Heraklion beaches

Driving on dusty dirt roads across rocky pastures and hiking in the canyons usually end up in a refreshing swim at a splendid secluded beach. The hues of the sea play their color game with the stones and the sun. Some of the most popular beaches are Agiofarago, while there are still impressive beaches at Vathy, Trafoulas near Lendas, Aspes and Agios Nikitas. Those preferring to stay close to “civilization” can swim below the legendary caves of Listis by Kastri and the dunes of Komos by Matala. Οn the north coast, in the coves of Sarandaris at Hersonisos, Potamos by Malia, as well as on Dia island one comes across heavenly beaches, where the water is azure blue.

Heraklion Map

1-20
21-40
41-60
61-76

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Beach

Attributes

Our rating

1

Tertsa

2

Sidonia

3

Faflagos

4

Arvi

5

Xerokambos

6

Armenopetra

7

Keratokambos

8

Kastri

9

Listis

10

Kamboula

11

Dermatos

12

Krassas

13

Tsoutsouras

14

Maridaki

15

Agios Nikitas

16

Petrigiari

17

Aspes

18

Kaminaki

19

Voidomatis

20

Tris Ekklisies
#

Beach

Attributes

Our rating

21

Pahia Ammos

22

Koudoumas

23

Agios Antonios

24

Eligia

25

Agios Ioannis

26

Salamias

27

Katarti

28

Leprias

29

Tripiti

30

Trafoulas

31

Loutra

32

Lendas

33

Dyskos

34

Tsigounas

35

Psili Ammos

36

Platia Peramata

37

Krigii

38

Chryssostomos

39

Kali Limenes

40

Agiofarago
#

Beach

Attributes

Our rating

41

Martsalo

42

Vathi

43

Red Beach

44

Matala

45

Komos

46

Kalamaki

47

Kokkinos Pirgos

48

Korakia

49

Fodele

50

Mononaftis

51

Psaromoura

52

Agia Pelagia

53

Ligaria

54

Mades

55

Fraskia

56

Paliokastro

57

Pantanassa

58

Ellinoperamata

59

Ammoudara

60

Karteros
#

Beach

Attributes

Our rating

61

Vathianos

62

Kokkini Hani

63

Gournes

64

Gouves

65

Aposelemis

66

Analipsis

67

Anissaras

68

Sarandaris

69

Hersonissos

70

Drapanos

71

Stalis

72

Malia

73

Potamos

74

Agia Varvara

75

Agios Georgios (Dia)

76

Panagia (Dia)

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Sarandaris Coves at Hersonissos

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.56 (258 Votes)

The Coves of Hersonissos are located 27km east of Heraklion, starting from Cape Sarandaris and continuing to the east till the harbour of Hersonissos. They are really beautiful beaches with calm waters, since Cape Sarandaris protects them from the northwest winds.

Malia beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.50 (260 Votes)

The beach of Malia is the eastern part of the vast beach (6km length) starting from Stalis. It is a wide beach with fine sand and shallow waters. It is so crowded that there is no space between the sunbeds to fit a pin! Here you can find whatever comfort you ask.

Hersonissos beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.57 (283 Votes)

The first beach you come across east of the port of Hersonissos is a long sandy narrow beach, which is flooded by thousands of people. It is very well organized and close to the amenities of the city. However, it is inappropriate for those who do not like crowds.

Agia Pelagia beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.36 (221 Votes)

Agia Pelagia (Santa Pelagia) is located 21km west of Heraklion, on the west side of a long peninsula, which has many small coves with beautiful beaches. Agia Pelagia, initially a small and picturesque village built by the residents of Achlada village, transformed into a very popular tourist resort with many hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, internet cafés, ATMs, taxis, etc., that is connected by regular bus services to Heraklion.

Matala beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.83 (244 Votes)

Matala is famous for the carved caves in the rocks and the hippies of the ‘70s. It is located close to Phaestus, the second-largest palace of the Minoan civilization. Matala was the port of Phaestus, and in the Roman Times, it became a port of Gortys.

Stalida beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.92 (213 Votes)

Stalis (or Stalida) is located 30km east of Heraklion, in the midway of Malia and Hersonissos. From a small seaside village set up by the residents of Mohos, Stalis is today a popular tourist resort, which is united with Malia town. The only difference with Malia is that Stalis attracts mainly families and things here are more peaceful.

Agiofarago beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.08 (260 Votes)

To get there you must either cross the gorge, by easy hiking of about 30-50’, or catch a boat from Matala, Agia Galini, or Kali Limenes. We definitely recommend the first option, as the route within the vertical walls of the gorge is breathtaking. On the way you will see the large caves were some hermits still live and the chapel of St. Anthony, with a well outside.

Anissaras beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.52 (226 Votes)

The peaceful resort of Anisaras is located 21km east of Heraklion, west of Cape Sarandaris. The area is now full with big hotels, which offer primarily all-inclusive services. In front of the hotels, there are small sandy beaches with rocky seabed. All beaches are well-organized with umbrellas and sun beds, which are offered for free to the customers of the hotels.

Heraklion

Echoes of Blue

Dia islet

Agiofarago

Aspes

Heraklion beaches

Sarandaris Coves at Hersonissos

Malia beach

Hersonissos beaches

Agia Pelagia beach

Matala beach

Stalida beach

Agiofarago beach

Anissaras beaches

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