Which is the best Cretan beach ? image
Ιt's hard to tell which of the Cretan beaches is the most beautiful.
Each one has a unique beauty and surely there is one,  that will satisfy even the most demanding.!!!
And even if you will visit all the Cretan beaches, there will still be some beaches you have not known yet...
Crete is the largest island of Greece and its coastline of 1,046 m (650 miles) – the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and Greece's largest –  provides hundreds of beautiful beaches. Located between the southern side of Aegean Sea and the northern side of the Libyan Sea, Crete gets very popular in summer due to the gorgeous beaches, the traditional lifestyle of the locals and the beautiful nature.

Crete is famed for its beautiful coastline fringed by mirror-clear seas: from endless swathes of sand framed by lofty dunes and tiny, difficult-to-reach coves, to busy resorts where cocktails are served to sunbeds and tropical havens with palm trees and cool river lagoons, This big island has a beach to suit every taste. Beaches are clean, and many have been awarded the Blue Flag which guarantees certain facilities, including showers and toilets.

Take your rented car directly from Heraklion airport or rent a car from Chania airport and start discovering them !!!

  • Falassarna beach

Falasarna is a very popular seaside resort on the western coast of Crete, in the department of Chania in Livadi Bay. Falasarna is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. It is located 52 kilometres from Chania town and can be reached by car within one hour via the village of Platanos. It has a large sandy beach and all kinds of watersports facilities, sun loungers, and parasols. The water has beautiful turquoise-like colours. Near the beach are some beach bars and on the southern side is a small fishing harbour. Beach parties are regularly organized at Falasarna beach, attracting thousands of young people from the surrounding area. The sunsets in Falasarna are spectacular.

  • Elafonisi beach

The tropical Elafonisi beach is located near a small island of the same name, which is located opposite the village of Elafonisos. The island may be small, but the beach of Elafonisi is certainly not. Elafonisi is the second largest beach in western Crete, and from June onwards it looks like a tropical paradise beach. Elafonisi can be easily reached by car; you can also take the bus from Chania and Paleochora. You walk towards the first beach of Elafonisi. This beach is surrounded by six places where beach beds and umbrellas are available for rent. There are taverns here where you can eat and drink. The water at Elafonisi is so clear that you can see the bottom almost everywhere.

  • Balos

Balos Beach is located on the small peninsula of Imeri Gramvoúsa. It is a  protected natural area, which guarantees the quality of the natural habitats of protected flora and fauna. You will find 400 different (sea) plants, nearly 100 protected or endangered bird species, wild donkeys, the green turtle and the Mediterranean sea lobe at Gramvoúsa. Balos Beach is a lagoon and is located in a bowl-shaped bay. The colours of the seawater in the shallow lagoon are exotic due to the green to azure colour. Nearby is a 16th century Venetian fort on the cliffs worth visiting. This beach is one of the most beautiful in Greece.

  • Stavros beach

Stavros beach is located on the north side of the Akrotiri peninsula east of Chania. It is a sandy beach in a round bay through which a river flows, and it is known because a part of the film “Zorba the Greek” was recorded there. One side is dominated by a high bare mountain. Next to the main beach, a bit further away, is another quieter beach. There are also the remains of an old city or old fortress carved into the rocks and an ancient Minoan cult cave that you can reach on foot.

  • Triopetra beach

Triopetra is an unknown paradise on Crete, located in the area between Agia Galini and Preveli, on the south coast of the Rethymnon department. Abandoned sandy beaches, a few tavernas, and apartments and that’s all there is. The water is wonderfully clear. There are beach beds and at the tavernas are showers. The road is narrow, but paved, with beautiful views. Triopetra can be reached by car within an hour from Rethymnon city. The name Triopetra owes the beach to the three large rocks rising out of the sea. This gives the beach a characteristic face.

  • Agiofaraggo

This beach takes its name from the gorge that it ends at. The Agiofarago gorge is located near Matala and terminates on one of the best beaches in Crete. From Matala, you take the direction of the monastery and walk towards the gorge. At the entrance of the gorge is a small canteen. The gorge offers beautiful views of the high rocks. Halfway through the gorge, you will also find a beautiful church with a cave. The walk ends with the magnificent view of the beach with the sea. This is a trip well worth making, and you will soon forget about the long walk.

  • Istron beach

The most famous beach in the Istron area on Crete is called Voulisma Beach or Golden Beach. It is a beautiful and large sandy beach where you can rent sunbeds. Voulisma Beach is popular, and here it can be busy in high season. The area is quiet and green, with olive groves, vineyards, orange and lemon trees. The main road runs through the village of Kalo Chorio. Istron has a good and regular bus connection with Agios Nikolaos and with the city of Ierapetra in the south of Crete.

  • Rodakino beach

On the southern side of Rethymno, close to the tourist village of Plakias, is the large and sandy beach of Rodakino. Partly organized with sunbeds and umbrellas and partly secluded, Rodakino beach has soft sand and crystal waters, making it ideal for families with kids and for people looking for some calm moments. Some seaside taverns and apartments line up this beautiful place.

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