Beaches of Crete

Lassithi

Echoes of Blue – a photographic guide to the beaches of Crete
Photographic Guide

Echoes of Blue

A unique journey through the beaches of Crete, with images that capture the island’s light, colours and natural beauty.

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Top 20 beaches | Elounda | Agios Nikolaos | Sitia | Ierapetra | Vai | Chrissi | Makrigialos | Mirtos | Zakros | Sissi

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Chrissi isle

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City of the Beaches

Agios Nikolaos

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Beaches

Vai

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Lassithi beaches

The coastline of Lassithi combines sandy beaches, palm groves and wild rocky coves. In the South Cretan Sea, the beaches of Chrissi and Koufonissi stand out, while the eastern coast includes the palm forest of Vai, the beaches of Itanos, Karoumes and Xerokambos. Farther west, the landscape becomes greener below the slopes of the Thripti Mountains, while near Agios Nikolaos notable beaches include Gargadoros, Voulisma and Ammoudara.

Lassithi Map

Vai palmgrove

Vai palmgrove

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.07 (423 Votes)
At the northeastern tip of Crete, the Vai palm forest reaches almost to the sandy beach. It is home to Europe’s largest natural stand of Cretan date palms. Behind the beach, the palms, springs and wet grassland are all part of the same coastal wetland.

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Voulisma beach (Golden Beach)

Voulisma beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.64 (778 Votes)
Voulisma, also known as Golden Beach, is the best-known beach in Istro, near Kalo Chorio. Its fine, pale sand and shallow turquoise water are visible from the road above. Beside the main beach, which has umbrellas and sun loungers in summer, a smaller and more sheltered sandy beach lies on the western side of the bay.

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Kolokytha beach

Kolokytha beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.92 (365 Votes)
Kolokytha is a small island just opposite the Peninsula of Spinalonga, 12km north of Agios Nikolaos and close to Elounda. Opposite the island, there is the fantastic beach of Saint Luke, mostly known as Kolokytha. To access the beach you should first follow a scenic route: From the town of Elounda, follow the road leading to the East, along the shore. You will pass the old salt pans on your right hand, which now hosts many birds.

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Golden beach (Belegrina) at Chrissi

Golden beach (Belegrina) at Chrissi

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.15 (454 Votes)
Thousands of visitors arrive daily by boat from Ierapetra to Chrissi and spend most of their time swimming at Belegrina, also known as Golden Beach. Its brilliant blue water, white sand with pink shades created by thousands of broken shells, and the junipers that hold the sand together with their enormous roots form an unforgettable tropical landscape.

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Itanos beaches (Erimoupolis)

Itanos beaches (Erimoupolis)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 4.22 (317 Votes)
The name is taken after the ancient city Itanos, sited in the area. Next to the archaeological site of Itanos there are the three consecutive bays of Erimoupolis (a second name of the region). Thus, you can combine your visit to the archaeological site with a dip in the cool waters. It is noteworthy to tell that part of the ancient Itanos is under water. Thus, a unique experience is to snorkel above the ruins, which now house only fish!

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Sissi Beaches

Sissi Beaches

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.30 (636 Votes)
Sissi (or Sisi) is located 26km west of Agios Nikolaos and 41km east of Heraklion, in close proximity to Malia. It is a peaceful traditional village with narrow streets and beautiful taverns. Its trademark is the harbor with the clean and calm waters.

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Zakros beach

Zakros beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 2.26 (267 Votes)
Kato Zakros is a traditional fishing village located 107km east of Agios Nikolaos and 40km east of Sitia. It is the picturesque harbor of Zakros village (located 7km on the west), situated in a fertile valley with olive groves surrounded by rough mountains. The area is one of the most remote areas of Crete and is ideal for those seeking tranquility, away from the bustling daily life of cities.

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Makrigialos beach

Makrigialos beach

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 3.07 (176 Votes)
Being initially a humble harbor with no roads in the ‘50s, Makrigialos has faced strong growth and has become the largest tourist destination in the region. It actually consists of two settlements, Makrigialos and Analipsi, which are now united.

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