Gra Ligia is a coastal village located a short 5km journey to the west of Ierapetra and a 39km trip south from Agios Nikolaos. Nestled at the mouth of a rich valley, the village is surrounded by greenhouses filled with early-ripening vegetables. The locals of Gra Ligia were pioneers in the use of greenhouse agriculture, a practice that has since spread throughout the Ierapetra region. The profusion of greenhouses has even earned the village the nickname of “Silicon Valley of Greece”. The Bramiana dam, situated 2km north of the village, plays a crucial role in the area’s agriculture, supplying water to all Ierapetra crops and forming one of Crete’s key wetlands.
Aside from farming, tourism also forms an essential part of the local economy. Gra Ligia, with its recent mild growth, is among the newest holiday destinations on Crete. This growth has been facilitated by the appealing long beach, fringed with coarse sand that extends from Ierapetra to the Stomio region. The beach is known for its tranquil waters and is well-equipped with amenities like umbrellas and showers, albeit not on a large scale. Tamarisk trees pepper the landscape, providing shade and greenery. The beach is a popular spot for locals who enjoy swimming and fishing from their boats docked in the local harbour.
The beach is also a venue for local events such as beach soccer tournaments. If you’re fortunate, you might even have a chance to partake in the unique “xentomatiasmata” or tomato war, a tradition revived and celebrated in early summer. Gra Ligia is an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and relaxing holiday. In the evenings, visitors can unwind with a drink at local bars or take a short trip to Ierapetra. To reach Gra Ligia from Ierapetra, simply travel westward on the city road. Alternatively, there are bus services that pass through the village.
Ammoudares, a seaside location 8km west of Ierapetra and 45km south of Agios Nikolaos, shares its beachfront with nearby Nea Anatoli and Stomio. The Ammoudares coastline features a series of long beaches with coarse grey sand. They are mostly uncrowded and secluded, largely due to the surrounding greenhouses which may deter visitors due to potential pesticide use in the waters.
A kilometer east of the initial Ammoudares beach, you’ll encounter Kalamaki beach. Hidden from the main road and largely undiscovered by tourists, its sandy shores are a quiet haven. It’s also referred to as Kapelas, named after a renowned pizzeria once run by an American in the area. Kapelas translates to ‘tavern owner’ in Greek. The beach is nestled amidst towering cliffs adding to its tranquility.
Access to both Ammoudares and Kalamaki is possible via the main road from Ierapetra heading west. If you’re fortunate to visit the Ierapetra vicinity, there are numerous appealing beaches that warrant exploration. However, if solitude is what you’re seeking, both Ammoudares and Kalamaki offer a peaceful retreat.
Agios Panteleimon beach, nestled in Istro, a village 12km east of Agios Nikolaos en route to Sitia, owes its name to a petite church located nearby. Featuring both sandy and pebbly stretches, the beach is set against the backdrop of vibrant turquoise waters. As it doesn’t draw the same crowds as the neighboring Voulisma beach, Agios Panteleimon is the perfect spot for those seeking relaxation and serenity.
In the vicinity, you’ll also find Karavostasi beach. This sandy, unspoiled beach is tucked away in the western part of Istro’s largest gulf and provides the perfect setting for peaceful moments. The surrounding area is rich in tamarisk, carob, and olive trees, adding to the beach’s charm. Just east of Karavostasi, there’s a large rock bearing the remnants of the Minoan settlement Priniatikos Pirgos.
Voulisma Beach is a Blue Flag beach on the north coast of East Crete, known locally as Golden Beach for its fine golden-white sand. Voulisma Beach sits in a sheltered cove at the southern end of Mirabello Bay, 12 kilometres (8 miles) east of Agios Nikolaos and 22 kilometres north of Ierapetra, next to the village of Istron. It is the main bay of the three that indent the Istron coastline, and it appears on many postcards of Crete.
The beach is fine golden-white sand that shelves gently into shallow, calm, turquoise water, which makes swimming easy for children and weaker swimmers. Voulisma Beach is fully organised in summer with sunbeds, umbrellas, a beach bar, a lifeguard, showers, and water sports, and there is food, water, and accommodation within walking distance. The cove earns its water-quality standing every year, one of the island’s Blue Flag beaches in Crete.
To reach Voulisma Beach by car, drive the coastal road that links Agios Nikolaos with Sitia, because that road runs past the beach car parks on the edge of Istron village. Roadside parking sits directly above the sand. Rent a car in advance if you want to combine the beach with the quieter coves and Minoan sites nearby, which you can arrange through car rental in Crete.
To reach Voulisma Beach by bus, take a service from Agios Nikolaos bus station towards Istron and Sitia, then walk down to the shore from the main road. Buses run through the day from Agios Nikolaos in the summer season.
The best time to visit Voulisma Beach is from June to September, when the sea is warm and the beach is fully staffed with sunbeds and umbrellas. July and August are the busiest months, and the narrow strip of sand fills quickly around midday. Arrive before 11:00 or after 17:00 in high summer to find space and a free sunbed.
Check the wind forecast before you travel, because Voulisma faces the open bay and north-westerly winds change the beach. Strong winds push waves onto the narrow sand and can wash plastic litter ashore, so a calm, low-wind day gives the clearest water and the widest beach. In April, May, and October the beach is quiet and unstaffed, and the sea is cooler for swimming.
Two small coves sit just west of the main beach, and both are more sheltered from the wind and far less crowded than Voulisma. Istron Beach, the narrower and rockier stretch to the east, holds fewer sunbeds and suits visitors who want more room. For a pebbly alternative with olive groves and greater privacy, walk to the neighbouring Agios Panteleimon beach, about 700 metres away.
Voulisma Beach also works as a base for East Crete’s Minoan history. Gournia, one of the best-excavated Minoan towns, lies 10 kilometres (6 miles) east near Pachia Ammos, and you can walk its streets and staircases at the archaeological site of Gournia. Panagia Faneromeni Monastery stands 11 kilometres (7 miles) south-east on a steep slope, with a church built into a cave and wide sea views, and it draws pilgrims every year on 15 August. The fishing village of Mochlos and the port town of Sitia lie further east for a longer day out.
Three tavernas within reach of Voulisma Beach serve traditional Cretan food:
Yes, Voulisma Beach is worth visiting for its fine golden sand, shallow turquoise water, and Blue Flag facilities. It is one of the most photographed beaches in East Crete and holds full summer services, so it suits both families and day-trippers.
Access to Voulisma Beach is free, because beaches in Greece are public. You pay only for extras such as a sunbed and umbrella set or food and drinks at the beach bar.
Park in the car parks beside the beach along the Agios Nikolaos to Sitia road, at the edge of Istron village. Spaces fill early on summer weekends, so arrive in the morning for the easiest parking.
Voulisma Beach is widely rated among the prettiest beaches near Agios Nikolaos, alongside the quieter Istron and Agios Panteleimon coves in the same bay. Its golden sand and clear turquoise water are the reason it is nicknamed Golden Beach.
Yes, Voulisma Beach suits families with children, because the water is shallow and usually calm, and a lifeguard is on duty during the day in summer.
Yes, Voulisma Beach offers water sports in summer, including jet skiing, parasailing, and banana-boat rides.
Yes, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas at Voulisma Beach for a fee, and the beach bar above the sand runs the sets.
Yes, Voulisma Beach has step-free access, with wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets available.
Voulisma Beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, a beach bar, a lifeguard, showers, water sports, and a Blue Flag, with food, water, and accommodation nearby. Bus services and a paved road reach the beach, and there is tree shade behind the sand.
Situated just 10km south of Agios Nikolaos before reaching Istron’s beaches, you’ll discover the lesser-known beach of Vathi. This hidden gem wasn’t on the map before 2010, as it’s a man-made creation and is not visible from the main road connecting Agios Nikolaos with Eastern Crete.
Nestled within a well-protected cove, Vathi remains largely unaffected by wind, except for the infrequent easterly gusts. The beach is characterized by its pristine white sand that enhances the mesmerizing hue of the sea. Managed by the nearby luxury resort, Daios Cove, the beach is well-equipped with amenities.
For non-hotel guests, accessing Vathi involves a descent down a concrete pathway and staircase. To find the entrance, take a left just before the hotel gates and follow the road until it leads to a narrow path heading towards the stairs. Vathi is an excellent choice for families thanks to its calm, waveless waters. For those keen on exploring, snorkelling along the rocky edges of the bay offers another dimension of this unique beach.
Myrtos, a quaint seaside village, lies 13km west of Ierapetra where the River Kryos meanders through the stunning Sarakina Gorge and into a valley abundant with greenhouses and citrus groves. Despite recent mild development, Myrtos has retained its traditional charm. Its appealing beaches, characterized by coarse grey sand that doesn’t stick to the skin, have amassed a global following. The village offers small hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, a gas station, and a clinic, in addition to a nearby pharmacy and accessible bus route to Ierapetra.
The extensive beach, considered among the finest in southern Crete, is ideal for serene family vacations as it’s sheltered from strong winds. According to locals, Myrtos is where the wind never rages. The beach is well-equipped with lifeguards, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, cafes, restaurants, water sports, and beach volleyball. As you head west, the beach widens and offers even more tranquility.
Take a leisurely stroll around Myrtos’ local harbor or wander through its traditional narrow streets filled with lush gardens and homes that echo Aegean landscapes. The surrounding nature and gorges are also worth exploring. Notably, you can visit two Minoan settlements, Fournou Korifi (near Nea Myrtos) and Pirgos (on the east shores of the River Kryos), which were uncovered during excavations. The Archaeological and Folk Art Museum of Myrtos, situated next to the old church of St. Anthony, is a point of interest. Lastly, a monument in the village commemorates the 18 victims who were executed by the Nazis in 1943 as retribution for the deaths of two Germans in the neighboring village of Symi.
Just 1km east of Istron village lies a hidden gem nestled in a precipitous bay – Pilos beach. Though widely recognized as Istron Bay, in honour of the eponymous hotel perched on the bay’s rugged slopes, the beach is accessible to all through a pathway originating from the west of the hotel. No beaches in Greece are private. Pilos beach is characterized by its sandy stretch and serene blue waters, and offers facilities like umbrellas and a canteen (managed by the hotel) as well as a petite pier for boats.
To the east of Istron Bay, a tiny cove reveals three secluded beaches, reachable via a short walking path. These are known as the Vryonisi beaches, named after the small islet of Vryonisi (or Prasonisi) that appears just opposite the small bay.
Ierapetra, the southernmost city of Greece, is nestled 35km southeast of Agios Nikolaos on Crete island. This city, located in one of the warmest regions of Crete, is a popular holiday destination, often frequented until late autumn. Ierapetra and its surrounding areas boast a vast beachfront, renowned for its stunning beaches adorned with unique fine black pebbles that do not stick to your feet, coupled with a typically calm sea.
In proximity to the town, there are three primary beaches for swimming. Starting from the west, the first is Limanakia, situated west of the city next to the old mosque. The beach features coarse sand, patches of a rocky seabed, and shallow waters, offering a peaceful atmosphere. Given its closeness to the city, all necessities are readily available. Limanakia also hosts a channel in the middle of the beach that leads to a small man-made salt lake.
A short stroll eastward will bring you to the Fort of Kales, which guards the harbour of Ierapetra. Adjacent to it is Apovathra Beach, a sandy beach with shallow waters. This beach is well-equipped with numerous facilities for water sports and scuba diving, making it the most organized beach in the town.
The picturesque Listi Spilios, situated 7km south of Agios Nikolaos along the old road to Sitia and Ierapetra, has become a bustling tourist spot over the years with a variety of accommodations, ranging from large hotels to smaller lodges. The beach is characterized by its rocky terrain and sandy patches, with a charming smaller beach nestled to the north of the main area. Unfortunately, recent extensive alterations by a major hotel in the vicinity have significantly changed the original rocky nature of the coastline, including the construction of a pier to retain sand. Visitors can enjoy amenities like umbrellas, a snack bar, water sports and a beach volleyball court. The quieter western side of the beach, boasting lush vegetation due to nearby freshwater springs, provides a serene escape.
The beach’s intriguing name, Listi Spilios, translates to ‘Robber’s Cave’ in Greek. This stems from a tale from the Middle Ages when the primary road used by locals to commute to island cities ran through this area. On the beach’s west end, there’s a petite peninsula home to several small caves, which, as the legend tells, were used as hideouts by robbers who targeted travellers on the road.
Situated 6km southeast of Agios Nikolaos, along the old route that links Agios Nikolaos to Sitia and Ierapetra, is Ammoudara Beach. This developed area boasts a variety of hotels, rental properties, taverns, and restaurants. There’s a beautiful sandy beach fronting the tourist settlement, with crystal-clear, light-blue waters. Thanks to its eastward orientation, the beach typically enjoys calm seas as the prevalent winds in Crete blow from the west. Beachgoers can enjoy amenities such as umbrellas, sunbeds, and water sports facilities.
Ammoudara provides an ideal setting for family vacations, but the beach’s small size can lead to it feeling somewhat crowded. For those seeking a less populated spot, heading west to the expansive Almiros beach might be a good alternative.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
