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Living on the island of Crete, about 28km east of Heraklion, you’ll find the popular tourist town of Hersonissos. It’s known for its array of beaches, particularly on the eastern side. Located a short 2km distance from the Hersonissos port, these delightful coves extend up to the Drapanos Cape. The most vibrant among them is Star Beach, known for being one of the island’s busiest spots.
As you travel further east, there are several small, scenic sandy and pebbly coves that offer a feeling of tranquillity. Some of these secluded spots enjoy cool water due to the presence of freshwater springs in the sea. Next to these coves, you’ll find the Lychnostatis Folklore Museum, a place where visitors can delve into the historical Cretan way of life.
The final beach in the Hersonissos vicinity is located in front of the Nana Beach Hotel, at the edge of Drapano Cape, and is accessible by heading east. This well-maintained beach has sunbeds and a lifeguard on duty, with a variety of water sports and beach bars available. Thanks to the protection offered by two long piers, this beach enjoys calm waters all year round, as it’s shielded from the north winds.
Get directions to Drapanos beaches
The Drapanos beaches are a collection of beaches located in the Drapanos area of Crete, Greece.
There are three main beaches in Drapanos: Almyrida Beach, Kera Beach, and Ombrogialos Beach.
Yes, the Drapanos beaches are suitable for swimming. However, it is important to check the water conditions before entering the water.
Yes, there are various water sports available at the Drapanos beaches, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and windsurfing.
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes located near the Drapanos beaches, offering a variety of food and drink options.
Yes, there is parking available near the Drapanos beaches, although it may be limited during peak season.
Yes, the Drapanos beaches are family-friendly, with shallow waters and various activities suitable for children.
Yes, there are various accommodation options available near the Drapanos beaches, including hotels, apartments, and villas.
The water colour of the Drapanos beaches is blue.
The Drapanos beaches has sand.
The water at the Drapanos beaches is shallow.
The sea surface at the Drapanos beaches is usually wavy.
The Drapanos beaches has normal crowds.
The Drapanos beaches has accommodation options, food/water nearby, umbrellas/beds, sports, lifeguard, showers, and a Blue Flag.
The Drapanos beaches can be accessed by bus services, paved road, and is handicap friendly.
Yes, the Drapanos beaches is nudism friendly.
Yes, the Drapanos beaches is ideal for snorkeling/spearfishing.
Find below list of things to do near Drapanos beaches:
Every Wednesday from July to October, the Lychnostatis open-air museum near Hersonissos runs a grape feast at 11:00. You tread grapes barefoot in the museum’s stone vat, taste what the garden produced, watch and join Cretan dancers, then take a guided tour of the museum itself. The event runs 2 hours from €15 and holds a 4.91 rating across 47 reviews.
The morning follows the sequence of an actual harvest day, compressed into two hours. Four parts make it up.
First is the grape treading, done barefoot in the museum’s traditional wine vat, the reason most people book. Second is the tasting, laid out while the treading is still going: cheese pies, oven-baked potatoes, grapes, figs and watermelon from the museum’s own garden, plus Cretan wine, tsikoudia and moustalevria, the grape-must dessert made without added sugar or preservatives. Third is the music, with local dancers performing and visitors welcome to join. Fourth is a guided tour of the museum with a short film, available in several languages.
Afterwards you can stay on, walk the museum grounds on your own, and use its beach and beach bar.
The museum sits on the coast just east of Hersonissos.
The €15 covers the event and the museum; anything you buy afterwards is separate.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend this as the best-value cultural morning on the Heraklion coast, and the arithmetic makes the case on its own: €15 for two hours, a full tasting, live music and a museum entry. A 4.91 rating across 47 reviews puts it among the highest-scoring things we list, and one British reviewer called it fantastic value for money without prompting.
What comes through the reviews is that this is run by a family rather than staged by a company. A Belgian visitor described the friendly family who run the open-air museum; a German guest wrote about being welcomed like family. The guides are singled out for enjoying their own work, and the English and German are described as excellent. An Estonian reviewer came away with a genuine understanding of wine-making and Cretan dance rather than a photo opportunity.
The grape treading is the part everyone remembers, and the dancers get consistent praise for being talented and visibly motivated rather than going through the motions. The museum tour afterwards runs around an hour in German, according to one reviewer, so the €15 stretches further than the two-hour billing suggests.
Two practical warnings rather than criticisms, because there is nothing negative in this review record.
It runs one morning a week, seasonally. Wednesdays only, July to October, starting at 11:00. Miss the Wednesday and you miss it entirely.
The arrival cut-off is strict. The latest possible arrival is 11:10, ten minutes after the start. Turn up at 11:15 and the treading has begun without you.
Come early, come with bare feet in mind, and stay on for the beach.
The event runs every Wednesday from July to October, starting at 11:00 with a latest arrival of 11:10. Show your voucher at the ticket counter at the museum entrance before it begins.
Bring comfortable shoes and a towel. Pets are not permitted apart from assistance dogs, and transport to the museum is your own arrangement.
The feast runs every Wednesday from July to October, starting at 11:00 with a latest arrival time of 11:10.
Yes, you tread grapes barefoot in the museum’s traditional stone wine vat, which is the centrepiece of the event.
The tasting covers cheese pies, oven-baked potatoes, grapes, figs and watermelon from the museum garden, plus Cretan wine, tsikoudia and moustalevria.
A guided tour in English or German plus a short film are included, and one reviewer reported the German tour running around an hour.
Transport is not included. The museum sits on the coast near Hersonissos and you make your own way there.
The beach and grounds stay open to you after the event, though beach services and the cafe are charged separately.
Check dates and prices for the Lychnostatis grape feast.
Take in the beauty of the Cretan Sea on a scenic boat tour with iconic snorkeling opportunities. Depart from Malia on a 3 hours Motor Yacht and discover Stalis, Hersonissos, and Saint George Bay. Swim in crystal-clear waters, gaze at vibrant marine life, and enjoy tasty snacks.
Start your adventure with a hotel pickup before heading to Malia. Set sail and admire stunning views of the coastline of the Aegean Sea. Stop at various beaches and coves along the way for swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing. Enjoy a sandwich, dessert, and fruit salad if you’re feeling hungry.
Explore the villages by boat of Stalis and Hersonissos, both known for their lively atmosphere and nightlife, and soak up the sun at Saint George Bay, surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery. Finally, make your way back to Malia to be transferred to your accommodation.
Alar Dinner Show runs a purpose-built theatre on the north-coast road near Hersonissos, staging two productions with a four-course meal served through the performance. The venue was created by Virginia Carbone and built specifically for the format, with a 24-square-metre LED screen and laser lighting integrated into the room rather than added to it. Two shows run: ALAR Spectacular, aimed at ages 12 and up, and TROY, a family production built around Greek mythology.
The evening runs to a fixed programme from doors to exit. Five stages fill it.
First, doors open at 19:00 and the performances start as soon as you walk in, around the room rather than only on the stage. Second, dinner is served at 19:30 alongside a pre-show, for TROY this is “Meet the Gods and Heroes”. Third, guests on the Drinks & Show ticket arrive at 20:00. Fourth, the main show starts at 20:30: dancing, acrobatics, comedy, a quick-change act, aerialists and live singers, carried by the laser and LED staging. Fifth, the night ends at 22:30, with an after-show party on the dance floor.
TROY adds an interactive layer. A QR code puts the show on your own phone, and the audience votes during the performance, Greeks or Trojans, Achilles or Hector, with the choice changing how the story runs.
The theatre sits on the main north-coast road in the Heraklion regional unit.
Two ticket types cover the same performance.
The dinner ticket includes:
The Drinks & Show ticket includes:
Tickets start from €40. Tables can be chosen at booking, or left to the venue, which assigns the best available in your category.
We recommend Alar because it is not competing with anything else on this coast. Crete’s evening options are overwhelmingly folklore nights, a village, a lyra, a buffet, a dance troupe, and they are good at what they do. Alar is a staged production with acrobats, aerialists and a quick-change act in a room built for it, which is a different night out entirely. If you have already done a Cretan night, this is the one that does not repeat it.
Having two productions is the practical strength. ALAR Spectacular is suggested from age 12 up, while TROY is written for mixed ages with a menu to match, so a family with younger children has a real option rather than a compromise.
The venue itself is worth noting. A 24-square-metre LED screen, laser performances and pre-show acts working the room are production values you would expect in a city, not on a resort road.
Two practical points rather than criticisms.
Book on the venue’s own site. Alar states a lowest-price guarantee there, and booking directly lets you pick your table and flag a special occasion.
The rating we hold is based on a small sample. Our listing records 4.7 out of 5 across 20 ratings, which is positive but not a large base, check recent reviews yourself before committing a whole evening.
Book direct, pick your show by who is coming, and arrange the taxi both ways.
The programme runs 19:00 doors, 19:30 dinner and pre-show, 20:00 arrival for Drinks & Show, 20:30 showtime and 22:30 exit, followed by the after-show party.
The venue is wheelchair accessible, state it in the booking form and do not choose a table, and an accessible table with the best available view is assigned. Booking ahead on the venue website is recommended.
Contact Alar directly: alardinnershow.com, info@alardinnershow.com, +30 694 712 4299.
Doors open at 19:00, dinner and the pre-show begin at 19:30, and the main show starts at 20:30, finishing at 22:30.
TROY suits families, with a menu for all ages and an interactive vote during the performance, while ALAR Spectacular is suggested from age 12 up.
Yes, a Drinks & Show ticket covers the performance and the after-show party, with arrival at 20:00.
Yes. State it in the booking form and leave the table unselected, and an accessible table with the best available view is assigned.
Tickets start from €40, with the venue’s own website carrying a lowest-price guarantee.
Alar is on the main north-coast road near Hersonissos, a short drive from the resort strip.
Explore Crete by Land Rover on a full-day adventure along the Minoan Path, and experience a blend of ancient myths, spectacular landscapes, and a barbecue lunch on the Lassithi Plateau.
Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive through spectacular mountains en route to the Aposelemis Basin Reservoir, and see an ancient aqueduct of the Roman Empire. Continue to the village of Kastamonitsa in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains. Stop for a Cretan-style breakfast and raki tasting.
Next, brace yourself for the dirt tracks of the Minoan Path. Drive through a stunning mountain landscape to see wildlife and the unbelievable scenery. Learn the myths and legends of Crete on the way to a shepherd’s mitato (mountain shelter).
Feed the animals as you watch the shepherds produce cheese according to traditional methods. Taste some of the fresh, rich cheese.
Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Lassithi Plateau and north coast. Continue to Dikteon Cave to marvel at the birthplace of Zeus. Work up an appetite before your lunch at a local taverna. Try a selection of traditional dishes (vegetarian option available) and a glass or two of wine.
Then, go to Lassinthos Eco Park to admire traditional handicrafts. Back on the Lassithi Plateau, experience a wilderness and farming land where time has stood still. See donkeys put to work to help farm the land. Then, go to Seli to take photos of the unique scenery.
Drive to the village of Krassi, famous for its 2,000-year-old tree and natural spring water source. Continue down the mountain roads, passing ancient olive groves before you reach the spectacular coastline and deep blue sea.
Explore Chersonissos while riding a mini tourist train. Roll past the picturesque old town, two beaches, and the boats in the port. See more of Crete with the half-day option to the country villages of Avdou, Gonies, and Potamies.
Hop on the train and listen to Greek music and your audio commentary as you see the lively old town in Chersonissos. Admire the narrow streets and churches. Snap pictures of the boats at the port. View the sandy beaches at Analipsi and Anisaras.
On the half-day trip head to the villages of Avdou, Gonies, and Potamies. Enjoy views of the countryside and water as you ride along. Dink Raki (a traditional liquor) and snack on some local sweets.
Acqua Plus is the largest water park in Crete, and this ticket combines entry with a return coach from hotels in the Rethymno area. Acqua Plus sits on a hillside 5 kilometres from Hersonissos and 30 kilometres from Heraklion, split into an adult section and a children’s section. Pick-up runs from around 08:00, the coach reaches the park near 10:30, and you stay until 17:00, so the ticket buys roughly six and a half hours inside the gates.
The ticket covers the coach, the gate, every slide and a sunbed, which means the only thing you spend money on inside is food.
Platanos Tours runs the transfer. The park itself is built across a terraced hill, so the walk between rides is short and mostly downhill, and the layout puts the adult slides on one side and the children’s pools on the other. Slides include the Kamikaze drop, the Tsunami, the Black Holes tunnels and the Crazy River, which zig-zags through three linked pools. A lazy river, a playground and shallow pools make up the children’s half.
Qualified lifeguards work the pools and a doctor stays on site through the day. Reviewers consistently single out how closely the lifeguards watch the water, which is the detail that matters most if you are bringing small children.
The trip runs between the Rethymno coast and the Heraklion regional unit, and two of the places on the route have their own page here.
The fare covers transport, entry and shade, and it excludes food, drinks and anything sold separately inside the park.
Included:
Not included:
Children aged 0 to 4 enter free.
We recommend Acqua Plus as the family day out that survives a hot week, and we send people here rather than to the coast when the north wind makes the sea uncomfortable. A water park is one of the few things in Crete that works better at 35 degrees than at 25, and this one is big enough that the crowd spreads out.
The reviews back up three things in particular. Supervision is genuinely tight, several reviewers mention lifeguards positioned everywhere and watching properly. Queues are short outside peak weeks, with visitors reporting they got round every slide without stress. The park is large enough to feel uncrowded even on a busy day, which is the single most common observation across the review record.
Now the things we would flag before you book, because this tour scores 4.13 out of 5 and the gaps are worth knowing.
The journey is the weakest part. Transportation scores 3.9 out of 5 and guiding 3.8, the two lowest marks the tour carries, and reviewers from Rethymno report a coach journey of at least 90 minutes each way. Add the 08:00 start and you are committing the whole day, not the afternoon.
The Grand Rimondi exclusion is real and it catches people out. One reviewer described a 1.2-kilometre uphill walk to reach the Creta Star bus stop, and that is the official pick-up arrangement rather than a mistake.
Spending inside the park is the third point. Entry costs around €29 and the food is described as good but priced up, and a few attractions such as the Ninja course carry their own charge on top of the ticket. Budget for extras rather than assuming the ticket is all-in.
Arrive at opening, stake out shade early, and treat the coach timetable as the fixed part of your day.
Show your ticket at the Acqua Plus entrance, there is no separate meeting point at the park itself. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat and strong sunscreen, because the hillside layout offers little shade between the rides and the reflection off the pools is harsh.
The park runs from late spring to early autumn. Infants and children under 5 enter free, and the children’s section has its own shallow pools, playground and lazy river well away from the drop slides.
You get about six and a half hours in the park, arriving around 10:30 and leaving at 17:00 when the coach departs.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included for most Rethymno-area hotels, though guests at remote properties such as Grand Rimondi board at the Creta Star bus stop instead.
The coach takes at least 90 minutes each way, according to reviewers travelling from the Rethymno area, with pick-ups starting around 08:00.
Yes, and children under 5 enter free. A separate children’s section has shallow pools, a lazy river and a playground kept apart from the adult slides.
Food, drinks and a few attractions cost extra. The ticket covers every standard slide, a sunbed and an umbrella, but reviewers note the Ninja course and similar add-ons carry their own charge.
Acqua Plus is 5 kilometres from Hersonissos and 30 kilometres from Heraklion, on a hillside in the Heraklion regional unit.
Check dates and prices for Acqua Plus water park entry with transfer.
Find below the list of hotels near Drapanos beaches:
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Villa Chrysa by Villa Plus is located in Hersonissos. It has sea views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The villa features 4 bedrooms, a TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen, a washing machine and 2 bathrooms with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
Popular points of interest near the villa include Star Beach, Drapano Beach and Golden Beach. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 24 km from Villa Chrysa by Villa Plus.
from
€399
/night
Boasting a seasonal outdoor pool, Zen Luxury Villas & Suites, By ThinkVilla in Koutouloufari features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking for guests who drive.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, pool views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchenette with an oven and a stovetop, and a private bathroom with shower and a hair dryer. Some units have a balcony and/or a patio with sea views.
If you would like to discover the area, fishing and hiking are possible in the surroundings and Zen Luxury Villas & Suites, By ThinkVilla can arrange a car rental service.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Drapano Beach, Star Beach and Golden Beach. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 24 km from Zen Luxury Villas & Suites, By ThinkVilla, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Perched amphitheatrically on the verdant hillside, KING MINOS RETREAT Resort & Spa, proud member of the GOLDEN Hotels & Resorts, enjoys unobstructed sea views.
The charming 5-star hotel in Hersonissos consists of a main building with Classic Rooms and Suites as well as a number of bungalows with private pools and outdoor Jacuzzis, scattered throughout the colorful gardens.
Built according to the Cretan style and architecture, KING MINOS RETREAT Resort & Spa offers a great array of facilities and services for everyone to enjoy, welcoming guests to experience the authentic essence of the renowned Cretan Philoxenia to the fullest.
Situated in Hersonissos and only less than 1 km from Drapano Beach, Zuzu Riviera Living features accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This holiday home provides air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The holiday home with a terrace and sea views has 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 2 bathrooms with a bath. Towels and bed linen are available in the holiday home.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Popular points of interest near the holiday home include Star Beach, Stalida Beach and Lixnostatis Folk Museum. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 24 km from Zuzu Riviera Living, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Abaton Island Resort & Spa is set on a stunning location in Hersonissos. Individually and beautifully designed to reflect the styles and influences of its surroundings, the Resort features a remarkable collection of luxurious guestrooms, suites and villas. Free WiFi is available throughout.
Beautifully styled and impeccably furnished, all accommodation options offer either an outdoor terrace or private pool or an outdoor hot tub. Dazzling and spacious with every modern amenity, accommodation is secluded in a residential environment within magnificently landscaped grounds.
With 5 unique venues, you are invited to embark on a journey of culinary discovery through legendary flavors and bold creativity mainly inspired by the authentic Cretan cuisine. The main bar “Ladies & Gentlemen” is an ideal place to unwind during sunset and a great place to enjoy pre- or post-dinner drinks.
The Buddha Beach Bar is an elegant beachside bar where beverages and wines are complemented by a selection of light snacks and inspired platters. The mood is laid back, with sophisticated chill out lounge music.
Heraklion International Airport is 22 km from Abaton Island Resort & Spa.
from
€283
/night
Situated in Stalida, Okirroi Villas Chersonissos features accommodation with air conditioning and access to a garden.
All units come with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a fully equipped kitchen. An oven and fridge are also featured, as well as a coffee machine.
The property offers an outdoor pool.
Heraklio Town is 26 km from Okirroi Villas Chersonissos.
from
€85
/night
Find below list of beaches near Drapanos beaches:
Hersonissos, a bustling tourist hotspot in Crete situated just 28km to the east of Heraklion, is renowned for its tranquil beaches and calm seas – a rarity along the northern coast of Crete due to the prevailing northern winds. The most serene beaches can be found to the west of the port, shielded by the Cape Sarandaris. Towards the east of the port, however, lie the resort’s most frequented beaches.
As you venture east from the port of Hersonissos, the first sight to greet you is a sprawling, narrow, sandy beach, buzzing with throngs of beachgoers. It’s impeccably organized and conveniently close to the city’s amenities, though it may not be the best choice for those seeking a more serene environment.
Journeying further east, a series of small, sandy coves become apparent, primarily situated in front of hotels. Of these, Silva Maris Beach stands out with its high level of organization, a lifeguard, and numerous facilities. Continuing eastwards, you’ll encounter Star Beach, one of Crete’s most populous beaches, largely patronized by British and Dutch tourists. Lastly, near Cape Drapanos lie the peaceful beaches of Eastern Hersonissos, offering a quieter seaside experience.
Stalida beach is a long, sandy beach on the north coast of Crete, about 30 km east of Heraklion between the resorts of Hersonissos and Malia. Stalida beach has shallow, gently sloping water and a full set of sunbeds, tavernas, and water sports, which makes it one of the most family-friendly beaches in the Heraklion area. The sand sits right in front of the Stalida resort, so food, drink, and services stay a few steps away.
Stalida beach lies on Crete’s north coast, roughly 30 km east of Heraklion and its airport and about 3 km east of Hersonissos. Stalida, also written Stalis, has grown until it merges with Malia into one continuous stretch of coast, yet it keeps a calmer, family feel while Malia draws the louder party crowd. The name comes from the Greek verb “stalizo”, meaning to rest in the shade, because local shepherds once rested their flocks on this spot.
The sand at Stalida beach is a long run of soft golden sand backed by a seafront promenade of tavernas and shops. The sea is shallow and deepens gently over a soft, sandy seabed, so young children can paddle safely a good way from the shore. A short rocky cape splits the beach into 2 sandy stretches, and the rocky sections are good places to snorkel. Afternoon winds can raise short waves because the shore faces north, so mornings are usually the calmest time to swim.
Stalida beach is well organised for most of its length. Stalida beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas in packages, along with showers, changing rooms, and lifeguards on duty in season. Each section is run by a beach bar or taverna, and cafes and restaurants line the beachfront road. Water sports are available, including jet skis toward the Malia end, and there is room for beach volleyball. A small colony of Cretan date palms grows along part of the shore, a tree that is uncommon on the northern Heraklion coast.
Stalida beach makes a handy base for the eastern Heraklion coast. A short 6 km trip reaches the Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre, and the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum nearby explores Crete’s folk culture and natural history. Acqua Plus, one of the largest water parks on the island, sits a short drive inland. To the west, beyond Malia, the Malia Palace archaeological site preserves the third-largest Minoan palace complex on Crete. Walkers can follow the 5 km Bulgarian trail from Stalis up to the village of Mohos, named after the Bulgarian prisoners of war who built it during the Second World War.
The coast on either side of Stalida beach is lined with beaches, listed below by distance.
Stalida beach sits on the old national road, and the KTEL buses between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos stop about 500 m from the sand, a 5-minute walk from most hotels. A paved road runs down to the beach, with parking nearby. A beach day here pairs easily with the Minoan palace at Malia and the quieter sands further east, and the easiest way to reach them on your own schedule is with a rental car, which you can compare on our car rental in Crete page.
Stalida beach is on the north coast of Crete, about 30 km east of Heraklion and around 3 km east of Hersonissos, on the stretch of coast that runs into Malia.
Yes. The water is shallow and gently sloping over a sandy seabed, so children can paddle safely close to shore, and the beach is fully organised with facilities within easy reach.
Stalida beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, and lifeguards in season, plus beach bars, tavernas, and water sports along the shore.
Yes. Stalida beach is a long stretch of soft golden sand, split into 2 parts by a short rocky cape.
Stalida beach is popular and busiest in July and August, yet it stays calmer and more family-oriented than the main beach at nearby Malia.
Yes. Water sports are available along the shore, including jet skis toward the Malia end, and the rocky sections are good for snorkelling.
Take the KTEL bus between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, which stops about 500 m from the beach, or drive down the paved road and park nearby; a rental car also makes the quieter beaches along the coast easier to reach.
The tranquil beaches of Hersonissos Coves, also known as Limanakia, are located 27km east of Heraklion, extending from Cape Sarandaris to Hersonissos harbour. The beaches are protected from the strong northwest winds by Cape Sarandaris (Sarantari), providing calm waters for visitors. These coves are easily reachable and are situated near the vibrant town of Hersonissos with plenty of bars and cafes.
The western edge of the coves features a concrete dock ideal for diving, nestled on the rocky western side of Cape Sarandaris (Sarantari) near the quaint St. George Sarandaris chapel. A staircase leads to a sunbathing spot with hotel umbrellas and a rocky seabed perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Further down, at Cape Sarandaris’s base, you’ll discover the breathtaking Sarantari Cape beach, arguably the most picturesque and sheltered beach in Hersonissos. Its sandy beaches, shallow crystal-clear waters, and an intriguing sea cave make it a tranquil alternative to other beaches, despite the challenging descent through steep limestone cliffs.
Contrary to popular belief, Hersonissos also has a stony naturist beach located next to Sarandaris Cape, hidden discreetly by tall cliffs. This sandy, rocky cove provides a peaceful spot for swimming and solitude.
The well-known Sarandari beach comes next, popular among children due to its shallow waters and soft sands. The beach offers umbrellas, sunbeds, and a small canteen for convenience.
Next to Sarandari is Giofyri beach, situated under the main road and supported by a massive concrete wall. With its unique white coarse sand, deeper waters, and rocky seabed, it’s a popular choice among visitors, complete with umbrella and sunbed facilities.
Heading east from Giofyri along the coastal road, a series of small, slim beaches framed by white rocks awaits, their light-blue waters offering a truly mesmerizing sight. This captivating landscape stretches until you reach the large beach in front of the Creta Maris hotel, which extends up to Hersonissos port. This beach is well-equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports facilities, and a beach volleyball court, becoming busier and more exposed to winds nearer the harbor.
Regardless of whether you decide to swim, a casual walk from the port to Cape Sarandaris offers stunning views of Hersonissos Bay and St. George’s chapel in Sarandaris. At Hersonissos port, consider visiting the lighthouse and the Agia Paraskevi church, partially built into the rock. On Kastri Hill, the remnants of the early Christian Hersonissos basilica and its preserved mosaics are a must-see.
Malia beach is a long, lively sandy beach on the north coast of Crete, about 35 km east of Heraklion and just east of Stalida. Malia beach forms the eastern end of a 6 km bay that begins at Stalis, and its fine sand, shallow clear water, and full set of sunbeds, water sports, and beach bars make it one of the busiest, most developed resort beaches in the Heraklion area. The sand runs right in front of Malia town, so bars, tavernas, and services stay a few steps from the shore.
Malia beach lies on the north coast of Crete, about 35 km east of Heraklion, in front of the town of Malia in the Heraklion region. Malia beach is the eastern part of a single 6 km bay that starts at Stalida to the west, so the coast runs almost without a break from Stalida through to Malia. Hersonissos sits further west along the same shore, which places Malia at the eastern end of Crete’s busiest resort strip.
Malia beach is a wide stretch of fine sand that fills with sunbeds through the summer. The water is shallow and clear, and it deepens gently over a sandy seabed, so children can paddle safely close to the shore. The central and most organised part in front of the town is known as Klotzani, and the sand then continues east through quieter stretches toward Potamos beyond the port. Malia beach faces north, so afternoon winds can raise short waves, and mornings are usually the calmest time to swim.
Malia beach is organised along its length, with sunbeds and parasols to rent, showers, and a lifeguard on duty during the day. Malia beach also offers a wide range of water sports, including jet skis, banana boat rides, and parasailing, alongside extra services such as beachfront massage, a beach gym, and pool bars at the seafront hotels. Cafes, tavernas, and beach bars line the sand, and the beach holds a Blue Flag for its water quality and facilities.
Malia beach sits beside the liveliest resort strip in the Heraklion area, and the main street of bars, pubs, and clubs runs a short walk back from the sand and stays open into the early hours. The main beach turns busy and loud in high summer, so visitors who want calm often head east, beyond the local port, to the quieter beaches of Pirgos and Potamos. These eastern beaches keep a relaxed feel next to the Malia wetland and the Minoan palace, away from the crowds on the main strip.
Opposite Malia’s main beach lies the small islet of Afendi Christos, home to the chapel of the Metamorphosis tou Sotiros, the Transfiguration of the Saviour. The islet draws a crowd every year on 6 August, when people cross for the church service and its festival. Near the islet, a spring on the shore is said by locals to hold holy water that once helped childless women conceive, and you can reach the spot with a short swim from the beach.
The coast on either side of Malia beach is lined with more beaches, listed below by distance.
Malia beach is on the north coast of Crete, about 35 km east of Heraklion, in front of the town of Malia. It forms the eastern end of a 6 km bay that begins at Stalida.
Yes. Malia beach is a wide stretch of fine sand that runs in front of the town, and it fills with sunbeds and parasols through the summer.
Yes. The water is shallow and clear and deepens gently over a sandy seabed, so children can paddle safely close to shore. The eastern end, away from the main strip, tends to be the calmest.
Malia beach has sunbeds and parasols, showers, and a lifeguard during the day, plus water sports, beach bars, and tavernas along the sand. The beach also holds a Blue Flag.
Malia beach is one of the busiest beaches in the area and is packed in July and August. The quieter eastern stretches toward Potamos stay calmer if you want more space.
Malia beach offers jet skis, banana boat rides, and parasailing, along with swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball.
Malia beach is partly accessible, with ramps and special chairs to help people reach the water. Access is by a paved road, and buses stop nearby.
The best time to visit Malia beach is from June to September, when the weather is warm and dry. July and August are the busiest and liveliest months, while June and September stay calmer.
Malia beach sits a short way down from the town centre, and a paved road runs to the sand with parking beside it. Buses between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos stop close to Malia, from where it is a short walk to the beach. A beach day here pairs easily with the Minoan palace at Malia and the quieter sands east toward Potamos, and the simplest way to reach them on your own schedule is with a car rental in Crete.
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