Best beaches in Crete

The best beaches in Crete, on the coast of Greece — 10 shores from Balos Lagoon to Kedrodasos, each with its water temperature, sand, best season and swimming. Ranked by fame and mapped on the interactive globe.

The warmest sea in Crete is ~26°C, at Balos Lagoon, in season around May–Oct. Across its 10 beaches on Beachmap the sea averages ~25.9°C in the warm season.

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  Balos Lagoon

  Crete, Greece
• 
  Elafonissi Beach

  Crete, Greece
• 
  Vai Beach

  Palekastro, East Crete, Greece
• 
  Falassarna Beach

  Kissamos, West Crete, Greece
• 
  Matala Beach

  Matala, Crete, Greece
• 
  Preveli Beach

  Plakias, South Crete, Greece
• 
  Seitan Limania

  Akrotiri, Chania, Greece
• 
  Damnoni Beach

  Plakias, Crete, Greece
• 
  Glyka Nera (Sweetwater)

  Sfakia, Crete, Greece
• 
  Kedrodasos

  near Elafonissi, Crete, Greece

When to visit beaches in Crete

Most of the 10 beaches listed in Crete are at their best May to October, with the season peaking in July. In the warm season the sea sits at about 25–26°C across the listed beaches.

Choosing a beach in Crete

For calm, family-friendly swimming, start with Balos Lagoon or Elafonissi Beach; surfers should look at Falassarna Beach; for white sand head to Balos Lagoon; and 3 of the 10 hold Blue Flag status.

More of Greece

• All beaches in Greece · 62
• Best beaches in Cyclades · 19
• Best beaches in Santorini · 3
• Best beaches in Mykonos · 4
• Best beaches in Milos · 4
• Best beaches in Naxos · 3
• Best beaches in Ionian Islands · 15
• Best beaches in Zakynthos · 3
• Best beaches in Kefalonia · 4
• Best beaches in Corfu · 3
• Best beaches in Lefkada · 4
• Best beaches in Rhodes & the Dodecanese · 5
• Best beaches in Halkidiki · 4