From the dunes of Lafonissi and Xerokambos to the tropical shores of Kedrodasos and Chrissi, from the hidden beaches in the wild gorges of Sfakia and Asteroussia to the emerald bays of Triopetra and Plakias, from Balos and Elounda lagoons to the palm groves of Preveli and Vai, from piney beaches of Ierapetra to the long organized strands of the northern coasts, Crete offers the ultimate combination of carefree holidays and natural beauty, which can be finely reflected on its beaches.
![Keratokambos beaches](/media/k2/items/cache/f8091000de3f026d209837e21bc2e700_M.jpg)
Keratokambos is a small seaside resort situated 72km southeast of Heraklion, a few miles east of Tsoutsouras and Viannos. Keratokambos, with the nearby village of Kastri, has become a new tourist destination during the last years because more and more visitors come to the area and enjoy the beautiful shores. Indeed, in front of the village of Keratokambos a vast beach, several kilometers long, stretches in both directions.
![Kokkinos Pirgos beach](/media/k2/items/cache/63ae8dd535459e6ddaa9950601158f8d_M.jpg)
Kokkinos Pirgos (i.e. Red Tower) is located 67km west of Heraklion and close to the town of Tymbaki. The name is taken after the tower that was there and was built with reddish soil. The purpose of this tower at this point is still unknown. It is the seaside village of Timbaki, home of the port of the region and developed touristically.
![Kalami Beach](/media/k2/items/cache/e7c0584255fa6f2981e510285a9e9e4f_M.jpg)
Kalami village is located 15km east of Chania, on the southern coast of Souda Bay and near the village Megala Chorafia. It has a spectacular view over the Bay and the fort of Souda. It is also close to the ancient city of Aptera and the Turkish forts of Intzedin and Palekastro.
![Pahia Ammos beach, Kerames](/media/k2/items/cache/5d9bd784bfd234610bf8ba15e7ad6a4e_M.jpg)
The village Kerames is located 49km south of Rethymno, close to the village Agalianos. South of the village are many beautiful beaches, with the most famous being the beaches of Akoumiani Gialia, namely Ligres, Triopetra and St. Paul sandhills. The beachfront north of Akoumiani Gialia is called Keramiani Gialia, meaning Keramean Beach, named after the nearby village.
![Asprougas beach at Koufonissi](/media/k2/items/cache/ce11944b98d0742eead2b016a253afd2_M.jpg)
The area of Asprougas could easily be described as an open-air geological museum, full of fossils (one slope of the area is fully covered with fossils from an extinct species of snail). Besides the rich fossils, the morphology of the whole area with the white and stripped rocks scattered everywhere is amazing.
![Anydri beaches (Gialiskari)](/media/k2/items/cache/220c08548cac211cc7db219bb52f46cf_M.jpg)
The secluded beaches by village Anidri, known as Gialiskari or Dialiskari, are surely some of the most beautiful beaches of Crete. Gialiskari is located 4km east of Paleochora and 80km South of Chania. The beaches are the easternmost beaches of the coasts of Paleochora, having an overall length of 18km.
![Gournes beaches](/media/k2/items/cache/e67ec824afbc9f855ad850f1b49c5b05_M.jpg)
Gournes is a tourist resort located 16km east of Heraklion, between Kokkini Hani and Gouves. The area of Gournes is located in a large fertile plain with many vegetable crops and olive groves. Gournes was in the past a separate village but the rapid development of the region has made it one part of the united beachfront, which now starts in Vathianos Kambos and ends after 23 kilometers, in Malia. Gournes are situated on the 3rd kilometer of this front.
![Milatos beaches](/media/k2/items/cache/28b8f12309e9ac4afaade20e5d04ffc2_M.jpg)
The area is famous for the cave located close to the village, where in 1823 a large number of locals moved in the cave to escape from the Turks, but they massacred many of them after 15 days. Today, Milatos is touristically developed and hosts an important fishing harbor. The surrounding area is full with large olive groves and the coast is full of small rocky coves. Among them there are several beaches where you can swim.