All the beaches of West Crete

For ease of use, the beaches are listed starting at Rethymnon and moving anticlockwise (so westwards along the north coast of Crete, then southwards along the west coast, then eastwards on the south coast, all the way to Agios Pavlos (that's the one close to Agia Galini).

Generally the water on the north coast is a touch warmer than on the south coast but not as clear (or clean). The water on the south coast (Libyan sea) is slightly colder because the mountains drop steeply into the sea and there are a number of cold underground springs emerging into the sea. The sea is very clear, apparently due to a high concentration of limestone in the water.

Nudism is illegal in Greece (except in a few designated areas) but tolerated in a number of places. (noted in the text). The situation might change suddenly (often when a beach canteen is built a "No nudism" sign will appear). Topless sunbathing is fine, unless the beach is right in a village, like in Loutro for example.

Rethymnon

The very long beach of Rethymnon is nowadays lined by hotels. It gets a little quieter as you go towards the east.

Georgioupolis   more about Georgioupolis

The beach has nice sand and is 9 km long. Many hotels have been built on it but the eastern end is still pretty quiet. Be careful when you swim, the currents can be strong. If you get carried away, don't panic, the current moves mostly parallel to the beach and not out to sea . Watch children closely. Drowning accidents happen every year!

Cape Drapanon

There are a few tiny coves at the end of the cape.

Almyrida   more about Almyrida

A small sandy beach, fairly shallow water, nice for children. The narrow beach can easily get crowded.

Kera

A very narrow pebble beach. Quiet but not very comfortable to lie on.

Kalives    more about Kalives

Nice sandy beach, can be crowded. The sand is a bit coarse, a good thing when there is wind as it doesn't fly so easily.

Kiani Akti

A quiet beach west of Kalives. The water is a little colder because of a river flowing into the sea.

Souda

No beaches worth mentioning. If you must have a swim you can get in the water near the WWII Allied cemetery.

Loutraki

A tiny beach on the peninsula of Akrotiri (near Marathi). The beach is nothing special but the water is crystal clear. .Nowadays there is a hotel bar blaring music right next to the beach.

Marathi

On Akrotiri, is well-liked by the inhabitants of Chania and gets very crowded at weekends. The sandy beach is nice, the water quite warm and very shallow. Brilliant beach for children.

Stavros    more about Stavros

Stavros is a characterless village at the North of Akrotiri. The sandy cove had its moment of fame when the beach scenes of Alexis Zorbas were filmed here. Very lovely little cove and fairly crowded at weekends. There is also a nice long sandy beach a little to the West. Much quieter but getting into the water is a little tricky in places because of rocks.

Tersanas

A small sandy beach with shallow water.

Kalathas    more about Kalathas

Also on Akrotiri. Very nice sand, can be crowded in summer and at weekends. Shallow water so ideal for children.

Agios Onoufrios

The nearest place to Chania where you can swim on Akrotiri, not much of a beach but it is quiet.

Chania    more about Chania

There is a town beach in Chania which can get fairly crowded . Keep walking along the beach for about 15 minutes and you get to Chryssi Akti

Chryssi Akti    more about Chryssi Akti

Nice sandy beach, can get crowded. Shallow so the water is warm and it is safe for children.

Agii Apostoli    more about Agii Apostoli

Just a little way along, it consists of three small beaches. It can get crowded, shallow water (the third one is very shallow).

Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias and all the way to Maleme     more about Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Maleme

From then on, it becomes an interminable sandy beach pretty much all the way to Maleme. Crowded, lined by hotels and apartments. Many visitors obviously like it, otherwise they wouldn't all come here. A word of warning: beware of currents, especially in Agia Marina. The small island of Agios Theodoron seems to strengthen them. Every year a few people drown (not rarely because they went for a swim drunk: don't!)

Kolymbari    more about Kolymbari

Long pebble beach

Rodopou peninsula

Beaches are scarce on this rocky, deserted peninsula but there are some secluded spots. Go and explore.

Kissamos    more about Kissamos

Long bay, a pebble beach. Not that great but quiet.

Tigani to Balos (Gramvoussa)    more about Balos

At the tip of the peninsula of Gramvoussa. Now you can drive almost all the way on an unsurfaced road, then follow a good path down to this incredible spot. A lagoon with "South Seas" colours, very shallow waters, few people. Sounds like paradise and it was. Now the bad news: the beach is now very crowded (during the middle of the day) in the tourist season because of a number of boat excursions that go there from Kissamos as well as hundreds of cars that drive to it.

Falassarna    more about Falassarna

The beach is quite long and well-known but does not get really crowded. Don't bother going to Falasarna if there is a strong west wind, it gets unpleasant. Very clean, deep blue water that is often colder than elsewhere.

Sfinari    more about Sfinari

A very quiet pebble beach

Elafonisi

Before it was "discovered" a little over 20 years ago, Elafonisi was THE secret paradise beach of West Crete. With a small island you can wade to, red coral sand on the edge of the beach and nobody far and wide. Nowadays, bus tours amd hundreds of hire cars come from the North coast and a daily boat service brings visitors from Paleochora. The magic has gone, the rubbish has come (at least it gets taken away nowadays). It is still worth a visit but don't go when the wind is strong.

Cape Krios

About 8 km west of Paleochora. It used to be deserted until a few years ago and is still pretty quiet. Nudism is possible.

Konduras

A small peninsula about 4 km west of Paleochora, one side with a sandy beach, the other with pebbles. A fair bit of shade and a few secluded places towards the tip of it where nudism is OK.

Paleochora    more about Paleochora

Two beaches: the long sandy beach is very nice and can get crowded. Nudism is OK on part of the beach. If you prefer pebbles or the West wind blows too much for your taste go to the eastern bay where a long pebble beach runs for about 3 km. Very quiet and nudism OK. Have something to lie on, the pebbles are quite large.

Anidri beach (Gialiskari)

An hour's walk from Paleochora, fine pebble beach. Nudism OK in parts of the beach. Now that a dirt road leading to it has been built it can get a busy, especially at weekends. Very clear and very cold water.

Lissos

Small pebble beach. You will not meet many people on it but unfortunately (and very strangely because it occurs nowhere else in south-west Crete) it has quite a lot of tar on it.

Sougia    more about Sougia

Sougia has a long pebble beach. A few years ago it became the "in" weekend spot for Chania inhabitants, therefore avoid Sundays in midsummer. The beach is 1200 meters long so that it never feels crowded. The pebbles are fine enough not to make lying on them uncomfortable at all and it is one of the very few beaches which doesn't have sun beds and umbrellas on it. Nudism is usual towards the eastern end of the beach. More on this beach here.

Domata

Almost inaccessible on foot (4 hours walk from Agia Roumeli on a difficult path) it only used to see a few souls a year. Now of course, more people have boats so you are not always alone.

Agia Roumeli    more about Agia Roumeli

The beach is quite nice, varying between fine and coarse pebbles. The part nearest to the village gets crowded during the afternoon with Samaria walkers wanting to cool off but walk 200 meters and you are almost alone. In the morning and once the last ferryboat leaves it is almost deserted. Nudism is OK away from the village.

Agios Pavlos

Still idyllic and quiet because you must walk (a little over an hour from Agia Roumeli, 2 hours from Agios Ioannis, 3-4 hours from Loutro) or come with your boat. Nudism de rigueur. If you need shade, there is a pine forest just above the beach.

Marmara

A tiny beach, an hour walking from Loutro, at the entrance of the gorge of Aradena. It is called Marmara (Marble Beach) because of the smooth white rocks next to the beach. An insider tip some years back but no more: a boat brings people from Loutro every morning and being a small beach it can quickly feel crowded. Nudism is only possible if you stay on the rocks. The water is clear and cold.

Likos and Finix    more about Likos and Finix

Quiet beaches pebble beaches.

Loutro    more about Loutro

The pebble beach of Loutro is right in the village (topless sunbathing is not allowed) and very narrow. The water is really nice but the beach gets far too crowded.

Glyka Nera - Sweet Water beach

Another former insider tip. It is still a very spectacular and quiet beach, called "Sweet Water beach" because if you dig a hole on the beach, sweet water will seep into it from the ground. Nudism and camping are OK. Quite a few people camp there (it's a good place as you have access to water). Don't attempt to climb up the cliffs, they are unstable and some people have gotten themselves killed doing it. You can walk to Glyka Nera from Loutro or from Sfakia in about an hour. There is also a boat service to the beach from Loutro and Hora Sfakion in the morning and afternoon.

Ilingas

About 15 minutes wal / 3 minutes drive from Sfakia. A small quiet pebble beach, clear water.

 

 

Hora Sfakion    more about Hora Sfakion

The beach is in the village and quiet pleasant although it can be a little crowded. A little further east of the village are two small beaches. The furthest one, Filaki, is the only official nudist beach in Crete.

Komitades

There are some small beaches which you can reach from the road to Frangokastello.

Agios Nektarios

There are some small beaches which you can reach from the road to Frangokastello.

Frangokastello    more about Frangokastello

Famous for its ruined Venetian castle, Frangokastello has become very built-up. The sandy beach (below the castle) is extremely shallow and perfect if you have small children. There is a beautiful quiet sandy beach to the east (Pachia Ammos) where nudism is generally OK at its eastern end.

Rodakino    more about Rodakino

A couple of quiet and pleasant beaches. Apparently it gets busy in August because many Greek holiday makers go there.

Plakias    more about Plakias

A long bay, a mix of pebbles and sand. It doesn't get very crowded. The sea is fairly safe for swimming, unless it gets very windy (which it often does in Plakias). Nudism OK at the east end of the beach.

Damnoni

The beach has been a little spoilt by several large, ugly developments.

Preveli

A river flows into the sea. Along the river is a palm trees forest, highly unusual on Crete and worth a visit. But it can get crowded.

Triopetra

A very long beach leading all the way to Agios Pavlos. As yet fairly undiscovered. Nudism OK.

Agios Pavlos

Very pretty little bay. It was still very quiet a few years ago. If you want to bare all in absolute peace, go to the long beach to the west. It goes all the way to Triopetra.

 

For orientation, you can have a look at a map where the beaches are marked. The map is not that clear to read but you can cross-reference it with your own map.

The Old Phoenix - a place for peace and quiet in South Crete

 

Crete photo of the day
Crete Photo of the Day

 

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