Crète offre plus de 1000 kilomètres de côtes, le long desquelles vous trouverez des plages pour tous les goûts : des plages aux étendues de sable infinies, des plages composées uniquement de galets ; certaines organisées et cosmopolites, d'autres encore désertes et vierges ; des plages adaptées au camping, des plages pour les amateurs de plongée et de scaphandre, de pêche et de sports nautiques.
Le littoral infini et les nombreuses criques, baies et lagons de l'île font qu'il est presque impossible de les énumérer tous. En commençant par le côté nord, la partie la plus accessible de l'île, il est facile de voir qu'elle crée une longue étendue de plages, l'une après l'autre.
La côte sud est un peu plus difficile à atteindre, l'accès à certaines plages n'étant possible qu'en randonnée, à travers un terrain montagneux. Si vous vous installez dans l'un des principaux centres urbains, La Canée, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia et Ierapetra. Vous aurez l'embarras du choix à quelques minutes de marche ou de voiture. À La Canée, vous pouvez même vous baigner près du port, même si la plupart des habitants et des visiteurs préfèrent les criques sablonneuses de l'île. Plage d'or près de Agioi Apostoli qui s'étend vers l'ouest.
Visitors that are looking for a more remote experience will not be disappointed either. If this is the case, it is best to rent a four-wheel or 4×4 car for peace of mind through the more mountainous and bumpy terrain. Some sociétés de location de voitures ont même des clauses spécifiques qui empêchent les visiteurs de conduire des voitures conventionnelles pour Balos ou d'autres chemins de terre.
Nager dans le Méditerranée est une expérience complètement différente des mers agitées de l'océan. L'eau est comme une étreinte chaude tout au long de l'été mais aussi jusqu'en octobre, et la plupart des plages sont adaptées aux enfants et parfaites pour la plongée avec tuba. Cependant, il existe également de nombreux spots de plongée et de surf autour de l'île, que vous découvrirez bientôt.
Il est impossible de choisir les meilleures plages de l'île, nous vous laissons donc le soin de trouver votre préférée. Vous pouvez explorer nos guides détaillés des plages dans chaque région différente ici :
Gouves is a seaside tourist destination, located about 18 km from Heraklion on the northern coast of Crete island. It is an ideal spot for quiet family holidays and has all the necessary infrastructure you will need. The beaches of Gouves are small, sandy, with shallow and warm waters, perfect for families with young children. Most of the beach is well organized and protected from the winds by small artificial breakwaters. The area has many restaurants, hotels, shops and cafes…
Gournes is a tourist village located between Kokkini Hani and Gouves, some 16 km from Heraklion. It consists of a series of small sandy coves that are open to the winds; breakwaters prevent the waves from causing too much erosion. The largest beach in the area is located in front of the now-abandoned US military base of Gournes. The base is what prompted the development of the area, which had until then been a quiet sleepy village. There are no…
Kokkini Hani is a coastal tourist development, 15 km from Heraklion, found to the east of Vatheianos Kampos. It has many beaches – large and small, with sand and shallow waters, which are affected by the strong north winds that frequently blow. The area is easily accessible from the Old National Road from Heraklion to Malia and Agios Nikolaos. As you pass through this area, you can take various exits that lead to various different spots on the coast. The…
The area of Vathianos Kampos is located 15 km east of Heraklion. This expanse of land takes its name from the Vatheiano River, which flows through the plain in the winter towards the beach. There are two settlements here, Epano/Upper and Kato/Lower Vatheia that lie close to each other. The beach of Vathianos Kampos is one of the most well known and popular on the north coast of the Heraklion prefecture. The westernmost part has taken its name from a…
Karteros beach is located right next to Heraklion airport, in a small bay that forms on its west side. This is about 7 km from the town itself and the beach is in total about 1 km long. It has soft sand, and shallow clean waters and is popular primarily with locals. It is organized in some places, where there are hotels and beach bars with a young clientele. Karteros, just like most other beaches on the northern coast of…
One of the most popular beaches near Heraklion, that is easily accessible to most visitors and a great option if you don’t want to travel far. Ammoudara is a vast sandy beach that stretches from the western boundaries of the city of Heraklion and extends east to the mouth of the River Almyros. It has shallow waters, and most parts are organized. You can also find quiet stretches of sand if you so prefer. The beach is located right in…
Mades is a small bay 20 km west of Heraklion located in the coastal settlement of the same name. The beach is pebbly, the water clear and a beautiful seabed is there for underwater exploration, so don’t forget to bring your mask. This is a popular area, but much less crowded than nearby Agia Pelagia, with all the amenities and infrastructure visitors will need. In the village you will find lovely tavernas, shops, and various accommodation options. Alternatively, you can…
The bay of Lygaria is home to the second largest organized beach in the Agia Pelagia district, and it takes about 25-30 minutes to get there from Heraklion. This long coarse sandy beach, located at the east end of the region (east of Agia Pelagia beach, the area’s main beach), is always quieter than its neighboring bays, particularly during the week.Except on weekends, as the locals from nearby Heraklion come, it is always a lot of fun, so it is…
Agia Pelagia is one of the most popular summer destinations in the Heraklion prefecture. It is located 21 km from Heraklion and has a long beach, more than 450 m in length, with fine sand. The beautiful setting, crystalline waters and calmness of the sea, attracts a lot of visitors, so it is often busy. The area is also relatively protected from the northerly winds and fully organized with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, a lifeguard, and a plethora of water-sports. For…
About 22 km west from Heraklion, and only walking distance from the coastal settlement of Agia Pelagia, is a small, enclosed cove called Psaromoura. While it is a small and quiet place, it attracts a wide range of visitors and is slowly picking up in popularity. The beach has soft sand, pebbles and crystal clear waters. It is also fully organized with umbrellas, sunbeds and showers, as well as a canteen for a snack and a drink. For those wishing…
Mononaftis beach is 23 km from the city of Heraklion and just 1 km from the popular coastal settlement of Agia Pelagia. It is a beautiful beach, about 80 m long, with crystal clear waters that gradually deepen, soft sand, a few pebbles and a rocky bottom in some places, ideal for those that want to combine their swim with a bit of fishing and diving. As the beach is located in an open bay surrounded by rocks, it is…
Crete is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and long hot summers ideal for lounging on the beach. The northern coast of Crete is home to the largest cities and most popular beach destinations on the island. This is where most visitors will arrive either by plane, in Chania or Heraklion, or by ferry. Whether you choose to base yourself on the west side, in Chania or head to Eastern Crete, towards Agios Nikolaos and Sitia, you will be spoilt…
Les plages de la côte sud de l'île de Crète sont connues pour leur caractère solitaire et accidenté, parfait pour les visiteurs qui cherchent à se détendre et à éviter les foules. Des paysages de montagnes sauvages et spectaculaires aux criques intimes et aux étendues de sable doré, il y en a pour tous les goûts. La plupart des visiteurs arriveront à Héraklion ou à La Canée, soit par avion, soit par ferry, après quoi vous pourrez conduire vers le sud. Selon l'endroit où vous vous trouvez, il vous faudra environ une heure pour atteindre la...
Sfinari est un petit village de pêcheurs sur la côte ouest de l'île de Crète, dans l'unité régionale de Chania. Il est situé à 56 km de La Canée et à 18 km de Kissamos. Au bord de l'eau, la plage de Sfinari est une baie tranquille avec une petite plage de sable et de galets et des eaux froides et rafraîchissantes. Vous pouvez également rejoindre le village en bus. Cet itinéraire vous mènera au sud vers le village de Kefali, qui se trouve sur le chemin de la plage d'Elafonissi. Là...
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