The past few years I have been travelling by public transport as I don’t drive and even though there are some places that you just can’t get to without a car (unless you hitchhike), I have managed to go to all the places that I have been wanting to visit during my travels in the US and Europe. And most of the times a week of bus travel worked out cheaper than a day renting a car.
In this post I’ll share with you 5 insta-worthy beaches on Crete that you can get to by bus. Obviously, there are so many more stunning beaches but these are some of my favourites. The starting point that I will be using is Rethymno as that is where I am based but you can still use this as a rough guide if you are staying somewhere else on the island. You can find all the bus information, times and prices on the KTEL website HERE
Please keep in mind that in some locations the buses are limited to make sure to check the times for the last bus coming back.
1. Preveli - Palm Beach
Famous for its palm forest and tropical vibe, Preveli is on the south side of the island about 45 minutes by bus. To get to the beach, you have to walk down some steps so make sure you wear comfy shoes as it can be quite challenging in flip flops. The view on the way down is stunning and has great photo opportunities. Once you’re down at the beach you can take a stroll through the Palm Forest which is at the exit of Kourtaliotikos Gorge. You can also swim in the Grand River (Megalos Potamos) which flows through it and admire the small waterfalls that are dotted around. The river flows into the sea, making the water quite cool which is perfect for a swim after walking down the steps in the heat. There is a canteen there where you can get food and drinks and there are also bathrooms, however there are no sun beds or umbrellas.
To get there you can take the bus from Rethymno bus station which costs 5 euro and it leaves you at the top of the road. Then you follow the road to the start of the trail/steps which takes about 5 minutes walk and then down the steps for another 10 minutes. Please keep in mind that there is no shade on the way there so make sure you bring a hat and plenty of sun lotion.
2. Seitan Limania (Stefanou Beach)
One of my favourite beaches on the island, Seitan Limania is not for the faint hearted. It is a beautiful small and secluded beach surrounded by high cliffs. Getting there is quite challenging as you have to climb down a very steep rocky path down the side of the cliff so make sure you wear comfy trainers. There is no sand, just pebbles and there are a few cute mountain goats (kri kri) which are fun to watch climbing the side of the cliffs with ease. They are quite friendly so they like to sit next to people but make sure you don’t leave any food in your bag as they can try to get in and grab it. Please do not feed them as they need to forage for food themselves. There are no facilities or shops around so remember to bring plenty of water with you.
To get there you can take the bus to Chania from Rethymno bus station which costs 6.80 euro one way and takes about an hour to get there. From there you can take the bus to Seitan Limania which costs 2.80 euro.
3. Elafonisi
Located on the southwesternmost tip of Crete, Elafonisi is famous for its pink sand and its turquoise water. It is broken in two parts by water and you can actually walk to the other side while holding all your stuff as the water is very shallow. You can imagine why it is so popular with thousands of tourists visiting daily. If you want to visit when there aren’t as many people there, you might want to go at the start of May or end of September. However, even in the middle of high season, it is still a breathtaking location and is worth visiting. There are umbrellas and life guards there as well as a few canteens, bathrooms and changing rooms.
There are 2 ways to get there without a car. You can either take the bus to Chania and then from there get the local bus to Elafonisi which costs around 20 euro or you can book an excursion with a travel company that will pick you up from your hotel and then take you back in the evening.
4. Balos and Gramvousa
Balos and Gramvousa are two separate beaches however I have put them together as if you are going to one, it is definitely worth visiting the other one. They are both located on the northwest side of the island past Chania city.
Gramvousa is an island surrounded by crystal clear water and white sand and it’s known for its historical Venetian fortress at the top of a hill. There is also an old shipwreck near the beach which was abandoned many years ago. There are no facilities or umbrellas so it is recommended you take plenty of water and perhaps an umbrella to sit under.
Balos is a stunning lagoon with turquoise waters and white sand, with a stunning backdrop of the cliffs. The water is very shallow and is quite warm, however just past the rocks, the sea gets deeper which is perfect for snorkeling. There are a few canteens and umbrellas on the beach so you buy some water from there.
There are a few different ways to get there. You can either go on an excursion from Rethymno for the day or you can take the bus to Chania and then get an excursion from there. An excursion will take you to both Balos and Gramvousa and the price includes the boat trip to both.
Alternatively, you can take the bus to Chania and then another bus to Kissamos harbor where you can take the boat from. If you haven’t been to Chania yet, you can book an excursion from there and then stay in Chania overnight and the next morning explore the town.
5. Falasarna
Falasarna is also on the west coast of Crete, and has beautiful pinkish sand, similar to Elafonisi, from the millions crushed shells. It’s a lovely sandy beach with clear blue water and beautiful views of the surrounding rocky hills. There are sunbeds and a few canteens as well as lifeguards.
You can take the bus to Chania and then the bus to Falasarna which costs 7.60 euro one way.
Let me know in the comments below which beach you would like to visit when in Crete. Follow my adventures on Instagram: @marisa.vogiatzi for content about solo and budget travel, travelling by public transport, and about working remotely as a digital nomad.
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