Find a beach with White Sand near you
The charming Kimzu Sea Lounge isn’t just a fantastic bar, but also hosts an enchanting beach with shimmering white pebbles and sand, lapped by crystal-clear waters. The beach is located just 1 km away from Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos.
The beach offers full amenities, including an ample supply of sunbeds and umbrellas. Unique to this locale, visitors get to recline on lush, cool grass rather than hot sand, a delightful departure from typical beach experiences.
Despite its small size, the beach doesn’t usually feel crowded, offering ample space for all visitors. The water is shallow and inviting, making it particularly popular with families with young children. Strategically placed anti-wave blocks, about 120 meters off the coast, ensure the beach remains free of large waves, adding to its serene atmosphere.
Adjacent to the bar, a park provides additional recreation options, featuring a large children’s playground and a basketball court. It’s an idyllic spot for spending an entire day, from sipping on a rich Greek coffee in the morning, enjoying a delicious lunch and dinner, to toasting the day away with craft cocktails in the evening. The Kimzu Sea Lounge truly offers a comprehensive beach-bar experience.
Voulisma Beach is a Blue Flag beach on the north coast of East Crete, known locally as Golden Beach for its fine golden-white sand. Voulisma Beach sits in a sheltered cove at the southern end of Mirabello Bay, 12 kilometres (8 miles) east of Agios Nikolaos and 22 kilometres north of Ierapetra, next to the village of Istron. It is the main bay of the three that indent the Istron coastline, and it appears on many postcards of Crete.
The beach is fine golden-white sand that shelves gently into shallow, calm, turquoise water, which makes swimming easy for children and weaker swimmers. Voulisma Beach is fully organised in summer with sunbeds, umbrellas, a beach bar, a lifeguard, showers, and water sports, and there is food, water, and accommodation within walking distance. The cove earns its water-quality standing every year, one of the island’s Blue Flag beaches in Crete.
To reach Voulisma Beach by car, drive the coastal road that links Agios Nikolaos with Sitia, because that road runs past the beach car parks on the edge of Istron village. Roadside parking sits directly above the sand. Rent a car in advance if you want to combine the beach with the quieter coves and Minoan sites nearby, which you can arrange through car rental in Crete.
To reach Voulisma Beach by bus, take a service from Agios Nikolaos bus station towards Istron and Sitia, then walk down to the shore from the main road. Buses run through the day from Agios Nikolaos in the summer season.
The best time to visit Voulisma Beach is from June to September, when the sea is warm and the beach is fully staffed with sunbeds and umbrellas. July and August are the busiest months, and the narrow strip of sand fills quickly around midday. Arrive before 11:00 or after 17:00 in high summer to find space and a free sunbed.
Check the wind forecast before you travel, because Voulisma faces the open bay and north-westerly winds change the beach. Strong winds push waves onto the narrow sand and can wash plastic litter ashore, so a calm, low-wind day gives the clearest water and the widest beach. In April, May, and October the beach is quiet and unstaffed, and the sea is cooler for swimming.
Two small coves sit just west of the main beach, and both are more sheltered from the wind and far less crowded than Voulisma. Istron Beach, the narrower and rockier stretch to the east, holds fewer sunbeds and suits visitors who want more room. For a pebbly alternative with olive groves and greater privacy, walk to the neighbouring Agios Panteleimon beach, about 700 metres away.
Voulisma Beach also works as a base for East Crete’s Minoan history. Gournia, one of the best-excavated Minoan towns, lies 10 kilometres (6 miles) east near Pachia Ammos, and you can walk its streets and staircases at the archaeological site of Gournia. Panagia Faneromeni Monastery stands 11 kilometres (7 miles) south-east on a steep slope, with a church built into a cave and wide sea views, and it draws pilgrims every year on 15 August. The fishing village of Mochlos and the port town of Sitia lie further east for a longer day out.
Three tavernas within reach of Voulisma Beach serve traditional Cretan food:
Yes, Voulisma Beach is worth visiting for its fine golden sand, shallow turquoise water, and Blue Flag facilities. It is one of the most photographed beaches in East Crete and holds full summer services, so it suits both families and day-trippers.
Access to Voulisma Beach is free, because beaches in Greece are public. You pay only for extras such as a sunbed and umbrella set or food and drinks at the beach bar.
Park in the car parks beside the beach along the Agios Nikolaos to Sitia road, at the edge of Istron village. Spaces fill early on summer weekends, so arrive in the morning for the easiest parking.
Voulisma Beach is widely rated among the prettiest beaches near Agios Nikolaos, alongside the quieter Istron and Agios Panteleimon coves in the same bay. Its golden sand and clear turquoise water are the reason it is nicknamed Golden Beach.
Yes, Voulisma Beach suits families with children, because the water is shallow and usually calm, and a lifeguard is on duty during the day in summer.
Yes, Voulisma Beach offers water sports in summer, including jet skiing, parasailing, and banana-boat rides.
Yes, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas at Voulisma Beach for a fee, and the beach bar above the sand runs the sets.
Yes, Voulisma Beach has step-free access, with wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets available.
Voulisma Beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, a beach bar, a lifeguard, showers, water sports, and a Blue Flag, with food, water, and accommodation nearby. Bus services and a paved road reach the beach, and there is tree shade behind the sand.
The island of Imeri Gramvousa is located 20km northwest of Kissamos, opposite the imposing Cape of Gramvousa and 2 miles northwest of the famous lagoon of Balos.
Its historical significance is captured by the majestic Venetian fortress that remains standing 137m above the beach. This fortress is not just a relic of the past but also an icon of pirate legends, which suggests a buried treasure somewhere on the island. An old shipwreck, long deserted near the beach, has become an integral element of Gramvousa’s unique panorama.
Two sizable bays on the island’s southern flank cradle the iconic shipwreck between them. The western bay, situated below the castle, is a popular destination for hundreds of daily visitors who arrive via excursion boats from Kissamos, a journey that takes an hour. These boats make a stop at Gramvousa before heading onward to the stunning Balos Beach.
Visitors have the chance to explore the castle and shipwreck, as well as indulge in a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of the western cove, adjacent to the Holy Apostles Church. The beach, known for its mesmerising turquoise hue, features a mix of white sand and occasional rocky spots. Tamarisk trees near the beach provide a natural shade, while the area’s seabed is a snorkeler’s delight. Excursion boats provide food and water from onboard bars. Due to the area’s protection under the Natura 2000 program, no additional facilities are available, and overnight stays are prohibited.
Kedrodasos beach, named for its distinct juniper forest, is a stunning beach located 76km southwest of Chania and just 1km east of the famous Elafonissi lagoon. This beach is dotted with enchanting juniper trees, often confused for cedars, that are beautifully tucked in between sandy dunes. Included species are the twisted Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa and Juniperus phoenicea. Visitors are encouraged to treat these delicate trees with kindness and care.
Covering an impressive area of around 11 hectares, the juniper forest offers a magnificent view. The beach is an ideal spot for swimming and is a favorite among naturists. It features a diverse landscape of white sand and occasional flat, smooth rocks. A lack of nearby amenities emphasizes the secluded allure of Kedrodasos, maintaining it as one of the last untouched havens in Europe. Visitors are encouraged to leave nothing behind, ensuring the beach stays clean and untouched.
Kedrodasos Beach is recognized as a nudist-friendly location, attracting naturists who appreciate the freedom of clothing-optional sunbathing. Its remote and pristine surroundings create an ideal environment for those seeking a more unrestrained and natural beach experience. Visitors will find sections of the beach where they can comfortably embrace nudism in a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere.
Acting as a shield from the regular winds of neighboring Elafonissos, Kedrodasos offers a relatively serene sanctuary. The beach also serves as a stopover for the European E4 trail, with yellow and black markers indicating the way.
Falassarna is a run of five consecutive beaches on the north-west tip of Crete, about 59 km west of Chania and 17 km west of Kissamos at the western end of the Gramvousa peninsula. Falassarna has been voted the best beach in Crete and named among the ten best in Europe, and the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Phalassarna sit at its northern end. The area spreads across a wide bay, and the two central beaches draw the most visitors.
The sand at Falassarna is whitish to golden, which gives the shallows a bright, tropical, turquoise colour. Close to the shoreline the sand often carries a faint pink tint, from tiny crushed shells mixed through it, and the tint shows most when the sand is wet. The main beach faces due west, so the sea is usually lively and can turn wavy on windy afternoons, a trait that windsurfers and kitesurfers prize. On calm days the water is clear and easy for swimming.
Falassarna is not one beach but five, set side by side along the bay:
To reach Falassarna beach the easy way, drive the scenic road through olive groves from Chania, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and ends at large parking areas next to the main beach. Renting a car lets you pair Falassarna with the quieter coves and the ancient site nearby, which you can arrange through car rental in Crete. Without your own transport, take the KTEL bus from Chania or Kissamos, which runs several times a day through the summer and takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes from Chania.
The best time to visit Falassarna is from May to October, when the weather is warm and the beach bars and tavernas are open; from November to April most businesses close, though you can still reach the beach by car. Come in the late afternoon and stay for the sunset, which is considered the best in Crete because the open western horizon lets you watch the sun sink straight into the sea.
The main beach, Pachia Ammos, is a Blue Flag beach and the organised part of Falassarna, with sunbeds and umbrellas, snack bars and tavernas, water sports and a beach volleyball court; lifeguards cover the busier sections in summer. It is one of the island’s Blue Flag beaches in Crete. The northern coves and the southern pebble beaches have few or no services, so bring water and shade if you head to the quieter ends. The whole bay sits inside a Natura-protected nature reserve.
Ancient Phalassarna was a Dorian port city at the northern end of the beach that grew into a strong regional naval power by the 4th century BC before the Romans destroyed it. A later earthquake lifted the coastline several metres, so the ancient harbour now sits on dry land, and excavations that began in the 1960s have uncovered walls, tombs and a stone throne.
Falassarna beach is on the north-west tip of Crete, about 59 km west of Chania and 17 km west of Kissamos, at the western end of the Gramvousa peninsula.
The easiest way to reach Falassarna is by car, about 1 to 1.5 hours from Chania through olive groves, with large parking areas by the main beach. A KTEL bus also runs from Chania and Kissamos several times a day in summer, taking roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Falassarna is known for its long white-sand main beach, clear turquoise water and its sunset, which is rated the best in Crete. It has been voted the best beach in Crete and among the ten best in Europe.
The sand is mainly whitish to golden with a faint pink tint near the shoreline, from tiny crushed shells. The pink is softer than at Elafonisi and shows most when the sand is wet.
Yes, the main beach shelves gently into shallow water that suits children, and the organised section has sunbeds, food and water sports. The beach faces west, so it can get wavy on windy days; keep an eye on young swimmers then.
No, Falassarna is a free public beach. You pay only for extras such as a sunbed and umbrella set or food and drinks.
The best time to visit is May to October, when the beach is warm and the bars and tavernas are open. Late afternoon is ideal, so you can stay for the sunset.
Falassarna faces due west and is exposed to the west wind, so the sea is often lively and can turn wavy on windy afternoons. Those conditions make it a favourite with windsurfers and kitesurfers.
The main beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, snack bars and tavernas, water sports and a beach volleyball court, and it flies a Blue Flag. The northern and southern coves have few or no services, so bring your own water and shade there.
Yes, Falassarna is made up of five beaches side by side: the main Pachia Ammos, the quieter 800 m north beach, a small south-facing cove by the ancient site, sandy Livadi to the south, and a pebbly beach near the small harbour.
The famous Balos beach is a well-known lagoon found approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, situated between Cape Gramvousa and Cape Tigani below the range of Platiskinos. It is highly photographed and a popular subject for tourist guides in Greece. It was also visited by Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their private yacht many years ago.
Balos is renowned for its striking turquoise waters, picturesque natural scenery, and stunning exotic beauty. During summer, thousands of visitors arrive mostly by ferry from Kissamos port. However, it can be overcrowded, especially in July and August, so it is advisable to visit in the morning before the boats arrive, to enjoy a few hours of isolation in this breathtaking paradise.
The lagoon’s white-pink sandy beaches feature vivid blue and turquoise waters, which are very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. The sand has a lovely pinkish hue in many areas due to millions of crushed shells. The water beyond the lagoon’s rocky boundaries is deeper and colder, perfect for snorkelling. The wider area, including the lagoon, has rare flora and fauna species and is protected under the Natura 2000 program. Eleonora falcons, shags, and cormorants nest in the caves of the area, while the monk seal and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), which are protected species, also find refuge there.
Balos Lagoon Updates
Balos Lagoon, designated as a protected Natura area, boasts breathtaking golden-pink sands and crystalline turquoise waters, providing habitat to diverse marine and avian species. While its allure draws many visitors, it’s imperative to uphold the integrity of this fragile ecosystem. Therefore, visitors are urged to exercise conscientious behavior by properly disposing of all waste, minimizing plastic use, and refraining from removing sand or oysters to preserve the lagoon’s pristine condition for generations to come.
In 2024, significant conservation efforts include the implementation of reduced ferry services and a cap on visitor numbers. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce shuttle buses in Kaliviani to reduce car traffic. To further minimize environmental impact, consider visiting during less crowded times such as early mornings or late evenings.
Aspri Limni, translating to ‘White Lake,’ is one of Crete’s most remarkable and yet little-known beaches. Located a mere 500 meters west of Chrysoskalitissa Monastery and 70 kilometres southwest of Chania city, it’s a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. While many flock to the nearby popular lagoon of Elafonissi, Aspri Limni remains largely unexplored, its beauty preserved in its pristine condition.
The beach, adorned with fine white sand and occasional rocks, is enveloped by jagged cliffs, creating the illusion of a tiny pale lake within the sea. Undisturbed by commercial tourism, Aspri Limni retains its pure and untouched charm, although it lacks natural shade.
To reach Aspri Limni, take a right turn in Chrysoskalitissa village and follow the signs leading to the small Phoenix Theophrasti (Cretan Date Palm) habitat located around the lake. If unsure, any local will be able to guide you to this hidden beach.
Protected under Natura 2000 due to its significance as the westernmost habitat of the endangered Phoenix Theophrasti, Aspri Limni holds environmental importance. This palm species is also found in other groves in Crete such as Vai, Preveli, Agios Nikitas, Souda, and in smaller colonies in South Turkey. Among these, Vai hosts the most extensive palm grove.
Crete is home to numerous stunning beaches, and the Golden Beach on Chrissi Island is considered one of the finest in all of Europe. However, a significant update has recently been implemented by the local government: they have suspended all boat access to the island.
Here’s what this implies:
These changes have been put into effect to preserve the land and marine environments of Chrissi Island.
Typically, throngs of visitors would arrive daily by boat from Ierapetra to enjoy the famous Belerinina or Golden Beach on Chrissi Island. The stunning tableau of vivid blue waters, white sands tinged pink from countless crushed shells, and junipers with expansive roots holding the sand in place is an irresistible allure for anyone.
Macherida, a small beach, is situated 14km northeast of Chania and 1km west of Chorafakia village, in close proximity to Tersanas. Its name is derived from the Greek word “machairi” meaning “knife,” inspired by the knife-like appearance of a rocky cape at its northern end. Another theory suggests it was named after the Gladiolis italics flower, known as “macherida” in Greek.
The bay, facing southwest, is typically calm. At the heart of the bay lies a beautiful beach with white sand and turquoise water, enclosed by sharp rocks. The water clarity here is exceptional due to the sea currents that frequently change direction, sweeping away any rubbish. While the beach isn’t developed, there has been some residential construction in the vicinity in recent years. Macherida beach, with its seclusion, is a popular spot for nudists and is one of the preferred beaches for the gay community in Chania.
The surrounding coastline serves as a unique habitat for various wild species. Close to the main road, amidst the rocks, is the Macherida pond that resembles a crater with saltwater springs. This provides a sanctuary for water snakes, turtles, and seagulls. The city bus route to Stavros passes through Tersanas and runs close to Macherida beach.
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