Hidden gem
Seitan Limania
A dramatic zig-zag cove squeezed between sheer cliffs on the Akrotiri peninsula.
Secluded coves · Chania
Beaches & coast
Beaches, coves, lagoons and islands
Crete has more than a thousand kilometres of coastline, and almost every type of beach you can imagine: shallow turquoise lagoons in the far west, pink-tinged sand at Elafonisi, palm-fringed river mouths on the south coast and tiny coves you reach on foot. As a rule of thumb, the north coast is easier to reach and well organised, while the south coast (the Libyan Sea) is wilder, quieter and often calmer when the summer meltemi wind blows from the north.
Hidden gem
Kedrodasos
Wild coves backed by an ancient juniper forest, a short way from Elafonisi.
Secluded coves · Kissamos
Hidden gem
Glyka Nera Beach (Sweet Water)
A pebble beach under the cliffs of Sfakia, with fresh water springs bubbling up in the sea.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Marmara Beach
A cluster of marble coves at the mouth of the Aradena gorge, with a taverna above.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Orthi Ammos Beach
A quiet beach next to Frangokastello with a huge sand dune rising behind it.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Finikas Beach
A remote pebble cove near Loutro, at the site of the ancient port of Phoenix.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Krios Beach
A kilometre of coarse sand and white pebbles split into three coves, west of Paleochora.
Secluded coves · Kantanos-Selino
Hidden gem
Kouloura Lagoon
A small natural rock pool in Halepa, Chania, that looks like a turquoise swimming pool.
Pebble beaches · Chania
Hidden gem
Gialiskari Beach
Three secluded coves at the mouth of the Anydri gorge, east of Paleochora.
Secluded coves · Kantanos-Selino
Hidden gem
Filaki Beach
A secluded pebble beach near Chora Sfakion, one of the few official naturist beaches on Crete.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Menies Beach
A small secluded beach at the tip of the Rodopos peninsula, near an ancient temple.
Secluded coves · Platanias
Hidden gem
Koutelos Beach
A small, wild pebble beach east of Frangokastello with dark blue water.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Macherida Beach
A small secluded bay on Akrotiri next to a knife shaped cape.
Secluded coves · Chania
Hidden gem
Tripiti Beach
One of the most remote beaches on Crete, east of Sougia, reached on foot or by boat.
Secluded coves · Kantanos-Selino