Kedrodasos Beach
Chania, Crete, Greece
Kedrodasos Beach lies on the southwest coast of Crete, Greece, just over a kilometer past the more famous Elafonissi and separated from it by a low headland that keeps the crowds thinner here. Ancient juniper trees, not the cedars the name suggests, grow right down into the dunes, and the water stays shallow and clear over a stretch of sand more than a kilometer long.
One of the last quiet stretches of sand near an otherwise packed part of the coast, though the total lack of facilities means it only works if you're prepared to bring your own shade and water.
Walk the extra ten to fifteen minutes over from Elafonissi's parking area instead of trying to drive closer. The rocky, wild terrain in between keeps most day trippers from bothering, which is exactly why the beach stays quiet.
The nearest parking is at Elafonissi's main lot, about 76 kilometers southwest of Chania. There's no direct road or lot at Kedrodasos itself.
A ten to fifteen minute walk over uneven, rocky terrain connects the two beaches, not suitable for strollers and better done in sturdy shoes than sandals.
May through September brings the warm, dry conditions and calm water Crete's south coast is known for, with the clearest visibility typically in the earlier part of that window before peak crowds arrive at nearby Elafonissi.
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