Beaches in Crete — 223 spots

All 223 beaches we've collected and personally visited or researched on Crete: with directions, website and Instagram, organized by region.

Elafonisi — Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
Crete's most famous beach: pink-tinged sand, a shallow lagoon with Caribbean-like water, and a small islet you can reach across a sandbar at low tide.
Directions
Balos Lagoon — Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
A stunning lagoon at the very tip of the Gramvousa peninsula — turquoise shallows, white sand, and a view considered among the most beautiful in Greece.
Directions
Falassarna — Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
A string of five beaches with golden, pink-tinged sand and Caribbean-coloured water, famous for its dunes and some of Crete's finest sunsets.
Directions
Seitan Limania — Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
A narrow inlet between dramatic cliffs with intensely turquoise water — 'the devil's harbours', named after the rugged coast that once drew pirates.
Directions
Stavros — Akrotiri, Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
A sheltered, semicircular bay on the Akrotiri peninsula, world-famous as the filming location for the closing dance in Zorba the Greek.
Directions
Marathi — Akrotiri, Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
A sheltered bay on Akrotiri, out of the wind, with calm water and beach tavernas that are just right for a relaxed lunch by the sea.
Directions
Agia Marina — Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
A long sandy beach right by Chania, with hotels, restaurants and watersports every step of the way — a practical, lively choice close to the city.
Directions
Platanias — Chania, Kreta (Chania & the West)
A lively sand-and-shingle beach in front of Platanias village, with bars, tavernas and watersports galore — the busiest, most sociable option west of Chania.
Directions
Elafonissi Beach — Zuidwest Kreta (The South Coast)
Famous and tropical, but busy in high season.
Directions
Kedrodasos Beach — Bij Elafonissi (The South Coast)
Wild, photogenic and less commercial.
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Stefanou / Seitan Limania — Akrotiri (Chania & the West)
Dramatic gorge bay and a striking photo spot.
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Loutraki Beach — Akrotiri (The South Coast)
Small, well maintained and ideal for an easy beach day.
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Kalathas Beach — Akrotiri (Chania & the West)
Wide and easily accessible.
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Tersanas Beach — Akrotiri (Chania & the West)
Quiet bay close to Chania.
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Stalos Beach — West van Chania (Chania & the West)
Easy and practical beach for families.
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Nea Chora Beach — Chania stad (Chania & the West)
Seaside dining, ideal without a car.
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Chrissi Akti / Golden Beach — Chania stad west (Chania & the West)
Popular city beach.
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Agioi Apostoloi Beach — Chania west (Chania & the West)
Green park with several small bays.
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Iguana Beach — Agioi Apostoloi (Chania & the West)
Relaxed bay close to Chania.
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Glaros Beach — Kato Daratso (Chania & the West)
Accessible and lively.
Directions
Kalamaki Beach — Kato Galatas (Chania & the West)
Close to hotels and tavernas.
Directions
Gerani Beach — West van Platanias (Chania & the West)
Quieter than Platanias.
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Maleme Beach — West Chania (Chania & the West)
Long and less crowded.
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Tavronitis Beach — West Chania (Chania & the West)
Spacious and quiet.
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Kolymbari Beach — Rodopou schiereiland (Chania & the West)
Quiet village with tavernas.
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Afrata Beach — Rodopou schiereiland (Chania & the West)
Secluded bay with clear water.
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Ravdoucha Beach — Rodopou schiereiland (Chania & the West)
Quiet, local and rugged.
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Nopigia Beach — Kissamos oost (Chania & the West)
Quiet stretch of coastline.
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Drapanias Beach — Kissamos (Chania & the West)
Spacious and level.
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Mavros Molos Beach — Kissamos (Chania & the West)
The best town beach in Kissamos.
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Telonio Beach — Kissamos (Chania & the West)
Seafront promenade and tavernas.
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Sfinari Beach — Westkust (Chania & the West)
Quiet sunset setting.
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Kokkina Gremna — Westkust bij Sfinari (Chania & the West)
Wild setting with reddish cliffs.
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Livadia Kissamos Beach — Westkust (Chania & the West)
Peaceful setting facing the open sea.
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Pachia Ammos Paleochora — Paleochora (The South Coast)
Excellent beach close to the village.
Directions
Chalikia Beach — Paleochora (The South Coast)
A quieter alternative in Paleochora.
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Gialiskari Beach — Oost van Paleochora (The South Coast)
Beautiful with a relaxed atmosphere.
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Anidri Beach — Bij Paleochora (The South Coast)
Natural and unspoilt.
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Grammeno Beach — Paleochora west (The South Coast)
Pine trees and several bays.
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Krios Beach — Paleochora west (The South Coast)
A quieter beach on the south coast.
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Kountoura Beach — Paleochora west (The South Coast)
Rural and spacious.
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Sougia Beach — Zuidkust (The South Coast)
Free-spirited atmosphere and good walking.
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Lissos Beach — Tussen Sougia en Paleochora (The South Coast)
Archaeology and tranquillity.
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Domata Beach — Sfakia west (The South Coast)
Very remote and spectacular.
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Agia Roumeli Beach — Uitgang Samaria kloof (The South Coast)
At the end of the Samaria Gorge, with a black beach.
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Glyka Nera / Sweet Water — Sfakia (The South Coast)
Clear water and unusual freshwater springs.
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Marmara Beach — Aradena / Loutro (The South Coast)
Beautiful bay at the exit of the gorge.
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Loutro Beach — Loutro (The South Coast)
Whitewashed, car-free and romantic village.
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Finikas Beach — Bij Loutro (The South Coast)
Quiet bay next to Loutro.
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Likos Beach — Bij Loutro (The South Coast)
Small and quiet
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Chora Sfakion / Vrisi Beach — Sfakia (The South Coast)
Practical stop, village beach
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Iligas Beach — Sfakia (The South Coast)
Beautiful blauw, close to Sfakia
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Frangokastello Beach — Sfakia oost (The South Coast)
Kasteel on achtergrond, family
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Orthi Ammos Beach — Frangokastello (The South Coast)
Beautiful duinen, less druk
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Vatalos Beach — Frangokastello (The South Coast)
Quiet south coast
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Koutelos Beach — Sfakia (The South Coast)
Small and clear
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Kyani Akti Beach — Kalyves (Chania & the West)
Family-friendly
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Kalyves Beach — Apokoronas (Chania & the West)
Village, tavernas and calm water
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Almyrida Beach — Apokoronas (Chania & the West)
Cosy, families and watersport
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Georgioupolis Beach — Apokoronas (Chania & the West)
Long stretch of beach with resorts
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Kavros Beach — Georgioupolis oost (Chania & the West)
Spacious and touristy
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Ombrosgialos Bay — Drapanos (Chania & the West)
Swimming spot with clear water
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Menies / Diktynna Beach — Rodopou noord (Chania & the West)
Secluded, rugged and historic
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Agios Pavlos Sfakia — Tussen Agia Roumeli en Loutro (The South Coast)
Quiet stop on E4-route
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Tripiti Sfakia Beach — West Sfakia (The South Coast)
Secluded kloofstrand
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Rethymno Beach — Rethymno stad (Rethymno)
City beach with plenty of facilities
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Koumbes Beach — West Rethymno stad (Rethymno)
Quieter near stad
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Episkopi Beach — West Rethymno (Rethymno)
Wide, strandtenten
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Petres Beach — West Rethymno (Rethymno)
Open coast, beautiful rotsen
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Gerani Beach Rethymno — West Rethymno (Rethymno)
Small bay and grot
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Panormo Beach — Panormo (Rethymno)
Dorpsbaai, beschut
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Limni Beach Panormo — Panormo (Rethymno)
Beschut and charmant
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Livadi Beach Bali — Bali (Rethymno)
Familiebaai in resort
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Varkotopos Beach Bali — Bali (Rethymno)
Small, easy
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Bali Harbour Beach — Bali (Rethymno)
Dorpshaven, calm water
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Karavostasi Beach Bali — Bali (Rethymno)
Beautiful bay, photogenic
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Geropotamos Beach — Oost Rethymno (Rethymno)
Bridge and riviermonding
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Spilies Beach — Oost Rethymno (Rethymno)
Beautiful rotsformaties
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Skaleta Beach — Oost Rethymno (Rethymno)
Hotelstrand, langgerekt
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Stavromenos Beach — Oost Rethymno (Rethymno)
Long and accessible
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Adelianos Kampos Beach — Oost Rethymno (Rethymno)
Resorts and beach bars
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Platanes Beach — Oost Rethymno (Rethymno)
Lively near Rethymno
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Misiria Beach — Rethymno oost (Rethymno)
Stadsrand, practical
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Pigianos Kampos Beach — Oost Rethymno (Rethymno)
Spacious beach near hotels
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Plakias Beach — Plakias (The South Coast)
Zuidkustklassieker, many choice
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Souda Beach Plakias — West Plakias (The South Coast)
Quieter and beautiful groen
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Damnoni Beach — Bij Plakias (The South Coast)
Ruime bay, clear water
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Ammoudi Beach — Bij Damnoni (The South Coast)
Intimate and beautiful
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Mikro Ammoudi / Ammoudaki — Bij Damnoni (The South Coast)
Well-known naturistenbaaitje
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Kleisidi Beach — Bij Damnoni (The South Coast)
Quiet alternative
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Schinaria Beach — Lefkogia (The South Coast)
Snorkelen, clear water
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Kalypso Beach — Plakias (The South Coast)
Dramatische rotszwemplek
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Preveli Palm Beach — Preveli kloof (The South Coast)
Iconic, with a palm grove
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Korakas Beach — Rodakino (The South Coast)
Quiet bay near village
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Polirizos Beach — Rodakino (The South Coast)
Family, quiet
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Peristeres Beach — Rodakino (The South Coast)
Less druk
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Agia Marina Rodakino — Rodakino (The South Coast)
Peace and zuidkustgevoel
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Triopetra Beach — Akoumia / zuidkust (The South Coast)
Rugged, sunset, large rotsen
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Mikri Triopetra — Triopetra (The South Coast)
Beautiful kleinere bay
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Ligres Beach — Zuidkust (The South Coast)
Wild, spacious, tranquillity
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Katsouni Beach — Ligres omgeving (The South Coast)
Quiet bay
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Agia Fotini Beach — Kerames (The South Coast)
Small and local
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Kerames Beach — Kerames (The South Coast)
Beautiful quiet south coast
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Akoumia Beach — Akoumia (The South Coast)
Open coast, quiet
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Agios Pavlos Sandhills — Agios Pavlos (The South Coast)
Spectaculaire duinen
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Alatsogkremnos Beach — Agios Pavlos (The South Coast)
Fotogenieke cliffs
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Agia Galini Beach — Agia Galini (The South Coast)
Cosy village by the sea
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Kakoskalo Beach — Agia Galini omgeving (The South Coast)
Intimate and peaceful
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Matala Beach — Matala (The South Coast)
Hippiehistorie and iconische caves
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Red Beach / Kokkini Ammos — Matala (The South Coast)
Special rood beach
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Kommos Beach — Messara baai (The South Coast)
Spacious, duinen, archaeology close to
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Kalamaki Beach Heraklion — Messara baai (The South Coast)
Relaxte badplaats
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Afrathias Beach — Messara baai (The South Coast)
Quiet coast
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Katalyki Beach — Kokkinos Pyrgos (The South Coast)
Local bay
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Kokkinos Pyrgos Beach — Tympaki (The South Coast)
Wide beach, tavernes
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Keratokampos Beach — Viannos (The South Coast)
Quiet zuidkustdorp
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Kastri Beach — Viannos (The South Coast)
Intimate
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Listis Beach — Tussen Kastri en Tsoutsouras (The South Coast)
Beautiful rotsbaai
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Skouros Beach — Keratokampos (The South Coast)
Rugged and clear
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Tsoutsouras Beach — Tsoutsouras (The South Coast)
Village beach with tavernas
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Maridaki Beach — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Secluded visserssfeer
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Agios Nikitas Beach — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Kloosteromgeving, rugged
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Tripiti Asterousia Beach — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Wild and indrukwekkend
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Diskos / Dytikos Beach — Lentas (The South Coast)
Vrije atmosphere
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Lentas Beach — Lentas (The South Coast)
Quiet village with tavernas.
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Loutra Beach — Bij Lentas (The South Coast)
Small and peaceful
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Trafoulas Beach — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Verborgen kloofstrand
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Kali Limenes Beach — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Secluded havenbaai
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Makria Ammos Kali Limenes — Kali Limenes (The South Coast)
Langere stille bay
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Chrysostomos Beach — Kali Limenes omgeving (The South Coast)
Quiet
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Agiofarago Beach — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Magische kloofwandeling naar sea
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Martsalo Beach — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Secluded palmenvallei
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Vathi Beach Heraklion — Asterousia (The South Coast)
Beschutte natuurlijke harbour
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Agia Pelagia Beach — West van Heraklion (Heraklion & Knossos)
Popular resortbaai
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Ligaria Beach — Agia Pelagia (Heraklion & Knossos)
Beschut and cosy
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Mononaftis Beach — Agia Pelagia (Heraklion & Knossos)
Snorkelen and clear water
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Psaromoura Beach — Agia Pelagia (Heraklion & Knossos)
Beautiful compacte bay
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Made Beach — Agia Pelagia (Heraklion & Knossos)
Quieter resortbaai
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Ammoudara Beach Heraklion — West Heraklion stad (Heraklion & Knossos)
Practical, plenty of facilities
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Karteros Beach — Oost Heraklion (Heraklion & Knossos)
Close to vliegveld
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Amnissos Beach — Oost Heraklion (Heraklion & Knossos)
Long and accessible
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Tobrouk Beach — Kokkini Hani (Heraklion & Knossos)
Resortstrand
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Arena Beach — Kokkini Hani (Heraklion & Knossos)
Beach bar atmosphere
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Gouves Beach — Gouves (Heraklion & Knossos)
Family/resortstrand
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Analipsi Beach — Analipsi (Heraklion & Knossos)
Quiet badplaats
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Anissaras Beach — Hersonissos omgeving (Heraklion & Knossos)
Hotels and bays
Directions
Hersonissos Beach — Hersonissos (Heraklion & Knossos)
Lively and touristy
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Sarandaris Coves — Hersonissos (Heraklion & Knossos)
Beautiful beschutte bays
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Stalis / Stalida Beach — Stalis (Heraklion & Knossos)
Lively familiestrand
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Malia Beach — Malia (Heraklion & Knossos)
Uitgaan and beach
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Potamos Beach Malia — Malia oost (Heraklion & Knossos)
Ruimer and quieter than Malia centre
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Vai Palm Beach — Palekastro / Sitia (Lasithi & the East)
World-famous palm beach
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Psili Ammos Vai — Naast Vai (Lasithi & the East)
Quieter alternative next to Vai
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Itanos / Erimoupolis Beach — Noordoost Kreta (Lasithi & the East)
History and turquoise water
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Maridati Beach — Palekastro (Lasithi & the East)
Quiet bay
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Kouremenos Beach — Palekastro (Lasithi & the East)
Windsurfspot
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Chiona Beach — Palekastro (Lasithi & the East)
Quiet and local tavernas
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Skinias Beach — Noordoost (Lasithi & the East)
Secluded
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Kato Zakros Beach — Zakros (The South Coast)
End Dodenvallei, quiet village
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Zakros Beach — Zakros omgeving (Lasithi & the East)
Ruwe oostkust
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Xerokampos / Mazida Ammos — Xerokampos (The South Coast)
Exotisch and spacious
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Alatsolimni Beach — Xerokampos (The South Coast)
Nature and tranquillity
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Argilos Beach — Xerokampos (The South Coast)
Unusual kleirotsen
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Gerontolakkos Beach — Xerokampos (The South Coast)
Quiet bay
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Ambelos Beach — Xerokampos (The South Coast)
Secluded zuidoost
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Agia Irini Beach — Zuidoost Kreta (The South Coast)
Peaceful and rugged
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Voulisma / Golden Beach — Istron (Lasithi & the East)
One of the mooiste noordkuststranden
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Agios Panteleimonas Beach — Istron (Lasithi & the East)
Quiet bay near Voulisma
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Karavostasi Beach Istron — Istron (Lasithi & the East)
Beautiful bay
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Pacheia Ammos Beach — Mirabello baai (Lasithi & the East)
Village beach at hoofdweg
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Tholos Beach Kavousi — Kavousi (Lasithi & the East)
Quiet bay
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Ammoudi Beach Agios Nikolaos — Agios Nikolaos (Lasithi & the East)
Small city beach
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Ammos Beach Agios Nikolaos — Agios Nikolaos (Lasithi & the East)
Centraal city beach
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Kitroplatia Beach — Agios Nikolaos (Lasithi & the East)
City bay with restaurants
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Havania Beach — Agios Nikolaos noord (Lasithi & the East)
Quieter near Agios Nikolaos
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Almyros Beach Agios Nikolaos — Agios Nikolaos zuid (Lasithi & the East)
Family-friendly, groen
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Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos — Agios Nikolaos zuid (Lasithi & the East)
Makkelijke bay
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Elounda Beach — Elounda (Lasithi & the East)
Chique area
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Hiona Beach Elounda — Elounda (Lasithi & the East)
Quieter bay
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Kolokytha Beach — Elounda / Spinalonga schiereiland (Lasithi & the East)
Small turquoise bay
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Plaka Beach — Plaka / Spinalonga (Lasithi & the East)
Views on Spinalonga
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Mavrikiano Beach — Elounda (Lasithi & the East)
Local bay
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Milatos Beach — Milatos (Lasithi & the East)
Quiet vissersdorp
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Boufos Beach Sissi — Sissi (Lasithi & the East)
Small badplaatsbaai
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Avlaki Beach Sissi — Sissi (Lasithi & the East)
Small and quiet
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Koutsounari Long Beach — Ierapetra (The South Coast)
South coast, resorts and space
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Ferma Beach — Ierapetra oost (The South Coast)
Beautiful groene bay
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Agia Fotia Beach — Ierapetra oost (The South Coast)
Popular bay
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Galini Beach — Ierapetra oost (The South Coast)
Quiet
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Achlia Beach — Ierapetra oost (The South Coast)
Beautiful beschutte bay
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Mavros Kolimbos Beach — Ierapetra oost (The South Coast)
Peaceful and clear
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Makrigialos Beach — Makrigialos (The South Coast)
Family-friendly, ondiep
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Lagoufa Beach — Makrigialos (The South Coast)
Resortbaai
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Diaskari Beach — Makrigialos (The South Coast)
Quieter than Makrigialos
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Lagada Beach — Makrigialos oost (The South Coast)
Spacious and peaceful
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Koutsouras Beach — Koutsouras (The South Coast)
Village beach
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Analipsi Beach Makrigialos — Makrigialos (The South Coast)
Easy, near village
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Agia Paraskevi Beach — Makrigialos omgeving (The South Coast)
Small and quiet
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Staousa Beach — Makrigialos oost (The South Coast)
Verborgen bay
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Mochlos Beach — Mochlos (Lasithi & the East)
Charmant vissersdorp
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Richtis Beach — Exo Mouliana (Lasithi & the East)
Combine with Richtis Gorge
Directions
Myrtos Beach — Myrtos (The South Coast)
Cosy village, south coast
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Tertsa Beach — Tertsa (The South Coast)
Quiet dorpsbaai
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Sidonia Beach — Bij Myrtos (The South Coast)
Small and local
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Gra Ligia Beach — Ierapetra west (The South Coast)
Local south coast
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Livadi Beach Ierapetra — Ierapetra (The South Coast)
Close to stad
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Peristera Beach Ierapetra — Ierapetra oost (The South Coast)
Quiet and langgerekt
Directions
Agios Andreas Beach — Ierapetra (The South Coast)
Stadsrand Ierapetra
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Chrissi Island - Golden Beach — Chrissi (The South Coast)
Exotisch eilandstrand
Directions
Chrissi Island - Belegrina — Chrissi (The South Coast)
Bekendste kant or Chrissi
Directions
Chrissi Island - Kataprosopo — Chrissi (The South Coast)
Quieter eilandstrand
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Chrissi Island - Vages — Chrissi (The South Coast)
Secluded eilandgevoel
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Koufonisi Beach — Koufonisi (The South Coast)
Onbewoond eiland, rugged
Directions
Asprougas Beach Koufonisi — Koufonisi (The South Coast)
Special licht landschap
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Chiliaderfia Beach Koufonisi — Koufonisi (The South Coast)
Peaceful and verlaten
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Gavdos Sarakiniko Beach — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Relaxte eilandvibe
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Gavdos Agios Ioannis — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Legendarisch wild beach
Directions
Gavdos Lavrakas Beach — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Secluded
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Gavdos Tripiti Beach — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Zuidelijkste punt or Europa
Directions
Gavdos Potamos Beach — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Quiet and wild
Directions
Gavdos Korfos Beach — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Small bay
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Gavdos Pyrgos Beach — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Remote eilandstrand
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Gavdos Lakoudi Beach — Gavdos (The South Coast)
Small and peaceful
Directions