Malia Beach
Long sandy beach with shallow water and the busiest nightlife strip on Crete behind it.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
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.
Hersonissos Beach
The busy town beach of Hersonissos, sand, sunbeds and a promenade full of cafes.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Stalida Beach
A long sandy beach between Hersonissos and Malia, a bit more relaxed and family friendly.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Gouves Beach
A handful of sandy beaches along Kato Gouves, easy and popular with families.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Analipsi Beach
A family resort beach with free sunbeds, showers and steady wind for watersports.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Kokkini Hani Beach
A string of small sandy beaches with lifeguards and shallow, light blue water.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Anissaras Beach
Small sandy beaches in front of big resorts, with a rocky seabed that is good for snorkelling.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Potamos Beach
Long golden beach at Malia with tamarisk shade, much calmer than the main strip.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Limanakia Coves
A chain of little coves between Cape Sarantari and Hersonissos, from busy to almost secret.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Arena Beach
A sandy beach east of town popular with SUP and kite surfers, with beach bars on one side.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Gefyri Beach
The easiest to reach of the Limanakia coves near Hersonissos, calm and very blue.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Sarantari Beach
A sheltered cove of almost white sand below the cliffs at Cape Sarantari.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Aposelemis Beach
A big sandy beach at the mouth of the Aposelemis river, with a small wetland full of birds.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Kokkini Beach
A small unorganised local beach with views of Dia island and planes landing.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos