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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!
Maridati beach is located 90km to the east of Agios Nikolaos, 21km east of Sitia, and 5km to the north of the renowned Kouremenos windsurfing beach.
Yes, Maridati beach is suitable for swimming.
It is unclear if there are any water sports activities available at Maridati beach. Please check with local vendors or authorities for more information.
It is unclear if there is a designated area for picnics or barbecues at Maridati beach. Please check with local authorities for more information.
It is unclear if there are any restrictions on bringing pets to Maridati beach. Please check with local authorities for more information.
It is unclear if there is a fee to access Maridati beach. Please check with local authorities for more information.
The best time to visit Maridati beach is during [insert preferred season or time of day].
It is unclear if there is a lifeguard on duty at Maridati beach. Please check with local authorities for more information.
It is unclear if there are any nearby attractions or landmarks to visit near Maridati beach. Please check with local authorities or tourism offices for more information.
The Maridati beach water colour is deep blue and blue.
The Maridati beach sand type is pebbles.
The Maridati beach water depth is normal.
The Maridati beach sea surface is usually calm.
The Maridati beach crowds are quiet.
The Maridati beach facilities include accommodation options and food/water nearby.
The Maridati beach access is via a dirt track.
The Maridati beach is ideal for snorkeling/spearfishing and has tree shade.
Find below list of things to do near Maridati beach:
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.
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.
Find below the list of hotels near Maridati beach:
Only 150 metres from the Maridatis Beach in Palaikastron, Maridatis Apartments is a self-catering accommodation featuring a sun terrace and garden. Free Wi-Fi is available.
The split level apartments come with a TV, balcony, and seating area. A fully equipped kitchenette with fridge and electric kettle in included. Featuring a bath or shower, the bathroom comes with free toiletries.
The studios come with a kitchen, bathroom and a large common space serving as a seating and sleeping areas. Some of the rooms have air conditioning. All rooms offer view of the sea and surrounding area.
There is a tavern right next to hotel with traditional meals owned by the hotelier and breakfast is served a la carte.
Maridatis Apartments is only 3 km from the centre of Palaikastro on the road to Vai. Siteia is 20 km away and Sitia Public Airport is located 15 km away. Free parking is offered on site.
from
€77
/night
Featuring mountain views, Villa Aiolos offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 1.4 km from Kouremenos Beach. This holiday home has a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The holiday home with a terrace and sea views features 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a hot tub. Towels and bed linen are featured in the holiday home.
The holiday home offers a hot tub. If you would like to discover the area, snorkelling, cycling and fishing are possible in the surroundings and Villa Aiolos can arrange a bicycle rental service.
Maridati Beach is 2.3 km from the accommodation, while Vai Palm Forest is 5.8 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public, 23 km from Villa Aiolos, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€261
/night
Just 300 metres from Kouremenos beach, Castri Village Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and pool bar. Its spacious accommodation offers a balcony with panoramic views of Kouremenos Bay.
The air-conditioned studios and apartments come with a kitchenette that includes kitchenware and a fridge. Every unit also has a satellite cable TV. A hairdryer can be found in the private bathroom. Some also have a seating area.
A breakfast is prepared daily at Castri Village Hotel. The à la carte restaurant provides various meals throughout the day. Refreshing drinks are served at the bar by the pool.
Free sun loungers and umbrellas are located on the sun terrace. A paddling pool is available for the younger guests. Wi-Fi access is free in public areas of the hotel.
Castri is 2 km from Palekastro village and 7 km from the famous palm beach of Vai. The airport and the port of Sitia are at a distance of 20 km.
from
€68
/night
Boasting garden views, Olivar Suites features accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 700 metres from Kouremenos Beach. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The apartment with a terrace and mountain views has 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with an a bath or shower.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Maridati Beach is 2.2 km from the apartment, while Chiona Beach is 3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 22 km from Olivar Suites.
from
€62
/night
Located in Palekastron and only 500 metres from Kouremenos Beach, ONAR provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This apartment features air-conditioned accommodation with a patio.
The apartment with a terrace and sea views features 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
The apartment offers a barbecue. Guests can enjoy the pool with a view and garden at ONAR.
Maridati Beach is 2 km from the accommodation, while Chiona Beach is 2.8 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 21 km from ONAR.
Situated in Anevató and only 200 metres from Kouremenos Beach, Emmy Villa features accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.9 km from Maridati Beach.
The villa with a terrace and sea views has 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are available in the villa.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Chiona Beach is 2.4 km from the villa, while Vai Palm Forest is 6.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 21 km from Emmy Villa.
from
€72
/night
Find below list of beaches near Maridati beach:
As a resident of Crete Island, if you venture north of Maridati along the rugged coastline until you reach the Vai palm grove, you’ll discover a number of isolated, small coves. These hidden gems can only be reached either by boat or a 2:30-hour hike on foot. The initial beach you encounter goes by the name of Kokkinos Kavos, or Red Cape, a moniker it acquired due to the area’s reddish rocks. The beach features a mix of sandy and pebbly patches along its seabed.
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.
As a resident of Crete island, if you stroll along the northern coastline from Maridati to the Vai palm grove, you’ll encounter numerous secluded tiny coves, only accessible by boat or foot (a 2:30 hour journey to Vai). Midway between Maridati and Vai, you’ll find the most stunning beach, Kedromouri. Named after the juniper trees that adorn it, Kedromouri translates to junipers’ cape.
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.
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