Crete island beach with pink sand. Sandy beaches of Crete - famous and not so famous

It is almost impossible to call any of the beaches of Crete the best. Each is beautiful in its own way. Some are famous and popular, their infrastructure offers all kinds of services.

Few people know about others, but the highlight of such beaches is their pristine cleanliness and absolute tranquility on vacation.

The north side of Crete is rich in sandy beaches of various shades. The landscape of the southern part of the island is rocky, there are many pebbly beaches and beautiful scenery.

Long and golden Rethymnon

In the north of the island, Rethymnon, a 13-kilometer golden sandy beach is located, it is considered the biggest in Crete.

It starts within the city, a kilometer from the center, at the Venetian port and runs east to the seaside the village of Scaletta.

The sea here is shallow and clear. In addition to sun loungers and umbrellas, costing 7 euros per set, there are showers, changing cabins, and toilets.

Opens in the city view to the old lighthouse.

The beach is wide enough, along it goes tourist area with cafes, shops, taverns and numerous hotels. The beach is not protected from the wind by natural fences, but the presence of piers on both sides protects its formation of waves.

On the coastal Eleftherios Venizelos street, accumulates in the evening a large number of strolling tourists.

Large and lively, but you can always find a secluded spot here.

The entrance to the sea is gentle, the beach is good for families with small children, marine entertainment is for every taste.

The original sand of the Frangokastello beach

On the border with Rethymno, in Chania region there is a relatively secluded place - the village of Frangokastello with the beach of the same name and the original sand on it: against the background of gold there is a strip of gray, with black specks, apparently of volcanic origin.

The beach is famous for the fact that it stands right next to the water ancient Venetian fortress Frangokastello, built in 1371, which creates a rather picturesque view of the landscape.

Rumors that at the end of spring, stir up the interest of tourists in this place.

The gently sloping entrance to the sea and the sand, which is suitable for playing, make this beach very convenient for families with children. Sunbeds and an umbrella are here - 5 euros.

Get to the beach you can take the E75 highway from the city or Rethymno, turning onto the road to the village of Vrises. The winding and picturesque road will lead you to the southern coast of the island, and the sign at the fork will indicate the way to the fortress.

300 meters east of the fortress is located Orsi Amos beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful on the island. The sea here is crystal clear, the water gradually deepens, this place is great for diving and snorkeling. The very end of the beach was chosen by nudists.

The bay of Agios Pavlos

Agios Pavlos beach is located near the village with the same name, 58 km south of Rethymno. The beach is located in a bay, so it is protected from the winds.

On the way from Rethymnon, turn around Spili pointer, the next turn to Agios Pavlos is 15 km. There are no large villages nearby, the area is quite wild, and the beach can only be reached along a narrow serpentine, on foot.

The infrastructure is almost not developed. At the beach there is a tavern and a bar, several hotels, as well as a yoga center. These places contribute to relaxation and peace.

The purest sea water is perfect for scuba diving. But many come here to visit another beach.

From Agios Pavlos comes a stone stairs to Amolofi Agios Pavlos separated from civilization by huge sand dunes. The beach is surrounded by mountains with mysterious caves, the virgin landscape helps to understand what was Crete in ancient times when all this beauty was only created by the Almighty.

Pink Elafonisi

Another representative of the most beautiful beaches not only Crete, but throughout Greece - the beach, 75 km from Chania, in the southwestern part of the island.

It is famous for its pink sand, gently sloping sea entry and azure waters. Not far from the coast, cedars grow, thanks to which a unique aroma hovers over the beach.

Elafonisi beach is fully equipped paid parking, on the beach sun loungers - 7 euros per set, toilets, cabins, bar.

sea ​​depth such that you can wade to the white sand island of Elafonisi (50–100 m). The sea is warm and there are no waves. It is always calm on Elafonisi beach, there are usually not many vacationers here due to its comparative remoteness.

Nearest (25 km) the village of Paleochora– connected to the beach by a not very expensive road good quality, becoming unpaved in the last kilometers. If you move along the national road towards the city, then the frequent signs of Elafonissi will lead you to your destination.

The area is protected - some rare plant species grow here. Fires and camping are not allowed.

Palm Vai

- sandy coastline near the only palm forest in Europe. Situated on east coast Crete at Cape Sidero, in , 26 km from the town of Sitia and 6 km from Paleokastro.

The very end of the new national road (if you follow it to the east) will lead you to Sitia, from where the beach can be easily reached by signs - Vai beach. The beach has paid parking - 3.5 euros entry, but you can leave the car outside the parking area. There are a lot of people here during the season.

The entrance to the sea is gentle, sandy. Vai beach is equipped with all the benefits of civilization, but the zone is considered a protected area and if you come here early in the morning, while there is no influx of tourists, you can hear the birds singing.

Price two sun loungers and an umbrella - 9 euros. The road to the beach is steep, you have to move along the mountain serpentine, but the views are very beautiful.

The famous coast of Matala

Matala Beach has been receiving for many years Blue Flag Award.

The village is located 70 km from Heraklion, you can reach it by turning off Heraklion near pointer to Mires, and, having passed it, go along main road following signs to Matala.

The 300 meter sandy beach is surrounded by rocks with numerous caves where hippies settled in the 60s, and during the period of domination on the island of the Romans caves served as burial places.

It is well equipped, there are showers, a cafe, a rescue point.

Price sunbed - 2 euros, umbrella - the same amount.

There are volleyball courts near the beach, where competitions are often held. On the beach there are many trees under which you can hide from the sun.

Matale offers a variety of accommodation options, including inexpensive accommodation, and beach cafes and bars are filled with visitors in the evenings.

White Platanias

10 km from Chania, in the northern part of the island, near the village of Platanias, there is a 4 km sandy beach.

This is a section of the old national road Chania - Kissamos.

The beach is very popular due to its pure white sand and clear water, regularly getting Blue Flag Award.

The infrastructure is fully equipped - showers, toilets, water attractions, changing rooms.

The coast of Platanias is a promenade area with many shops, bars and restaurants. Rest in Platanias is preferred by noisy youth, but couples with children rest here with no less pleasure.

The beach overlooks island of St. Theodore with the ruins of Venetian fortresses, to which pleasure boats go.

The island is protected area due to the population of rare kri-kri goats, and you can land on it only one day a year - on Saint Theodore's day.

Platanias is considered the center water activities in the region of Chania. Diving enthusiasts can meet octopuses and lobsters in the local waters.

The price of a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella– 7 euros.

8 km from Chania, before reaching 2 km from Platanias, there is another popular resort of the island - Agia Marina.

The beach of the resort is the purest white sand, well-developed infrastructure and nightclubs, which bring a unique atmosphere of a fun holiday by the sea.

Balos - fantastically beautiful and hard to reach

Bay of Balos - but throughout Greece. It is located 17 km northwest of Kissamos.

A 10 km road leads to it. from the village of Kaliviani, there is where to park the car, buses also run from Kissamos (travel - 2.5 euros).

The road is narrow and sometimes dangerous, it is forbidden to drive to Balos in a rented car, so many people prefer to get there by water. However, this prevents you from fully enjoying the view of the bay from afar.

Boats come here from the port of Kissamos. Price adult ticket - 22 euros, plus 1 euro - an environmental fee for entering the bay.

Balos Lagoon is a beautiful tropical beach with white and pink sand, a place where three seas merge. The beach is poorly protected from the wind, there are small waves. Despite this, there are always a lot of people here, there may be a problem with sun loungers.

One place is worth 3 euro, set(two sun loungers and an umbrella) - 7 euros.

Always crowded Makrialos

On southeast coast Crete, 30 km east of Ierapetra, there is the village of Makrialos. This part of the island is not very popular with tourists, but this place is an exception.

The sandy beach is narrow, but long, with a well-developed infrastructure, usually crowded.

The sea here is shallow and clear, so it is great for families with small children.

There are many cafes, shops and hotels across the road from the beach.

Taverns near the beach offer Cretan and Greek cuisine, fresh fish.

Crete is the largest Greek island. It attracts tourists with its unique landscape - forest, mountain, sand, sea. The island has a mild and healthy climate. The air there is always clean and fresh, because there are no industrial enterprises nearby.

The sun in Crete shines 340 days a year. The swimming season lasts from late April to mid-November. Winter is short, not frosty, with positive temperatures from 13°C to 16°C. That's why large quantity days of the year tourists visit.

Crete is washed by three seas:

• in the north - Cretan;
• in the south - Libyan;
• in the west - Ionian.

These seas are completely different, which is noticeable even to the naked eye. The wonderful thing that every tourist can find in Crete perfect place for your vacation.

Where are the best beaches in Crete

First of all, you need to choose resort place on the island of Crete in accordance with your preferences during your vacation, and there are beautiful beaches in any part of the island - sandy and pebbly, crowded and secluded. There are even very small beaches, they can only be reached by swimming.

There are beautiful beaches all over the island.

Territorially, Crete is divided into four administrative units (nomes):

• Chania (western part),
• Rethymno,
• Heraklion,
• Lasithi.

Parts of Crete are not similar to each other. Each territorial unit has its own characteristics.

Holidays in Chania

Here are located, in addition to many kilometers of beaches, deep caves, gorges, bays. And the whole city is surrounded by mountains that have a lime color. Rest will be more to the liking of connoisseurs of wildlife.

In Chania you can see ancient churches, fortresses, palaces of nobles, museums, monuments.

The beaches of the Libyan Sea

In the village of Agia Roumeli and around it, the beaches are famous for their black sand. On the coast of Falassarna, the beaches were once the seabed long ago. The sea retreated a kilometer and flat sands remained.

This place often hosts music festivals. The nightlife is very active, which attracts young people here. Against the backdrop of a fun holiday, you can immerse yourself in the history of the island.

Rethymnon

Lovers should go to Retino cultural life. Archaeological territories, galleries, the Monastery of Arcadia, the Cave of Ideas, the Rimondi Fountain, houses of the Venetian era and many other attractions are concentrated here.

This area has many picturesque beaches. The longest beach stretches from Georgioupoli to Rethymnon at a distance of 15 km. In the city of Rethymno itself, active youth will have fun. And near the city there are quiet villages suitable for calm families.

Heraklion is the administrative capital of the island of Crete

In the central part of Heraklion, there are the Palace of Knossos, the palace of Gortyn, Archaeological Museum etc.

In the region of Heraklion, the tourist infrastructure is more developed than in other parts of Crete. Along the coast of the Cretan Sea are comfortable hotels, water parks and noisy resort centers. Fans of outdoor activities will find all kinds of water sports here.

Eastern part of Crete - Lassithi

Lassithi will delight you with the earliest fruits and vegetables. Here is the palm grove of Vai. Lassithi is the greenest and most picturesque part of the island.

There are many beaches in this area, mostly quiet, sheltered from the wind. The coastline is strongly indented, therefore it forms many bays and bays.

The best beaches in Crete

It is impossible to name the best beach in Crete with firm certainty. For every vacationer it is his own. All of them are beautiful and unique in their own way, and the island of Crete is famous for them.

Each beach in Crete is beautiful and unique in its own way.

Most tourists prefer to relax on the beach with soft sand. The choice of these beaches is very large. Their advantage is that they are always clean, every morning technical workers comb the sand with a rake.

But there are also tourists who prefer pebble beaches. Undoubtedly, pebbles are very useful for the legs and back.

Almost all beaches are well-maintained, equipped with attractions.

Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. There is an opinion that if you have ever visited Crete, then you will be drawn here all your life. Amazing nature, bizarre rocks and warm gentle sea attract tourists from all over the world. Almost every hotel, in every town in the resort area has a beach where tourists actually relax. In the high season, finding a free sunbed with an umbrella to hide from the scorching sun on these beaches is a whole problem.

If you get to the beaches of Crete in calm windless weather, you will be doubly fascinated by the local beauties and the mirror surface of the sea.

1. Frangokostelo beach.

This beach is located 13 kilometers east of the town of Chora Sfakia. Named after the fortress of the same name, which was built next to the beach on the shore. It is not difficult to get there by car, there is an asphalt road to the beach, and on the beach itself there is free parking near the fortress. You need to get through the town of Kallikratis (Kallikratis). The beach is small and shallow, perfect for kids. The water here is a delicate turquoise color. One minus - in the season there are a lot of people.

2. Sfakia beach.

Sfakia beach on the map is indicated by an arrow.

If you get bored on the Frangokostelo beach or don’t like something, you can get into your car and drive to the town of Chora Sfakia along the road strictly west. From it, another 1.5 km along the coast to the right and you will find the stunning beach of Sfakia, or rather, the beach "Vrisi". There is a small paid parking in Chora Sfakia where you can leave your car and go down to the beach. The water here is amazingly crystal clear and has a blue color. The beach is shallow and easy to walk on. Here expanse for lovers of diving with a mask. The water under the rocks is so clear that you can see every pebble at the bottom. If you're lucky, you might meet an octopus. However, there are some peculiarities. In this place, fresh cold water flows down from the mountains and bathing in intense heat will be very comfortable. More precisely, the water temperature will be 5 degrees lower than on the northern coast of Crete.

3. Elafonisi beach.

One of the most famous and popular beaches Crete. It will not work to call it secluded, there are just crowds of people here in the summer, but it is very beautiful and it would be simply indecent not to mention it. Thousands of tourists flock here to enjoy the amazing emerald color of the water combined with pink volcanic sand. Unfortunately, too many tourists come to this beach by car. In the high season, there is practically nowhere to park the car. But, if you wish, you can still find a place, but you have to walk for a long time. Parking here is unorganized, the road itself is very dusty. A strong wind constantly blows here so that the grains of sand sharply cut into the body. Very good place for windsurfing.

Here it is, Elafonisi beach.

The depth of the sea here is not great, you can go and go and everything will be waist-deep. People basically do just that: they just walk waist-deep in water or lie in it for hours.

4. Kedrodasos beach.

Kedrodasos beach on the map.

The next uniquely beautiful beach in Crete is Kedrodasos. The place is truly magical. The sand is absolutely white, it gives the impression that you are in the tropics. The water is clear and pale turquoise. Unlike Elafonisi, there are absolutely no tourists on it, apparently because few people know about this place, although this beach is located just 1 kilometer from the crowded Elafonisi. If you stand facing the sea on Elafonisi, then Kedrodasos will be 1 km to the left. Therefore, this place has long been chosen by nudists, they meet here in some places under the bushes.

5. Falasarna beach.

Stunningly beautiful beach with coarse white sand and emerald water. One of the few unique beaches in Crete. Located in the westernmost part of the island, 17 km from the town of Kissamos. More precisely, this West Coast peninsula Gramvuza. Not far from the beach are the ruins of the ancient city of Falasarna, which once belonged to the Romans. This beach is considered one of the best in Crete and one of the top 10 beaches in Europe. Umbrellas, sun loungers and several bars are at your disposal. There are also changing rooms. Since the beach is large and wide, the illusion is created that there are not many people here. People come to Falasarna Beach in the evenings to enjoy the stunning sunset. The sun sets right into the sea and nothing will stop you from seeing this process, no rocks and mountains, because there is nothing of this here, only you, the beach and the sea. The main inconvenience of this beach is that waves are constantly present here due to the wind blowing from the west. If you are not by car, then you can get to Falasarna by bus from Chania. The name Falasarna comes from the name of a nymph named Falasarna. If you walk along the coast from the beach to the right, you can walk among the ruins ancient city, which was destroyed during an earthquake in 365 AD. There are also remains of houses, acropolises and tombs.

Falasarna beach. This beach has been awarded a blue flag.

6. Pl yazh Triopetra (Triopetra).

Located in the town of Agios Pavlos, which is in the southern part of the island of Crete. The beach is located in picturesque place surrounded on all sides by sand dunes. The place is quite romantic and secluded, so it has long been chosen by nudists and snorkellers. There are practically no people here. The coast in this place is riddled with beautiful underwater grottoes, while the water is the purest and very clear. On the beach of Triopetra there is a tavern where you can have a bite to eat or drink Greek coffee or some water. Also on the beach there are several umbrellas under which you can hide from the scorching sun..

This is the beauty you can see underwater if you dive with a mask.

Since the coast is quite rocky, with bizarre crevices, it is quite possible to retire here and have a great time away from civilization and crowds of tourists. It is definitely better to get there by car (see photo). car rental in Greece ). First from Rethymnon to the village of Spili and then through the villages of Akoumia to the southeast, just before south coast, where the tourist town of Triopetra is located with stunning wild sandy beaches.

7. Plakias beach).

The next one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches of Crete is Plakias beach. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag. Located 3 kilometers from the village of Plakias in the south of the island. This beach is also considered a haven for nudists. But there are not many of them here, they hide under bushes and in coastal crevices. However, nowadays, in the high season, it is easy to get here on an asphalt road, and therefore a lot of people come to the beach and nudists feel uncomfortable here. The beach is sandy, with very clean and transparent water, wide enough, its length is about 1 kilometer. The black volcanic sand attracts the sun's rays and it's hot to walk on the sand without shoes. More precisely, it is impossible, because feet cannot withstand this temperature. There are umbrellas and changing rooms on the beach, and snorkellers will also find a lot of interesting things here.

8. Tripiti beach).

A small secluded beach in Crete with dark green water and small pebbles. Located in the south of Crete, 12 km east of the village of Lentas. There are almost never waves here, because. the beach is protected from the wind by the coastal zone. The road to the beach leads through a magnificent gorge, through which a narrow dirt road, one car wide, stretches. So if anything, then it will not work. Around Tripiti beach there is a beautiful wild mountain landscape. Civilization in this place is almost completely absent. In the high season, in the vicinity of Tripiti Beach, you can rent a small camper for an overnight stay for a nominal fee.

9.Kommos beach.

It is located 2 kilometers south of the village of Kalamaki in the south of the island near the Tympaki alternate airfield. The beach is small-pebbled, but this pebble does not interfere with entering the water. Once there was an ancient port of Phaistos, and now only ruins remain, which can be viewed in between sunbathing and swimming. Excavations are currently underway here and you will not be able to get to them. In general, according to legend, this is exactly the place where Odysseus did not get along with the Cyclops. Remember from the movie when he gouged out his eye? In this place, the same stone sticks out of the sea, on which, according to legend, the ship of Odysseus ran into. On Kommos beach, the wind often blows, so the sea is rarely calm. The beach is located in the reserve, so there are no hotels or inns. Due to the remoteness and seclusion, this beach once also belonged only to nudists, but today you can also find here ordinary tourists. The beach has umbrellas, sunbeds, changing rooms and toilets with showers. On the mountain, above the beach, there is a small tavern where you can have a bite to eat. The water on this beach is surprisingly clear and snorkeling here will be very interesting.

10. Voulisma and Istrou beaches.

Beach Voulisma awarded the Blue Flag. These beaches are located 12 km southeast of the town of Agios Nikolos in eastern Crete. The beaches are hidden in the small quiet village of Kalo Chorio. There are three beaches and they are all hidden in small coves protected from the winds. Therefore, as a rule, there are almost never waves here. A very comfortable place to stay with children. Above the beach is a grove of olive trees. If you stand facing the sea, then to your right on the mountain you will see several private villas with swimming pools. These beaches are located near the main national road, so you can also get here by bus. If you go by car, then there are free parking lots where you can safely leave your car. The beach next to the village of Kalo Horio is called Karavostasi. This is the largest and most comfortable beach with small pebbles and coarse sand. There are umbrellas, sun loungers and everything you need for a normal holiday. If you go around the coast on the right, you can get to the second beach, which is called St. Panteleimon. The beach got its name in honor of the church, which was built right there on the shore. The beach has huge fancy rocks with holes that give this Cretan beach a whimsical and fabulous look. Here, tourists are very fond of taking pictures, which, by the way, are not many here. The next beach in this place is called Voulisma. There is a very rare color of sand here, which seems to be golden.

Despite the considerable remoteness of some exotic beaches in Crete, most of them are well equipped. There are also umbrellas and sun loungers on the Voulisma beach, and this service is also paid. The next beach on this coast is called Istron. Named after the hotel of the same name, which is located here. The water here is blue, and the sand is black due to volcanic rock. During the day, such sand is very hot and you can’t walk along it to the water without slippers. The beach is fabulously beautiful, especially in calm weather, but sunbathing on it is not very pleasant due to the presence of hotel tourists. If this does not bother you, then come here, you can have a great time here and swim in plenty if there is a storm on most of the island. It makes sense to sunbathe here in the low season.

11. Potamos beach.

Potamos beach on the map.

Potamos beach in the photo.

Potamos Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag. Located 3 km east of the town of Malia and 1 km from the main national road. On Saturdays and Sundays, mostly Greeks with families rest here. But if you come on weekdays, then there will not be so many people. This beach stands out crystal clean water and white sand. It is not protected from waves and wind by a large stone-sand rock. There is coarse white-golden sand and a fairly comfortable and gentle entry. It is very nice to swim here with a mask and snorkel. This beach offers free parking, umbrellas and sunbeds, and several beach bars where you can drink coffee or water. There are also changing rooms. Instead of a shower, along the road you can find taps with a hose where you can simply rinse after swimming. The beach is small and the water here is very clean, the Greeks chose it for a family vacation for a reason.

12. Balos lagoon beach.

This is the natural color of the water on Balos.

Although this is not a wild deserted beach, it is also worth mentioning. It is located at the northern tip of the Gramvuza Peninsula. This is the most photographed beach of Crete, one of its business cards. Balos Beach is mentioned in almost all guidebooks in Crete. Once upon a time, Prince Charles and Princess Diana came here on their yacht. Turquoise water, white sand interspersed with small pink grains of sand, plus wild nature untouched by civilization make Balos beach such a favorite and visited place for tourists. If you do not like the crowd, then it is better not to come here during the high season, there are a lot of people here. Well, maybe only early in the morning. The sea here is shallow, and therefore warm, the kids are the most expanse.

There are several ways to get to Balos beach. First, it's on a private boat from Kissamos for 30-35 euros. At the same time, enjoy the beauty of the rocky coast, which is a bizarre outline of rocks. The second way to get to Balos is by renting a car. True, the road is not very comfortable, rocky and rainy weather even dangerous. And the third way is on a sightseeing pleasure boat that makes a short cruise to the island of Gramvousa.

13. Vai Beach.

Another of the most wonderful beaches in Crete is the legendary Vai beach. But, this beach is quite famous and famous all over the world, so there are a lot of people here. It's just very beautiful beach and it is worth mentioning. Located in the eastern part of Crete. Many Greeks believe that this is where the Bounty chocolate commercial was filmed, as the scenery around the beach is reminiscent of the African Caribbean landscape. main feature Vai beach is that on its shore of the beach one of the largest colonies of palm trees grows, exactly the same as in the Canaries. A whole palm grove, there are about 5 thousand of them. Not far from the beach there is a monastery with miraculous Byzantine icons. Vai Beach has long attracted a huge number of tourists, because of which the nature of this a unique corner Kryta suffered some damage. Recently, the territory of Vai Beach has been considered protected. The beach is equipped with umbrellas, showers and changing rooms. It has dazzling white sand and emerald green water. For tourists by car there is a small parking lot. And if you are without a car, then you can get to the beach by bus from the village of Sitia. Vai beach in Crete is a must visit. True, it's a long way to get there.
Of course, these are not all the beaches of Crete, which are unique and beautiful. You can’t list them all, but if you visit at least a few of those that are described here, then on your next trip you will certainly want to see the rest of the beaches. A great reason to come to Crete more than once. Most of the listed beaches, in view of their remoteness, are convenient to visit, provided that you travel around Crete in a rented car.
If someone else knows similar beautiful and secluded beaches, you can add me.

Have a good rest!

The name "Crete" alone evokes exciting feelings in the soul, vivid ideas about it. legendary island, fanned by many plots from ancient Greek myths and real legends from the past of Hellas. Crete is now a favorite place beach holiday, which successfully combines sea pleasures with interesting excursions to amazing sights. On the coast of 3 seas (Ionian, Aegean or Cretan and Libyan) are the best beaches of Crete.

One of the most romantic and unusual beaches of Crete - Balos is located in unique place islands where the waters of 3 seas merge without mixing, forming a kaleidoscope of shades of blue on the surface. Splashing in a cozy bay with crystal clear water is an undoubted pleasure for children and adults. A walk along the pirate island of Gramvousa, where wild rabbits literally jump out from under your feet, creates an indescribable feeling of original originality. This feeling is enhanced when you climb to the top of the island, where the ruins of an ancient Venetian fortress (130 m above sea level) are located.

In May, incredibly beautiful endemic plants bloom here, and island in summer becomes deserted. From above, a stunning picture of color overflows opens up. sea ​​water- from dark blue to pale turquoise shades. This spectacle fascinates with its magical and mysterious beauty. But get to unique beach it is impossible by land, only you can sail by sea on a pleasure boat. Hours spent in an amazing corner of the Mediterranean, a real natural miracle, will be remembered for a lifetime!

Elafonisi beach

An incredibly beautiful virgin stretch of the Mediterranean coast, almost untouched by infrastructure civilization - Elafonisi beach is located in the southwest of Chania. The name "Elafonisi" in Greek means "deer island", about which there is still no unambiguous interpretation. The natural uniqueness of this place is so great that the construction of hotels is prohibited here in order to preserve the environment.

Despite this, the beach is very popular with tourists, so sunbeds and umbrellas are installed here, and parking is equipped. They are attracted here by the shallow depth of the sea, the opportunity to swim even in stormy weather and the bewitching beauty of the surrounding landscapes. nature reserve. Unusually pink sand, formed from corals and shells, turned into powder, aquamarine water, exotic flowers in the complex create a uniquely beautiful picture.

Palm Beach Vai

One of the most popular beaches of Crete, Palm Beach, was not accidentally chosen as the location for filming the first advertisement for the Bounty chocolate bar - here, indeed, there is a real tropical paradise, rest on which - paradisaic delight. There are many legends about the origin of date palms, which occupy 200 hectares, which makes this place even more popular. Today, the sandy beach strip is equipped with the necessary infrastructure: sun loungers, toilets, cafes. Palm - the beach of daytime visits - there is nowhere to spend the night here. People come here by car, for which parking is equipped.

The time spent in the background is incredible beautiful views will probably be the most romantic episode of your stay in Crete. The azure sea, white sand, low caps of the surrounding mountains, exotic crown-tents of date palms create a tropical landscape worthy of admiration. Convenient entry into the crystal clear water the sea, the possibility of choosing a place for sunbathing (in the shade of palm trees or in the sun), a light breeze, generous sun - excellent conditions for beach pleasure.

Preveli beach

For those who like to relax against the backdrop of virgin nature, the beach of Preveli (Finikas), located in the south of the island, 2 km from the ancient monastery of the same name, is very suitable. Sand and pebble coastal strip, surrounded on one side by rocks with light forests, on the other - by a palm forest growing along the banks of the river. Kourtaliotis, sheltered from the winds. It is always cozy and comfortable here, but you need to go down the stairs. Despite the fire in 2010, date palms begin to grow actively, restoring the floristic framing of the beach. There are no changing rooms, sunbeds and umbrellas on it, but this does not lose the charm of a truly unique place.

Against the backdrop of amazing landscapes, you can spend wonderful minutes and hours of complete unity with divine nature, enjoy swimming in the warm sea, the velvet touches of sand, and feel the special atmosphere of Greece. After salty sea "baths" you can splash in fresh water rivers, relax in the shade of palm trees and return with a baggage of pleasant experiences. Excursion boats with tourists moor here, many come by car, despite the rather hard way over mountainous terrain.

Georgioupolis beach

In the north of Crete there is a historical province named after Prince George of Greece, who constantly came here to hunt. He was attracted by the virgin forests that covered the sloping mountain peaks and abounded in various fauna; rivers rich in fish, azure sea distances. The past century has not adversely affected the ecology of these authentic places, and the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities attracts many tourists here.

Near the small fishing town of Georgioupolis, one of the longest beaches (10 km) of Crete is located. There are excellent conditions for swimming here: a smooth, even bottom, a mixture of warm currents, a quiet cozy harbor without big waves. Eucalyptus thickets saturate the air with phytoncides, creating a healing microclimate. Fishing enthusiasts have a place to sit with a fishing rod - local rivers are generously endowed with fish. Pleasant impressions remain from hiking in the picturesque surroundings, horseback riding and, in general, from the whole stay in a blessed corner of the island.

red beach

One of the most exotic and unusual beaches - Red (Red beach) is located half a kilometer from the village of Matala. This amazing corner of red sand among the rocky shores was discovered by hippies who promoted the merger with wildlife, in the 1960s. Despite the rather difficult way to get to it along the "goat trails", Red Beach is very popular with tourists. Traveling through a mountain pass adds adventure romance and physical training.

Tourists are attracted unique beauty surrounding landscapes: terracotta-red sand, yellow and gray rocks with green caps of bushes, turquoise-aquamarine sea, white foam lace of the surf create a truly magical picture. The beach strip is equipped with the necessary infrastructure - there are sun loungers, umbrellas, a snack bar, a dressing room. Probably, because the place is quite secluded, nudists also prefer to sunbathe here.

Matala beach

You can hardly find more famous place Crete than the beach of Matala, located in the vicinity of Heraklion. In the 70s, hippies from all over the world lived here in rocky caves, feature films were shot (“My Aunt Hipissa”). A 300-meter strip of fine gravel is located at the base of a voluminous bay, fenced on 2 sides by rocky spurs. Pure water, the absence of big waves (they happen only with a westerly wind), bizarre heaps of rocks, many caves and grottoes make these places very attractive for a romantic getaway.

Given the huge interest of tourists, they created good infrastructure, equipping the beach with sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets, volleyball courts. Around open bars, rental equipment for water sports, sightseeing boats, there is a rescue service, beach volleyball competitions are held. You can also hide from the sun under the lush crowns of trees growing right on the beach strip, so staying among such exotics will not seem tiring. There are no problems with accommodation and food - no one will be left homeless and hungry.

Plakias beach

Those who want to forget the city noise for a while, take a break from the hustle, excitement, hard work, the beaches of Plakias, a small charming village located directly by the sea, are perfect for that. Around low mountains, overgrown with small forests, pebble beaches on the shores of the bay, endless sea surface with white caps of waves. The calm, peaceful atmosphere attracts mainly the elderly, for whom this is a real paradise. In cozy taverns, picturesquely decorated by the owners with bright exotic flora, tourists are greeted with extraordinary cordiality, delicious Greek dishes and inexpensive prices.

There is good hotel, but you can rent a cheap apartment a few steps from the beaches. It is especially comfortable to swim in calm weather when there is calm. Extreme lovers can splash among the waves when there is a wind. All parts of the beach are equipped with wooden flooring (leg protection from pebbles), sun loungers, large umbrellas. In some places, there are cafe tables and chairs right at the water's edge for romantic breakfasts. Ten meters from the beaches stretches a cozy walking path for the promenade.

Frangokastello beach

Ranked among the top ten clean beaches Crete - Frangokastello is located next to a small village of the same name, which has everything you need for tourists: hotels, taverns, shops. Near the beach is the main ancient attraction - the ancient Venetian fortress, which gave the name to the beach and the village. Crystal clearness of the warm Libyan Sea, golden sand, turning into gray; gently sloping shores, convenient entry into the water, a flat bottom have gained popularity among beach lovers.

There are almost never waves here, except in August, when a strong wind blows for several days. The coastal strip is quite well landscaped: there are showers, sunbeds, umbrellas (for rent). You can get to Frangokastello by bus from Chania with a change in Sfakion by taxi or by your own or rented car.

Platanias beach

The tourist village of Platanias, next to which is the beach of the same name, is surrounded not only by picturesque nature, but also by legendary historical objects. Opposite the beach is the island of St. Fedor with ruins ancient fortress and the protected kri-kri goats that live here. Boats with tourists come here every day, interesting excursions. Diving enthusiasts scuba dive and amateur photographers find plenty of stunning shots to take.

The spacious, highly civilized beach (length - 4 km) has a sandy, and in some places pebble coating and is very developed infrastructure providing lessons water sports sports and all kinds of entertainment. Riding on scooters, "bananas", pleasure boats is available to everyone. Prepared tourists can go parasailing, snorkeling, diving. Platanias beach (according to legend, named because of the plane trees growing here) has been repeatedly awarded the "blue flag".

Stavros beach

In the northern part of Crete, not far from the city of Chania, there is Cape Akrotiri, famous for its two wonderful beaches, outlandish mountain landscapes and the unusually turquoise color of the sea. Until the mid 60s of the 20th century. there was only a fishing village, but when the local high mountain became the object of filming a feature film, these places have gained extraordinary popularity. Now former village Stavros has become tourist mecca with modern infrastructure that provides tourists with the highest level of recreation. Central Beach with white sand is located on the shores of a quiet lagoon, protected from the winds by a mountain.

Turquoise expanse of water with a shallow bottom - beautiful place safe bathing for children, the maximum equipment of the beach allows you to enjoy beach pleasures carefree. Second sand and rocky beach chosen by those who like to splash in the waves: it is open to the winds, less civilized. But you can also have a great time on it, especially in calm. Buses from Chania often run here. In Stavros, you can easily rent a house, stay in a hotel. Many taverns offer delicious menus at reasonable prices.

Anissaras beaches

In the suburbs of Chersonis in an unusually beautiful area of ​​the coast Aegean Sea located fashionable resort Anissaras, with many hotels, clear sea And magnificent beaches. This place is designed for a quiet, peaceful holiday with the whole family. There are no noisy nightclubs, bars and other entertainment facilities, but the pebble and sandy beaches are simply excellent.

Impeccable cleanliness and well-groomed, excellent equipment, conditions for a variety of water activities attract many tourists here, including divers, amateurs underwater depths, water skiing. Almost everywhere there is a rocky bottom of rocky deposits, without sharp stones that injure the legs - swimming is quite comfortable. Staying in Anissaras is heavenly beach bliss.

Crete- this is the largest and most visited island of Greece, which, literally, is shrouded in many legends. From year to year it attracts tourists from all over the world with its healthy, mild climate and ecology. In the region of hundreds of miles from the island of Crete, there are no industrial enterprises or factories, which favorably affects the health of vacationers. This place amazes with its picturesque beauty, secluded and crowded beaches, mountains with olive groves and a huge number of various resorts.

Sandy beach resorts in Crete

Most tourists prefer beaches with soft and warm sand. And today, there are a lot of such beaches in Crete. Almost all of them are well landscaped, clean and carefully combed with a rake. The best sandy beaches of Crete can be found on the following resorts:

• Rethymnon
• Heraklion
• Lasithi

sandy beaches Rethymnon
Inside the Resort Rethymnon there are many comfortable beaches with sand. The most popular of them is the beach located between the resort of Georgioupol and Rethymnon. Its length reaches 15 kilometers. Also, here are the beaches. Panormo, which are located 20 kilometers from the resort. On the very outskirts of the city there is the Grecotel Marina Palace hotel with an incredibly beautiful and well-groomed beach, which is open to everyone. The pier is the quietest and most calm beach which is completely protected from the waves. Here you can relax lying on the sand and watch crabs, crayfish and fish. In Rethymno there is another beach closed from the waves - The Last Beach, it will be ideal for lovers of solitude and relaxation from the hustle and bustle. lovers waves best to go to the bay Livadi located near the national highway.

sandy beaches
For those who prefer quiet and wind-protected sandy beaches, it is better to go to Loutraki, Marathi, Plaka, Almirida and Kalyves. In the same case, if you want to take a little walk and admire nature, then you should visit Afrata beach in a sandy bay, because in order to get here, you need to walk along a narrow and picturesque path. In the area of ​​​​the city there is one of the best beaches not only on the island of Crete, but throughout Greece - this is a sandy beach Balos Lagoon, which is famous for its soft pink sand, the color of which is achieved by fragments of seashells. The bottom here is quite shallow, and the water is always warm. You can get here either by dirt road or by ship. Families with children are best to go to the beach frangocastello.

Sandy beaches of Heraklion
At the resort Heraklion there are also quite a few sandy beaches that are protected from wind and waves. This is, first of all, Tompruk, Amnissos, Florida and Karteros. Along each of them there are many restaurants, cafes and taverns. The beaches are slightly less protected from the wind Hersonissos, and . The second of them is sandy, but at the bottom of the sea there are slabs of large stones. Wave lovers should head to Kokkini Hani Beach. Also, there is a beach near the fishing port Kokkinos Pyrgos with a shallow bottom, which is suitable for families with children.

Sandy beaches of Lassithi
The most popular sandy beach here is long beach which spans several kilometers. It accommodates a huge number of tourists. In order to protect yourself from strong wind and waves, you need to go to the beach Pachia Ammos, which is surrounded by the docks of the fishing harbor. Also, very interesting sandy Elounda beach.

The best sandy beaches in Crete

Undoubtedly, the most popular and most famous among all the guests of Crete is Elafonisi beach, which is conveniently located in the southwestern side of the island. There is practically no equipment, but there are two main features that distinguish the beach from others - pink sand and its appearance, since it looks like a separate island, due to the not deep isthmus of water that is located around.

The best crowded beaches include the beach Nopigia, Rapanyana, Platanias, Falasarna and Agia Marina. privacy lovers and a relaxing holiday best to go to the beach Balos, Afrata, Tavronitis or Dictinna.

Each of these beaches is one of the cleanest in Europe. And almost all have the blue flag of the European Union, which is awarded only to the cleanest beaches.