2Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece

Crete makes a second appearance with Elafonissi, known for its pale pink sand and transparent waters. Shallow and calm, the sea here looks like a giant natural swimming pool.

The clarity is astonishing, especially in spring and autumn when fewer visitors stir the waters. Walking through the warm shallows from the beach to the nearby islet is like gliding across liquid crystal.

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