If you’re after beaches with raw beauty, true character and absolute tranquility, the Municipality of Archanes–Asterousia hides some of Crete’s best-kept secrets. These five coastal gems are perfect for summer days off the beaten track.

Maridaki Beach
Tucked at the meeting point of two dramatic gorges, Maridaki Beach offers a mix of natural serenity, plane trees, and turquoise waters. It's a peaceful haven for those who love hiking and solitude. You’ll need to walk to get there, but that’s part of the charm.

Moni Koudouma Beach
Right in front of the historic Koudoumas Monastery, this quiet beach stuns with its crystal-clear deep waters and open views of the Libyan Sea. A place of calm, shadowed by the spirit of the monastery and the wild Cretan coast.

Treis Ekklisies Beach
At the end of a rugged dirt road lies this remote beach, framed by steep cliffs and three distinctive Byzantine chapels. The waters are deep, clean, and refreshingly cool—perfect for those craving real isolation in nature.

Agios Nikitas Beach
A lush cove dotted with palm trees and surrounded by rare natural beauty. The waters are clear, calm, and inviting—ideal for relaxed swims under the natural shade.

Agiofarago Beach
A wild, hidden treasure at the end of a narrow gorge. With its striking blue-green waters, caves once used by hermits, and raw landscape, Agiofarago feels like another world.

Pack your hiking shoes and your sense of adventure. These beaches aren't for the faint of heart—but that's exactly what makes them unforgettable.