Matala

Located on the southern coast of Crete and part of the Heraklion prefecture, the village of Matala has an organized sandy beach with crystal clear deep water and cliffs featuring caves carved in the rock, which you can visit. These caves were once used as residences, most famously by the hippies in the 1960s and 70s. Every year in June, the three-day Matala Beach Festival takes place, attracting many visitors to the village.

Falassarna Beach is a series of large sandy stretches that together run on for 3 km. The main beach of Pacheia Ammos (Deep Sands), one of the most popular in Crete, is made up of white sand and turquoise waters. It has sun-beds and umbrellas, facilities for water-sports and courts for beach-volleyball. If you wish to avoid the crowds at Pacheia Ammos, you can seek out one of the other strands which are to be found nearby, both to the north and south. They are smaller, rather isolated and without facilities; some have pebbles, others sand: but all are ideal for chilling out. Because of the strong winds that blow here, Falassarna is an ideal destination for wind surfing lovers.

Elafonissi beach is one of the most emblematic of the island, and is featured on countless postcards. It can be found 80 km from Chania. Elafonissi is a small island, connected to the Cretan mainland by a shallow crossing of several hundred meters. The whole area, which is part of the NATURA 2000 programme, is characterized by pale sands, shallow and crystal-clear waters turquoise in colour, and small pink patches made up from crushed sea-shells. South of Elafonissi is another area of wild and remarkable beauty: Kedrodasos, also part of the NATURA 2000. Access can be by car (up to a certain point) or on foot following the E4 walking-route from the beach of Elafonissi itself. Dunes of white sand and ancient cedars cover the vicinity. The main beach is sandy and also boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters. Along the coastal path from Elafonissi to Kedrodasos there are small deserted coves. Unlike Elafonisi, Kedrodasos is absolutely unspoilt and because of its isolation nudists like to come here.

Following the road east out of Paleochora, you will find a nice and secluded beach, Gialiskari. Actually Gialiskari is a twin beach, one each side of a small spit of land projecting into the sea, but both equally charming and idyllic. The west side is made of small pebbles, the east has pale sand. The water is clear and deep. The area is slightly developed, with a café-canteen and a few umbrellas and sun-beds. To the east grow plentiful tamarisks, which shed a natural shadow and give relief from the hot suns of South Crete.

At a distance of 12 km south of Agios Nikolaos is the settlement of Istron. You will reach it as you pass along the main national road east from Agios Nikolaos towards Ierapetra or Siteia. Located here is Voulisma, a large beach with fine white sand and shallow, blue waters. It is developed, with umbrellas, sunbeds, showers, water-sports and a lifeguard. It is a good location for young children, as the water deepens only gradually. By one end there is a canteen for food and drinks.

Vai, with its palm forest and its lovely beach, attracts each year a huge number of visitors. The palm forest — the biggest on the island, with some five thousand specimens of the Theophrastus palm — covers about 70 acres. The long beach has blue-green water, fine sand and pebbles. It is very organized, featuring umbrellas, sunbeds, canteens and refreshments, as well as opportunities for water sports.

In Platanias accommodation options, services, eateries and bars abound. Being one of the most cosmopolitan destination in Crete, here you will encounter every summer throngs of Greek and foreign tourists. Platanias beach is sandy and extends for 3 km. Well-organized, it is suitable for all sorts of water-sports and has the usual umbrellas, sunbeds, lifeguards and beach bars.

On the northwest flank of the Akrotiri peninsula is Stavros, a sheltered bay with sand and turquoise waters. It is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, showers and a lifeguard, as well as some chances for water-sports. It was here that Michaili Kakoiannis filmed ‘Zorba’, based on the book by Kazantzakis, winning three Oscars in 1964.

Frangokastello beach is named after the Venetian fort that towers over its sandy dunes and shallow turquoise waters. It is located on a small plain southeast of the White Mountains to the south of Chania. Organized, with umbrellas, sunbeds and showers, it gets crowded during high season. The gently shelving waters make it suitable for families with young children.