Heraklion beaches

The coastline of Heraklion offers great variety, from the secluded beaches of the Asterousia Mountains to the more easily accessible shores in the north. Along the southern coast, notable beaches include Agiofarago, Vathy, Trafoulas near Lendas, Aspes and Agios Nikitas. Farther east lies Listis near Keratokambos, while the dunes of Komos extend along the western coast. Popular northern choices include the Sarandaris coves, Potamos beach near Malia and the small beaches of Dia island.

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)

Salamias beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.03 (195 Votes)

The bay of Salamia(s) is located 74km south of Heraklion, between Agios Ioannis and Tripiti. There is no road nearby, thus it is one of the most secluded areas of Crete. You can reach it either by boat or by easy walking from Agios Ioannis.

Ornios beaches (Pahia Ammos)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.74 (191 Votes)

Behind the big hill west of the settlement Tris Ekklisies, there is a second stunning beach with fine sand, which is completely isolated and surrounded by the largest carob wood in Europe. The beach is called Pahia Ammos and is shaped at the exit of Agia Paraskevi Gorge, which also houses an unknown 105m high waterfall (only in winter).

Beach Helidoni

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (7 Votes)

Helidoni or Porto Helidoni beach starts immediately after the south side Paliokastro and is under new highway. A staircase with wooden steps leads down to the sea level. What is striking is the cleanliness of the beach and water clarity reminiscent of the best beaches of southern Crete. The beach has easterly direction and, therefore, it almost always calm, like all beaches from Ellinoperamata to Theseus. It is a tiny beach with fine pebbles and sand in some places.

Krigi beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 1.89 (138 Votes)

West of Platia Peramata village, there is another smaller settlement called Krigioi. In front of Krigi, there is a small cove with fine pebble and crystal clear water. Krigi beach is ideal for seclusion, snorkeling and fishing. West of Krigi, you'll reach another pebbly remote beach. Some more meters on the west you'll find the three consecutive beaches of Kokkines Plakes (i.e. Red Rocks), named after the reddish rocks around and accessed mainly through sea.

Petrakis beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.11 (139 Votes)

The very quiet beach of East Tsigounas, mostly known as Petrakis, is located 1km east of Lendas and 76km south of Heraklion. it is located on the foots of the steep and inhospitable slopes of Asterousia Mountains.

Vourlidia beach at Salamias

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.78 (9 Votes)

The small pebble beach Vourlidia is formed at the exit of Flomias gorge, at the west part of Salamias bay and at the base of Oxa cape. This incredible beach can be accessed after strenuous hiking from Agios Ioannis (east) or Tripiti beach (west). The place above the beach can be approached through very bad dirt track from Koumasa or Kapetaniana.

Vourdolakos beach (Chlia)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.85 (10 Votes)

Vourdolakos or Chlia is a remote beautiful beach with coarse gray sand formed behind the rock of Psaroharako and stretching west to Sidonia. Actually, Vourdolakos consists of several consecutive bays, separated by short rocky parts, where one could snorkel.

Xerokambi beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.00 (7 Votes)

Xerokambi beach is located about 70 km southeast of Heraklion and belongs to the periphery of Kastri. Most visitors of the area are unaware of its existence, as they visit mainly the famous beach of Listis and the organized beaches of Kastri and Keratokambos. In Xerokambi there are mainly greenhouses for growing early vegetables.

Heraklion

Echoes of Blue

Dia islet

Agiofarago

Aspes

Heraklion beaches

Salamias beaches

Ornios beaches (Pahia Ammos)

Beach Helidoni

Krigi beach

Petrakis beach

Vourlidia beach at Salamias

Vourdolakos beach (Chlia)

Xerokambi beach