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EXPLORE / CRETE

Top left: The OUR INSIDER TIPS
wild charm of
Chrissi island
at sunset. Hop
on a boat at
Ierapetra to TOP 10
reach it.
Bottom left:
The protected WORLD-CLASS
area of Vai
Beach does not
just offer palm
trees but also BEACHES IN
fantastic teal
waters and soft
CHANIA & LASITHI
sand.

The sheer size and variety of welcoming bays, beaches
and coves on Crete can be overwhelming – that’s why we’ve
asked those in the know for their expert tips.

CRETE IS THE LARGEST ISLAND IN GREECE, boasting 1,046 km also stuns visitors with awe in-
of coastline with hundreds of incredible beaches, each unique in its spiring vistas of Paximadia is-
beauty. Here are some of the very best beaches in the prefectures lands, which seem to almost
of Chania and Lasithi in western and eastern Crete respectively. hover in the middle of the Lib-
yan Sea.
1. FALASSARNA 2. SEITAN LIMANIA
Easily accessible, Falassar- Located close to Chania air- 4. BALOS
na is situated in a beautiful fer- port and all but hidden away The beauty of the shores
tile plain near the village of Plat- in the rocky coastline, this gor- and waters of Balos lagoon is
anos, 58 km west of Chania. geous pebbly beach has incred- legendary. When seen from
Declared as one of the clean- ibly blue, deep waters. Make above, the water looks almost
est beaches in Greece, it wel- sure you bring food and water transparent, glass-like, sur-
comes visitors who flock to en- as there are no amenities on rounded by multiple strips of
joy the pure soft golden sand the beach, and wear sensible an exotic, pure white sand.
and incredibly clear turquoise shoes as the descent is rocky. Opposite the beach, the rocky
waters in what is a truly idyllic You’ll nevertheless be reward- island of Gramvoussa with its
spot whose sunsets are cele- ed for your efforts by the calm Venetian castle beckons, while
brated. You’ll find a handful of waters and stunning scenery. Mediterranean seals have
traditional tavernas in the sur- been known to frequent the
rounding area as well as the ru- 3. AGIOS PAVLOS surrounding waters.
ins of ancient Falassarna, once In addition to its imposing
a powerful city-state with a re- sand dunes, striking sea caves, 5. ELAFONISI
markable enclosed port which whitewashed rocks and trans- Located on the southwest tip
flourished mainly during the lucent waters, the partially or- of Crete, 82 km from Chania,
Hellenistic period. ganized beach of Agios Pavlos the exotic islet of Elafonisi [“is-

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