Dermatos beach

The Pourgonero beach, situated in the Krassas region, is a mere 500m eastward from the Tsoutsouras port, extending beyond the eastern boundary of the settlement. It represents the eastern section of Tsoutsouras bay, and lies at the foot of the Sarakinos hill. Legend has it that this location holds the eternal burial place of King Minos, the fabled king of Knossos. The beachfront of Pourgonero comprises two coves with large sand dunes, and the beaches facing these dunes are a mix of rocks and sand. These secluded, peaceful spots are ideal for those seeking solitude.

The Pourgonero region holds significant importance as a nesting ground for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles, with the nesting season running from May till fall. A visit to the beach in the late summer offers a view of the stunning white sand lilies, also referred to as the lilies of Knossos in Crete. Accessing the beach is fairly straightforward, given its proximity to Tsoutsouras. One simply needs to take the road towards Dermatos, and the dunes will be visible on the right. There are pedestrian paths leading down to the beach.

The Krassas region has the distinction of being the site of the first Aloe vera plantation in Greece.

Listis, situated 69km southeast of Iraklion, is nestled between Kastri, 2km to its west, and Tsoutsouras. The beach stretch west of Listis, up to the Anapodaris river, is known as Kambala. This river is a significant wetland in Crete. Kamboula beach, with its charming pebbles and clear, blue waters, is quite a sight to behold. Though the area is not fully developed, a few accommodations have sprouted up in recent times. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking seclusion or wishing to sunbathe in the nude.

Contrary to the dry and warm surroundings, the Anapodaris river maintains water nearly all year round. Parts of the beach are dotted with tamarisk trees, providing much-needed shade. The beach is easily accessible, with the road connecting Kastri and Tsoutsouras running alongside it.

Listis, a charming beach tucked away 69km southeast of Iraklion, is nestled between the towns of Kastri, 2km to the west, and Tsoutsouras. The road that connects these two towns skirts the edge of the beach. To reach the beach itself, it’s necessary to navigate a steep slope. Alternatively, you can alight at the neighbouring Kamboula beach and stroll eastwards. Regardless of the route you choose, the destination is undeniably worth it.

Despite its modest size, Listis beach stands out as one of Crete’s most appealing. It’s an unmanaged location that can get crowded during peak season. The beach boasts sandy stretches and shallow, crystal clear waters. Its uniqueness lies in the large rocks scattered in the sea and along the shore. Even though the water is rocky, the sandy seabed is perfect for swimming and frolicking in the water. If you swim east of the beach, beyond the massive Listis rock, you’ll find a quaint sandy beach with a spring in the Xirokambi area.

Listis rock, rising above the beach, is home to several intriguing caves. According to local lore, these caves once sheltered a bandit, hence the name Listis, meaning bandit. The caves are easily accessible from the main road rather than from the beach. On the crest of the hill, remnants of an ancient sanctuary can be found.

Tsoutsouras, derived from the Venetian word Zuzzuro, is situated 63km south of Heraklion, at the entrance of the formidable Mindris Gorge. It’s built on the location of the ancient city Inatos, which once served as the port for Priansos (located near Kasteliana village). More specifically, Tsoutsouras is the union of the two settlements, Pera Tsoutsouros and Tsoutsouros, that presently serve as the harbour for Arkalochori. Despite being well-organized and developed for tourism, it remains a peaceful holiday destination.

The village is home to the small harbour of Tsoutsouras, with two lengthy sheltered bays to its east and west, boasting a total length of 2km. These bays are characterized by beautiful coarse sand and crystal-clear waters. The beach is modestly organized with umbrellas and surrounded by several tamarisk trees, making it an ideal spot for family holidays as all necessary facilities for accommodation, entertainment, and food are nearby. For a more secluded experience, one can walk to the eastern end of the beach, where the sandhills and the easternmost part called Limniara, housing the sea cave Pourgonero, are located. Tsoutsouras can also serve as a base for exploring other nearby beaches.

Swimming in Tsoutsouras is traditionally viewed as therapeutic by many Cretans due to its high salt and iodine concentration, which aids in healing musculoskeletal and orthopedic issues.

Tsoutsouras is an area teeming with energy, myths, and folk narratives including tales about dragons, wild beasts, illegal excavations, and modern fantasy stories. In ancient Inatos, Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, was worshipped. Visitors can explore the cave where this goddess was worshipped for centuries, and where numerous offerings have been found, showcasing the sanctuary’s global influence. In recent years, this cave has garnered attention, making Tsoutsouras well-known throughout Greece. There have been reports of the American army confiscating objects of Minoan technological advancements from the cave and surrounding area for their own knowledge.

To the west of Tsoutsouras, two parallel mountains known as Zeus and Hera can be seen, which according to local tales, is where the king Asterion raised the sons of Zeus, Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon, who later ruled Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia respectively. West of the harbour, in the Kerkelos area, remnants of ancient Inatos have been discovered. South of Kerkelos, the coast boasts unique karstic cave formations, including Drakospilia, where locals claim to have found a dragon skeleton. Despite the incredulity of this tale, numerous eyewitness accounts have left researchers puzzled. A Minoan settlement was also excavated in the Aliori area, located at the eastern end of the beach.