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.

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.

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.

Dia is a small uninhabited island located 12 miles north of Heraklion. During the summer, excursion boats run daily to Dia, where the visitor can admire the rugged landscape of the island and swim in the crystal clear waters. The place where the boats stop is called the port of St. George.

Panagia Bay is the most protected of all bays of Dia island. It is located 2km east of the port of St. George and is surrounded by high rocky hills, full with oregano and herbs. If you are lucky you will see hares jumping from the bushes.

The waters of the entire area, and not only of Vyzaroplaka, are among the cleanest and clearest in Crete. The beach is protected from the summer meltemi and the westerly winds and almost never has waves.

Fylakas is a tiny beach at the base of the western side of Cape Fylakas of Tripiti in the Asterousia Mountains about 73 kilometers south of Heraklion and on the eastern border of the community of Miamou

Vala beach is located on the southeastern slopes of the Asterousia Mountains in a purely Cretan setting, with inaccessible gorges, bare rocks, steep cliffs and beautiful secluded beaches.

The wider area is full of salt pans, where you will see the famous salt pans of Asterousia filling hollows with seawater evaporated by the sun.

Kakoskalo beach is located 70 km southwest of Heraklion, on the borders of Tympaki and Agia Galini. The beach starts northwest of the port of Kokkinos Pyrgos.

In front of the settlement Agios Ioannis, west of Pontd, there is the small, sheltered beach of Ai Giannis. If you are looking for more seclusion, you can go to the beautiful beach of Elygia, to the east of the peninsula.

The area of Kouneni is located in the vicinity of the village of Pigaidakia, near Cape Lithino, in the “corner” of Messara, and is the southernmost territory of Crete. The highest point of the Cape is the windswept Mount Kefali, from which start vertical cliffs of 391m

Fylakes beach is located in Agia Pelagia. It is a tiny bay with fine sand and green shallow waters, protected by the high and verdant cliffs of Souda.

Plisimo is located east of the settlement of Treis Ekklisies on the southern steep slopes of Asterousia, near the point where the inaccessible gorge of Mesosfini empties.

Paliomantra is located in the area of Aginara, east of Platia Peramata and before we reach the area of Tsigounas. It belongs to the territory of the village Antiskari and is accessible by dirt road.

The majestic black beach of Aspes is located about 58km south of Heraklion, in one of the most remote and inaccessible areas of Asteroussia Mountains. It is situated 4km east of the hamlet of Treis Ekklisies.

The Red Beach is located at location Moudia, 68km southwest of Heraklion and just 800m south of Matala famous resort. To get here you have to walk a trail that begins north of the settlement of Matala and crosses the hill north of Matala. There used to be some signs showing the way.

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.

Potamos is a long sandy beach, very well organized, but less crowded than the main beach of Malia. The region, particularly its east part, is not developed due to the archaeological site. However, in the west of the beach, there are several hotels with small bays in front of them.