We are always looking for unique spots in Crete, and this sandhill beach was recommended to us by a storekeeper in Spili. And if a local is recommending it, we decided it was worth going out of our way a bit to check out this beach! It was pretty fun, but also a lot of work. The sand was golden, warm and clean, the sea was a beautiful blue, and hardly a soul was there! I never did find out the name of this beach so I am just calling it the Sandhill Beach.
Sandhill Beach
This Sandhill Beach in southern Crete is actually quite unique. It was a bit of a drive out of our way, and a bit difficult to get to but what a gem! High above the beach is a dramatic sand dune leading down from a steep cliff to the beach. The beach has golden sand along the Libyan Sea. It is a remote, wild, unorganized area. The sand was very hot but the water was the perfect temperature for a swim, just a bit of a chill but so rejuvenating. I did not see much for shade so bring sunscreen! In addition, bring plenty of water as there is none here, food if you like, and also protective shoes for the hot sand.
Arriving Above the Beach.
We parked up on top at what appeared to be a parking area, and to our surprise, there was a small taverna, or snack shack here! We did not check it out but it’s nice to know it is there. You can only get to the beach by walking down the steep sandhill, so parking is well above the beach.
It was quite hot but our excitement to see the sandhill and the beach kept us motivated. I didn’t remember seeing any signs, but we made our way towards the beach. Upon reaching the cliff and gazing down at the steep sandy hill, my first thought was, “How in the world do we get down there?” Spotting “paths” where others had descended was reassuring, showing us that it was possible to get to the beach from where we were. That being said, it still looked a bit intimidating. We chose a spot with some easy rocks to navigate first and then excitedly started down the sand.
I also must add, the view from the top is really quite spectacular. It was late afternoon when we arrived, unfortunately, the position of the sun at this time did not do justice to our photos, regardless, it truly is a beautiful spot. The sandhill beach is definitely a unique spot in Crete.
Down We Go, Slipping and Sliding
It wasn’t quite as easy or as fun going down as I had imagined, but it turned into an adventure nonetheless! Even at a walking speed, my feet seemed to have a mind of their own, going continuously faster than I expected! I did more than a bit of sliding and slipping on down. I thought for sure I would go head over heels but I didn’t even fall! Stopping was a bit tricky, so I just kept going until I reached the beach! Coming down this sandhill certainly was one of the more interesting ways I have visited a beach Crete, or anywhere for that matter.
Once there, I looked back and saw Steve still on the cliff, ready to make his descent. I had thought he was right behind me but he had been taking photos, which I guess I was oblivious to! We both wore athletic shoes, which I think maybe helped us with a bit of grip and also gave me a bit of confidence. They certainly protected my feet from the hot sand. Looking back up, all things considered, I wondered how how I was going to get back up!
A Perfect Swim
Once on the beautiful beach, without delay, I was ready for a swim. I spread out my beach towel, as the sand was too hot to sit on without it and switched to my water shoes. I was glad I brought them mostly because of the hot sand. The water was absolutely invigorating! There’s nothing quite like a swim in the sea on a hot sunny day. Steve and I swam for quite a while, surrounded by the stunning blue sea. This area is truly picturesque, and the dramatic sandhill towering above the sea provided a breathtaking view. I couldn’t quite relax though as I kept thinking of the trek back up!
Climbing Back Up
Climbing back up was a challenge, but I was determined! It felt like two steps forward and one step back, yet I continued to move on. Side stepping helped me regain my footing in the loose sand, and I kept pushing onward. Even though stopping meant sliding back down a bit, each step I took brought me closer to the summit! Halfway up, I discovered that beneath the sand lay hidden rocks, providing me with the perfect grip to pause and rest a bit. I finally reached the rocky terrain, just short of the top, and I breathed a big sigh of relief! I hadn’t realized how tense I was! Once I made it to the summit, it was a short stroll back to the car. The heat was intense, but I couldn’t help wishing I was back in swimming in the sea.
On to Agia Galini
After we made it to the car, we took the backroads to Agia Galini. It was a pretty drive. We were just spending the night at Agia Galini, but I for one was looking forward to a traditional meal at one of the tavernas. Once settled in our hotel, we asked the proprietor for a dining recommendation. He sent us to a terrific spot with great food. Afterwards, we enjoyed walking around Agia Galini at night. Agia Galini is a vibrant seaside village, we have visited Agia Galini before and loved the vibe.
Where We Ate
We had a fantastic time at Kostas Taverna! The food was absolutely delicious, and the vibrant energy in the restaurant made our meal even more enjoyable. Seated next to a friendly group of fellow Americans, we engaged in lively conversation that truly added to the wonderful day we were having. Before the night was over, we were drinking Raki with Kostas! It was a fantastic night and we can’t wait to return here on our next trip to Crete!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Sky Beach Hotel. We had stayed here before and it was just as nice as we remembered. The rooms were comfortable and the delicious breakfast was a great way to start the morning. This hotel also has a very nice pool. What is really great, is Sky Beach Hotel is within walking distance to everywhere we wanted to go in Agia Galini.
Conclusion
All in all, visiting the Sandhill Beach in Crete was a lot of fun, but I don’t think I would do it again unless we had time to explore more of this area and the other beaches around it. Agia Galini is always a favorite stop for us and we will probably stop here again on our next journey to Crete. This year, 2026 we are island hopping and returning to the Peloponnesse so we won’t make it back to Crete until 2026.
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In addition to this post, you can also check out my other posts from our 2025 trip to Greece, our other Crete adventures, and also previous years Itineraries by following these links!
Discovering Spili, Crete-Sept 2025
Frangokastello Crete-Sept 2025
Aptera Archaeological Site, Sept 2025
Chyrsoskalitissa Monastery, Crete-Sept 2025
Falasarna Archaeological Site in Crete-Sept 2025
Beaches on Milos Island -Sept 2025
The Villages of Milos, Greece -Sept 2025
Sulfur Mines at Milos Island – Sept 2025
Kleftiko Boat Tour on Milos Island – Sept 2025
Discover the Quiet Beauty of Folegandros, Sept 2025
Hike to Livadaki Beach at Folegandros, Sept 2025
Hike to Agios Nikolaos Beach at Folegandros Sept 2025
Delos Island; A comprehensive Self Guided Tour September 2025
Mykonos One Day Itinerary Sept 2025
Great Places to Eat in Plaka, Athens and Nearby. Updated Sept 2025
Self Guided Tour to Acropolis Sept 2025
Tower of the Wind, Athens Sept 2025
The Roman Forum in Athens, Sept 2025
National Archaeology Museum Athens, Sept 2025
Crete Past Adventures
2023 Crete
Sunken City of Olous-September 2023
Elounda Peninsula Hotel-Revised 2023
Hike to Agiofarago Beach-Sept 2023
Preveli Beach, the Easy Way-Sept 2023
Swim at Kourtaliotiko Falls-Sept 2023
Boating on the South Central Sea in Crete-Sept 2023
A Challenging hike Loutro to Marmara Beach, Crete-Sept 2023
Anopolis, Arradena Bridge and Lykos Beach in Southen Crete-Sept 2023
Aptera Crete, Closed on Tuesdays Sept 2023
Return to Chania, Crete September 2023
Crete 2021
Ancient City of Lato, Sept 2021
Aforesmenos Lighthouse, Crete, Sept 2021
Avli Lounge Hotel, Rethymno, Sept 2021
Matala Beach Caves, Crete, Sept 2021
Hike to Martsalos Beach, Sept 2021
The Chapel at Georgioupoli, Sept 2021
Koutalas Beach and Sea Cave, Sept 2021
A Walk Through Chania, Sept 2021
Crete 2019
Elounda Peninsula Hotel, Sept 2019
Knossos Palace, Crete Sept 2019
Seitan Limania Beach, Sept 2019
Katholiko Monastery, Sept 2019
Greece Itineraries
8 Days in Greece, Athens, Milos,Santorini. Oct 2018
10 Days in Greece Athens ,Crete, Santorini Sept 2019
14 Days in Greece Crete, Naxos, Santorini, Athens Sept 2021
2 Weeks in Greece, Delphi, Meteora, Corfu, Santorini Sept 2022
10 Day Peloponnese Itinerary August/September 2024
The Gen-X Travels recommendations for hotels, restaurants, activities or tour companies are based on our own experiences unless noted. We are not sponsored by any business or company and all trips are at our expense. All photos are by myself or my husband unless otherwise noted. We are affiliates of some companies such as Amazon,Viator, and others which we do receive a small commission from, at no cost to you if you buy or book through one of our links.