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

#

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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Tripiti beach at Asterousia

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.20 (241 Votes)

Tripiti is located 73km south of Heraklion and 12km east of Lendas, in a small valley formed at the exit of Tripiti Gorge, which should not be confused with the gorge of the same name in Chania. It takes its name from the church of Panagia Tripiti, which is built inside a cave in the gorge.

Karteros beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.12 (255 Votes)

On the vast bay, there are two settlements, Karteros and Amnissos. The area has grown so much that the two villages are now united. The main reason for the rapid development of the area is the small distance from Heraklion and the vast beach with the fine golden sand.

Ligaria beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.65 (208 Votes)

Ligaria is located 21km north west of Heraklion and 1km east of Agia Pelagia. The Bay of Ligaria is closed and well protected from the winds blowing in the region. Nearby there are the ruins of the old monastery of Panagia Ligariani, where many monks lived in the past. The region gets its name from the monastery, which in turn gets its name from the beautiful plant “osier” (ligaria in Greek), with the flexible stems and the beautiful flowers, which used to abound in the area.

Drapanos beaches at Hersonissos

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.38 (207 Votes)

Hersonissos is a very busy, touristic town located 28km east of Heraklion. 2km east of the Hersonissos port, you'll find several nice coves, that constitute the complex of east Hersonisos beaches.

Martsalo beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.11 (187 Votes)

Martsalo is a secluded beach in the west Asterousia Mountains, one of the most inaccessible areas of Heraklion. It is located just a few kilometers from the “horn” of Messara Plain, the Cape Lithino, and 80km southwest of Heraklion.

Lendas beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.01 (174 Votes)

Lendas is a remote coastal village located 74km south of Heraklion, on the southern slopes of the imposing Asterousia Mountains. It is a tourist resort and a port, mildly developed offering very relaxing holidays. Lendas can be accessed from Agii Deka, close to Mires town, via the village of Miamou, through a narrow paved road.

Kokkinos Pirgos beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.02 (189 Votes)

Kokkinos Pirgos (i.e. Red Tower) is located 67km west of Heraklion and close to the town of Tymbaki. The name is taken after the tower that was there and was built with reddish soil. The purpose of this tower at this point is still unknown. It is the seaside village of Timbaki, home of the port of the region and developed touristically.

Analipsis beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.70 (368 Votes)

Analipsi later was occupied by the the shepherds of Saint George village, in Lasithi Plateau, where the winter is very cold. Thus, they moved their cattle here in winter. Today, the lucky descendants of the shepherds have large properties in the area, with hotels, shops, restaurants and all sorts of tourist facilities.

Heraklion

Echoes of Blue

Dia islet

Agiofarago

Aspes

Heraklion beaches

Tripiti beach at Asterousia

Karteros beach

Ligaria beach

Drapanos beaches at Hersonissos

Martsalo beach

Lendas beach

Kokkinos Pirgos beach

Analipsis beaches

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