Among the many beautiful islands of Greece, Crete offers some of the best sandy beaches. Meanwhile, some are close to or in towns, while others are more remote for those seeking solace in the sun. While most of the main beaches are crowded in July and August, sometimes you just have to step a few minutes away for a private piece of sandy heaven without the crowds. Meanwhile, most of Crete’s beaches have calm waters, making them perfect for children, swimming and the most popular watersports. Here, we take a brief look at three of the best beaches to visit in Crete this year.

Beaches at Paleochora, Crete

Paleochora is the liveliest town on the southwest coast of Crete and boasts two beaches. One is Pahia Ammos Beach (Sandy Beach) and the other is Halikia Beach (Pebble Beach). While lively, this doesn’t mean the town is crowded with tourists and it still has that village feel. Here, visitors can explore the narrow lanes, with their tavernas, cafés and bars. Meanwhile, the bars are known for their live Cretan music making it a charming place to be

The beaches have plenty of amenities and while some people love to relax on the beach, Pahia Ammos Beach is the ideal place to windsurf. To access even quieter beaches, hike the coastal trails, encountering archaeological and historic sites along the way. Among these is the Venetian castle, which dates back to the 13th century and is worth a visit.

White sand at Elafonisi Beach

While the Greece islands often have pebble or grey sand beaches, Elafonisi truly stands out with its sparkling white sand. Meanwhile, the shallow turquoise waters lead to an offshore islet that is a short walk away. This part of Crete’s coastline offers cliffs, semi-secluded coves and dunes. While popular, visitors can escape the crowds by hiking the 1-km (0.6-mi) coastal trail to Kedrodasos Beach

During summer, the beaches offer all amenities, including an umbrella and lounger and plenty of refreshments. If it does get crowded, venture along the coast for solitude, or visit during the off-season for absolute beauty and peace.

Off the beaten track in Balos

Drive the remote Gramvousa Peninsula on the northwest tip of Crete to enjoy stunning cliffside views on the way to Balos. Meanwhile, just getting to Balos is an adventure in itself, requiring a 4WD to navigate the 12 km (7.5 mi) dirt track from the village of Kalyviani. However, from the car park, with its snack kiosk, it is just a 1.2 km (0.7 mi) walk to the beaches. Another option is to take the day-trip boat from Kissamos, which includes some scenic stops along the way.

Besides the beautiful beaches, lagoons surround the main beach, where fish and shellfish can be seen in the shallow waters. Meanwhile, there are two islets just offshore, which can be reached o foot, Agria and Imeri. The latter is home to the ruins of a 16th-century Venetian fortress that offers panoramic views across the lagoons and beaches. Here, services are few, with only umbrella and lounger rentals, so pack a cooler box for your visit.

Experience the beaches of Crete this year – visit the island’s official tourism website for more details.