Kolympari beach is a very long relaxing beach with both sand and pebbles and it has relatively deep clear blue waters. The beach is organized and open to the northerly and westerly winds. Same as the rest of the region, the beach is a breeding area for the endangered caretta caretta sea turtles, so it is possible that you will see cages that have been constructed and put around the turtle nests to protect them. Do whatever you can to get there!

Menies beach has crystal clear waters and both sand and pebbles.The magic of this landscape fascinated obviously the ancient Cretans, who chose the bay Menies to build one of their most glorious sanctuaries, which was dedicated to the goddess Vritomartis or Diktinna. It is a brilliant place to discover. It is very calm, exotic and you will remember it for ever!

Balos Beach and Lagoon is probably one of Crete's most famous sights. A unique turquoise sea and pink-white sand make it a dreamy spot on the island. Balos tends to be overcrowded in summer. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete. Balos is not only famous for its turquoise waters, but also the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. These few hours of remoteness in such a heavenly place will remain etched in your memory forever. The sea is shallow and warm. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder. Balos is preceded by its reputation as one of the best beaches in Europe, perhaps even one of the best beaches in the world!

Gramvousa Beach is stunning. It is one of the best beaches in Europe. We're talking about the one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. Gramvousa island is close to Balos lagoon. There, you can relax on one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet or you can climb the footpath to the 137-metre-high Castle overlooking the beach. The view down over this most stunning of Cretan beaches and its crystal-clear water is breathtaking. The Castle was built by Venetian occupiers in the late 16th century to help control this area of the Mediterranean. You can also walk the length of the beach, out towards the 1960s shipwreck on the east corner. This short walk gives a great view back to the castle. A day trip there is one of the best things to do in Crete that you'll ever find!

Kalathas beach takes its name from the nearby village. There are three relatively small beaches with thin golden sand separated from each other by a few rocks. The one in the middle is the larger and most popular one and it is the only one arranged with umbrellas and sunbeds. The southern beach is more beautiful and less crowded, while the last one is at the exit of a small stream and it is usually empty. The most recognizable feature of Kalathas is a small island which is only 120m from the beach and you can just see it or easily swim to it. The certain is that you will enjoy big blue waves. It is a very popular beach for the locals mainly due to its location as it is relatively close to the center of the city and it's beauty!

Tersanas Beach is in a small coastal village. The beach of Tersanas is small and sandy with shallow green-blue waters. Its distinctive characteristic is the small natural port that surrounds the beach and protects it from the wind. Therefore, it never has waves. Rich plantation on the sand offer guests a cool shelter under their shade. Tersanas is quite a popular beach for both locals and tourists. Due to its small size it gets easily crowded, especially over the weekends!

Machairida beach is a tiny beach located very close to Tersanas, hidden in a rocky bay. The beach is named after the rocky cape in its north end that reminds of a knife ("machairi" means "knife" in Greek). According to another version, it is named after the flower Gladiolis italicus that is called "macherida" in Greek. Machairida flowers are abundant in the area so the name of this beautiful tiny beach is not surprising. The bay faces southwest and is almost always calm. There is a stunning little beach with white sand and turquoise water is shaped in the center of the bay, surrounded by sharp rocks. The water there is very clear, because the sea currents change directions several times a day and remove any garbage!

Stavros Beach is impressive and has two different areas to choose from, one tight cove right in the corner of the bay underneath the mountain, and one beach just a little further around the point to the west. The crystal waters at the beach towards the point tend to get a little more swell, yet they make a nice change from the other beach and it is a little less organised. The village started becoming more and more famous around 1964, when the beach scenes from the famous movie Zorba were filmed. Anthony Quinn is dancing the well-known Greek Syrtaki dance, composed by Mikis Theodorakis, against the backdrop of the picturesque Stavros Mountain. If you have time there, don't forget to climb to the mountain of Stavros, to cave Lera, to enjoy a magnificent breathtaking view of Stavros Beaches and Chania town!