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Situated 91 km east of Agios Nikolaos, 18 km east of Sitia, and 2km east of the quaint town of Palekastro, Chiona is a beautifully serene sandy beach. Its pristine white sand and crystal-clear shallow blue waters make it a popular spot despite its relatively small size.
The name ‘Chiona’ translates to ‘carob storehouse’ in the local Cretan dialect, a nod to the storage facilities that were typically built near Cretan beaches for transferring carobs via ship due to the lack of roads. Indeed, the area was traditionally known for its carob trade.
Visitors to Chiona can enjoy a perfect day out, especially when combined with a meal at the renowned local fish taverns. While the beach offers minimal facilities (primarily near the taverns), there are tamarisk trees along the coast that provide a respite from the sun. To the east of the main beach, several secluded coves offer a peaceful spot for swimming, including the first sandy beach, Bondalaki, which is possibly the best in the entire area.
From Chiona, one can spot the small Grandes islands. Just beside the beach, in the location of Roussolakkos, the remains of an ancient Minoan port and settlement can be explored. Heading north from Chiona will bring you to the lengthy Kouremenos beach, Crete’s most famed spot for windsurfing. Lastly, a walk to the peak of the hill Kastri, located at the west end of the beach, will reward visitors with stunning views of the sea and the remnants of an old fort.
The name Hiona (Chiona) beach comes from the Greek word “χιώνα” which means “snowy” due to the white sand on the Hiona beach.
Yes, Hiona (Chiona) beach is suitable for swimming as the water is clear and calm.
No, there are no water sports activities available at Hiona (Chiona) beach.
Yes, there are some trees and umbrellas available for shade at Hiona (Chiona) beach.
No, Hiona (Chiona) beach is not accessible for people with disabilities as there are stairs to access the Hiona beach.
Yes, there is a small parking area available near Hiona (Chiona) beach.
The water colour of the Hiona beach is blue.
The Hiona beach has sand.
The water at the Hiona beach is shallow.
The sea surface at the Hiona beach is usually calm.
The Hiona beach has normal crowds.
The Hiona beach has accommodation options, food/water nearby, showers, and a Blue Flag.
The Hiona beach can be accessed via a paved road.
Yes, the Hiona beach is nudism friendly.
Yes, there is tree shade available at the Hiona beach.
Find below list of things to do near Hiona beach:
Following collection from select areas, the experience starts from Agios Nikolaos heading east. This is an excellent opportunity for you to admire the sublime Gulf of Mirabello, which is Eastern Crete’s riviera. You will then pass through many picturesque villages before reaching the 15th-century Toplou Monastery.
The compound features a small museum with notable exhibits of Christian-Orthodox art, such as sacred utensils and chalcography by the monks of Mount Athos. There is also an olive press which produces olive oil of outstanding quality, as well as wine-making facilities. Both the olive oil and the wine produced in the monastery are exported all over the world.
You may participate in a wine and spirit tasting session (optional) at the monastery’s cellar, after which you will pay a visit to one of the main attractions in eastern Crete, the protected Palm Forest of Vai. It is unique in Europe and is located next to one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. At this location there will be plenty of time for you to enjoy swimming, as you bask in the rare beauty of the landscape. On your way back, you will stop at Platanos where you can watch the sunset in an area which boasts an enchanting view.
Start your day tour discovering the beautiful east part of Crete!
Visit Toplou, a 15th-century monastery located in a dry and barren area. Toplou monastery is one of the most significant monasteries in Crete, dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary) and St. John the Theologian.
Continue the tour to visit the largest palm forest in Europe, Vai Palm Beach. The palm forest draws thousands of visitors each year. They come not only for its wonderful palm forest, but also for the large sandy beach spread out at its foot.
Last stop of the day the cozy town of Sitia, with a lovely beach road and Venetian castle.
Detailed Time Schedule:
Morning Pick Up
We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning.
Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive will differ.
Bus Drive to Toplou: 2 hours amd 30 minutes
1nd stop: Toplou Monastery – 40 minutes
Our participants willenjoy a visit to the historical and beautiful Monastery of Toplou.There they will spend about 40′ of guided time and free time to take photos of the unique architecture and the Cretan Natural landscape outdoors.
Bus Drive to Vai Beach: 20 minutes
2rd stop: Vai Beach – 2 hours and 30 minutes
Stop at Vai, the biggest natural palm forest in Europe. Enjoy your free time to swim, sunbathe, have lunch and take photos of this exotic landscape of Crete.
Bus Drive to Sitia: 30 minutes
3rd stop: Sitia – 1 hour and 20 minutes
Participants will enjoy some free time to explore the town on their own pace, walk by the cosmopolitan beach road, have a coffee at a traditional cafe or taste the delicious local homemade sweets.
End of the tour – Arrival at resorts:
Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning.
Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ.
Return Bus Drive to Heraklion: Around 2 – 3 hours hours
Discover the enchanting allure of East Crete with our meticulously crafted day tour.
Toplou Monastery
The journey starts as we make our way to the storied Toplou Monastery. You’ll be allotted 40 minutes to delve into its rich history, admire its distinctive architecture, and soak in the breathtaking views of the Cretan countryside that envelops this sacred site.
Vai Palm Beach
Next, we venture to the idyllic Vai Beach, celebrated for hosting Europe’s largest natural palm forest. Enjoy two hours of leisure time to swim in its azure waters, sunbathe on its golden sands, relish a tasty lunch, and take in the mesmerizing beauty of this unique landscape through your camera lens.
Sitia Town
Our exploration culminates in the picturesque town of Sitia, a gem that allows you to experience its lively beach road, enjoy a coffee at a traditional café, and indulge in exquisite local sweets over a 40-minute visit.
As the sun sets on this unforgettable day, we return to Heraklion by bus, carrying with us a treasure trove of memories from this enchanting journey through East Crete’s most cherished sights.
Embark on a day tour to the beautiful Vai Palm Beach, located on the eastern coast of Crete.
This stunning beach is known for its unique palm forest, crystal clear waters, and golden sandy shores.
Vai Palm Forest is said to have been grown from the seeds of dates that were discarded by Arab sailors in the area during the 9th century.
Your day will begin with a comfortable transfer to the beach, where you will have the opportunity to explore the area at your own pace. Take a leisurely stroll through the palm forest, relax on the beach and take a dip in the refreshing waters. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant if you wish and soak in the breathtaking views of the beach and surrounding landscape.
After a day of relaxation and exploration, you will be transferred back to your accommodation with memories of a truly unforgettable experience.
Find below the list of hotels near Hiona beach:
Situated in Palekastron, 700 metres from Chiona Beach and less than 1 km from Kouremenos Beach, HIONA STUDIO N2 offers a private beach area and air conditioning. This beachfront property offers access to a terrace and free WiFi.
The 2-bedroom holiday home has a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with oven and fridge, and 1 bathroom with a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are offered in the holiday home.
Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at the holiday home.
Vai Palm Forest is 10 km from HIONA STUDIO N2. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 21 km from the accommodation.
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a patio, Hiona Cottage is situated in Palekastron. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony, tennis at the tennis court, free private parking and free WiFi.
The holiday home features 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a terrace with sea views.
Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at the holiday home, while fishing and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
Chiona Beach is 700 metres from Hiona Cottage, while Kouremenos Beach is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 21 km from the accommodation.
from
€72
/night
Just a 5-minute walk from Chiona Beach, Rousolakos Apartments is located in Palaikastro Village. It offers a free-form outdoor pool and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout. The accommodation provides garden and pool views from its balcony.
A kitchenette equipped with an electric kettle, coffee maker and fridge is standard in all of Rousolakos’ air-conditioned apartments. Each includes a TV with satellite and cable channels, small dining table and private bathroom with hairdryer.
Guests are welcomed to use the on-site BBQ facilities. A variety of fish taverns can be found along the beach area.
Rousolakos Apartments is a 5-minute drive away from the Windsurf Club, situated at Kouremenos Beach. The famous palm tree-lined beach of Vai is 9 km away. It is 17 km from the lively coastal town of Sitia.
from
€62
/night
Family-run Olive Coast Suites features up-scale accommodation with views of the Kouremenos Beach or olive groves. It is located in scenic Palekastro, 900 metres from Chiona Beach.
Olive Coast Suites are air conditioned and include free WiFi. Each has a traditional kitchen with dining area, while a 26” LCD TV with satellite channels is featured in the living room . The stone details, traditional niches and the wooden furnishings create an elegant setting.
A spacious sun terrace with sun loungers and BBQ facilities are also provided at Olive Coast Suites.
Upon your arrival at Palekastro Hotel Olive Coast Suites you will be treated to a complimentary bottle of extra-virgin olive oil, local wine, bottled water and fresh fruit.
Olive Coast Suites provides easy access to the most popular beaches of Eastern Crete; Kouremenos Beach (1.2 km), and the splendid beach of Vai (8 km) with the protected Palm Tree Forest. Sitia is 17 km away, while Sitia airport and port are at 19 km.
from
€125
/night
Built amidst olive groves, 500 metres from Kouremenos Bay, Liostasi consists of self-catered bungalows with Libyan Sea views. Facilities include a free-form pool with a sun terrace, as well as a BBQ. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
Traditionally decorated with Cretan elements, all air-conditioned units consist of an open-plan living room with a fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen. Opening out to a patio, they offer a satellite TV and a private bathroom with a shower.
Liostasi Country Houses lies 1 km from the village of Palekastro and around 9 k from the palm tree forest of Vai. Sitia Town is 20 km away. Free, private parking is possible on site.
Set in Palekastron, less than 1 km from Kouremenos Beach and 2.1 km from Chiona Beach, Kouremenos Manolis apartment offers air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. With mountain views, this accommodation features a patio.
The apartment with a terrace and sea views has 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a bath. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
The apartment offers a picnic area. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Kouremenos Manolis apartment.
Maridati Beach is 2.9 km from the accommodation, while Vai Palm Forest is 7.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public, 21 km from Kouremenos Manolis apartment, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Find below list of beaches near Hiona beach:
Kouremenos, situated 91km east of Agios Nikolaos and 21km east of Sitia, is just a kilometer east of the quaint town of Palekastro. Palekastro offers a wider variety of accommodation, dining, and entertainment options, but there are also several new hotels near the beach for your convenience. The beach itself is the longest in the region, stretching over 1.5km and framed by Cape Tenta to the north and Cape Plaka to the south. With its fine brown sand, shallow turquoise waters, and abundant tamarisk trees, it’s a stunning location. Amenities such as umbrellas, showers, and beach bars are available in certain areas.
The real allure of Kouremenos, though, is the strong wind that constantly sweeps the area, making it a hotspot for windsurfers and kite surfers from all over Europe. This is why it’s home to some of Greece’s largest wind turbine parks.
Windsurfing at Kouremenos is an experience not to be missed. A windsurfing school operates on the beach, offering equipment rentals at reasonable prices. The Meltemi, or northwest summer wind, is particularly strong here due to local thermal and funnelling effects, creating ideal conditions for windsurfing with an average wind force of around 6 Beaufort during the summer season.
The beach is suitable for windsurfers of all skill levels. The flat, shallow waters near the coast are perfect for beginners, while further out, the small waves provide a challenge for more experienced surfers. There’s also a rocky area at the northern end of the beach where experts can show off their skills. The local school has even installed buoys to indicate the entry point.
To the east of Hiona’s primary beach, you’ll find numerous tiny inlets where you can swim in solitude and without clothing. The first sandy coast, known as Bondalaki, is arguably the most stunning. If you continue eastward along a rough dirt road towards Cape Plaka, you’ll soon encounter a series of pebbled inlets set against an uncanny landscape of chasms and rugged mountains. The final inlet, Skaria, is Crete’s furthest eastern beach, significantly impacted by sea currents, resulting in an unfortunate amount of litter. The beach before this, Pilos, is set in clay terrain and is the perfect spot for privacy.
Skinias, a secluded region, is situated 94km to the east of Agios Nikolaos and 20km to the east of Sitia, nestled in one of Crete’s most remote eastern corners. This wild terrain is home to three charming little coves, perfect for anyone seeking solitude, located at the end of the Katsara gorge. With no amenities or shade-providing trees in sight, visitors should be prepared with water and an umbrella.
Access to the beach is through a challenging dirt road that leads to the central beach of Skinias. Those with a standard vehicle will need to halt before reaching the beach due to the poor road conditions. The first beach you encounter is the central sandy beach of Skinias, renowned for its stunning water hues. This pebble-strewn beach is recommended for snorkelling and fishing activities. If you tread 200m to the east, following the rocky coastline dotted with numerous caves and vibrant blue waters, you will soon arrive at the eastern pebbly beach of Skinias. Conversely, if you head west from the central beach towards Karoumes, you will find another pebble beach, born from the mouth of a brief, small canyon.
Maridati, nestled in the verdant valleys of Palekastro, is a stunning pebbly beach. It’s situated 90km to the east of Agios Nikolaos, 21km east of Sitia, and 5km to the north of the renowned Kouremenos windsurfing beach. The beach, rather short in length, is encompassed by two rocky capes. This secluded spot offers a peaceful escape from the bustling crowds, perfect for a tranquil swim.
Not far from the beach, about 50 meters away, you’ll find a small wetland filled with fresh water that serves as a haven for various bird species. You’ll also come across several tamarisk trees in the vicinity.
In historical times, the springs and torrent of Maridati used to draw the attention of Venetian ships.
Reaching Maridati by car from Palekastro is straightforward. Take the road to Vai and look out for a sign to Maridati on your right, approximately 5km from Palekastro. From there, you’ll need to navigate a 1.5km dirt track. Despite its rough terrain, the path is in good condition and the breathtaking beauty of Maridati is well worth the journey!
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