Eastern Crete gets a fraction of the tourist traffic of the west. That's a good thing. The coastline between Ierapetra and Sitia hides some of the island's best beaches, with zero infrastructure and nobody selling inflatable flamingos.
These are real places with GPS coordinates. Go in May or September for smaller crowds.
1. Agios Nikolaos Beach (Goudouras area)
Not the town. A small cove 4 km east of Goudouras village (35.0012°N, 26.0834°E). Park on the dirt track and walk 10 minutes down. Pebble and coarse sand, crystal water, zero facilities. Bring water.
2. Kalo Nero
Between Makrigialos and Analipsi, 35°01'N 25°59'E. A 300-metre stretch of golden sand with a small seasonal taverna (open June-September, check locally). Shallow entry, good for families.
3. Kouremenos
Near Palekastro (35.2056°N, 26.2589°E). The windsurfing beach that most visitors skip because they're heading to Vai. Strong meltemi winds in summer make it terrible for swimming but excellent for watching kitesurfers. September is calm.
4. Perivolakia
At the end of a gorge trail, 10 km southeast of Zakros (35.0611°N, 26.2419°E). No road access. You walk 2 hours through the gorge or hire a boat from Kato Zakros. One of the most isolated beaches on the island.
5. Xerokambos
A cluster of small beaches near the village of the same name (35.0328°N, 26.2072°E). Multiple coves, mostly empty outside August. One small taverna. Road is paved but narrow.
6. Agia Fotia (near Sitia)
7 km west of Sitia (35.1689°N, 26.0601°E). Local beach, concrete pier, small cantina in summer. Calm water, pebble mix. Gets morning shade from the hills.
7. Tholos
Between Ierapetra and Myrtos (35.0144°N, 25.6178°E). Pebbly, sheltered from north winds, very calm water. No services. The village above has two tavernas.
8. Chrysi Island (South of Ierapetra)
Uninhabited island 12 km off Ierapetra. Boats depart Ierapetra port (about 15 EUR return, May-October). Cedar forest, multiple beaches, no fresh water. Day trip only. Do not try to camp overnight, it is protected.
9. Mirsini
North coast near Neapoli (35.3094°N, 25.6044°E). Small, uncrowded, good snorkeling over rock. 15 minutes from the E75 national road.
10. Makrigialos West Cove
The main beach at Makrigialos is known. Walk 10 minutes west along the coast path to find a smaller, rockier cove (35.0389°N, 25.9858°E) that empties out after noon. Clear shallow water, good for snorkeling.
What to bring
- Water: most of these beaches have no facilities
- Snorkeling gear: eastern Crete has better visibility than the west
- Cash: small tavernas rarely take cards
- Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google offline) before leaving the main road
The eastern coast is best accessed with your own car. Public buses reach Ierapetra, Sitia, and Palekastro but not the small coves.
Want real-time sea conditions before you drive out? Check today's beach conditions on Crete Direct.
