Pantanassa is located 12km west of Heraklion and takes its name after the homonym monastery, dedicated to Virgin Mary. The beach is next to the port of Pantanassa, which was built a few years ago. Before the port, Pantanassa was a fantastic beach, hidden by a small pine forest and with crystal clear waters. Now, the port has “cut” the beach in half and Pantanasa has lost its old charm.
The monastery of Koudoumas is located 74km south of Heraklion, on the western side of Cape Martelos and south of Kofinas Peak (the highest peak of Asterousia Mountains). The whole area is full of cavities where hermits used to live. To reach the monastery, you have to drive in a passable dirt road of 20km, starting from the village Sternes, which descends from an altitude of 1000m to the sea level.
The beach, which is in one of the most isolated areas of the island, has beautiful pebbles and is surrounded by tall vertical cliffs. The beach is mainly accessed by boat, but you could also trek from Agios Nikitas. The surrounding area is ideal for fishing. Moreover, if you come by boat, do not forget to walk in the gorge and admire the rugged landscape, till the dead end with falls that get dry in summer.
Linoperamata (or Ellinoperamata) is a long sandy beach, that is located 8km west of Heraklion, west of Almiros river. This is actually the west part of the 7km long beach starting at Linoperamata and ending at Pancretan Stadium, 1km west of Heraklion.
The beach of Lassea in front of the village Chrysostomos is very beautiful, with coarse sand and well protected from the west winds. It is unorganised, but still it's close to the settlement. On the west end of the beach there is a "line" of rocks, that heads towards the small islet of Trafos. This is the old dock of the ancient city Lassea.
At the exit of Aposelemis, a beautiful sandy beach with shallow cool waters is formed. Although it is very close to big hotels and tourist areas, the beach is not very well organized, compared to the rest beaches of the area. There are a few umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach.
Voidomatis or Vouidomatos (i.e. ox’s eye) is located 62km south of Heraklion and 2.5km east of the hamlet Treis Ekklisies. The area is situated on the southern slopes of Asterousia Mounts. The impressive gorge of Mesosfini with towering walls and wild cliffs, a very common landscape for Asterousia, stops in Voidomatis.
The bay of Fraskia of Panagia (i.e. Virgin Mary) is located 24km northwest of Heraklion, on the western side of the Gulf of Heraklion. It is located at the exit of a small valley next to the current private settlement of Theseus. The name Fraskia is taken after the Cretan word fraski, that was a type of jar that was used by Cretans as beehive. Indeed, the area is full of thyme, herbs and shrubs, which are ideal for producing honey.
Also read:
- Home
Beaches
Nature
Past
Destinations
Highlights
West Crete- Central Crete
- East Crete
- Towns
- Chania Prefecture
- Chania
- Paleochora
- Kissamos
- Georgioupolis
- Chora Sfakion
- Loutro
- Rethymnon Prefecture
- Rethymnon
- Agia Galini
- Plakias
- Spili
- Anogia
- Heraklion Prefecture
- Heraklion
- Hersonissos
- Malia
- Matala
- Agia Pelagia`
- Archanes
- Kokkinos Pirgos
- Lassithi Prefecture
- Agios Nikolaos
- Elounda
- Sitia
- Ierapetra
- Makrigialos
- Palekastro
- Zakros
- Lassithi Plateau
- Get Prepared
