Heraklion

The beaches of Heraklion run along the north coast on both sides of the city, from Ammoudara in the west to Gournes in the east. Heraklion has sand rather than pebble on almost all of that coast, and the eastern half of it is one near-continuous beachfront, 23 km of it from Vathianos Kambos to Malia. The western side is a single sweep instead: Ammoudara starts about 1 km west of the city centre and runs 7 km to the mouth of the Almiros river.

Heraklion (HER) sits in the middle of this coast, with Karteros beach directly beside the airport about 7 km east of the city. Every beach here faces north into open sea, so the water is shallow and clear on a still morning and choppy once the northerly builds.

Things to do around Heraklion’s beaches

5 outings sit within 15 km of Heraklion, listed below from the city outwards.

1. Walk the length of Ammoudara. Ammoudara begins at the Giofyros river mouth by the Pancretan Stadium, about 1 km west of the centre, and runs 7 km west. A low rock strip about 50 m inland marks where the ancient shoreline once stood.
2. Spend a morning in the city. Heraklion is the largest city in Crete and the capital of the region, and the Minoan civilisation flourished here over 5,000 years ago.
3. Swim at Karteros and Amnissos. The Karteros bay, 7 km east of the city, stretches roughly 3 km east from the mouth of the Karteros Gorge and takes in both neighbourhoods, which have grown together over the years. The sand is fine and golden and the water shallow with almost no rocks.
4. Walk the Astrakiano and Kounaviano gorges. The Astrakiano and the Kounaviano run parallel through the Mount Jiouktas country and converge at Kaki Rachi near Skalani to form the Karteros Gorge, roughly 21 km of canyon between them. Their trails are easy enough for children, and a short path below the deserted village of Kato Astraki reaches the Neraidospilios pond and its water caves.
5. Drive up to Archanes. Archanes is a restored wine-producing town about 15 km south of Heraklion and roughly 14 km from the airport, set in a basin of vineyards and olive groves at the foot of Mount Giouhtas. A Minoan palatial complex was uncovered at Tourkoyeitonia in the centre of it.

Beaches near Heraklion

5 beaches carry the Heraklion coast, listed below from west to east. Sand, shallow water and north-wind exposure are common to all of them; organisation and crowding are what differ.

• Ammoudara is 7 km of organised sand starting about 1 km west of the city centre, with fine brown sand, shallow blue water, sunbeds, beach bars and water sports. It can feel busy in one stretch and almost empty in the next.
• Karteros forms a wide fine-sand bay about 7 km east of the city and right beside the airport. It is named after the Byzantine general Krateros, who landed here in 824 AD in a failed attempt to free Crete from the Saracens, and its eastern end is the waviest part.
• Kokkini Hani sits west of Vathianos Kambos, a resort whose name means “Kokkinis’s Inn”, after the inn a man called Kokkinis kept in the early 1900s. Artificial mini piers protect sandy shores and shallow turquoise water, and the beaches sit in front of hotels but stay open to everyone, with umbrellas, lifeguards and water sports.
• Vathianos Kambos lies 15 km east of Heraklion, a run of contiguous bays with golden sand and shallow water, named after the village of Vathia a few kilometres inland. Small piers break the July and August waves, retain the sand and protect swimmers, and the most developed beach of the Heraklion area is at its western end.
• Gournes stands 16 km east of Heraklion, between Kokkini Hani and Kato Gouves, and starts the 23 km unified beachfront that ends at Malia. Its name comes either from the Latin urna, the troughs once used for livestock, or from the Minoan larnakes found in the area.

Where to eat near Heraklion’s beaches

The addresses below sit on the eastern side of the city, between the centre and Karteros, all of them within about 3 km of Heraklion airport.

• Coconut Beachbar & Resto combines a beach bar and restaurant.
• 7 Thalases
• Cretan Bakery Flavors is a bakery.
• Koulourades
• Kudos Coffee Experience serves coffee.

Getting to Heraklion’s beaches

Heraklion’s beaches are reached from the coastal road that runs east and west out of the city. Ammoudara lies about 1 km west of the centre, and the eastern beaches start at Karteros, 7 km east, where the airport stands. One road then serves the whole eastern run, because the shore from Vathianos Kambos to Malia is 23 km of near-continuous beachfront taking in Kokkini Hani, Gournes and Kato Gouves.

Inland, the ground climbs quickly towards Mount Giouhtas, and the gorges on that side drain to the sea at Karteros. West of the city, the Almiros Gorge is a short, easy hike, and it shares its name with the river whose mouth marks the western end of Ammoudara.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the beaches of Heraklion?

The beaches of Heraklion lie on the north coast on both sides of the city. Ammoudara begins about 1 km west of the centre, and the eastern beaches start at Karteros, about 7 km east, then continue through Kokkini Hani, Vathianos Kambos and Gournes.

Which beach is closest to Heraklion airport?

Karteros is the closest beach to Heraklion airport, because the bay lies directly beside it. Karteros sits about 7 km east of the city centre and runs roughly 3 km east from the mouth of the Karteros Gorge.

Are the beaches of Heraklion sandy?

The beaches of Heraklion are sandy, with only a little pebble in places. Karteros has fine golden sand and almost no rocks underfoot, Ammoudara fine brown sand, Vathianos Kambos golden sand over shallow water, and Kokkini Hani sand with shallow turquoise water.

Why is the sea choppy at Heraklion’s beaches?

The beaches face north into the open sea, so the northern winds raise waves on them. The waves are most regular in July and August, which is why Vathianos Kambos and Kokkini Hani are lined with small piers that break the swell and hold the sand.

Can you walk a gorge near Heraklion’s beaches?

Yes, the Astrakiano and Kounaviano gorges empty onto Karteros beach. The two converge near Skalani, come to roughly 21 km together and carry easy trails, and the Agia Anastasia Gorge is a third within 10 km of this coast.