The sandy beach of Rethymno city is located just 500m east of the city centre, next to the Venetian port. It’s a lovely beach with golden sand and crystal clear shallow water, very well organized and close to all amenities of the city. It is actually the westernmost end of the 13km long beachfront of Rethymno Bay, which stretches east all the way to Skaleta. The vast beach is always busy, but never seems too crowded..Along the beach runs the city’s seafront road, Eleftheriou Venizelou Str., which is also ideal for evening walking.

Plakias is a popular tourist resort, located 36km south of Rethymno city, at the exit of a fertile valley south of the range Kouroupa. Next to it empties the river Kotsifos. One of the major growth drivers of the region is the long beachfront, known as Gialia. The main beach starts near the town and extends to the east for 1.3km, up to Cape Mouri. It is a well organized beach, with cool green waters. Along the beach there is a road, ideal for walking or cycling. Along this road there are several restaurants and hotels, while on the beach there are tamarisk trees, umbrellas, water sports, beach volley courts, snack bars, changing rooms, showers, etc.

Some of Crete’s most beautiful beaches are on the remote south coast extending to the Libyan Sea. Hidden away below Preveli Monastery, this fine pebble beach lies at the mouth of a river and is backed by a lush palm grove. If you walk up the gorge, through the palms, you’ll find a small waterfall. The beach itself is quite difficult to reach, with a narrow, rocky path leading along the coast from the car park and then a long flight of steps. A small taverna on the beach sells snacks and rents sunbeds. The palms were seriously damaged by fire in 2010, but have naturally regenerated since.