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БРОНИРУЙТЕ РАНЬШЕ, ПОЛУЧИТЕ СПЕЦИАЛЬНОЕ ПРЕДЛОЖЕНИЕ!
БРОНИРУЙТЕ РАНЬШЕ, ПОЛУЧИТЕ СПЕЦИАЛЬНОЕ ПРЕДЛОЖЕНИЕ!
A main attraction for visitors in Crete is its numerous magnificent beaches. Here is some information that might help you chose your destination according to your needs and preferences.
This one is a popular destination due to its crystal clear blue waters and most importantly the safety it provides. Although the island is highly exposed to northwest winds (especially during July and August), the beach of Balos is sheltered due to its geomorphology. Furthermore its waters are very shallow and clean, making it a very good choice for families with toddlers or young children.
Accessibility though can be challenging, since there is no safe paved road to Balos and driving is not recommended. Instead, visitors can reach Gramvousa with the daily ferry from the village of Kasteli (Kissamos municipality). The boat trip lasts about an hour. Also, there are zero facilities and no lifeguard, since the area is a protected Europe 2000 zone. So, make sure to bring your own snacks and water.
Another beautiful beach awarded a blue flag because of the quality of the waters and its lifeguard services. It is easily accessible via the national road, it provides a vast number of facilities shower, sunbeds with umbrellas, parking area and features numerous taverns and restaurants. Also, there are organized activities for water sports enthusiasts.
Cons: lack of protection from the strong winds, so make sure you check the weather forecast before you decide to go.
The beach of Elafonisi, world-popular for its fine pink sand, also holds a blue flag, which guarantees pristine waters and excellent lifeguard services. It is a good choice for families with toddlers for an additional reason: the waters are quite shallow unlike Falassarna.
But visitors still need to be very cautious since the beach is exposed to the strong northwest winds.
This one is also a recommended destination for water sports enthusiasts. There are basic facilities such as a canteen available and it is easily accessible by car via paved roads. Yet the road from Chania to Elafonisi is quite winding, so driving cautiously is strongly advised.
The Devil’s Port as the Ottomans named it because of the enormous, dangerous waves caused during storms.
Although access is a bit challenging (involving the winding road with narrow turns and hiking down a long path for about 10 to 15-minutes), the beauty of the wild scenery makes up for the inconvenience: the visitor has a chance to swim in the deep turquoise crystal clear waters amidst towering rocky cliffs.
Tip: make sure to wear sturdy shoes and try to arrive before 10:00 am since this narrow and small beach fills up quickly.
the beaches of Bali and Panormo, at the north coastline of Rethymno city, are a perfect choice for windy days, since little coves and bays fully shelter the beach from the winds. Their waters are crystal clear and tranquil, making them a preferred destination for families with children. Furthermore, in Panormo the water is quite shallow and the beaches are much less crowded during summertime (compared to the rest of Crete). Both have been awarded blue flags for the safety, clean waters of some of their beaches, as well as the lifeguard services and first aid equipment.
Also known as the «Pirates’ Fiord», this beach provides a truly glorious scenery. It owes its name to the pirates that sought shelter there during the byzantine period and of course the unique morphology of the area. A long lane of crystal clear blue waters extends in between high cliffs. The vibrant marine life is a testament to the purity of the ecosystem.
Nontheless, in case comfort is your priority, Kalypso might not be the ideal choice. The access can be challenging, since you have to drive down a steep, winding road followed by a considerable walk from parking area. Furthermore, there are quite limited facilities.
In conclusion, a visit to Kalypso beach is definitely worth the trouble. If you are willing to experience its magic, just bring some snacks along, water and definitely water shoes since the seabed is rocky in places.
Another beach with crystal clear waters, which offer a welcoming habitat for marine life and swimmers often find themselves among little fish even near the coastline. It is sheltered from the wind due to its plate-like shape that caused the Turks to name it «Tsanak Limani» (tsanak = plate, limani = port in greek). The beach is fully organized, featuring many taverns across the coast, sunbeds and umbrellas, and parking area nearby. You can reach it quite easily via the national road, it is about 30 to 40 minutes away from Heraklion city westward.
Yet most times it is crowded, and both the sand and seabed are quite rocky, so water shoes and extra caution while swimming is advisable. However the water is shallow and the beach is windless, thus safe for families with young children and toddlers.
Fully shielded from the strong winds even on the windiest days, it is highly recommended for families. Sarantaris cape blocks the northwest «meltemi» so that the east side of the cape remains serene. The 15 – 20 meter cliffs surrounding the beach offer extra shelter. It features clean waters, facilities, lifeguard (blue flag) and is accessible via paved road.
At the easternmost end of Crete, about 25 km from Sitia, lies the renowned Vai palm forest. It is the largest one existent in Europe, home to approximately 5.000 palm trees that belong to the species of Phoenix Theofrastii, indigenous to the island.
Apart from its uniqueness, you’ ll gasp at the sight of the exquisitelandscape: the golden, pebble- free fine sand along with a naturally formed stream fed by underground springs, not only gave birth to the palm forest, but they also complement its tropical character. The forest hosts endangered species, so it is under protection and retains its status as a pristinelandscape.
Due to the vast amount of visitors it attracts, there are many facilities such as restaurants, shower, and the beach is well organized.
It is also known as the golden beach of Lasithi due to its fine golden pebble-free sand. Situated at the northern coast of Crete, it is exposed to the wind. Yet the waters are shallow, it has been awarded a blue flag, so there is a lifeguard, clean waters and facilities. It is also easily accessible via the national road.