Greece is a sunny, hospitable country thatIt is famous for its ancient history and is a world recognized place of remarkable rest. In Greece, you can spend unforgettable time with the whole family, alone or with friends. Enjoy Greek cuisine and hospitality, broaden your horizons on countless excursions, enjoy active leisure or take a walk on a snow-white yacht along the Greek islands. Well, and, of course, people from all over the world come here for a beach holiday. You can bask in the southern sun and enjoy sunbathing on one of the largest Greek islands - Crete. Some of the most wonderful and diverse beaches in Greece are the beaches of Heraklion (the main prefecture of Crete). Detailed information is presented below.
Crete, Prefecture of Heraklion
The largest island of Crete is one of the most popular.Holiday destinations in Greece. This is due to the fact that the tourist infrastructure is well developed. There are two international airports, modern convenient highways. Guests are waited by fine hotels of all categories and price levels, smart country houses and democratic hotels, snow-white yachts and every possible water entertainment. And, of course, the best beaches. All this, together with the rich history, myths of ancient Greece and a huge number of architectural artifacts annually attracts thousands of tourists to Crete. And if the beach season here lasts from June to September, then the tourist - all year round. Indigenous people call themselves not Greeks, but Cretans, which emphasize a certain isolation of their native island and its originality.
The city of Heraklion is the capital of the island of Crete andat the same time the main city of one of the four prefectures of Crete. A city with a very ancient history, as indeed, all in Greece. During its long life, Heraklion was repeatedly destroyed almost to the ground and was reborn. The last barbaric destruction occurred during World War II during an aerial bombardment. After this tragedy, the city was rebuilt, but, unfortunately, it lost some of its original charm. The city of Crete became the capital in 1971. The population of Heraklion is about 140 thousand people. The number of tourists per season exceeds this figure many times over. Speaking about the beauty and sights of this place, you need to separately say about its famous beaches. The beaches of Heraklion have a total length of about 40 kilometers, are very popular. They are considered among the best in Greece and the cleanest in the world.
Beach Features
The beautiful beaches of Heraklion have repeatedly been honored with the European Union's highest award, the Blue Flag, for its flawless environmental performance. The distinctive features of the beaches include:
- clean water and sand, general well-being and comfort;
- maximum preservation of the primordial nature;
- high level of service and recreation infrastructure;
- a huge variety of shapes and sizes: sand and pebble, large and small, sheltered in bays and open, surrounded by coniferous forests and palm groves;
- free admission to municipal beaches (fee is taken only for beach equipment, but rather high).
Самые популярные пляжи расположены на двух Cretan coasts: North and South. The beaches near Heraklion are located in the Northern part of the island, the southern beaches are located about 100 kilometers from the capital. The northern coast is washed by the Aegean Sea, the South - by the Mediterranean. In this article you can also see photos of the beaches of Heraklion.
North Coast: popular beaches
On the north coast of the prefecture of Crete Heraklionbeaches are most popular among tourists and are almost always crowded. In total there are more than 10 famous beaches. The northern beaches are mostly sandy, with a long shallow strip. Due to the high transparency of the water, even if you swim far enough from the coast, the seabed and its colorful inhabitants are easily visible. In the north there are beaches: Paleokastro, Amoudara, Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Chersonissos, Agia Pelagia, Ligaria.
Amoudara - это пять километров шикарного мелкого морского sand, comfortable flat bottom, gentle entry into the water. Feature: at some distance from the coast there is an underwater rock ridge that protects the beach from high waves, acting as a natural breakwater. The service of the beach provides guests with all the necessary (umbrellas, sun beds, deck chairs). The rescue service works. Nearby is a developed network of restaurants, bars and hotels.
Paleokastro хорош тем, что до него легко добраться, так как Nearby is the main island highway. This beach is pebble, with a rather steep descent into the water. The beach is small, very cozy, there are restaurants and small hotels nearby. Many tourists love to spend time here.
Gouves - modern trendy beach of Heraklion (Greece) withhighly developed entertainment infrastructure. Very suitable for those who are accustomed to comfort and convenience. Near the beach is a beautiful promenade with many cafes and restaurants. The entrance to the sea is convenient, but in windy weather there are high waves. Very populous and fun place.
South Coast: popular beaches
Южное побережье находится на противоположной от Heraklion side of the island. Here the infrastructure is less developed, less crowded. But the authorities deliberately impede the development of tourism business in the area, trying to preserve the natural integrity of these places, their primeval nature. This area is characterized by high rocky shores with quaint bays and pebble beaches. The most famous "wild" beaches are also here.
Matala - очень красивый пляж, укрытый от сильных ветров cliffs. Sandy beach, gentle entry into the water. This place is also famous for its special healing microclimate. Matala is always crowded, largely due to the beautiful high cliff, which on one side borders the beach. Ancient legends and modern stories are associated with this rock. On its slope there are many caves located on natural stone tiers. It is believed that they were cut down by people in ancient times to live. Later caves were used for burial. In the 60s of the twentieth century, these stone rooms were chosen by hippies. Now the caves are empty, but open every day for everyone to visit.
Makriyalos - well-equipped beach for relaxing with a convenient entry into the sea. From here you can take a small boat trip to the islands of Chrysi and Koufonisi.
Beaches of Heraklion with white sand
The beautiful beaches here are so diverse thateveryone will find a place to their liking. For example, the color of the sand on the beaches can be golden, pink, yellow, gray, even black. Of particular admiration is the beauty of white beach sand. It was on the white beaches of Crete that they shot advertisements for famous chocolate.
Kedrodasos - the beach with white sand is surrounded by healingcedar forest and juniper. White sand gives a special azure color to sea water, this effect invariably causes delight. This place is quite popular because of the sea air filled with the smell of pine needles, which together create a unique cocktail.
Kolokita - a small beach with absolutely white sand anda lot of lush trees, in the shade of which you can hide in extreme heat. This beach can only be reached on foot, leaving the car at a sufficient distance from the sea, at the nearest monastery.
Platanias - the largest beach of Crete, white sand spread over four kilometers.
Red Beach, Pink Island
Red beach or kokkini ammos is very picturesquea place attracting many tourists. Its feature is the red color of the sand, which gives the beach a fabulous, fantastic view. This resting place is protected on all sides from the wind by the cliffs. Nearby is the most popular nudist beach in Crete.
On Crete they say that if you have not seen Elafonisi, then you have not seen anything. Elafonisi - This is a beach on a small island, on whichYou can wade. Here incredible beauty strikes the imagination, and magical landscapes open up. Transparent turquoise water, pink sand from small shells, the sea is quiet, tender, shallow and warm. Guests of this island like to visit this paradise. Therefore, it is always crowded here.
"Wild" beaches
Untouched beaches of Heraklionlocated mainly on the south coast. These pristine corners of nature are sometimes difficult to access, they do not have the usual service and crowds of tourists. But they are definitely worthy to get to them and see with my own eyes. The already mentioned island of Chrissi is perhaps the only crowded area, because of its accessibility. There are no hotels and restaurants here, but an endemic and cedar forest is growing. The island itself is part of the Natura 2000 environmental protection program.
Tripiti - a small pebble beach with crystal clearwater, is located 70 kilometers from Heraklion. The beach is located in a narrow gorge, where guests can enjoy the only tavern with national cuisine. Very picturesque place.
Agiofarango - the beach formed in the gorge of the same name,going out to sea. This is a very beautiful bay closed on all sides by rocks. Quiet and very clean place. You can get there either by boat or on foot, passing through the gorge.
Wati - один из самых удаленных пляжей Ираклиона.It is a small piece of land in which a narrow bay is deeply buried. Getting to Vati is difficult both by land and by water. But, if you overcome these difficulties, you can spend an unforgettable time in complete solitude and merge with nature.
Most popular beaches among tourists
All beaches of Crete, including Heraklion, are good.in their own way and have their own unique features. Many of these have already been mentioned in this article. Among the popular and very beautiful parts of nature there are a few more.
Balos - beach with white sand, azure water andamazing views. According to an old legend, a secret pirate refuge was once located here. A few evidence of the legend is a sunken ship and an old fortress nearby.
Wai - gorgeous palm trees and clear water reminiscent of a paradise tropical island. Loutro - a quiet deserted beach with clear water is worth a visit. Malia - A popular, well-maintained sandy beach, located near the archaeological site.
Best beaches for children
The best beaches of Heraklion for families with children, first of all, meet the criteria of safety, health benefits and a developed area of entertainment for young tourists.
Agia Marina - very spacious sandy beach with extensiveshallow water. The beach is surrounded by pine trees, creating a unique healing microclimate. This is a place where there is something to do with children. A lot of water activities, there is a sailing center, a mountain goat reserve is located nearby.
Makriyalos - one of the best children's beaches of Heraklion,reviews of tourists. The sea is shallow, the water is calm and clear. In the next village you can have a tasty snack in cafes and restaurants, as well as stroll through the surroundings.
Frangokastello - идеальный пляж для детского отдыха, located near the ancient castle of Frangokastello, next to which, they say, ghosts are greeted. The castle can be visited independently or as part of a tour group.
Tourist reviews of the beaches of Heraklion and Crete
Waiting for vacation, every tourist tries to findinformation about the place of your future stay. If you are going to spend your vacation in Greece, you can preview the photos of the beaches of Heraklion and Crete, which will be located closest to where you will stay on vacation. But, in fact, which beach is next to the hotel does not really matter. Crete is a large island, though it is an island, and by Russian standards the distances here are small.
Tourists say that in one day you can easilyvisit several beaches, and on the North Coast and the South. It often happens that on one bank the weather is rainy, the clouds and the wind, and on the other - the sun is shining brightly and the azure water is gently splashing. Also, all tourists who have visited Crete, note the exceptional purity of the water and beaches of Crete. Some say that Cretan waters are the purest in Greece. And yet, almost all the guests of Crete celebrate the special unhurried atmosphere of bliss reigning here. No one is in a hurry, no one is nervous or annoyed. Tourists note that in Crete, you can safely walk at any time of the day, everywhere you meet friendliness and cordiality.
If you add here the picturesque natural scenery,opening up literally everywhere, the “highlight” of local architecture, the special hospitality of the Cretans, you get a wonderful island of Crete. Island, covered with ancient legends and myths. According to the reviews of tourists, when they first arrived in Crete, at first, a lot is not clear, some local features of the service are even a bit annoying. The longer you are on the island, the more and more you begin to take it. Then love comes, and no longer want to leave. Crete is a place where you always want to return.
