Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Chania
Seitan Limania
A dramatic zig-zag cove squeezed between sheer cliffs on the Akrotiri peninsula.
Secluded coves
Quiet, wild, often hike-in
Small coves with few or no facilities, often reached by a short hike, dirt road or boat. Bring water, shade and shoes, and take your rubbish home.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Agios Vasileios
Triopetra
Quiet south-coast beach named after three rocks rising from the sea.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Phaistos
Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos)
A wild beach of reddish sand behind the cliffs of Matala, reached by a short hike.
Hidden gem
Gorges & hikes · Phaistos
Agiofarago Gorge & Beach
Short gorge walk ending at a pebble beach, a chapel and a natural rock arch.
Secluded coves · Kantanos-Selino
Sougia Beach
A long pebble beach in front of a laid back south coast village with colourful stones.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Kissamos
Kedrodasos
Wild coves backed by an ancient juniper forest, a short way from Elafonisi.
Secluded coves · Minoa Pediadas
Tsoutsouros Beach
A quiet south coast bay with tamarisk shade and water said to be good for your health.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Glyka Nera Beach (Sweet Water)
A pebble beach under the cliffs of Sfakia, with fresh water springs bubbling up in the sea.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Kouremenos Beach
A long sandy beach near Palekastro and one of the best windsurfing spots on Crete.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Kato Zakros Beach
A pebble beach at the end of the Gorge of the Dead, next to a Minoan palace.
Secluded coves · Ierapetra
Myrtos Beach
A laid back village beach on the south coast, sheltered from the north wind.
Secluded coves · Viannos
Keratokambos Beach
A long, quiet south coast beach with a few tavernas and almost no development.
Secluded coves · Malevizi
Paleokastro Beach
A sheltered beach below a Venetian castle, with clear water and rocks for snorkelling.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Phaistos
Vathi Beach
A secluded beach at the end of a small canyon, big rocks make it look like a lagoon.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Marmara Beach
A cluster of marble coves at the mouth of the Aradena gorge, with a taverna above.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Sitia
Itanos Beach
Three little coves next to the ruins of ancient Itanos, north of Vai.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Malevizi
Psaromoura Beach
A small pebble cove near Agia Pelagia that mostly locals know about.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Orthi Ammos Beach
A quiet beach next to Frangokastello with a huge sand dune rising behind it.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Chiona Beach
A small sandy beach near Palekastro, next to an ancient Minoan town and fish tavernas.
Secluded coves · Viannos
Psari Forada Beach
A long, sheltered sandy beach between two capes on the far south east of Heraklion.
Secluded coves · Viannos
Tertsa Beach
Two small beaches in a green seaside valley, with tamarisk shade and very clear water.
Secluded coves · Archanes-Asterousia
Treis Ekklisies Beach
A remote fishing village beach below the Asterousia mountains, deep clear water for snorkelling.
Hidden gem
Secluded coves · Gortyna
Diskos Beach
A wild, quiet beach near Lentas that naturists have loved for decades.
Secluded coves · Gortyna
Gerokampos Beach
A quiet beach just west of Lentas with tamarisks, a few tavernas and great sunsets.