Frangokastello Beach
A wide sandy beach with shallow water right below a Venetian castle on the south coast.
Sandy beaches · Sfakia
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
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
Sfakia Beach (Vrysi)
The main pebble beach of Chora Sfakion, where the boats from Samaria come in.
Pebble beaches · Sfakia
Agia Roumeli Beach
The beach at the end of the Samaria gorge, a well deserved swim after the hike.
Pebble beaches · 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
Filaki Beach
A secluded pebble beach near Chora Sfakion, one of the few official naturist beaches on Crete.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Koutelos Beach
A small, wild pebble beach east of Frangokastello with dark blue water.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Gavdos Island
Europe's southernmost island, wild and laid back.
Sandy beaches · Sfakia
Agios Ioannis Beach (Gavdos)
Golden sand and sea cedars on Gavdos.
Sandy beaches · Sfakia
Potamos Beach (Gavdos)
A hidden Gavdos cove with reddish sand and clay.
Sandy beaches · Sfakia