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Crete is an island with a jagged coastline that is bursting with hidden beaches and secret coves. That’s a LOT of sand. The coastlines are varied, and with over 1,000 kilometres of golden sand (and even some even better colours), you’d think there would be a secret spot for everyone. In reality, most people flock to the same dozen beaches they see plastered all over social media or in old, beaten-up travel guides. There is nothing wrong with Balos or Elafonissi. But, if you ask a Cretan where they go when they want to swim without fighting for a sun-lounger, it won’t be instagram famous.
The Best Cretan Beach Alternatives to Elafonissi, Matala and Balos
It honestly depends on what you are looking for when summing up the phrase ‘best’. One person’s idea of the best beach is another person’s nightmare! You wouldn’t want to turn up at the ‘best beach in town’ looking for palm trees, hammocks and relaxation only to find a hundred beach bars and touts selling you overpriced coconuts with umbrellas. Likewise, you wouldn’t want a fully shaded rocky outcrop if you were only interested in that all-day golden tan. I’ll tell you all of my favourite beaches in Crete, and you can tell me yours…
At Karatarakis Hotels, we have been welcoming guests at for years, and our Crete beaches guide comes straight from our team. These are all accessible beaches near Heraklion, or in stunning pockets of Crete that are worth getting off the beaten track.
Not all beaches are equal…
It’s true, not all beaches are endless expanses of sugary, beige sand. There are rocky, pebble beaches, black beaches, coastlines that have no beach at all. Whatever it may be, there is usually something that makes each one special. If you’re looking for crystal clear waters, shady shores, or even water teeming with coral and life, you’re bound to find it somewhere in a corner of Crete.
Special Mention – Preveli Beach and Riverlet
Before I start waxing lyrical about hidden gems and just generally awesome beaches that tick all the boxes, I have to give a special mention to Preveli Tropical Beach.
Some places on earth are just special and rare. This is not a secret beach, but one that’s difficult to beat. There are plenty of coastlines in Crete alone, but not many that meet just around the riverbend! Pocahontas would love this place, I’m sure. Whilst not technically a hidden beach at all– find details of excursions with our partners at Tourline Preveli Beach Tour here– it is certainly a place that has built up its reputation for good reason.
Preveli Beach is tucked into the foot of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge on Crete’s southern coast, which means the freshwater river (named the Megalopotamos or ‘Great River’) flows out from the gorge and meets the Libyan sea in an epic wave of good fortune for lucky revellers. The languid river forms a calm lagoon in the centre of the beach before kissing the shoreline and ploughing out to sea. I have seen this phenomenon only once before, and it remains one of my favourite types of beach geography. Preveli’s water is also consistently calmer and clearer than many better-known beaches, as it is effectively sealed on three sides by the dense gorge rock and vegetation. I like to walk upstream under the shaded palms, find a deep pool in the shade and swim there first, then walk back to the sea to soak up some vitamin D. Floating like a starfish is not mandatory here, but it’s always my go-to when the waters are clear and calm like this. Who can say no to the ultimate way to switch off and enjoy nature by letting it control all five senses?
Visiting in summer is the best season, as you can hop between the relative warmth of the sea and the refreshing cold snap of the river water. It’s an incredible day out– so don’t forget the sunscreen, because you’ll enjoy yourself so much you’ll forget that hours exist.
Local tip: The Megalopotamos River is cooler than the sea. In summer, this is the best part!
| Organised Excursion: Tourline® Preveli Tropical Beach Tour | |
| Operator | Tourline – licensed by the Greek Ministry of Tourism (EOT: 1039E60000265301) |
| Departs | Tuesdays |
| Duration | 8–11 hours (depending on pickup location) |
| Pickup area | Malia to Agia Pelagia (free hotel pickup included) |
| Free time | Approximately 4 hours at Preveli Beach |
| Guide | Multilingual guides (English and French) |
| Transport | Air-conditioned coach |
| Price | €42 per person · Free for children under 4 · 50% off for children 4–12 |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure |
| Book Now | Reserve your place on the Tourline Preveli tour → |
Accessing Preveli Tropical Beach by car
The excursion takes all the drama and organisation out of your hands so you can just enjoy the beach, but if you’re coming by car, it’s simple:
Follow the signs for Preveli Monastery and continue to the clifftop car park– there is a small parking fee in summer. From the car park, a well-maintained stone path of approximately 300 or so steps descends to the shore in 15 – 20 minutes. The path offers awesome views of the gorge and lagoon on the way down.
Car Tip: Come early before the boat crowds hit, and you’ll have the beach practically to yourself!
Our team at Karatarakis Hotels can assist with booking through Tourline, or advise on the self-drive route and parking if you prefer to go independently.
Best Hiking Beaches in Crete
Kedrodasos Beach – Crete’s Secret Juniper Forest Cove
If you’ve done any sort of research for your Cretan adventure, you’ll have come across Elafonissi Beach. If you’re up for visiting this understandably popular but beautiful beach, we have all the info in our Guide to Elafonissi. But, if you want to skip the tourist hot spots and find your slice of paradise, I know just where to point you…
Kedrodasos is everything its famous neighbour is not: uncrowded, unfenced, and wild. The beach takes its name from the dense juniper forest that grows right down to the shoreline. Does anyone else hear the word juniper and suddenly fancy a gin and tonic? Lying back on my towel against a sand pile I created with my bare hands and a view out all the way to the horizon with an ice-cold gin and tonic in hand? Yes please.
Kedrodasos might just be one of my favourite beaches, because it’s a nature lover’s dream. The turquoise waters are here, and so is the faint pink hue from the tiny coral fragments that make up the sand, similar to Elafonissi, but that’s where the comparison ends. The beach here features an expanse of rocky outcrops. So much more interesting than plain old sand meeting plain old water. The convenient rocky boys mean you can bob around in the refreshing waters and then easily drag yourself out onto an outcrop to sun like a local lizard. Stay there, dreaming of impossibilities, for a few minutes, then plop right back in for a swim. Why is Kedrodasos beach underrated, you ask? Because it’s not so easy to access– and aren’t all the best places worth a little bit of effort to reach?
How to get to Kedrodasos Beach
Follow the main road to Elafonissi and look for an unsigned dirt track branching off approximately one kilometre before the main car park. The track is passable with most hire cars in dry conditions. From the parking spot, it’s a fifteen-minute walk through the juniper forest that brings you to the shore. There are no signs, just follow the scent of the ocean.
Best time to visit
Early morning in June and July, or anytime in September, when Elafonissi has emptied, and the road is quiet. Midday in August, the dirt track can attract the overflow crowd from Elafonissi, but it’s generally always quieter than its overhyped cousin.
Local tip: Bring everything you need for the day: food, plenty of water, and sunscreen. Always carry everything back out with you– take only pictures, leave only footprints.
Agiofarago Beach – The Hidden Gorge Cove South of Matala
Talking of hidden beaches in Crete, don’t search ‘Agiofarago Beach’. Just don’t do it. It can only end up one of two ways– you get so disheartened that you’re not there at this exact moment, or you book a flight and make a beeline immediately! Neither is good for your health, or your bank account. Nevertheless, let me tell you why visiting Agiofarago Beach after a tip from the local concierge at my hotel turned into one of the best days of my life!
I’d been close to this stretch of unparalleled beauty before, when I spent an afternoon relaxing in the cliff caves at Matala Beach in the footsteps of Joni Mitchell– you read that right, these once secret beach sea caves were once home to the folk star herself!
Agiofarago is one of the most dramatic and least-crowded stretches of coastline in southern Crete. It sits at the mouth of Agiofarago Gorge (are you seeing a pattern here? In Crete, where there’s a gorge, there’s likely the most stunning beach at the end). The beach is surrounded by a curve of limestone cliffs that shelter the place and make you feel like you’re in an amphitheatre created by the gods themselves. The only way in on foot is through the gorge– a 45-minute easy-ish walk along a well-marked path that passes through a landscape of carved rock, hermit caves cut into the cliff face, and the ruins of a small Byzantine chapel.
This is one for the hikers! So, as an avid hiker who has been lucky enough to encounter some of Crete’s most incredible hikes, I was immediately sold on a new adventurous choice. Plus, any beach that reveals itself at the end of a gorge is a secret beach to me, whether it’s a secret or not. I picked a cooler day in the week so I didn’t emerge from the dense forest a sweaty mess. I was fooled on this one in the end, because I did in fact come out onto the pristine sand looking like I’d been lost in the wilderness for days, but that made running straight at the water and jumping right in all the more refreshing!
How to Access Agiofarago’s Beach
The trailhead is located near the Odigitria Monastery. The E4 long-distance trail runs through the gorge, so the path is well-signed and easy to follow. Allow one hour each way.
Arriving by boat
If you prefer to be fancy and access via the sea with your sunglasses on and an immaculately windswept face, day-trip boats run from Matala during the summer. They typically arrive around midday. If you have walked in via the gorge and want to leave by sea, or vice versa, our concierge team at Karatarakis Hotels can arrange boat transfers from Matala in advance.
Local tip: The boat crowd arrives between 11 am and 2 pm. Walk in early via the gorge, have the beach to yourself in the morning, then either walk back or take the afternoon boat. Water shoes are strongly recommended, as this is mostly a pebble beach (pebble beaches in Crete are common), which can be a little tough on bare feet.
Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos) Trail from Matala
The area around Matala boasts no shortage of beaches, but some are a little more quaint than others. If you’re dying to discover the best bits but don’t want a gorge hike, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s a pleasant (intense in the heat but relatively short) trailhead that leads directly from Matala beach all the way to the dreamy Red Beach! Named after the faint red hue that comes from the mineral and iron-rich rock. Here you find a similar vibe to Matala beach, complete with a cave that’s accessible by boat and home to various local pigeons and the endangered Mediterranean seal.
Getting there: Follow a clearly marked trail from Matala, which takes you over Kastri hill. The trail includes some initial rock climbing and a steep descent at the end. After a 20 – 25-minute walk from Matala, passing through a shepherd’s gate along the way, the stunning Red Beach comes into view. As it’s on the west coast, the hilltop on the trail offers panoramic views at sunset, which is, incidentally, a fantastic way to end a peaceful beach day. Hopefully, you’ve taken enough sunscreen, and you don’t end up with skin the same shade as the sunset sky.
Local Tip: If you don’t want to hike to reach Red Beach, you can catch a boat from the Matala harbour (it should be about 5 euros).
Boat-Only Secret Beaches in Crete
Aspes – Crete’s Beautiful Black Beach
This one ticks the box for dreamy secluded beaches in Crete. Hidden in the Asterousia Mountains, 4km east of the village of Tris Ekklisies, is something I would have gone to the end of the Earth for, and felt a bit like I had! Where volcanic ash and basalt rock are ground into the finest sand particles, they create the phenomenon we know as a ‘black beach’. Having discovered my first one on the West Coast of New Zealand’s North Island, I was shocked, I was awed, and I was forever hooked! So, Aspes Beach made it to the top of my list of favourites.
Black beaches have that peculiar effect that makes them sparkle like a billion diamonds under the sand. You can’t help but want to sink your feet in and out of it all day, and as soon as it mixes with clear blue water, it’s even better!
Why is Aspes Beach so special?
What couldn’t be special about a secluded black sand cove surrounded by vertical cliffs? Aspes Beach doesn’t come up on the radar very often, and that’s for very good reason. We won’t sandcoat– it’s hard to reach, tricky to time, and changes with the mood of the sea. On calm days, you get a whole beach; on windy ones, the shoreline disappears like a shy hermit crab. If you’re short on time, you might be out of luck, but for those brave enough to chance it, Aspes beach leaves you with a core memory like no other.
Access: Boat only. The nearest harbour is in Treis Ekklisies or Tsoutsouras. Because of its isolated location, the beach is always peaceful and ready to welcome lucky boat owners. The boats are tied high on the rocks of the beach, and their ropes create a funny spiderweb look that’s very Instagrammable.
Local Tip: If you come by boat from Kali Limenes, you can collect coarse sea salt from the natural salt pans formed on the rocks at the side of the beach.
Charter a boat for the day in Crete, and you can have a whale of a time discovering all the hidden gems that can only be reached by water, including the effortlessly peaceful Kaminaki beach!
Kaminaki Beach – Perivoliano Gorge
At the southeastern edge of the Asterousia Mountains, fanning from the exit of the wild Perivoliano (Gerontzou) Gorge, is Kaminaki beach. A pebbly secluded paradise perfect for a quick dip or a spot of calm fishing. Here, you will usually find nobody at all, and you can peacefully sit and let the crystal clear water lap at your toes.
Surrounded by wild mountains and backed by an enormous and blank cliff face, this beach gives pure serenity. Like most of the island’s hidden gems, it’s more easily accessible by boat from the nearby Tris Ekklisies (Three Churches) village. If you do venture up into the gorge, you’ll be rewarded by a series of waterfalls in the wet season.
If you’re boating (either yourself or with a hired skipper), you can hit another hidden beach gem only 700m east of Kaminaki with a perfect Δ-shaped sea cave.
Access to Kaminaki Beach: Access to the beach is by sea, as the gorge is very hard to descend, and the beach is too far from the nearest road. The nearest harbour is located 3km to the west in Treis Ekklisies, or you can pop by in a hired boat on your way from Aspes Beach.
Dia Island by Boat
Lastly, I couldn’t go on talking about the best boat-access beaches in Crete without mentioning the fabulous uninhabited Dia Island! Uninhabited by humans, that is, as the land and clear turquoise here is actually teaming with life! A trip to Dia Island by boat is the perfect getaway, especially if you’re short on time and want to pack in as much of what Crete has to offer as possible. I took a personal cruise to Dia Island with Travelndo, as they specialise in small, intimate group tours. You would have found me with my head in a snorkel and gliding through the underwater flora, looking for clown fish (please note I did not see any, I found out later from one of the hilarious crew that Nemo and his pals don’t swim here, forgive my ignorance) and pottery from the many old shipwrecks in the area. I might have been lucky on my day, but the boat ride to and from Heraklion Venetian Port offers the perfect chance to see dolphins in the water too!
Access: Access to Dia Islet is limited to the beach only and the Chapel of Analipsis, as the island is protected; no hiking is allowed. Suitable for day trips only, and no camping permitted.
Fun fact about Dia Islet: Greek mythology tells of a giant lizard that tried to destroy Crete; Zeus turned it into stone with a thunderbolt, creating the island. The islet looks like a giant lizard when viewed from Heraklion.
Secret Beaches in South Crete – Sfakia & Loutro
If there is one stretch of coastline in all of Crete that the travel guides have consistently underserved, it is the wild southern shore between Chora Sfakion and Loutro. This is not a polished, lie back and order an Aperol spritz kind of coastline, but you will find a few sunbeds at the first two. No cars reach these beaches. You arrive by boat, by hiking part of the E4 European trail, or by kayak from Loutro.
Glyka Nera
Glyka Nera takes its name from the freshwater springs that bubble up directly from beneath the pebbles on the shore, alongside the deep blue waters of the Libyan Sea, a combination that exists almost nowhere else in Crete. The water that flows from the spring in the mountain is also potable, so you can drink fresh water directly from the source at the beach itself!
Getting there: Boats depart from Chora Sfakion roughly every half hour in summer, with the crossing taking about 15 minutes. Return tickets cost approximately €16 per person. If you prefer to arrive on foot, there are two coastal hiking routes: a 30 – 40 minute trail from Chora Sfakion, and a one-hour hike from Loutro, both following the E4 long-distance path.
Note: part of the beach is nudist-friendly.
Ilingas Beach
Ilingas is not a discovery, but it is a great beach that locals love. The beach can be accessed from a short path leading down to the shore. There are a couple of caves along the beach, large enough to shelter from the summer sun. The real secret is a couple of additional beaches beyond the main one, reachable only by boat or by swimming 80-180 metres east from the main beach.
Getting there: A 15-minute walk or a 2-minute drive west from Chora Sfakion along the Anopolis road. Parking at the hotel.
Perivolakia & Timios Stavros – Three Coves for those in the know…
📍 Google Maps |
The trio of neighbouring coves– Small Perivolaki, Large Perivolaki, and Timios Stavros–sit 2.5km west of Chora Sfakion, midway between Glyka Nera and Loutro on the E4 trail. Their secluded nature makes them a favourite for naturists and snorkellers, and the beach at Timios Stavros is ideal for wild camping.
Getting there: Hike from Loutro, or go by boat. There are no facilities here, so bring everything you need.
Secret Beaches in North Crete Loved by Locals
Too Many People at Voulisma Beach? Local Alternatives Nearby
You’ll find the most stunning beaches near Heraklion with a little borrowed time. Voulisma Beach is about 90 minutes East of Heraklion and feels more like a rural paradise than a preserved Venetian city. It consists of a long sweep of fine sand and clear water that rightfully earns its reputation as one of the finest beaches in eastern Crete. But in peak season, that reputation brings crowds, and by mid-morning in August, the car park tells you everything you need to know. Alas, secret beaches in the world of social media are hard to come by. It would be a shame to waste a day fighting for your spot on the sand, so here are a few lovely alternatives:
What most visitors do not realise is that within a few minutes of Voulisma by car, there are a few alternatives that locals consider equally rewarding and far quieter. The simple rule of thumb: if Voulisma’s car park is full, keep driving. There is always another cove within five minutes.
Voulisma Secret Beach
Walk along the left side from Voulisma’s main beach, and the crowd thins. You’ll reach a small pebble cove sits below the cliff with no facilities, no sunbeds, and usually nobody on it. The water is the same Gulf of Mirabello quality, and the view back across the bay towards the hills gives that iconic Cretan feeling. The stretch at the Northern side is also a great spot for snorkelling!
Istron Bay (Pylos beach)
Istron is a stunningly calm bay that offers privacy with a sense of Cretan hospitality. It’s a private beach for the nearby hotel but you can use a day pass to access the pool and sunbeds. Perfect if you’re looking for a bit more luxury with your secluded beach vibe. Far fewer tourists, a slower atmosphere, and the same clear water that gives Crete its reputation.
Top tips for a day spent enjoying the beach like a true Cretan:
What to take with you to the beach
- Take more water — more than you think you need, especially if you’re not used to the heat and so much walking
- Food for the day — there are very few kiosks or tavernas on these beaches as they’re more local and not set up for tourism
- Shade — a beach umbrella or a large scarf if the beach offers no natural tree cover
- Water shoes or sandals — essential for marble and pebble beaches in Crete, which can be hard and can reflect the heat from the sun painfully on hot days
- A small first-aid kit and any personal medication
- A bin bag — carry everything out with you. Take only pictures, leave only footprints
How to get there
Download your maps offline via Google Maps or Maps.me before leaving your hotel. Save the coordinates rather than relying on searching by name. Beaches can be mislabelled, only written in Greek, or absent from standard mapping apps.
Leave no trace
Some of these beaches remain hidden and beautiful precisely because the people who visit them treat them with care. Please take all rubbish with you, do not disturb nesting birds or the protected juniper forest at Kedrodasos, and avoid using soap or suncream that isn’t reef-friendly in the sea. The clearest water in Crete is clear for a reason.
Stay in Crete. Beach Like a Local.
Book your stay at Karatarakis Hotels →
Hidden Beaches in Crete – FAQS
What is the most secluded beach in Crete?
The most secluded is probably Aspes beach (black beach, Asterousia coast). It is only accessible by boat.
Are there beaches in Crete that aren’t touristy?
Yes, but they require a little effort to reach, and that effort is exactly what keeps them crowd-free. The south beaches are quieter than the north coast beaches because there are no direct access roads.
What is the prettiest beach in Crete?
Every local will give you a different answer– and they’ll all be right, it’s all personal preference. Balos and Elafonissi are objectively stunning, but their fame means they’re rarely experienced at their best. Matala has caves, Aspes has black sand, Agiofarago (limestone amphitheatre, hermit caves, turquoise water) is hard to beat. For colour and wildness, Kedrodasos has wilderness, Preveli has a river. They’re all beautiful.
Can you reach hidden beaches in Crete without a boat?
Most of them, yes. Kedrodasos, Agiofarago, Red Beach (near Matala), and Glyka Nera are all reachable on foot. Ilingas is a 15-minute walk from Chora Sfakion. The Asteroid coast beaches (Aspes, Kaminaki) are the exceptions and are boat-only.
When is the best time to visit the hidden beaches in Crete?
May, June, and September are the best months. The sea is warm, the crowds thinner than in July and August, and hiking conditions are cooler. Avoid August for any beach that requires a long hike or a shared boat.
Are the hidden beaches in Crete safe to swim at?
Generally, yes, though a few things are worth knowing. South coast beaches face the Libyan Sea, which can be significantly rougher than the northern coast. Always check conditions before setting out by boat. The general emergency number in Greece is 112.
Is it worth going to Elafonissi?
Yes, but go early or go in shoulder season or expect large crowds.
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