West Crete Beaches

Crete is a beautiful island, the largest of the Greek archipelago (we are almost at the level of our Sicily so to speak in terms of size) that exudes culture and tradition from every pore.

Here, however, we want to focus on the most beautiful beaches in the west of Crete that you absolutely must not miss. They are not in order of beauty or importance because as you will realize for yourself, the island of Crete is beautiful everywhere and will make your holidays in Greece unforgettable.

Balos Lagoon

A real tropical beauty with fine white sand with pink hues, a deep blue sea with clear water that looks like a swimming pool will make you forget you're in Europe. It is a protected area where if you are lucky you can see monk seals and caretta caretta sea turtles swimming. The promontory in front of the beach is very beautiful and can be reached on foot from a strip of sand that connects the mainland. To reach it from Chania there are about 50 km and the last stretch (almost 10 km) is a dirt road plus a walk of about twenty minutes. In short, not really easy to reach but the effort will be amply rewarded.

Elafonissi Beach

A real pearl !!!! It is inside a protected natural area with very fine white sand also with pink shades and washed by a crystalline blue sea. Shallow and always with warm waters, it is an ideal beach for families with children. In the hours of low tide it is also possible to walk to the islet which is located 200 meters from the shore, thus creating a sort of lagoon. The best time to enjoy this enchanting place is surely the sunset when the whole sky is colored with delicate pastel shades.

Falassarna Beach

With fine golden sand and some of the cleanest water in Crete, this beautiful long beach is certainly one of the destinations you must include in your Greek holidays on the Crete island. One part is equipped with sun beds and umbrellas and nearby there are taverns of various kinds to satisfy your appetite. A dispassionate advice, maybe ask the locals what is the best time to spend the day because this little corner of paradise is exposed to the winds and when the good Aeolus blows, it does not discount.

Kedrodasos Beach

It is located southwest of Chania just one kilometer from Elafonissi. Filled with intoxicating scented juniper trees, it is white sand and flat smooth rocks with a crystal clear sea. It is not equipped and being a little isolated it is also considered one of the last unspoiled paradises in Europe. Bring everything you need for the day.

Seitan Limania Beach

Seitan Limania beach (i.e. port of Satan) is located 22 km northeast of Chania and 2 km east of the Chordaki village, in the hamlet of Akropoli. Right at the end of the road leading to the church of the Holy Spirit is this area called Seitan Limania. Right within this landscape, there is a small quiet beach, which seems designed, with deep blue waters, made of fine gravel and sand. On the sides of the bay, there are huge marble rocks that help protect the beach from the elements. If you do not have a boat, accessing the beach is not easy, as there is a narrow and steep path leading to it. It takes 15-20 minutes to reach it from the nearest car park.

Glyka Nera Beach

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete and among the 20 best in Europe, it is located in the southwestern part of the island. It is a beach of small pebbles with an intense blue sea. In Glyka Nera, which in Greek means "fresh water", there is a spring that flows between the rocks of non-sea water but precisely sweet. The beach is surrounded by tamarisk trees thus offering shade during the hottest hours of the day. Water is rather cold, but as we all know by now, low temperatures are very useful and regenerating. Right above a rock a small tavern for food and water. It is equipped with a few beds to ask for at the tavern. To reach this little corner of paradise, there are two ways, the first is the simplest one is by boat, boats leave from the Loutro village, the second is certainly more challenging but it will be a pleasure for trekking lovers via a path that from Chora Sfakion with a thirty minute walk will allow you to get there. The path is safe because the local authorities care about its conservation. Another walking tour lasting about an hour is possible starting from Loutro. Definitely a beach for adventurous people who want something different.

Fragokastello Beach 

Close to the village of the same name in the southwestern part of the beautiful Crete island, it is a beach with a large coastline for the most part of sand, in a marshy bay with a river that crosses it and flows into the sea. Quiet and still fortunately not contaminated by mass tourism, it is ideal for those who want tranquility and peace. The calm sea and with a bottom that descends slowly is suitable for families with children. It is partly equipped with sun beds and umbrellas. In the immediate vicinity there are numerous taverns offering traditional dishes. Over the Frangokastello village, a beautiful Venetian castle of the fourteenth century dominates with a tower at every corner that is interesting to visit.

Triopetra Beach 

South-west of Crete island, about 13 kilometers from the Akoumia village at the foot of Mount Siderotas, we find the Triopetra beach. The name derives from the three imposing rocks that emerge from the sea not far from the shore. It has a coast of long golden sand and not very wide bordered on one side by sinuous dunes. The sea that bathes it is of an intense turquoise color with crystal clear water. Triopetra is very popular for the wide variety of water sports it offers. It is partly equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, snorkeling centers, bars and excellent fish taverns. Don't miss the sunset a wonderful spectacle thanks to the geographical position of the beach. Unfortunately, sometimes at southern winds the sea is a little choppy. We say not really suitable for families with small children, but being very careful a ride is worth it all. Access is by car via paved and comfortable roads.