Agios Nikitas beach
Situated 65km south of Heraklion on the eastern flank of the barren Asterousia Mountains is Agios Nikitas. The most common means of reaching this location is by navigating a rugged dirt road beginning from the village of Ahendrias, leading to the Monastery of St. Nikitas, 15km away. The captivating journey takes you past precipitous cliffs and jagged rocks, characteristic of the Asterousia landscape.
Overlooking the South Cretan Sea from a hill, the Agios Nikitas monastery was initially a retreat for monks from the Koudoumas monastery. The monastery’s church, dedicated to St. Nikitas, was constructed in a cave around 1640. Inside, you’ll find ancient frescoes and a smoke-stained roof, allegedly blackened during pirate attacks. A small indentation within the church produces water used as holy water. Despite the area’s dry climate, mango and avocado trees flourish in the monastery’s gardens.
A brief trail from the monastery leads to Agios Nikitas beach, accessible via 230 steps. This secluded pebble beach features crystal clear waters with a deep green hue, offering no typical tourist amenities. Nudism is considered disrespectful near monasteries, so it is not recommended here.
To the east of the main beach is a twin beach, Kalogerou Arolithos, primarily accessible by boat or swimming. A large smooth, steep rock separates the beaches, believed to bear the footprints of Saint Nikitas’ horse, according to legend.
Further east, a small cottage houses a secluded pebble beach, accessible via a small stairway originating from the cottage. Named Hiromili, this beach is typically empty.
Walking westward from the main beach, one would soon encounter the cape Gerani, home to a solitary palm tree overlooking the expansive Libyan Sea.
A brief 300m journey westward from St. Nikitas leads to the picturesque white-washed chapel of St. Anthony and a small carob wood. Adjacent to the chapel is a stream flanked by Theophrastus palm trees, constituting the third largest colony of the Cretan date palm in Crete, known as the small palm grove of Saint Anthony. Several small isolated coves in the area, known as Kalami, are ideal for swimming and fishing. The nearest place for water and food supplies, aside from the monastery, is the village of Maridaki, 2km to the east.
Beach details
- Fine Pebbles
- Deep blue
- Normal
- Usually calm
- Tranquil
- Dirt track
- Hiking
- Ideal for snorkeling
Location
Agios Nikitas beach is located at Agios Nikitas beach, in the Heraklion region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
