⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗

Voulisma beach

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Voulisma lies in the second of Istro’s three consecutive bays, on the southern shore of Mirabello Bay. Istro is in the Kalo Chorio area, about 12 km from Agios Nikolaos and 22 km from Ierapetra. Behind the coast, the Kalos Potamos flows through a fertile valley dotted with olive groves. The beaches and easy access from the main road helped Istro develop as a holiday destination.

The main beach forms a broad arc below the road. From above, the water changes from light turquoise along the shore to a deeper blue towards the mouth of the bay. The seabed is sandy and the water stays shallow for the first few metres. The fine, pale sand gave Voulisma its other name, Golden Beach.

The beach is reached from the Agios Nikolaos–Ierapetra road. There are parking spaces near the road, and from there the route continues downhill on foot. In summer, umbrellas and sun loungers cover much of the main beach. In August, especially around midday, the beach gets busy and nearby parking can be harder to find.

When northerly or northwesterly winds pick up, waves can wash seaweed and litter onto the main beach. The smaller sandy beach on the western side of the same bay is more sheltered from the waves and has fewer facilities. Conditions can therefore differ considerably between the two beaches on the same day.

Agios Panteleimon and Karavostasi lie in neighbouring coves to the west, while Hartalami and Pilos lie to the east. The steep hill of Vrokastro rises above the area. Excavations there have uncovered the remains of a settlement dating from the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age.