Travel guides

What to do in Crete?

3 places we’ve personally tested in Crete.

Our recommendations

Beaches🇬🇷 Kissamos, Greece
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Balos Beach

Located in northwestern Crete, Balos Beach is a spectacular lagoon with white sand, shallow turquoise water and wild scenery. You can reach it via a dirt track followed by a short hike, or by boat from Kissamos. There are some sun loungers, seasonal snack stands and even goats roaming freely!

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Balos Lagoon, Gramvousa Peninsula, Crete, Greece
Beaches🇬🇷 Akrotiri, Greece
LGBTQ+ venue

A venue intended for the wider LGBTQ+ community.

Paralia Macherida

Located on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania in Crete, Paralia Macherida is a small naturist cove surrounded by rocks, with beautifully clear turquoise water. Popular with naturists and the LGBTQ+ community, it has a relaxed atmosphere away from large, organised beaches. The beach is small, with a few sandy and rocky spots to settle down.

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Akrotiri, Chania, Crete, Greece
Beaches🇬🇷 Ligres, Greece
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Katsouni Beach

Katsouni Beach is a naturist beach on the south coast of Crete, near Ligres. Surrounded by rocks and made up of sand and pebbles, it remains relatively untouched by tourism. There are no sun loungers, bars or restaurants here: just the sea, a natural setting and plenty of peace and quiet.

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Katsouni Beach, Crete, Greece