities and tourist facilities. Famous for its Venetian castle that overlooks the beach, Frangokastelo is surrounded by myths and legends about the Drosoulites ghost riders.
Makrigialos beach is a popular beach that offers all kinds of tourist amenities and boasts calm, shallow waters. Makrigialos is totally child-friendly, with good lifeguard services, and is also suitable for people with disabilities with accessibility ramps and special facilities to accommodate tourists with limited mobility.
Damnoni beach is a busy beach with fine white sand and gentle waves, located 35 kilometres away from the city Rethymnon. Damnoni beach is family friendly, boasting several bars and restaurants. There are lots of lifeguard stations and the waters are calm enough to allow for child-safe swimming and snorkelling.
Lively beaches
Aghios Nicolaos is one of the busiest beaches in Crete. Located east of Heraklion, Aghios Nicolaos bay has Europe's deepest sea, many old ships and a peculiar bridge. The beach is surrounded by lots of beach bars, and beach parties are a daily (and nightly) occurrence during tourist season.
The sandy beach at the village of Gouves is a lively tourist hotspot close to Heraklion. Gouves has lots of cafes, bars, shopping centres and restaurants, making it perfect for families with children during the day and beach partygoers during the night.
Blue flag
Two of the most beautiful blue flag beaches on the island, Almyrida beaches have the finest golden sand and deep, clean blue waters. The Almyridas are not the most tourist-friendly beaches as they have virtually no facilities, but visitors can find everything they need at large tourist complexes that lie a few kilometres away. Out of the two Almyridas, the western beach is a bit more accommodating to families, while the eastern one is more suitable for surfers and windsurfers.
The city of Lerapetra boasts four incredible beaches all within close proximity to each other. The beach of Peristeras is a naturist friendly beach that is the most secluded of the four. The western and southern beaches both sport a blue flag and are perfect for children and elderly tourists. St. Andrews beach is pebbly and less crowded, and also boasts a blue flag.
The four beaches of Agia Galini in Rethymnon all have a blue flag and are lovely beaches. Paximadia, Kolympistri and Lihnistis beaches have black sand and pebbles; they are fairly secluded and attract naturists. The beach of Agia Galini is a tourist-friendly, family-friendly and disabled-friendly beach with lots of facilities and restaurants around it. This beach also hosts several water sports events including scuba diving, sailing and parasailing during the tourist season.
Water sports
Kissamos beach is known as one of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean. This blue flag beach has very fine golden-coloured sand and deep clear waters. Kissamos beach is fairly secluded and attracts divers and snorkellers who come to explore the bay's underwater wonders.
Dhomata beach has coarse, golden sand and shallow waters. The winds are favourable for surfing and windsurfing here; Dhomata attracts lots of sailors throughout the year, too.
Psaropoula beach is a child-friendly beach at Lassithi that is not very crowded and is always full of fun activities. This is a popular beach for water sports with surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing and parasailing practices here.
Sidonia (also known as 'psari forada') beach is a popular water sports beach with turbulent winds and black sandy dunes. This is not a family friendly beach as it is fairly secluded and lacks proper lifeguard facilities.
Fishing & sailing
Agios Charalambos and Ammoudi beaches consist of beaches and secluded coves that are rich in marine life and offer good fishing opportunities. Several areas around Ammoudi can only be visited by boat.
Agiannis beach in Gavdos is where experienced sailing enthusiasts go to brave the waves and practice sailing at its best. Gavdos is a tiny island that is always windy and challenging to sailors. The Agiannis beach has been voted the second best beach in the world by National Geographic.
Secluded
Located in the untouched Chrissi Island across a secluded bay in Crete, Hatzivolakas is a pristine beach with the finest golden sand and turquoise waters. Ideal for diving and snorkelling, this beach has no tourist facilities and apart from water sports enthusiasts, mostly naturists visit the place.
Lavrakas is a unique beach that is home to one of the largest sea turtle populations in the Mediterranean. Located in Gavdos, the beach is remote but strictly guarded to protect the turtles, and therefore it is inaccessible during the summer months when the turtles lay their eggs.
Naturist
Orthi Ammos is a secluded and beautiful beach that is ideal for naturists and sun bathers looking for a bit of peace and privacy. The beach has very fine white sand and shallow waters. Orthi Ammos is located close to Frangokastelo, so tourist amenities are never too far away. The eastern edge of the beach is almost always teeming with naturists.
Glyka Nera (literally meaning 'sweet water') beach is one of the highest rated beaches close to Chania. The beach is fairly deserted even though it is accessible, making it an ideal spot for naturists. Glyka Nera's deep waters and coarse sands make for a beautiful environment. This is a camping-friendly beach with several naturists setting their tents there.