When you hear 'Greek Islands,' there will always be one thing that comes to mind: the beach! It's even safe to say that most who've been to or dream of traveling to any of them only really look forward to the white sands, the clear waters, the salty breezes, and the abundant sunshine. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, is it? Especially not in Crete! As you might expect, the biggest Greek island of them all offers many stunning coasts just waiting to be explored. And among them, here are some of the most noteworthy that you simply must see with your own eyes!
Balos Lagoon
Arguably the most famous beach in all of Crete, Balos Lagoon is something else. It's not just that the sands are so white, they almost look like powder. Or the clear waters' gradient tones of turquoise and azure. Or the fact that the beach connects you to an uninhabited island called Gramvousa. But it's the fact that
this scenic spot is a paradise all its own. The path going here is pretty rocky and that's not even an understatement. It will take you a lot of effort just to reach this place. But the reward of a peaceful day out on the beach is definitely worth it!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Elafonisi
Two words: pink sand. If you've seen the travel brochures, the features on lifestyle TV shows, and even the viral posts from popular travel influencers on Instagram, you'll know that Elafonisi is best known for its rosy shoreline. It's the effect of millions of shells singing the once white sandy coastline over the years, a beautiful natural phenomenon on the island of Crete. This is also the reason why Elafonisi beach also becomes one of the busiest during the peak season for tourists. So to truly enjoy this coast, make sure to
follow the travel tip of going here during the off-season!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Pavel Špindler
Falassarna
Up for a romantic day at the beach? Your best bet is to go to Falassarna! Located on the west end of the island, this beach is among the most remote and most secluded in all of Crete. Hence, it's also considered a
romantic hotspot. Kilometers of white-hot sand make up this stunning coastline, with little to no commercial area nearby. Doesn't this sound like the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous with your significant other? If you're lucky, you might even get away with all sorts of intimacy when it's just the two of you on this beach. And just so you know, that's not impossible at all!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Maurizio Ceol
Voulisma
Located by Mirabello Bay and just a short drive away from Agios Nikolaos, one of the more popular coastal
towns in Crete, Voulisma beach is one of the best places for some fun under the sun. It's another underdeveloped coastline where you can be as free as you want to be. Whether you lay down on the white sands and sunbathe the day away or your splash and play in the bay, the world's your oyster here. And speaking of oysters, if you go scuba-diving here, you might just see one yourself. All sorts of sports are also available on this beach.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ArtemiyPavlov
Vaï
A white sandy shoreline, turquoise waters, and palm trees all around. If you didn't know any better, you'd think that you were in the Caribbean when you’re actually in Vaï beach. This famous coastline in the easternmost part of Crete island boasts the same tropical ambiance as you'd find in the
likes of Saint Barts, Dominican Republic, or Puerto Rico. Of course, what separates Vaï beach from those in the Caribbean is its Mediterranean flair. The sun simply shines a little brighter here than anywhere else. And the relaxing energy it offers lets you enjoy your holiday on the island even more!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Matala
Do you know what's the most fascinating part about the beaches in Crete? That a number of them contain their own myths and legends. And yes, they connect to Greek Mythology too. Take Matala beach, for instance, which was formerly known as the 'best-kept secret of the island.' It's said that it's on this very coast that the god of thunder, Zeus, swam ashore as a bull and kidnapped the Phonecian princess, Europa. But even beyond the mystique of gods and goddesses, Matala beach remains an enchanting shoreline that also boasts beautiful caves and emerald-toned waters. What's not to love?
Source: MaxPixel
Plakias
Plakias beach is among the most commercialized coasts on this list and that's not necessarily a bad thing. The chairs, umbrellas, and refreshments that you can get here will only help you enjoy a more comfortable day at the beach. And even beyond all of that, there are a lot more interesting things to note about Plakias beach. There's the fact that this entire stretch of sand and sea is shaped like a crescent moon, making it quite the Instagrammable spot from a fair distance away. Or this coast is located at the southernmost part of Crete, with the waters leading straight to the continent of Africa. Isn't that fascinating?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Georgioupolis
Taking after Plakias, Georgioupolis beach is also a heavily commercialized waterfront area. Apart from the usual chairs and umbrellas, this beach also features comfy sunbeds, lifeguards, and a bevy of shops and cafes. Everything you'll need in order to have more fun and relaxing day at the beach is here. However, those are only part of why Georgioupolis beach is a popular hotspot. Another is that this coast is surrounded by lush greeneries. From tall trees to beautiful olive groves, when you venture further away from the bustling part of the beach, you can get in touch with Mother Nature!
Source: Flickr.com/ taver
It's not far-fetched today that Crete is all about its stunning beaches. From the famous pink shorelines to the more remote and exotic coasts, the beaches on this island are almost other-worldly! And you'll feel as if you're in your own paradise when you go to any of them!
Another thing you need to know about Crete is that the
luxury homes you can get here are just as relaxing as these beautiful beaches!
