Heraklion Airport N. Kazantzakis 1 hr 47
Triopetra beach (54 min)
Large Mediterranean beach with clear waters & coarse sand, plus parasols, sun beds & tavernas. Preveli beach (16 min)
Remote, well-known beach where the Kourtaliotis River meets the sea, with palm groves & stairs. Lake Kournas (1 hr 3)
The only freshwater lake in Crete, this serene standby offers boat rentals, views & rocky beaches. Souda beach (10 min)
Quiet strip with umbrellas, showers & seafood tavernas, backed by a grove of rare Cretan date palms. canyon Kotsifou (11 min)
Mountain gorge offering scenic drives & hiking, with native plants & a wintertime waterfall. Ammoudaki Beach (7 min) Mikro Ammoudi (7 min) Schinaria Beach (14 min) Kourtaliotiko Gorge (14 min)
Imposing, windswept gorge with natural caves & springs, offering sweeping views. Skinaria beach (14 min)
A fine-pebble beach meets a deep-blue bay at this laid-back hangout with sun beds & a taverna. Frangokastelo beach (46 min)
Tranquil sandy beach with adjacent ruins of a 14th-century castle backdropped by mountains. Plakias beach (9 min)
Long, quiet beach bordered by a road for walking & biking, plus sand sports & nearby restaurants. Kalypso Beach (8 min) Damnoni beach (6 min)
Popular tourist destination with turquoise waters & white sand, serviced with bars, showers & more. One Rock Beach (9 min) | 
