Heraklion Beaches

Crete

Beaches in Heraklion Crete

map of beaches in Heraklion district

Heraklion Beach Guide

Check the number next to each beach to locate it on the map of Heraklion prefecture.

Beaches without a number are located between the previous and the next numbered beach.

Beaches along the north coast of Heraklion, Crete (from west to the east)

- click on the thumbnails for larger pictures -

	1. Fodele beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), 23 km west of Heraklion. The sandy beach is by the highway from Heraklion to Rethymnon and Chania. The village of Fodele is 2 km distance from the beach. Fodele is the birthplace of El Greco (Domenico Theotocopoulo), the famous painter.
	- Mononaftis beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+) beach with sand and shingle 20 km west of Heraklion.
	2. Agia Pelagia beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO) is located 16 km west of Heraklion. There are plenty of taverns, restaurants and cafes in Agia Pelagia town. There are also many hotels and apartments. The bay of Agia Pelagia is protected from north-west winds and the sea is almost always calm. Drive carefully on the winding road descending to Agia Pelagia. There is another smaller sandy beach west of the Capsis beach Hotel. Ask the locals to show you the way. This beach is not protected from North winds.
	3. Ligaria beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO) is located 15 km west of Heraklion and it is less crowded than the Agia Pelagia beach.
	- Paliokastro beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), 10 km west of Heraklion. A small pebbles beach. It is relatively protected from north winds and the water becomes deep rapidly. There are a few restaurants here and some small hotels & apartments. Good for snorkelling.
	4. Ammoudara beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), 5 km west of Heraklion. Long, sandy beach in an area with many hotels, both large and small. You will find areas with sunbeds, umbrellas and a lifeguard but there are also parts of the beach with no establishments. Cafes, restaurants and beach bars can be found along the beach. Easy transportation by public buses or taxi from Heraklion. At the west end of the beach (take the right turn past the Dolphin Bay Hotel) there is a windsurfing school. A course lasts one week and it costs 90 Euro.
Akti Beach Club Tomprouk beach	5. Florida beach, Karteros beach, EOT beach (Akti Club), Amnissos beach, Tomprouk beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+). A long & wide sandy beach 8 km east of Heraklion, with different names for the various parts of it. Beach cafes, restaurants and fish taverns are available. Easy transportation by bus or taxi from Heraklion. Florida beach, the part of the beach closer to the airport, is less crowded but the airplanes approaching the Heraklion airport are evident (...and noisy).
	6. Kokkini Hani beach, 12 km east of Heraklion (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+). There is a big sandy beach along the main road, which is annoyingly full of sunbeds. There is also a beach bar with loud music and younger people may find it interesting. In Kokkini Hani there are also many smaller sandy beaches. Side roads lead to them and you will have to ask around in order to locate them.
	- Gournes beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), sandy beach 17 km east of Heraklion
	7. Gouves beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), 18 km east of Heraklion.
Analipsis Beach Anissaras Beach	8. Analipsis beach and Anissaras beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), 20 km east of Heraklion. Sandy beaches with occasionally rocky sea-bottom. If you walk a few hundred yards far from the crowds, then it is possible to find a spot with nobody around.
	9. Hersonissos beaches (click)
	10. Stalis or Stalida (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+). Nice sandy shallow beach. When the wind is too strong high waves may prove dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Always listen to the instructions of the lifesavers. panoramic photo of Stalis - Malia - Sissi
Sun Free Beach Potamos Beach	11. Malia beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+). 6 km of sandy beach. If it gets too crowded then head to the east, to the Potamos beach.

Beaches along the south coast of Heraklion, Crete (from west to the east)

Heraklion beaches

*** beaches with no numbers on the map means that they are located between the previous and the next numbered ones.

	12. Kokkinos Pirgos Beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), long sandy beach which is very shallow close to the fishing port of Kokkinos Pirgos. It is preferred by the locals, very few tourists around. The part of the beach to the east is more secluded than the part close to the port.
	13. Kalamaki Beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind:+), sandy beach. Be careful when you enter the water due to the slippery rock plates.
Kommos beach Archaeological site of Kommos	14. Kommos Beach: the north part is close to Kalamaki and it is the naturists part of the beach with no sunbeds or cafes. There are many tamarisk trees that offer pleasant shade during the day. The rock plates exist here too and the beach is particularly exposed to north winds. It is a nesting beach for the Caretta-Caretta Sea Turtle and you will notice the wire frames that protect their nests. The south part of the beach is in front of the Archaeological site of Kommos. The site is still closed to the public. There are sunbeds and a tavern. The road to Kommos starts from Pitsidia village, on the way from Festos to Matala. Drive slowly and try to locate the sign on your right, next to a small Super Market.
	Matala Beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). The famous beach preferred by hippies, who used to live in the many caves of Matala in the late 60's and early 70's. The beach is relatively protected from north winds but big waves are not unusual when south or west winds blow. The beach of Matala is usually very crowded.
	Kokini Amos (Red Sand) Beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +): Another clothing optional beach south of Matala. Access is possible on foot or by boat from Matala.
	Vathi (Sunbeds -, Restaurant -, Hotel -, exposed to wind: NO). A closed bay with few houses of locals. The pebbly beach is accessed by a dirt track past Sivas village and Odigitria Monastery. It is a long, difficcult drive, suitable more for 4-wheel-drive cars.
	15. Ayiofarango (The gorge of the Saints): The pebbly beach is accessed on foot through the gorge or by boat from Kaloi limenes port. An excellent beach protected from the wind but with no facilities. The beach is occasionally clothing optional.
	16. Kaloi Limenes (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: NO): A pebbly beach preferred by the locals. When the wind gets too strong, then Kaloi Limenes beach is the only solution for calmer swimming.
	Diskos, west of Lentas (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +): Beautiful beach with its east part clothing optional.
	17. Lentas beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO). The beach of the village of Lentas. You will swim together with the locals in front of the many taverns and restaurants of Lentas.
	Ostria beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +). A pebbly beach with a great tavern, 1 km east of Lentas. A few tamarisk trees offer pleasant shade during the hot noon hours.
	Loutra Beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). Nice beach with pebbles 3 km east of Lentas. The road is a dirt track suitable for all cars. The rocly seabed makes it good for snorkelling. The east part of the beach is occasionally clothing optional.
	Psili Ammos or Trafoulas beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant -, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +), a great beach with sand and pebbles, accessible only on foot or by boat from Lentas. It is a naturists beach.
	18. Koudoumas Beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant -, Hotel -, exposed to wind: NO). The pebbly beach is in front of the Koudoumas Monastery. Camping is possible with respect to the monastery and the locals. There are no fascilities so you will have to carry everything with you. Drive past Sternes village for 45 minutes on a dirt track descending from 1,000 m down to sea level. The views are excellent but it is not suggested for those who suffer from fear of heights.
	Maridaki beach: An adventurous drive on a dusty dirt track past Ahentrias village will bring you to Maridaki beach. It is a small pebbly beach preferred by the locals.
	Agios Nikitas. One km west of Maridaki there is another pebbles beach, the Agios Nikitas beach. The access is through the Monastery of Agios Nikitas. Keep driving past the monastery and you will reach an unknown palm-forest of Crete. No fascilities available in Agios Nikitas.
	19. Tsoutsouros beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +): The sandy beach of the Tsoutsouros village. This beach is very popular to the people of Crete, therefore it may be crowded during the weekends.
	Dermatos (Sunbeds -, Restaurant -, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +): A pebbly beach with many tamarisk trees.
the main beach eastern beach	20. Keratokampos (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +): Long beautiful beach with pebbles and sand on parts. If you walk to the east, then you will reach a beach with sand-dunes and almost nobody close to you. The rocky sea bottom makes the place excellent for snorkelling.
	21. Arvi (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO): The pebbly beach of the Arvi village. It is very narrow inside the village but it gets wider towards the east.
	Psari Forada or Sidonia (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO): A beach with dark sand and tamarisk trees.
	Tertsa is a tiny village with a pebbly beach. A dirt track leads to Tertsa from Sidonia or Myrtos. The village is an image of the past. Here you will discover how Crete was 20-30 years ago. There is a tavern and a few rooms for rent.

NOTES:

- The beaches along the north coast of Crete are usually shallower and the water is slightly warmer.

- The beaches along the south coast are less crowded. You will notice campers on some of them but officially camping is not allowed outside of the approved camp grounds. The police may always ask you to leave.

- The cost for 2 sunbeds and an umbrella is approximately 5-6 €. Using them is optional. In every beach there is usually some (little) free space for visitors who do not wish to use the existing facilities.

- Never forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and plenty of water, especially if you plan to visit some secluded beach along the southern coast.

- People who receive medication should check with their practicioner for potential risks of sunbathing.

- Sea urchins are a threat for your feet at rocky shores. Enter the sea carefully.

- Alcohol and swimming are not compatible.

- Leave nothing on the beach except for footprints.

- Naturism is not officially allowed but it is tolerated in the secluded beaches. Use your judgement whether you may practise naturism or not at a specific beach. If there are other naturists there, then it is unlikely to be a problem. However the situation changes all the time. A beach may be clothing optional during the week but on weekends it may be occupied by locals. Respect their customs and avoid provoking them by practising naturism next to them. It may give cause for serious reactions.

- The effect of summer north winds to the beaches of Crete:

1. along the north coast: North winds create high waves. This may prove dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Be careful and listen to the instructions of lifesavers.

2. along the south coast: North winds here blow from the land to the sea and the sea remains calm but the sand hitting your body makes you feel like someoneis trying to sandblast the skin off your body.

Things change all the time, so your assistance in keeping this beach report up-to-date is valuable. If you want to add a beach or suggest a correction , please contact us.