Crete’s coastline runs for slightly over a thousand kilometers and is characterized by a green mountainous landscape, high cliff faces, and postcard-perfect swaths of powdered sand.
Crete is the largest and most populous of all beautiful islands in Greece. Human habitation on the island can be dated back more than 100,000 years, proving that its allure is not recent.

Since it became a part of Greece in 1913, Crete has become a popular vacation spot because of its beautiful beaches and mild climate, which typically stays in the 20s even when the northern hemisphere begins to experience fall.
The most beautiful beaches on Crete are detailed below.
The best beaches in Crete
Elafonisi
Despite its secluded location in the southwest region of Crete, this lagoon beach is well-known among island locals and sees a lot of weekend visitors.
However, the natural beauty of the place makes the effort worthwhile: the shore is kissed by blue waters, and the sands are a swirling pastel pink due to the thousands of shells that have washed ashore over the years.
The main beach and lagoon both provide loungers and umbrellas for rent, and the shallow seas are great for families. Following the lead of the nudists, you can find a more secluded stretch of beach in the island’s coves and dune systems.

Balos
Balos, which can be found on the Gramvousa Peninsula in Crete, is a popular destination due to the brochures’ promises of lily-white sands, bright turquoise waters, and a wild and lonely location.
The beach and lagoon are hidden by steep hills, but that doesn’t stop the dedicated few from making the risky trip down the dirt road to get there. Instead of doing the former, you may take the boat across to Balos for the afternoon. There are no stores around, so bring everything you’ll need for a picnic.

Matala
The renowned Matala, a fishing village not far from Kommos Beach that was discovered by hippies in the 1960s, is no longer a well-kept secret and is therefore best visited outside of peak tourist season.
Messara Bay’s calm waters are framed by honeycomb-like sandstone cliffs and fascinating tunnels; legend has it that Zeus disguised as a bull swam ashore here carrying the stolen Europa. Get out and see the sights before refueling at one of the waterfront eateries.

Voulisma
As one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Crete, not just East Crete, Voulisma has quickly become a popular destination for vacationers.
Voulisma Beach has conveniently located a short distance from Heraklion, the island’s capital, in a small, sheltered cove to the south of Agios Nikolaos and the north of Ierapetra.
The clear, shallow waters, fine white sand with small pebbles mixed in, and well-run facilities all contributed to the beach being awarded the Blue Flag. Although it can get crowded during high season, a trip to beautiful Voulisma in Crete is a must.

Preveli
Preveli, also spelled Préveli, is a popular destination on the southern coast of Crete. Two monasteries, Kato Moni and Piso Moni, may be found in the region, as can a gorgeous beach with palm trees that goes by the name Palm Beach. It takes roughly 45 minutes to go 38 kilometers from Rethymnon.
At the end of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, you’ll find the palm grove and beach of Preveli. A little creek drains from Megalo Potamos and into the Libyan Sea around midway down the final three kilometers of the gorge. A must-see if you’re in Rethymnon.

Agios Pavlos (Saint Pavlos)
Located on the eastern coast of Crete by the Libyan Sea, Agios Pavlos (or Saint Paul) is a beautiful but rather undiscovered beach. Tucked away in a bay between two capes, one of which is the rocky Cape Melissa, is the small beach of Agios Pavlos.
The exposed limestone strata make for spectacular rock formations. Geologists estimate that it took millions of years to construct the Apoplystra Folds. The small beach in the cove has rough sand, exceptionally pure green water, and a rocky substrate. Umbrellas and sunbeds are available.
The small fishing village that now lies in the dunes behind this beach is home to a handful of hotels and watering holes.
