Karteros beach

Karteros beach is a wide, fine-sand bay on the north coast of Crete, about 7 km east of Heraklion and right beside the island’s airport. The bay stretches roughly 3 km east from the mouth of the Karteros Gorge and takes in two neighbourhoods, Karteros and Amnissos, which have grown together as the area developed. Its name honours the Byzantine general Krateros, who landed here in 824 AD in a failed attempt to free Crete from the Saracens.

The sand is fine and golden, mixed with a little pebble in places, and the water is shallow with almost no rocks. The bay faces the open sea and catches the northern winds, so the surface is often wavy, especially towards the eastern end. Those same winds make Karteros a popular spot for windsurfing. The shallow, gently deepening water suits children and families, and lifeguards watch the organised stretches in season.

You will find tavernas, cafes, and beach bars along the shore, together with umbrellas and sunbeds on the organised sections. A paved road and a city bus from Heraklion reach the beach, and there is a parking area by the shore, so getting here without a car is straightforward. Off the bay lies the small rocky islet of Monochorako, close enough for confident swimmers to reach from the sand.

The quietest part of the bay is Florida, at the western end next to Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis airport. Here the Karteros River flows out of the gorge and forms a small seasonal wetland that dries up in summer, and there are fewer umbrellas and facilities than further east. The wetland is easiest to see in spring, before the summer heat dries it out. While you are at this end, look for the small church of St John and St Nikon, built inside a cave in the rock face across the old national road. Do not be surprised to see horses on the sand here either, as the Heraklion Riding Club brings them down to the beach.

A rental car makes it easy to combine Karteros with the beaches and sites further east along the coast. Compare options for your trip on the Crete car rental page.

FAQ

Where is Karteros beach?

Karteros beach is on the north coast of Crete, about 7 km east of Heraklion and directly east of the island’s airport. The bay stretches around 3 km and includes the Karteros and Amnissos neighbourhoods.

How do I get to Karteros beach?

A paved road links Karteros beach to Heraklion, and a city bus serves the area, so you can reach it with or without a car. There is a parking area next to the shore for visitors who drive.

Is Karteros beach good for swimming and families?

Yes. The water is shallow and deepens gently with few rocks, which suits children, and lifeguards watch the organised stretches in season. The sea is often wavy because the bay faces the northern winds, so keep an eye on the conditions and any warning signs.

Is the sea calm or wavy at Karteros beach?

The bay is exposed to the northern winds and the surface is frequently wavy, most of all towards the eastern end. Calmer conditions are more likely early in the day and on the more sheltered western sections.

What facilities are at Karteros beach?

The organised sections have umbrellas, sunbeds, showers, and lifeguards in season, with tavernas, cafes, and beach bars along the shore. The western Florida stretch, next to the airport, is quieter and has fewer facilities.

Are there water sports at Karteros beach?

Yes. The steady northern winds make the bay well suited to windsurfing, and water-sports operators work the organised stretches in the summer season.

Where does the name Karteros come from?

The beach is named after the Byzantine general Krateros, who landed on the bay in 824 AD to try to free Crete from the Saracens but was defeated. The nearby river and settlement carry the same name.

What is there to see near Karteros beach?

At the western Florida end, the Karteros River forms a small seasonal wetland, and the cave church of St John and St Nikon sits across the old national road. Off the bay lies the small islet of Monochorako, which strong swimmers can reach, and the eastern Amnissos area continues the same long stretch of sand.