Heraklion can rightfully be considered the heart and one of the best holiday destinations in the world. The combination of warm sun and mild Mediterranean climate with a unique landscape, and historical places, dating back more than one thousand years with a noisy and active nightlife makes you choose a vacation spot in favor of this city. Sun, sea, antiquities: a holiday in Heraklion in 2019 can give you all this - and much more.
Brief historical background
Heraklion is the administrative center, the capital of Crete, named after Hercules, who performed one of his exploits here. Its Greek name is Heraklion. The city was also known as Khandak, Candia, Heraclea, Khandakas. The city originally emerged as a harbor. Then, in 824, the Arabs who captured Crete rebuilt the fortified fort of Khandak. Subsequently, the city was rebuilt, captured, and ravaged. different peoples- Byzantines, Venetians, Turks. Only in 1913 the city became part of Greece, and in 1971 it became the capital of Crete.
It's not surprising that so rich story left a big mark on the development of the city and its architectural appearance. Today Heraklion - modern city, preserving the memory of its history and offering all travelers a lot of entertainment and recreation. You should not ignore this city of Crete when planning your vacation in 2019.
Brief geographical information and climate
The city is located on the island of Crete on the coast Aegean Sea 334 kilometers from Athens. In Heraklion, with an area of 120 square kilometers, population 175 thousand local residents. Administratively, the city is divided into 5 districts.
The climate here, as throughout the Mediterranean, is temperate, mild and dry. The hottest months are July and August. The air warms up to an average of 28 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the water temperature rarely drops below 16 degrees even in winter. Best time for recreation - June-September. Spring is good for hiking, but not for swimming - the sea is not warm enough at this time of year.
Heraklion on the map
Safety in Heraklion
Crete is considered good place for relaxation even for less protected categories of tourists: children, elderly people, young girls. However, in such a large city, thefts still sometimes occur. Therefore, you should not leave your valuables on the car seats, and also carry all the available cash with you. Of course, don’t forget about sun protection, and also swim only in appropriate weather.
Planning a trip to Heraklion: transport and accommodation
How to get there?
It is convenient to get to Heraklion by plane, as the airport is located a few kilometers from the city center. Direct flights from the airport operate only in summer. The rest of the time you can fly, for example, through Athens. A ticket to Heraklion in the summer of 2019 will cost about 8 thousand rubles.
Also, if you are traveling throughout the main part of Greece, there is sea transport from Athens to the city. Nine-story liners depart daily from the port of Piraeus. The cost of a comfortable cabin will be approximately 120 euros.
Public transport in the city is mainly represented by buses. In addition, they also walk around the surrounding area, so there will be no problems with how to get around. You can go to other resorts; a ticket will cost a maximum of 15 euros. Well, if you like increased comfort, you can always order a taxi, the cost will depend on the distance.
Where to stay?
The capital of Crete offers many comfortable hotels (mostly 3-5 stars) with European service, as well as apartments and hostels. Here are some placement examples:
- A good apartment in the city center, furnished with modern furniture, or a simple two-star hotel will cost two tourists about 3 thousand rubles per day.
- An average category establishment with a swimming pool can cost two travelers approximately 5-6 thousand rubles per day of stay.
- One of the luxury hotels, Galaxy Iraklio 5*, offers its guests rooms of different comfort classes from standard to business rooms. The hotel has a SPA salon, restaurant and wireless Internet. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the city center. The price per day for two guests is around 9 thousand rubles.
Travel to Heraklion: where to go, what to see, what to do?
Even the most experienced tourist will find something to do in Heraklion and will not get bored. Sunbathing and swimming, exploring ancient beauties, having fun in a modern way - all this is possible on vacation in this city.
Beach holidays and water sports in Heraklion
For lovers of passive recreation, there are wonderful picturesque beaches with clear water. Heraklion and its surroundings are full of sandy and pebble areas, where all tourists will find a cozy place to sunbathe and swim.
There are equipped beaches, as well as nearby and wild beaches hidden in bays. In general, all of them have a good entrance to the sea, which is convenient for those who vacation with families and children, and many are also marked with the prestigious Blue Flag. Here are some of the beaches in this resort area:
- Amudara. Located 4 kilometers from Heraklion. A beach with excellent infrastructure, as well as a large number of taverns, cafes, and restaurants. Covered with dark sand.
- Vateianos Kambos. It is very popular among locals, so if you want to see cheerful, sociable Cypriots and relax in a fun atmosphere, this is the place for you.
- Linoperomata. Love leisure? Head to this beach. The weather is often windy here and you can enjoy windsurfing.
By the way, among the water activities in Heraklion and the surrounding area, diving (in the village of Agia Pelagia there is a large center), water skiing, snorkeling, and canoeing are also available.
All best beaches are located 4-15 kilometers from the city, this is their feature. Despite the fact that Heraklion itself lies off the coast, you will have to take a taxi or public transport to get to all the beaches.
Don't forget that in addition to the sea and beaches, there are grape and olive gardens, rocks, big waves and breathtaking scenic views that are also worthy of attention.
Sights of Heraklion
Curious tourists can expect stories about the history of Greece and the island of Crete. Fans of excursion walks in Heraklion will definitely not be bored. A walk around the city (you should pay attention to August Street - “Street of Illusions”) can already become an impressive excursion. In addition, you should definitely visit the main local attractions.
The Knossos Palace was built more than 2 thousand years ago and is associated with the myth of the Minotaur and the brave Theseus. The most visited of the palaces in Crete. It is more interesting to visit it with a tour, however, if you do not want to invest money, finding the palace will not be difficult - the road is accompanied by signs. Many details of ancient architecture: columns, galleries, frescoes, stairs can be viewed on the territory of the Knossos Palace.
It is worth visiting the Archaeological Museum, which contains artifacts from different eras from the Neolithic to the Roman Empire. This is the most extensive museum dedicated to the Minoan era. Ceramics, jewelry, religious and everyday objects - you can devote at least half a day to the museum’s exhibition.
The History Museum of Crete covers the period from the Byzantine era to World War II. You can learn everything about the life, customs and culture of local residents by going to this place. In addition, there are also masterpieces by Cretan artists and even a couple of paintings by El Greco.
Also in Heraklion there is a Natural History Museum, which is dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Mediterranean, and a Museum fine arts, the exhibition of which focuses on contemporary art by local creators.
You can enjoy the spirit of history even just by going to the city’s borders. It is surrounded by 16th century Venetian walls with several elaborate gates. And in the center of Heraklion there is a Venetian fountain.
You can also explore a couple of local temple buildings. The Cathedral of St. Titus is the cathedral church of the city; it houses the relics of the apostle, who is the patron saint of Heraklion. The Cathedral of St. Menas is an imposing, monumental building that miraculously escaped bombing during World War II. And the small church of St. Catherine of Sinai currently houses a collection of works of church art.
From Heraklion you can go on excursions to other stunning places. So, there is an opportunity to go to the island of Santorini, visit the picturesque Balos Bay, enjoy the famous Athens and much more. The abundance of guide offers in Crete will allow everyone to choose an excursion to their liking. In addition, you can explore the surroundings of Heraklion. For example, 70 kilometers from the city there are ruins ancient settlement Festos, founded by Minos.
Entertainment in Heraklion
The city is rich in more than just attractions. Those who are vacationing with the whole family may need to entertain their child in a simple and uncomplicated way.
Travelers with children can go to the WaterCity entertainment water park, where there are both children's areas and attractions for brave teenagers. This establishment is located in a mountainous area, so enjoy the views at the same time. You can also go to another water park - AquaPlus, the largest on the island. In the summer, the Katerina amusement park is often located in Heraklion; most of its attractions are designed for children.
You should definitely go to the village of Kato Gouves, where the sea aquarium Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is located. Sharks, jellyfish and many other animals await all visitors; by the way, there are audio guides in Russian, so even kids will understand everything they need. In addition, it is worth saying that some Heraklion hotels provide nanny services, animators, and children's clubs, so just carefully choose the place where you will live - this way you will make your vacation comfortable for the whole family.
Fans of city recreation and shopping will be delighted with the large number of boutiques, cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Among the latter, tourists especially note the Paradise club, which organizes wild beach parties and invites famous and experienced DJs.
Cretan cuisine is a real pleasure with benefits for the body. Fish and seafood, salads flavored with olive oil, and an abundance of homemade cheeses will appeal to all travelers. You should definitely try the local tomato snack, as well as goat milk ice cream and other dairy products. approximate price for local fast food - about 4 euros, lunch in an average tavern will cost around 20 euros, dinner will cost around 25 euros.
Be sure to visit local shops and shops, buy souvenirs and gifts. What to take with you as a souvenir of your trip to Heraklion? These could be Cretan goods such as:
- pottery with Greek ornaments;
- metaxa cognac;
- textiles made from natural fabrics;
- citrus honey;
- olive oil.
Do you want to enjoy local flavor to the fullest? Travel to Heraklion during the summer arts festival. From July to September, performances, dances, and concerts are organized in the city. You can admire how modern types art and shows with a national touch.
Numerous agencies offer other entertainment for guests of Heraklion. Jeep safari, fishing from a yacht, a walk on a stylized pirate ship - there is something for any traveler to spend a day.
Heraklion is a real holiday center in Crete. When you go on a trip to this city, get ready to get acquainted with the local flavor, enjoy a variety of dishes, and take excursion trips to mysterious Cretan places. You can competently combine relaxation on well-maintained and clean beaches and learning the secrets of the island. Young and old - everyone will appreciate this safe, interesting, comfortable holiday in 2019.
Why do many families, when choosing a resort for a holiday with children, prefer the Greek island of Crete? If you carefully read numerous reviews on forums and travel websites, it will become clear what exactly influences the choice of Russians.
Undoubtedly it is:
- the location of the island of Crete, most convenient for fast flights;
- an amazing climate that makes holidays with children extremely beneficial for health;
- magnificent beaches and clear sea;
- rich cultural heritage, safety and hospitality;
- small villages and towns scattered along the coast surrounded by mountains and valleys with vineyards and olive groves;
- good .
Resorts and beaches are scattered throughout the island, and in each of its four regions (Heraklion, Lasithi, Chania, Rethymno) you can always find something suitable for families with children. Although most of them are traditionally located on the eastern and northern coast of Crete. The tourism infrastructure is better developed here, more entertainment, many facilities for comfortable and varied accommodation.
However, as for holidays in Crete, all these divisions of resorts into categories (for young people, family vacation etc.) are very conditional. Wherever we go, we can find a resort where we would like to return again and again.
Find tours to Crete
Without diminishing the importance of cognitive and excursion holiday, after all, most often, we go to Crete with our children for a beach recreational holiday. All conditions have been created for this. Partly, nature itself took care of this, covering kilometers of coastal areas with small lagoons, warm water and hot sun with soft sand and comfortable small pebbles.
Even the sand here comes in very unusual colors: in addition to the usual golden and white, there are beaches with pink and even black sand. However, such a natural phenomenon and the abundance of various beaches are easily explained. After all, the island of Crete is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
Beaches and resorts of Heraklion - the central region of Crete
In this largest area of the island there are several wonderful resorts that position themselves as family-friendly and provide all the necessary services for a comfortable children's holiday.
The beaches of the small resort of Gouves (18 km from Heraklion - the capital of the island) are pebble and sandy, long and well equipped. They are regularly awarded Blue Flags for cleanliness and ecology. The sea is warm, shallow near the shore, and the entrance to the water is gentle. But in windy weather, due to the open coastline, there are strong waves.
The beaches of Kokkini Hani (15 km from Heraklion) are varied: spacious sandy and pebble, well equipped. But the main thing that attracts families with children here is the nearby Water City water park.
Amoudara (8 km from Heraklion) has spacious sandy beaches stretching 5 kilometers in length. Excellent infrastructure and proximity to attractions and the capital have made this place extremely popular among holidaymakers.
The beaches of Agia Pelagia are a luxury resort located in a small bay (25 km from Heraklion). The sea, protected from the winds by rocky cliffs, is always calm. The beach is sandy. But there is a serious inconvenience for children - the entrance to the water is not gentle, but rather sharp.
The resort village of Stalida with excellent infrastructure and a favorable location (from here it is convenient to get acquainted with all the attractions in eastern Crete), with wide sandy beaches. Here all the buildings are one or two floors, which organically fit into the mountain landscape. And the hotels in the village offer comfortable and inexpensive accommodation. All this makes this resort suitable for families. have a relaxing holiday.
The resort of Malia (next to the resort of Stalida) is famous for its good sandy beach. There is no embankment as such. And the entertainment area is present in a larger volume than in Stalida.
The beach of Hersonissos is quite narrow, with a good entry into the sea and a coastline with coarse sand. The resort is very noisy, crowded, party-oriented, recommended mainly for youth recreation. Vacationers with children will most likely not like such a fun atmosphere. But if these circumstances do not bother you, here you can find good hotels with their own sandy beaches, convenient for family holidays.
Resorts and beaches of Lassithi - the most picturesque region of Crete
This is perhaps the sunniest, but also the most expensive region of the island in its eastern part, which is home to the stunning Mirabello Bay. It is washed from the northern part by the Cretan Sea, and from the southern part by the Libyan Sea.
Its main resorts are: Agios Nikolaos - the most beautiful picturesque coastal city of Crete (and the capital of the region), which is sometimes called the “Cretan Saint-Tropez”, luxurious and expensive Elounda and Ierapetra - considered the southernmost city in Europe.
Best prices for tours to Crete
The beaches of Agios Nikolaos are very different: sandy and sand and pebbles. But they are all calm, quiet and very clean. Most of them are surrounded by hotels.
Celebrities and the rich often prefer to relax at the Elounda resort. Everything is provided here for perfect comfortable rest, including children's: endless sea, varied landscapes, great hotels with no less luxurious beaches for family holidays, located in a small beautiful bay in an almost closed bay, well protected from the winds.
Voulisma Beach - a charming small lagoon with soft fine golden sand, azure clear water, surrounded by bizarre rocks - is located 12 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos near the village of Kalo Chorio in Mirabello Bay. The entrance is very good, the bottom is clean and level - the place is ideal for children.
The beaches of Ierapetra are magnificent and numerous. They stretched for a seven-kilometer strip along the coast of this southern city, indented by picturesque secluded bays. The westernmost and most popular is well equipped, sandy, but the bottom is rocky. Katarades beach is covered with dark coarse sand, the bottom is also rocky. There are beaches covered with small gray pebbles mixed with sand. All of them are marked with Blue Flags for cleanliness and environmental friendliness.
The beach of Chrissi Island is a small piece of paradise located in the Libyan Sea, with soft white sand, clear water, with a nice gentle and level entrance to the sea. There is a desire to compare it with tropical islands. Only, unlike palm trees, centuries-old Lebanese cedars grow here.
On the east coast of the Lasithi region there is a series of not very well-known small resort villages with unique sandy beaches.
Vai Beach is magnificent, with soft sand and crystal clear water. Its main feature is that a real tropical forest of wild palm trees grows next to it. Warm shallow water and excellent entry into the water make it very good for small children. And its popularity, especially in the high season, is simply off the charts.
Makrigialos beach with fine pleasant sand and always warm shallow water is good for beach holiday with kids. It is small but well equipped and has everything you need.
Lagoofa beach is located in the same way as the previous one, on the coast of Makrigialos near large hotels in lagoons sheltered from the winds. The water here is warm and shallow. This attracts tourists with children. Besides East Coast not so crowded, and you can always find a quiet place here.
Ammoudi Beach is cozy, with fine golden sand, surrounded by white rocks. The bottom is flat. But there is nowhere to hide from the sun; you must take an umbrella.
Sissy – in the past a simple fishing village - today a resort with several sandy beaches: Bufos, Kalimera Kriti.
Resorts and beaches of the Chania region - the greenest part of Crete
This westernmost region of the island is home to a mass of magnificent, many-kilometer-long Cretan beaches - pink Elafonisi, snow-white Balos, the huge Falasarna beach, and many other, less famous, but no less charming beaches where you can relax with children.
Chania has all the conditions for this - a large number of cozy bays, quiet and windless, sandy beaches with a good entrance to the sea, equipped beach areas with children's playgrounds and simple but fun attractions.
Many kilometers of beaches with amazing pink sand are found only in Chania. And the most famous of them is Elafonisi. This beach is simply adored by children and their parents: shallow, warm, clean water, with a nice gentle slope into the sea. You can meet swimmers here as early as April, because the water here is a little warmer than in other places on the island. The downside is that there is often strong wind and sometimes it is crowded.
The magnificent beaches of Falasarna with snow-white soft sand with pink splashes and azure warm water, a smooth entrance to the sea are the best in Crete. There are 5 of them in total and they are located nearby, following the shore one after the other. Their territory is huge and it is partially equipped. Due to the vast territory, there is never a crowd here and you can always find a secluded place.
The wonderful beaches of Georgioupolis with a gentle, safe entry even for children attract families with children to these places. The local unique flavor of the fishing village and pristine nature make these places even more attractive.
The beaches of Kavros are sandy, wide, clean, with shallow seas - the best that can be offered for children. The disadvantage is that there are often waves in the open bay.
The sandy beach of Platanias, 4 kilometers long, is well equipped and has been awarded the Blue Flag more than once. The resort is quite lively and popular.
Agia Marina is a small town and resort with a magnificent sandy beach. It is the largest on the island and the most comfortable with picturesque pine forests.
Kalamaki Beach is sandy with a picturesque small bay and shallow bottom. Located in the village of Galatas.
The sandy beach of Agia Apostoli is located in two bays, well protected from the wind. The water is clean, around there are beautiful rock formations and a picturesque small park with a pine grove.
Chrissi Akti beach consists of two bays with a sandy beach separated by a picturesque hill. One of them, located to the west, with a smooth entrance to the water and shallow water.
Stavros beach with bright yellow sand, located in a beautiful, almost closed bay on all sides at the foot of the mountain in the quiet and peaceful village of Stavros (Akrotiri peninsula), is considered one of the best in Chania for a family holiday, even with kids. It is always quiet and windless here, there is an easy entrance to the sea, and well-warmed water.
Maronti Beach is an ideal place for children and those who have not yet learned to swim. These are several sandy beaches in a large bay sheltered from the wind in the village that bears the same name. There is a very good flat bottom and a picturesque view of the White Mountains.
Loutraki beach, like Maronti and Stavros, is a very suitable place for a beach holiday with children on warm, soft sand. There is amazingly clean and transparent water, a flat bottom, beautiful sand, and a quiet shore.
The beaches of Palaiochora are loved by families with children for several reasons. Beaches with both soft sand and those covered with small, rolled, non-prickly pebbles stretch for several kilometers. There are always clean and transparent coastal waters, a gentle entrance and a good bottom. One of the beaches of this resort, Pachia Ammos, is well protected from the winds.
Kalyves Beach – with a quiet calm sea, protected from waves and winds from the north by the Akrotiri peninsula. One part of it is covered with golden sand, the second with small pebbles, regularly awarded the Blue Flag.
Kissamos is a resort town near the sea, far from tourist spots (42 kilometers from Chania) for a holiday in peace and quiet with a child. There are a lot of hotels in Kissamos itself and its surroundings. They are mostly small, homely and cozy, relatively inexpensive.
Not far from Kissamos are the island's famous beaches of Elafonisi, Falasarna and Balos Lagoon.
Balos Bay is the most beautiful place in the Mediterranean, where three seas meet: Mediterranean, Cretan and Ionian. The water in the bay is unique in its mineral composition, its color is completely unusual - bright azure with shades of turquoise, blue and green. The sand is pink and white, and the water is warm and absolutely clear. According to many, this beautiful beach of the Mediterranean is convenient for families with children: shallow water, you can sunbathe while lying right in the water on the sand.
Beaches and resorts of Rethymnon
Due to its proximity to the capital and famous attractions, the Rethymnon region is considered a good resort location for tourists. For a beach holiday, there are long sandy, clean beaches (16 km) with secluded coves and a smooth slope of the seabed. There are many calm and quiet villages on the coast where you can spend an unforgettable vacation with your children.
City of Rethymno (“Venice in the mountains”) – beautiful city Greece, striking with lush greenery, flowers, beauty of landscapes with ecologically clean beaches. It is approximately equally distant from Chania and Heraklion.
In Rethymno there is a good urban sandy beach near the embankment, quite comfortable and clean, with warm shallow water, with attractions and opportunities for active recreation.
It may not be worth choosing the city itself for living with children - it’s a bit noisy. But a series of small, cozy seaside villages located nearby are quite suitable for young tourists.
Sandy, clean and equipped beaches of Adele in resort area, located from Rethymnon to the east, - a good option for a relaxing beach holiday. But there are some disadvantages - the coastline is open, there are strong winds and waves. In addition, when entering the water, there are rocky areas in some areas of the beach. When choosing a hotel, you need to clarify this circumstance.
Platanias is a quiet small resort village near Rethymnon with sandy beaches for a secluded, relaxing holiday.
Skaleta Beach is sandy, well-equipped, and is positioned as a resort for a relaxing beach family holiday. There are only a few hotels in the village.
Panormo is a small resort village (22 kilometers from Rethymno) with a particularly authentic, calm atmosphere and a popular place for families with children. The beaches are located in a bay, sheltered from waves and wind, the bottom is flat, the sea is shallow - what else is needed for safe holiday with small children.
The four main sandy beaches of Bali are a place for a contemplative, serene holiday in a relaxed atmosphere among mountain slopes covered with greenery, in bays with clear and very clean water. There are never waves in the quietest bay of Karavostasi (or Evita), which is protected from the wind by a mountain cape.
For those vacationing in this area with children, one feature of the terrain needs to be taken into account - quite steep climbs uphill to the resort location and descents back down to the sea.
Preveli Beach is covered with small pebbles and is a natural attraction. There are beautiful sand dunes, amazing palm groves, beautiful sea and strange looking layered rocks.
The state of the beach along with good hotel and convenient location - perhaps the main factors influencing our choice when we go to Crete with children. All that remains is to choose the right resort and hotel that will not allow you to be disappointed when going to the island of Crete with the whole family.
To determine how safe it is to enter the sea, experts advise checking this parameter with the descriptions of a particular hotel. Or additionally request this information from the hotel or tour operators. Most often, on private beaches the entrance to the sea is always sandy (due to bulk sand). And from the descriptions it follows that most of Cretan beaches in all respects meet the requirements of parents when looking for a beach for children. Have a good holiday everyone!
The northern coast of Crete is very popular among holidaymakers - it was no exception main city region! What are the beaches in Heraklion? As a rule, they are well-maintained, sandy, with a good entrance to the sea - it is in this area that there is a record number of Cretan beaches, marked with EU blue flags for cleanliness and environmental friendliness. True, Heraklion - Big City, so for a beach holiday it is better to go to its surroundings.
1. Agia Pelagia
One of the most famous beaches is Agia Pelagia (about 25 km from Heraklion), located in a picturesque bay, perfect for families with children (the sea is almost always calm here). By the way, there are many hotels nearby, so you can stay here and go to Heraklion for a “cultural” program.
frankenschulz2. Amoudara Beach
Amoudara beach (4 km from Heraklion) has excellent infrastructure - there are umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, many water activities, taverns and restaurants nearby. The beach is large, with dark sand, and there are secluded areas.
3. Vatheianos Kambos
Vatheianos Kambos is one of the most popular sandy beaches among locals. There are both “civilized” areas and secluded bays.
4. Karteros Beach
Karteros Beach (7 km from Heraklion) is considered a youth beach - there are many separate small bays, there are bars and you can ride on inflatable “bagels”.
5. Beaches Florida, EOT, Tompruk
8 kilometers from the city there is a long beach strip, divided into sections, each of which has its own name (for example, Florida, EOT, Tompruk). There are many traditional fish taverns here. You can get to the beach by bus. The only negative is the noise of planes landing (the beach is located close to the airport).
Caroline et Louis VOLANT 6. Linoperomata Beach
Linoperomata beach is popular among windsurfers - it is almost always windy here. Ordinary tourists may be put off by the proximity of the power plant and industrial facilities.
7. Fodele Beach
23 kilometers west of Heraklion is Fodele Beach (near the Heraklion-Chania highway). It is protected from the winds and big waves, so it’s great for those vacationing with small children.
Rich as historical monuments, and amazingly picturesque beaches. We offer you a list of the most interesting and beautiful of them!
Agia Pelagia
Agia Pelagia– a famous beach 10 km from the city of Heraklion, the main city of the region. This is a picturesque bay with a wide sandy beach and everything you need for a comfortable holiday. Nearby you will find many restaurants, taverns and hotels.
Lendas
Lendas– a beach near the resort village of the same name, perfect for activities water sports thanks to the constant breeze. The outskirts of the beach are traditionally chosen for relaxation by nudists, but the central part is a familiar place to relax with excellent service.
Agios Panteleimon
Agios Panteleimon (Mandraki) – pebble beach with cool, deep waters, ideal for those who do not tolerate heat and large flows of tourists, as well as for scuba diving enthusiasts.
Kuduma
Kuduma– a piece of paradise 70 km from Heraklion. The beach is quiet and uncrowded; the pebble shore is surrounded by several sea caves that form natural shade. And literally in 20 minutes. from the beach there is the famous stalagmite cave of Avakospileo.
Paleokastro
Paleokastro– pebble beach with deep sea, ideal for sports and diving. The beach got its name from the ruins of a medieval fortress – Kastro, located nearby.
-
Agiofarago– a cozy pebble beach with a calm, shallow sea is an ideal choice for a holiday with children.
Aspie
Beach Aspie located 62 km from Heraklion and is famous for the almost black sand that covers the coast. The deep sea is good for fishing and swimming. The only drawback of the beach is its inconvenient location - the most convenient way to get here is by boat from the village of Tris Ekklisies.
Cali Limenes
Cali Limenes– a large bay 75 km from Heraklion with three good beaches, which are often full of people. The largest of the beaches, Makria Ammos, with its deep sea and pine grove, is chosen mainly by young people, but with children we suggest going to Psili Ammos beach.
Voidomatis
Voidomatis– an almost deserted beach, ideal for lovers of silence and solitude. Located near the village of Tris Ekklisies.
Kommos
Kommos– a pebble beach located near the ruins of the ancient port of Festos. This is a wild beach, however, in some places you can find sun loungers with umbrellas.
Updated: Sep 19, 2018
Where are the best beaches in Crete – the most popular question among all vacationers on the island. In this article we will talk about which of the three seas washing Crete is best suited for families with children, where to go for entertainment, and where an atmosphere of peace reigns. Make your vacation unforgettable - choose the best beaches of Crete on the map (Russian) at the bottom of the page and hit the road!
Beaches of the island of Crete - general characteristics
Crete is washed on all sides by the waters of different waters of the Mediterranean Sea:
The beach season in Crete lasts from May to November. The best time to relax on the island is autumn, during this period the air temperature rises to 27°C (in spring +20-+24°C, in summer up to +31°C), and the water warms up to 25°C (in spring up to +22° C, in summer up to +27°C).
The best beaches in Crete - listed by name
Elafonisi
One of the most beautiful beaches of the island is located in the western part of Crete, on the island of the same name. The calm and clear sea in this place has different depths - both adults and children will find a suitable option. Entry into the water is gradual and safe, there are no stones or slabs nearby, the coast is covered with white and pink sand.
The number of people on the beach is large at any time of the year. The majority of tourists come here by bus, so the peak time for visiting Elafonisi is 11-16 hours.
The infrastructure on the beach includes toilets and changing rooms, paid umbrellas and sun loungers. Among the public establishments there is only a small cafe (drinks and sandwiches/hot dogs are on the menu); there are no organized entertainment centers. Due to the large number of tourists, access to facilities often requires queuing, and many cafe items are sold out before evening. Before leaving, we advise you to stock up on food and water, and also take an umbrella or awning with you (there is almost no natural shade).
Important! If you are driving to the beach by car, be careful and have plenty of time - the road leading to Elafonisi is a narrow, partly dirt road with frequent traffic jams. There is no organized parking at this location.
Kedrodasos
A sandy wild beach with wonderful views is also located in the western part of the island. This place is a paradise for lovers of a relaxing holiday and untouched nature. There is a juniper forest right by the sea, a little further there are hills and black stones, and in the distance you can see massive mountains.
There are practically no tourists on Kedrodasos, but this place is popular with locals. Those who want to admire the beautiful scenery should take into account that there is no infrastructure on the beach at all, so you only need to take water, food, creams and other things with you.
The water on Kedrodasos is warm and clear. In summer, strong winds often blow here, causing waves to rise in the sea. The only shade on the beach is provided by junipers, but they are often surrounded by large slabs or stones.
The main disadvantage of the beach is its inconvenient location. It is located 40 km from the city of Kissamos and can only be reached by car on a dirt road or on foot (30 minutes from Elafonisi over very rough terrain).
Marmara
Marble Beach got its name thanks to the beautiful caves located near the shore. This is the best place for snorkeling and diving; many tourists include it on the list of must-see attractions in Crete.
Marmara – small beach, not designed for a large number of tourists. There are only a few dozen paid sun loungers and umbrellas here, an excellent tavern with low prices and delicious food, boat rental area. The beach is covered with small pebbles, entry into the water is easy, and waves are rare. A very picturesque place.
Note! There are no roads leading to the island, so you can get here either by boat (regular departures from Loutro, located 7 km away), or on foot, if you are on the desired part of the island.
This is not just the most beautiful beach on Crete, Balos Lagoon is a real symbol of the island. Photos taken in this place, where three seas come together, decorate half of the magnets and keychains of Greece, and the impressions and views that await you here will forever decorate your memory.
One of the best beaches in Crete is located in the bay of the same name, so getting here is not an easy task. The only transport that goes to the lagoon is a taxi or a rented car (Important: the road near the beach is paid), but you can also get here by ship as part of an excursion.
Small Balos is covered with a thin layer of pink sand, under which there are small and large pebbles. Umbrellas and sun loungers are placed throughout its area, which can be rented for a fee. The sea in this place is very warm, but shallow, which cannot but please families with children.
The infrastructure on the beach is not developed, but that is not why tourists come here. If you also want to take a photo of yourself beautiful beach Krita, climbing to observation deck, go a little towards the parking lot - there is a better view and it is safer.
Advice! Take special swimming slippers or flip flops with you, as there are small stones near the shore and at the bottom of the sea. Also don't forget water, food and hats.
Skinaria
Skinaria is the best beach on Crete for snorkelers. Here, not far from Plakias, in crystal clear water, surrounded by steep cliffs, beautiful algae grow, hundreds of small fish live and even octopuses swim. The real attraction of the beach is its scuba diving center, which attracts divers from all over the world.
Skinaria occupies a small area covered with volcanic plates. There is free parking, an excellent Garden tavern, known for its affordable prices and delicious fresh food, a small number of sun loungers (2€/day) and umbrellas (1€). Entry into the sea is rocky, but safe. There are often waves at Skinaria, so if you are traveling with small children, you should choose another beach. Not far from the coast there are small lakes with fresh water from mountain springs - better place for scenic photos.
Shaitan Limani
This beach is for active tourists for whom climbing steep hills under the hot sun seems good adventure. At the foot of the mountain there is a piece of turquoise water - you can see the Aegean Sea, surrounded on all sides by stones.
This place is not intended for long swims, sunbathing or water activities - people come here for new impressions and inspiration. Don’t be surprised if you don’t find cafes or changing rooms here - the infrastructure in this place is absolutely undeveloped.
Shaitan Limani is one of the few beaches that can be reached by bus. Ticket price starts from 3 euros, departs three times a day from Bus Station Chania. The beach is located 22 kilometers east of Chania and is part of the Akrotiri peninsula.
Important! Be sure to go to Shaitan Limani in comfortable shoes.
Flasarna
This is not just the best beach Greek Crete, this is part of the beautiful one of the same name ancient resort, located 50 km from Chania. Here, on the long sandy coast, the Blue Flag of Europe, awarded to it for its cleanliness, has been flying for several years. It is here that the joyful cries of little travelers are heard every day, and adult tourists admire the beautiful sunsets.
The beach is fully equipped for the convenience of vacationers, of whom there are many at any time of the year. There are sun loungers and umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, a volleyball court, and a boat rental area. Nearby there are two cafes where you can taste the best dishes of Cretan cuisine.
Getting to Flasarna is quite easy - there is a bus service. If you go with a rented car, rest assured, as the road is straight and paved, with a small serpentine only at the end of the road.
Entry into the sea at Flasarn is very convenient - sandy and gently sloping. The depth increases gradually and over a long period of time, so it is very popular among families with children. The only drawback of the beach is the water temperature, since it is always several degrees colder here than in other parts of Crete.
Triopetra
This beautiful place with crystal clear water does not fall into the category of the best beaches in Crete for families with children, but is a clear favorite of snorkeling and diving lovers. In the deep transparent sea, surrounded by three steep cliffs, hundreds of small fish live, which swim close to the shore, since there are few tourists in this place.
Triopetra is fully customized to the needs of vacationers - there are umbrellas and sun loungers, showers, toilets, a large parking lot, several taverns and cafes. The road at the entrance to the beach is convenient (located in the town of Plakias), despite the winding, it is quite wide and safe. Sometimes there will be a strong wind that blows away small pebbles, but it usually stops within an hour.
Koutsounari
Ask a tourist who has visited Greece where the best beach and sea are in Crete to hear the treasured “Koutsounari”. Covered with small pebbles, with easy entry into the water and excellent infrastructure, it attracts hundreds of people every day.
Getting to Koutsounari, located 7 km from the resort of Yerapetra, is quite simple. There are regular departures from the city Shuttle Buses, and by car or taxi along a dirt road you can get straight to the water.
You won’t be able to get bored on the wide coastline: there are 3 hotels, many cafes and taverns, a diving club and a water entertainment center. It is very interesting to snorkel here, as the calm sea in this region is simply teeming with various aquatic inhabitants. Not far from the beach there is a campsite of the same name.
Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form
Gialiskari
The beautiful Greek word refers to a complex of beaches located 5 km east of Paleochora. Here, on the wide and clean coast, every vacationer will find a place to their liking: pebbles or sand, a wild beach without amenities or sunbathing on comfortable sun loungers, peaceful enjoyment of the calm sea or jumping into the water from rocks.
You can get to Gialiskari by bus or car (the roads are narrow and winding, official parking is paid). The beach is surrounded by mountains and hills; in some places there are coniferous trees that provide natural shade. The water on Gialiskari is warm, the sunset is gentle, you can have a great rest here with small children. Entertainment: catamarans, boats, jet skis, snorkeling.
Karavostavi
A small beach and one of the best in Crete. High mountains, clear beautiful water and a lot of greenery - such views are not even dreamed of in beautiful dreams.
The deep but warm sea discourages travelers with small children from Karavostavi. Entry into the water is convenient, the coast is covered with small pebbles. Near the beach there are high cliffs from which you can see panoramic views for the most Beautiful places Krita. Entertainment includes a tavern and a diving center (there is an underwater bridge and many interesting places for research). The beach has all the amenities necessary for a comfortable stay.
Note! Karavostavi is not suitable for budget tourists, since there is no place to lay out a towel or rug - you need to rent sunbeds and umbrellas for 7 euros per day.
Compare accommodation prices using this form
Kokkini
Our list of the best beaches in Crete (Greece) ends with Kokkini, located in the village of Matala, in the south of the island. Its peculiarity is that the main visitors here are nudists, relaxing in the shade of trees and enjoying the warm sea waves.
To get to Kokkini, you need to cross the mountain, which is a significant obstacle for many tourists. But those who managed to cope with this obstacle receive a reward in view of the cleanest coastline, crystal clean water and amazing landscapes. There are caves that are interesting for snorkelers, high cliffs with the best panoramas of Crete for photographers, and red sand with beautiful stones around for those who just came to relax.
Important! Of all the infrastructure on Kokkini, there is only a small cafe with high prices, so take everything you need for your vacation from home.
The best beaches of Crete are something that will forever remain in your memory. Have a nice trip!
The beaches of the Greek island of Crete described in this article are marked on the map in Russian.
Related posts:
