Long Beach of St. John (Koutsounari)

Koutsounari is a small sea side village located 6km east of Ierapetra and 43km southeast of Agios Nikolaos, near the picturesque village of St. John. It is situated in a lush green hill with many olive groves and pine trees around, just 1km north of the coasts of the Libyan Sea.

1km south of the village lies the Long Beach of St. John that has a length of 5km, being one of the longest in Crete. This wide quiet beach the characteristic wonderful coarse grayish sand of southern Crete, which in the sea turns to fine sand. This is an interesting detail, because although you walk on the fine sand in the sea, when you get out your feet is clean because you step on the fine pebbles. In many places there are large tamarisk trees and its great length makes it seem empty. The beach is slightly organized in places (near hotels) and all around there are many hotels, restaurants, mini markets and a well organized camping site.

If you walk to the east, it is likely that you will find a very few swimmers. A bay, called Psaropoula (after an old local tavern), is formed in the eastern part of the Long Beach. Psaropoula has soft sand and calm waters. It’s located in front of a hotel, thus it is well organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, showers and water sports. The sea here is usually calm and appropriate for a mask, due to the many rocks around.

Just after Psaropoula, there is a second small cove with a very well organized beach with umbrellas, showers and water sports. This is located in front of the hotel Kakkos Bay and is called Villa Despoti. The name means “Priest’s Villa” in greek and is taken after a building, owned by a “humble” priest, which is situated between the two beaches. On the sides of the beach, there are big rocks, from where you can jump into the sea.

If you come to the Long Beach in the autumn, you will see the rare white lilies of sand, which mark the end of the summer. The lilies are endangered, so please admire them from afar, without touching them.

Villa DespotiKoutsounari long beachPsaropoula

Photos

Koutsounari Long beach

Psaropoula

Villa Despoti

If you cannot see the photos, click here to see Koutsounari and Psaropoula and Villa Despoti beaches

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