The Rankings · Crete · October 2026 · 3 min
Crete Beaches: Elafonisi, Balos and Falasarna, Rated and Measured
Pink sand in a nature reserve, a lagoon at the end of a dirt road, and a west coast big enough for August. All three in Crete's far west.
Three of the beaches on our Greece list are in Crete, and all three are in the island's far west. Elafonisi is rated Book the flight now: pink sand in places, inside a nature reserve. Balos and Falasarna are rated Only if you're already there, and if you are in western Crete, you are. They are close enough to see in a few days: Falasarna is 17 km from Kissamos, where the Balos ferry leaves, and about an hour and twenty minutes' drive from Elafonisi.
| Beach | Rating | Sand we measured | Sea in August | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elafonisi | Book the flight now | 412 m | 26.4 °C | About 1.5 hours' drive from Chania Airport |
| Balos | Only if you're already there | 106 m | 26.0 °C | 8 km of dirt road and a short walk, or the ferry from Kissamos |
| Falasarna | Only if you're already there | 908 m | 25.6 °C | About 59 km from Chania, 17 km from Kissamos |
Sea temperatures are 2025 monthly averages (Open-Meteo Marine). Lengths are the sand OpenStreetMap maps under each name, measured by us.
- 01
Elafonisi: the sand is pink in places.
The colour comes from the crushed shells of microscopic organisms called foraminifera. It is a protected reserve and loggerhead turtles nest on it, so parts are fenced off. There is one taverna near the entrance, two beach bars, free changing booths and toilets for 50 cents.
Elafonisi → - 02
Balos: a lagoon you can wade.
Shallow turquoise water at the end of eight kilometres of unpaved road, with a €1 fee at the gate and about €3 to park. Or take the ferry from Kissamos for €35 to €40. There is nothing for sale on the beach.
Balos → - 03
Falasarna: big enough for August.
It faces due west, and its guide says it never feels overcrowded, even in August. There is no sheltering lagoon, so on windy days the waves grow. On the first or second Saturday of August there is a beach party with a DJ.
Falasarna →
26.4 °C
the sea at Elafonisi in August 2025, the warmest of the three
February was the coldest month, at 17.3 °C.
Crete keeps its best beaches at the far end of the drive. That is how they stay worth it.
Asked
- What is the best beach in Crete?
- Of the three we have rated, Elafonisi, rated Book the flight now: pink sand in places, inside a protected nature reserve, about 1.5 hours from Chania Airport.
- Is the sand at Elafonisi really pink?
- In places, yes. The colour comes from the crushed shells of microscopic organisms called foraminifera.
- How do you get to Balos?
- By car along a final 8 km of unpaved road to a car park and a 5 to 10 minute walk down, paying €1 at the gate and about €3 to park, or by ferry from Kissamos for €35 to €40 per adult.
The beaches in this post
- Elafonisi BeachBOOK THE FLIGHT NOW
- Balos BeachONLY IF YOU'RE ALREADY THERE
- Falasarna BeachONLY IF YOU'RE ALREADY THERE