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The quaint and secluded village of Agia Irini is nestled 98km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 11km south of Ziros village. Accessible through dirt tracks originating from either Kalo Horio or Hametoulo, the village is the gateway to the rugged Agia Irini gorge, which leads to a hidden cove across from the tiny islet of Hamili.
The beach boasts pebble shores and pristine blue waters, making it one of Crete’s most remote beaches. Its location away from bustling city centres, shrouded by towering cliffs and jagged rocks, makes it a serene escape. To reach this beach, one can either navigate the formidable gorge, drive along the dirt track from the village or sail by boat from Goudouras or Xerokambos. The beach is lined with tamarisk trees, offering a perfect spot for solitude. A trail also extends from Agia Irini Gorge to Xerokambos harbour.
The Agia Irini gorge consists of two parallel canyons that converge near the sea, where the dirt road to the beach lies. The canyons, with their rocky terrain, steep inclines and towering walls, offer a wild and untamed landscape. The westernmost canyon, in particular, can be quite daunting and risky for inexperienced hikers. A hike through the gorge, starting at an altitude of 500m near the Hametoulo settlement and descending to sea level, can take between 2-3 hours and can be quite strenuous on the knees.
Get directions to Agia Irini beach
Agia Irini beach is located on the western coast of Paros island, Greece.
Yes, Agia Irini beach is suitable for swimming as the water is clear and calm.
No, there are no water sports activities available at Agia Irini beach.
Yes, there are some trees and umbrellas available at Agia Irini beach for shade.
Yes, Agia Irini beach is accessible by public transportation. There is a bus stop nearby.
Yes, there is a parking area available at Agia Irini beach.
Yes, Agia Irini beach is suitable for families with children as the water is shallow and calm.
No, there is no restaurant or cafe available at Agia Irini beach.
The Agia Irini beach water colour is deep blue and blue.
The Agia Irini beach sand type is pebbles.
The Agia Irini beach water depth is deep.
The Agia Irini beach sea surface is usually calm.
The Agia Irini beach crowds are quiet.
There are no facilities available at the Agia Irini beach.
The Agia Irini beach access is via a dirt track.
The Agia Irini beach is nudism friendly, ideal for snorkeling/spearfishing, has tree shade and rock shade.
Find below list of things to do near Agia Irini beach:
After arrival by bus in Makris Gialos to the southern coast of Crete, the boat trip begins with on the pirate ship “Eydokia” to Koufonisi. The trip through the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea takes about an hour. Approaching the island admire the views of caves and the steep cliffs.
The island is surrounded by 36 fantastic beaches and a walk around the island gives you the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside, the emerald waters, and the fine golden sand.
The self-service bar is open throughout the cruise so you can enjoy lunch, snacks, salads, and drinks.
Find below the list of hotels near Agia Irini beach:
Perched on a hill, just 100 metres from the beach of Xerokampos, Natica Mare Villas offer elegantly decorated houses with unobstructed views over the Libyan Sea. The split-level units feature a living room with fireplace and enjoy free Wi-Fi access.
Opening to spacious balconies with unobstructed views of the sea, the houses of Natica are fitted with modern furnishings and earthy colours. Each air-conditioned unit has a kitchen with dining area, fridge and a stove. A washing machine, a safe and an LCD satellite TV with DVD player are available. Upon arrival, guests are offered Cretan wine, alcoholic beverages and homemade sweets.
Guests will find a mini market within 500 metres from the property. Zakros Village is located 20 km away and Sitia Airport is at a distance of 60 km. Free private parking is possible on site.
Offering self-catering accommodation with unobstructed Libyan Sea views, the stone Krinakia Villas is located in Xerokampos Village, just 150 metres from the beach. Free WiFi access is available in all areas.
The apartments and houses include air conditioning, and a living room with a satellite TV and DVD player. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with a bath or shower and a hairdryer. Some units have a fireplace.
At Krinakia Villas you will find a garden and BBQ facilities. A mini market is 400 metres, and the closest taverna is within 1.5 km.
This property is 60 km from Sitia Public Airport. Free private parking is possible on site.
from
€154
/night
Aqua Bliss features quiet street views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Xerokampos, 400 metres from Xerokampos Beach.
Offering a terrace or balcony with views of the sea and mountain, the units feature air conditioning, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV and kitchen. An oven, a toaster and fridge are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
A car rental service is available at the apartment.
Alatsolimni Beach is 1.8 km from Aqua Bliss, while Vai Palm Forest is 37 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 46 km from the accommodation.
from
€99
/night
Located in Xerokampos, 1.3 km from Alatsolimni Beach and 1.4 km from Xerokampos Beach, Coastal Charm-Getaway to Artichoke’s Seaside Oasis provides air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. The Vai Palm Forest is within 36 km of the apartment.
The 2-bedroom apartment is equipped with a living room with a TV, a fully equipped kitchen with oven and fridge, and 1 bathroom with a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are provided in the apartment.
The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 45 km from the apartment.
Thea apartments has sea views, free WiFi and free private parking, situated in Xerokampos, 1.1 km from Alatsolimni Beach.
Each unit has a terrace, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, a fireplace, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with shower and a hair dryer. A toaster, a fridge and stovetop are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
The holiday home offers a picnic area.
If you would like to discover the area, windsurfing, diving and fishing are possible in the surroundings.
Xerokampos Beach is 1.6 km from Thea apartments, while Vai Palm Forest is 36 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 45 km from the accommodation.
Located just 190m from Xerokampos Beach, Castello del Mare provides accommodation in Xerokampos with access to a lounge, a garden, as well as a kitchen. This beachfront property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi.
The holiday home is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with garden views.
Find below list of beaches near Agia Irini beach:
The first beach you encounter when heading west in Xerokambos is Amatos harbour. It’s a naturally encompassed harbour featuring tranquil water. The beach, although remote, is pebbly and offers an ideal environment for spearfishing. Few tamarisk trees dot the landscape and there’s a ramp to facilitate boat launching. An accessible dirt road connects the harbour to the Xerokambos settlement, from which the path to Agia Irini beach starts.
Heading from the harbour to the Xerokambos settlement, after about 100 metres, you stumble upon a hidden bay. It’s filled with fine grey pebbles and has a smaller cove nearby. This area, known as Ligias Lakkos, can be reached via a stone path that winds through the towering cliffs that surround it. The landscape is breathtaking; rugged mountains tower behind you, a peaceful harbour is on your right, and the Kavalli islands are to your left.
If you journey eastward from Vlyhada beach at Livari near Goudouras for about an hour, you’ll eventually stumble upon the two abandoned beaches of Tihida. The surrounding region is riddled with caves and features wall-like rock formations, hence the name Tihida (Greek for ‘wall’). These formations provide much-needed shade during the hot summer months. Further east of the smaller beach, you’ll encounter the expansive Tihida beach, which sits at the mouth of the Tihida Gorge and is somewhat challenging to access. Proceeding further eastward, you’ll discover the majestic, elongated Karavopetra rock emerging from the sea.
A 500-meter journey west from the Xerokambos settlement will lead you to the area’s initial hotels and the expansive beach of Mazida Ammos, the longest in Xerokambos. This stunning beach boasts white sands and crystal-clear shallow turquoise waters. To the east, it’s well shielded by Cape Trachilos, at whose tip you’ll find a sea cave named Fokiospilio. Across from Mazida Ammos, you’ll spot the minor islets known as Kavali.
Livari, a secluded area situated 90km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 7km east of Goudouras on Crete Island, is often a solitary spot. Just 2km east stands the power plant of Atherinolakkos, the only blemish on the otherwise pristine landscape. Livari boasts two pebbly beaches and numerous small coves, perfect for those seeking privacy or practicing naturism. While there is a lack of shade, a few tamarisk trees on the east Livari beach offer some relief.
Swimming in Livari is a unique experience, offering stunning views of the surrounding wilderness, including barren mountains, steep canyons, and the exotic island of Koufonissi. In addition to Livari’s main beach, you can drive west past a small group of 3-4 cottages to reach the lengthy eastern beach of Vlyhada. The name Vlyhada, meaning a place with brackish water, comes from a year-round spring located nearby. The beach is bordered by a dirt road and tall reddish walls.
Getting to Livari from Goudouras involves taking the road to the Atherinolakkos power station. After 4km, you’ll reach a junction where the right road leads to the factory and the local fishing lodge. Instead of taking this route, continue straight to the village of Agia Triada for another 1km until you reach a junction on the right that leads to Livari beach. The road initially starts as a paved path but eventually transitions into a manageable dirt track.
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