Beaches

Gra Ligia is a seaside village located just 5km west of Ierapetra and 39km south of Agios Nikolaos. It is situated at the exit of a large fertile valley, which is full with greenhouses with early vegetables. Locals were the first to grow vegetables in greenhouses and this was later extended throughout the area of Ierapetra. There are so many greenhouses, that locals call Gra Ligia as “Silicon Valley of Greece”.

Ammoudares is located 8km west of Ierapetra and 45km south of Agios Nikolaos. It close to the settlement of Nea Anatoli and Stomio, which all share actually the same beachfront. Ammoudares beachfront consists of sequential long beaches with coarse gray sand. All beaches are unorganized and secluded. They are not popular, mainly because the area is surrounded by thousands of greenhouses. The locals avoid swimming in the area due to pesticides and drugs, but still the water is clean.

Myrtos is located 13km west of Ierapetra, in the output of a wide valley filled with greenhouses and citrus groves, crossed by the River Kryos. It is a small seaside village, which has experienced a mild form of development in recent years, which fortunately has not altered its traditional style. The village is built on the exit of the imposing Sarakina Gorge, which is worth visiting.

Vatos is located 18km west of Ierapetra and 3km east of Myrtos. It is a small settlement that can accessed through the asphalted road from Mirtos. The locals work with banana and vegetable crops in the greenhouses of the area. The village is situated at the exit of a fertile valley, which begins northern, at village Gdohia.

In the area of Kalo Chorio and between the beach of Pilos and Voulisma there is a small peninsula with olive groves, to which dirt roads lead. There is the small beach of Chartalamis Kolymbos, ideal for isolation, with a unique tree for shade.

Those who want to come to Kolokytha but want to be isolated can walk south, where there are two small bays of Vagi.

A series of small picturesque coves near the large cave of Spiliada, located within the territory of a large hotel.

Just a few meters east of the busy beach of Boufos, on the coastal road of the village of Sisi, lies a smaller, quieter beach, Avlaki. Despite being so close, Avlaki offers a different experience, more peaceful and natural, ideal for those seeking isolation.

Boufos is the most famous beach near Sisi and is located just a few meters east of this picturesque seaside village, in the sheltered bay of Harkoma.

Mavromouri Beach, also known as Psilos Ammos (“Fine Sand”), lies in the Ellinon Spitia area, just north of Karoumes Beach, at the remote eastern edge of the Lassithi region.

Sykiés Beach is located in a remote area west of Kavousi in Ierapetra, and just north of Agriomandra Beach. Above the beach stand a few fig trees, which reveal the presence of moisture in the ground.

Malavra is located 26km east of Agios Nikolaos and east of Tholos Beach. It is known for its abundant freshwater springs, which cloud the sea and, according to one version, gave Tholos its name.

The beaches of Legameni are located north of the village of Kavousi. These are two small coves, nestled among rocky formations, exuding a sense of complete tranquility and seclusion.

Analipsi beach is located in the Makrygialos area, 58 km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 23 km east of Ierapetra, in the periphery of the community of Pefki. It is located near the outlet of the stream that flows through the lush green gorge of Pefki.

The tiny beach of Lygidi is located next to the seaside settlement of Kalo Nero, near the Kapsa Monastery, 68km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 33km east of Ierapetra. It forms a natural boundary between the communities of Lithina and Perovolakia in the province of Sitia.

The beach is protected by cliffs and accessed by a break that creates a stream about halfway through. Nearby are the beach's two only tamarisk trees, where you can usually find shade (if they are not already taken).

Daskalio Beach is located within the boundaries of the Naval Base in Kyriamadi, Sitia, near Cape Sidero. Access from land is prohibited due to the military zone.

Kedrodasos (i.e. cedar forest) is an amazing beach, located 76km southwest of Chania and 1km east of the famous Elafonissi lagoon. The beach is filled with juniper trees (mistakenly confused with cedars) and sand dunes, reminding of Lebanese beaches.

Glyka Nera (meaning "sweet water") is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, with deep blue water color and nice pebbles. In 2003, the beach was ranked among the best 20 in Europe by London Times. This is located 4 km west of Chora Sfakion and 75km south of Chania. This is called like this because of the fresh water that gushes from the pebbles!

Elafonisi is located 76km west of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, in the southwesternmost point of Crete. Elafonisi is an oblong, which often "breaks" in two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island.