Hidden gem
Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos)
A wild beach of reddish sand behind the cliffs of Matala, reached by a short hike.
Secluded coves · Phaistos
Beaches
Lagoons, pink sand, secret coves
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
Agiofarago Gorge & Beach
Short gorge walk ending at a pebble beach, a chapel and a natural rock arch.
Gorges & hikes · Phaistos
Hidden gem
Komos Beach
Two kilometres of golden sand and dunes next to an ancient Minoan harbour.
Sandy beaches · Phaistos
Hidden gem
Vathi Beach
A secluded beach at the end of a small canyon, big rocks make it look like a lagoon.
Secluded coves · Phaistos
Hidden gem
Psaromoura Beach
A small pebble cove near Agia Pelagia that mostly locals know about.
Secluded coves · Malevizi
Hidden gem
Diskos Beach
A wild, quiet beach near Lentas that naturists have loved for decades.
Secluded coves · Gortyna
Hidden gem
Listis Beach
A small beach of soft grey sand surrounded by big rocks, between Kastri and Tsoutsouros.
Secluded coves · Viannos
Hidden gem
Fylakes Beach
A tiny sandy cove behind the cape of Agia Pelagia, reached by a scramble, a swim or a boat.
Secluded coves · Malevizi
Hidden gem
Krassas Beach
Two quiet bays just east of Tsoutsouros, sandy, clear and nudist friendly.
Secluded coves · Minoa Pediadas
Hidden gem
Maridaki Beach
A pebble beach where two gorges meet the sea, so the water stays cool all summer.
Secluded coves · Archanes-Asterousia
Hidden gem
Trafoulas Beach
A rocky cove at the end of a little canyon near Lentas, where King Minos is said to have bathed.
Secluded coves · Gortyna
Hidden gem
Dermatos Beach
A long, empty beach at the mouth of the Anapodaris river, far off the beaten track.
Secluded coves · Minoa Pediadas
Hidden gem
Agios Antonios Beach
A rocky cove with green water and a cave chapel, also called Prasina Nera.
Secluded coves · Archanes-Asterousia
Hidden gem
Agios Nikitas Beach
A wild pebble beach below a 17th century monastery on the Asterousia coast.
Secluded coves · Archanes-Asterousia
Hidden gem
Elygia Beach
A small hidden cove on the way to Koudoumas monastery, deep sapphire water and hermit caves.
Secluded coves · Archanes-Asterousia
Hidden gem
Psarocharako Beach
A small sandy beach near Tertsa with an islet that looks like a submarine.
Secluded coves · Viannos
Hidden gem
Tripiti Beach
A long pebble beach at the end of the Tripiti gorge, reached by a scenic dirt road.
Secluded coves · Gortyna
Hidden gem
Voidomatis Beach
A wild beach at the exit of the Mesosfini gorge, with a huge underwater cave called the Ox's Eye.
Secluded coves · Archanes-Asterousia
Hidden gem
Martsalos Beach
A tiny, isolated pebble beach in a gorge, calm water and total silence.
Secluded coves · Phaistos
Hidden gem
Monompouka Beach
An almost empty beach between Keratokambos and Arvi with gently sloping turquoise water.
Secluded coves · Viannos
Hidden gem
Stena Beach
A pebble beach with a narrow channel between the shore and a huge rock, great for snorkelling.
Secluded coves · Phaistos
Hidden gem
Maha Beach
A rocky, pebbly beach near ancient Lasaia that feels like your own private bay.
Secluded coves · Phaistos
Hidden gem
Panagia Beach
A pebble cove on a coast of tiny inlets, reached by boat or a steep path.
Secluded coves · Malevizi
Hidden gem
Koudoumas Beach
A pebble beach below a monastery in the Asterousia.
Sandy beaches · Archanes-Asterousia