Pachia Ammos is a large village situated on the north side of the narrowest part of Crete, 20km east of Agios Nikolaos, on the road connecting Agios Nikolaos with Sitia and Ierapetra. The village is located at the exit of a fertile plain that is covered with olive groves. It has experienced mild development due to its local beach and the sights of the surrounding area. Visitors can find small hotels, rooms, and taverns in the village.
A long beach with sand and pebbles stretches in front of Pahia Ammos, 500m to the east. The beach is open to the north winds, and the sea is usually wavy. However, visitors can stay safe in the well-protected west part of the beach, which is sandy and clean and has umbrellas and sunbeds. For those seeking peace, the eastern part of the beach is an option, but it is unprotected from the waves, and currents carrying garbage due to the village’s location in the southern part of the Gulf of Mirabello. The beach in this area is pebbly and has several tamarisk trees. At the east end of the beach, a stream flows from the impressive Gorge of Ha in winter.
Pahia Ammos is situated on the site of the ancient city Minoa, which was an old harbour. The Institute for the Study of Prehistoric Aegean of East Crete is established here, which conducts systematic excavations in the area and deals with the promotion and protection of antiquities. The most famous archaeological site in the region is the Minoan cemetery and the settlement of Gournia, which is located 2km west of the village. The city flourished in 1600 BC and was built on a small hill. Gournia is located 2km east of Faneromeni Monastery, one of the most impressive monasteries in Crete built on a steep cliff.
Visitors can also visit the Minoan settlement Vasiliki, which is 4km south of the village and flourished in 2600-2300 BC. Vasiliki is considered the precursor of the major Minoan palaces and towns. From Vasiliki, visitors can drive 2km to the east to reach the village of Monastiraki, with the old watermills and the church of St. Stephen. Nearby is the exit of the imposing gorge of Ha, which causes awe from miles away.
Opposite Pahia Ammos you’ll see the small island Konida (i.e. nit, the egg of louse), which can be reached by boat. It is interesting to see how the place’s name has emerged; a few miles to the east (opposite Tholos) you’ll meet the very important island Psira (i.e. louse), while opposite Mochlos you’ll see the islet of Agios Nikolaos, also called Psilos (flea). All bugs together!
Get directions to Pahia Ammos beach
Pahia Ammos means “thick sand” in Greek.
Yes, Pahia Ammos beach is suitable for snorkeling as it has clear waters and a variety of marine life.
Yes, there are several hiking trails near Pahia Ammos beach that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Yes, there are several rental companies near Pahia Ammos beach that offer boats and kayaks for rent.
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes near Pahia Ammos beach that offer a variety of local and international cuisine.
Yes, Pahia Ammos beach is suitable for families with children as it has shallow waters and a sandy beach for children to play on.
Yes, there are several water sports activities available at Pahia Ammos beach, including windsurfing, paddleboarding, and jet skiing.
The water colour of the Pahia Ammos beach is blue.
The Pahia Ammos beach has a mix of sand and pebbles.
The water depth at the Pahia Ammos beach is normal.
The sea surface at the Pahia Ammos beach is usually wavy.
The Pahia Ammos beach is usually quiet.
The Pahia Ammos beach has accommodation options, food and water nearby, and sports facilities.
The Pahia Ammos beach can be accessed by bus services and a paved road.
Find below list of things to do near Pahia Ammos beach:
Discover the highlights of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka on this multi-stop trip from Heraklion. Take in the sights from onboard a ferry and savor a BBQ or tavern lunch. See Spinalonga Island, the Lake of Voulismeni, and more.
Meet your local guide, and make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello. This place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own or relax at a cafe.
After that, drive to the harbor of Elounda where you’ll get on a ferry to visit the Island of Spinalonga. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous.
Choose to join a guided tour or explore the island by yourself. If you don’t want to visit the archaeological site, you can join a 1-hour boat trip to a secret location and dive into the crystal-clear water (cost not included). After visiting Spinalonga, depart for one of the nearby bays.
Get plenty of time for swimming and enjoying BBQ served on board. The menu includes pork BBQ, greek salad, feta cheese, bread, seasonal fruit, wine, and Fanta. If your trip is on a Sunday, you’ll get to enjoy dinner in a tavern instead of having BBQ on board.
After a short drive, reach Plaka, a small fishing village. Plaka was the ferry port of the leper colony, whose history was documented in a book and a Greek television series.
The last stop of the day is the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni or explore the local shops. Enjoy a refreshing swim before heading back to your accommodation.
10:30 Departure from Elounda with the boat
11:10 Arrival Kolokytha
12:45 Departure from Kolokytha
13:10 Arrival Spinalonga
14:45 Departure from Spinalonga to Elounda
15:00 Arrival Elounda
15:45 Olive oil tasting – Arrival Agios Nikolaos
16:45 Departure Agios Nikolaos – back to the hotels
18:30 Arrival Heraklion.
Route:128 km
Duration:app. 11 hours
Stay in Spinalonga:1 ½ hours
Stay in Kolokytha Bay-Beach:1 ½ hours
Stay in Agios Nikolaos:app.1 hour
ESSENTIALS:
•shoes for the sea
•sun protection
•hat
* Remarks:Please notify us in advance, if you are vegetarian or if you do not eat pork at all, as we have to preorder another lunch for you.
Board a comfortable air-conditioned semi-submarine vessel at the port of Agios Nikolaos. Discover marine life which inhabits the coastal waters of Agioi Pantes Island. Learn more about the flora and fauna you will see from the onboard audio guide.
See many different species of colorful fish as the boat crew feeds them. If you are lucky, you may spot curious sea turtles, dolphins, and seals who sometimes choose to investigate the vessel.
In the second part of the tour, take a seat on the main deck of the boat in order to admire the spectacular views of Agios Nikolaos Bay. Feel the sea breeze as you cruise through the bay before heading back to the port.
This boat trip leaves Agios Nikolaos harbour at 12:30 and spends 4.5 hours in the Mirabello gulf, crossing to Spinalonga and stopping to swim at Kolokytha bay on the way. Spinalonga carries Venetian fortifications and the buildings of the leper colony that operated there until 1957, and the route also passes the sunken city of Olous and Barbarossa’s cave. NOSTOS CRUISES runs it from €25, with a 4.41 rating across 3,526 reviews, ranking 37th among all GetYourGuide experiences in Greece.
The boat makes a circuit of the gulf with one landing and one swim. Four things fill the 4.5 hours.
First is the cruise across Mirabello bay from the main harbour, with live commentary and views back at the coast. Second are the sights passed en route: the cave associated with the corsair Barbarossa, the submerged remains of the ancient city of Olous, and the island where the kri-kri goats live. Third is Spinalonga itself, with a guided walk covering the Venetian period and the colony years. Fourth is the swim stop at Kolokytha bay, entered straight off the boat by ladder and platform.
Live guiding runs in English and Dutch; French, German, Polish and Greek are provided by audio guide only.
The route stays within the Mirabello gulf on the north-east coast.
The €25 covers the boat and the guiding; the island fee and everything you consume are separate.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend this as the efficient way to do Spinalonga: half a day, from a town harbour you can walk to, at €25. It leaves your morning and evening free, which the full-day coach trips do not.
The swim stop is what reviewers rate highest, and it is better than it sounds. A New Zealand guest called it the highlight of the trip, jumping into the sea straight from the boat using the ladder and platform, far more convenient than wading off a beach. French and Polish reviewers describe the same thing, and one noted the swimming time is exactly right.
Guiding on the island earns specific praise. A Dutch reviewer named Dimitri for the history he gave on Spinalonga; a British reviewer described the island guide as very informative and happy to answer questions. A Greek guest said the guides were warm and attentive from the first minute to the last.
The boat itself gets good marks, clean, with a bar and restaurant, food and drink at reasonable prices, and plenty of facilities.
Two honest caveats, and one of them is the dominant complaint in this record.
The €20 island fee is not clear enough at booking. GetYourGuide’s own review summary says travellers want clearer information on the additional entry fee, and two separate German reviewers raised it directly, one saying the price should be more clearly indicated, the other spelling out that an add-on ticket of €20 each is needed for the roughly 90 minutes on the island. At €25 for the boat, the fee nearly doubles your cost.
Language coverage is uneven. Only English and Dutch get a live guide; French, German, Polish and Greek passengers listen to a recording. Guiding scores 4.3 out of 5, the weakest dimension, and this is the likeliest reason.
If you would rather have the towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda included with a coach and a guide for the whole day, the full-day Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga trip covers all three.
Budget €45 not €25, bring a towel, and take the ladder rather than the beach.
The boat departs from Nostos Cruises at Akti Koundourou 6, Agios Nikolaos 721 00, at 12:30. No hotel transfer is included.
French, German, Polish and Greek commentary is by audio guide rather than a live guide. Pets are allowed on board, towels are not provided, and the Spinalonga entry fee is paid separately.
The trip runs 4.5 hours, departing Agios Nikolaos harbour at 12:30.
No, the island entry fee of around €20 is separate, and it is the most common complaint in the review record.
The swim stop is at Kolokytha bay, entered directly from the boat by ladder and platform rather than from a beach.
A live guide covers English and Dutch. French, German, Polish and Greek are provided by audio guide only.
No transfer is included. The boat leaves from the main harbour in Agios Nikolaos, walkable from the town centre.
Pets are allowed on board, which is unusual among the Spinalonga boats.
Check dates and prices for the Agios Nikolaos boat trip to Spinalonga.
Take a tour to Richtis beach on the far side of Mirabello Bay and trek through the forest to the stunning Richtis waterfall. After pickup from your accommodation, enjoy the beautiful scenery on the 1-hour drive to the bay of Mirabello. Leave the asphalt and travel off road down to Richtis beach, hugging the mountainside.
Park at the bottom and enter Richtis gorge to start the 30-minute walk to reach the falls. Follow a trail through the forest, listening to the sounds of birds and running water. Stop to admire the incredible waterfalls, with time to climb up the stairs to the top of the falls, take photos, or swim in the cool waters.
When you are ready to leave, head back to the beach along the same trail. During the tour you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch at a local tavern, with wine and water included. At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel in the Elounda area.
This is a small family boat trip rather than a charter: four hours out of Agios Nikolaos marina with Captain Kostas aboard the Monomahos, fishing the bays of Mirabello with rods, stopping to swim, and eating a snack his wife cooks. Fishing Trips Crete run it from €90, with a 4.87 rating across 68 reviews, and reviewers keep saying the same thing, that beginners are welcome.
The four hours divide between fishing, swimming and eating, and the captain reads the weather to decide the order.
First is the marina at Agios Nikolaos, where Kostas meets you at the boat. Second is the run out into Mirabello Bay, the large sheltered gulf that gives eastern Crete its calmest water, to whichever spot is fishing that day. Third is the fishing itself, with rods and tackle provided and the captain baiting and advising as needed. Fourth is a stop in one of the bays for a swim and the snack, with beer, local wine, soft drinks, coffee and water on board.
Reviewers commonly report three different stops in a single trip, and several describe snorkelling between the fishing spots.
The boat works the gulf immediately around the town.
The €90 covers the boat, the captain, the tackle and the food.
Included:
There is nothing listed as excluded, which is unusual and worth noting, the price is the price.
We recommend this one because of who it works for: people who have never fished. That is not the usual pitch for a fishing trip, and it is the single most repeated point in the reviews.
A German guest put it directly, Kostas is attentive, helpful and patient, and that matters when you have people aboard fishing for the first time in their lives. Another German family called it recommended even for inexperienced anglers. A British couple reported their daughter Freya catching her first fish ever. If you have been put off booking because you would not know what to do with a rod, this is the trip that solves that.
The second thing is that it is genuinely a family operation. Kostas runs it with his daughter Katerina, the snack is cooked by his wife, and there is a dog on board that a French reviewer went out of their way to mention. A German visitor said it felt more like being out with friends than on a tour. Guide and transportation both score 4.9 out of 5.
Third, it is not only fishing. Reviewers describe three stops in four hours, snorkelling between them, and the captain explaining the species being caught. A Dutch family of four fished and snorkelled at three different locations. If half your group wants to swim rather than fish, they are catered for.
Two honest notes.
Value for money is the weakest dimension at 4.7 out of 5, which is still high, but €90 for four hours is a real price, and it reflects a small boat with few passengers rather than a bargain.
Weather decides the itinerary. The operator states that the captain chooses the route and the spot according to conditions on the day, so nothing about the route is fixed in advance.
Say you are a beginner, bring a towel, and come hungry.
The meeting point is Akti Nearchou 18 at the Agios Nikolaos marina. The trip runs 4 hours and the boat is the Monomahos.
Bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection. The captain has 30 years at sea and all fishing equipment is supplied, so there is nothing else to bring.
The trip runs 4 hours from the marina, covering fishing, a swim stop and a snack.
No, reviewers repeatedly describe it as suitable for complete beginners, including children catching their first fish.
All fishing equipment is included, along with a snack, water, a soft drink or coffee, and a beer or glass of local wine.
Yes, the boat stops in one of the bays for a swim, and reviewers commonly report snorkelling between fishing spots.
Into Mirabello Bay, the sheltered gulf around Agios Nikolaos, with the exact spots chosen by the captain on the day.
Captain Kostas, with 30 years at sea, working alongside his daughter Katerina, with the onboard snack cooked by his wife.
Check dates and prices for the Agios Nikolaos fishing trip.
This is a seated food tasting rather than a walking tour. Over 2 hours at the Faedra Beach restaurant at Ammoudara, just west of Agios Nikolaos, a host takes you through five Greek and Cretan dishes served as separate courses, opening with a shot of tsikoudia alongside Cretan rusks and fresh tomato. Kamaratos SA run it from €55, and vegetarian and vegan versions are available.
The evening is built around five dishes, each served and explained in turn.
First comes the welcome: tsikoudia, the Cretan grape spirit, poured with rusks and fresh tomato. Second comes the sequence of five plates drawn from the everyday Greek and Cretan repertoire, mezedes, casseroles, ladera and mageirefta, the slow-cooked dishes that Greek households actually eat. Named dishes on the list include fava, taramosalata, fasolakia and stuffed peppers, tomatoes, courgettes and aubergines. Third comes dessert, and the tasting closes there.
Wine is poured through the meal. The point of the format is breadth: five smaller plates cover more of the cuisine than one main course does, and the host explains the ingredients and the cooking method behind each.
The tasting stays in one place, on the coast west of the town.
The €55 covers the whole tasting at the table.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend this one for what it is, and we want to be exact about that, because the old page title on this site said walking tour and the experience is not one. You sit at a table by the sea for two hours and eat.
What earns it a place is the choice of dishes. Fava, taramosalata, fasolakia and stuffed vegetables are home cooking rather than taverna showpieces, the ladera and mageirefta that Greek families cook on ordinary weekdays and that most visitors never get a proper run through. Being talked through five of them in sequence, with the reasoning behind the ingredients, is a genuinely different thing from ordering mezedes off a menu.
The single review on record is a strong one. A German guest who took it in October 2023 wrote that their host Manos was great, that they learned a lot about Greek food philosophy, ingredients and culture, that the staff were very kind and that the food was very delicious.
That single review is also the caveat, and it is a real one.
One review is not evidence of consistency. Five stars from one guest tells you far less than four stars from two hundred, and this listing has no volume behind it. Treat the rating as a promising signal rather than a proven record.
The format is fixed, so check it suits you. There is no walking, no market visit and no cooking, if you want a tour of Agios Nikolaos on foot, this is not that, and if you want to cook, a cooking class is the right booking. Dietary requirements are worth flagging when you book, since the vegetarian and vegan versions are arranged rather than standing.
Confirm your dietary needs early, arrange your own transport, and pace the first shot.
The meeting point is the Faedra Beach resort at Ammoudara, west of Agios Nikolaos. The tasting runs 2 hours and seats you at the seafront restaurant for the whole of it.
Come hungry rather than after lunch, five courses plus dessert is a full meal, not a snack.
The tasting runs 2 hours, seated at one restaurant for the whole session.
No, it is a seated tasting at a seafront restaurant, with no walking element despite the older listing title.
Five Greek and Cretan dishes are served as separate courses, followed by dessert.
Both are available on request, so state your requirement at the time of booking.
Tsikoudia is the Cretan grape spirit poured as a welcome here, served alongside rusks and fresh tomato.
One review, rated five stars, from a German guest in October 2023, a small base to judge it on.
Check dates and prices for the Greek and Cretan food tasting in Agios Nikolaos.
Find below the list of hotels near Pahia Ammos beach:
Situated in Pachia Ammos and only 20 km from Lake Voulismeni, Thronos Aqua Appartment 1 features accommodation with sea views, free WiFi and free private parking. The property has mountain and pool views, and is 20 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa).
Boasting a Nintendo Wii, the apartment has a kitchen with an oven, a toaster and a fridge, a living room, a dining area, 2 bedrooms, and 1 bathroom with a shower. A flat-screen TV is available.
The apartment offers a terrace. Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool at Thronos Aqua Appartment 1.
Agios Nikolaos Port is 21 km from the accommodation. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 44 km from Thronos Aqua Appartment 1.
from
€113
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, mountain view and a patio, Außergewönliche Private Villa Meer, Berge, Pool Ostkreta is set in Pachia Ammos. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa with a terrace and sea views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the villa.
The villa offers an outdoor fireplace. Guests at Außergewönliche Private Villa Meer, Berge, Pool Ostkreta can enjoy fishing nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Lake Voulismeni is 20 km from the accommodation, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 45 km from Außergewönliche Private Villa Meer, Berge, Pool Ostkreta.
Located in Ierápetra, 25 km from Lake Voulismeni and 25 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa), Saint George House provides air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The property has garden views and is 26 km from Agios Nikolaos Port.
The holiday home 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 shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the holiday home.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the holiday home.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 46 km from Saint George House.
Elpida’s house is situated in Ierápetra, 26 km from Lake Voulismeni, 25 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa), and 27 km from Agios Nikolaos Port. This property offers access to a patio, free private parking and free WiFi.
The holiday home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views. The air-conditioned holiday home also features a seating area, washing machine and 2 bathrooms with free toiletries.
The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 39 km from the holiday home.
Situated in Kavoúsion, 25 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) and 26 km from Agios Nikolaos Port, Amelia offers air conditioning. The accommodation is 26 km from the Lake Voulismeni and has free WiFithroughout the property.
This apartment has 1 bedroom, a kitchenette with an oven and a fridge, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom fitted with a shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 39 km from the apartment.
from
€45
/night
Situated on a hillside with views over the beautiful Istron Bay or located at the entrance of Istron village, Istron Luxury Villas offers stylish accommodation with private swimming pool, free WiFi access and private parking. The beach lies within a short walk from the main property.
The fully equipped villas are elegantly furnished and decorated, creating a homely atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a refreshing dip in the private swimming pool, or soak up the sun on the terrace overlooking the sea. Some units are split level and some include a spa bath, while all villas include a microwave, a dishwasher and a flat screen satellite TV with DVD player.
Homemade Greek flavours can be enjoyed at the elegant setting of the on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner. Access to the facilities of the nearby Istron Bay Hotel, including a flood-lit court, a kid’s club and a number of bars and restaurants, is also provided to guests.
The centre of Istron Village lies within 700 metres from the property, while Agios Nikolaos Town is at a distance of 13 km. Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport is 72 km away.
from
€266
/night
Find below list of beaches near Pahia Ammos beach:
Kamini, situated near the renowned Minoan settlement of Gournia by Pahia Ammos, is an enchanting location composed of five sequential pebble beaches. Positioned north of the archaeological site, Kamini was most likely Gournia’s access point to the sea, explaining the presence of Minoan structures in the area, such as remnants of rooms, walls, and ship sheds or boathouses. The Gournia necropolis is also found in this area.
Kamini’s natural allure is as significant as its archaeological value. The coastline, adorned with limestone conglomerates and strikingly red soil, presents a stunning display of colors. The area boasts intriguing geological formations, sea caves, rock bridges, and five beaches speckled with fine or coarse pebbles. However, some of these beaches can be difficult to access.
Regrettably, the north winds often bring a disheartening amount of trash from across the Aegean Sea, littering the otherwise pristine landscape. This, coupled with the strong winds, tends to deter visitors. However, when the winds shift to the south, Kamini’s true splendor emerges, with turquoise and crystal-clear waters that truly are a sight to behold.
Agriomandra, a hidden gem of a beach, can be found 24km east of Agios Nikolaos, or alternatively, 3km west of Kavousi village and Tholos beach. This beach, hidden at the exit of the Agriomandra gorge, is only accessible by foot through the canyon. To reach the entrance to the gorge, follow a dirt road that cuts through the verdant meadows west of Kavoussi, known as Lakos Ambelion. A short, manageable trail from this point will bring you to the beach, about a 10-minute walk. Along the way, you’ll notice several petite caves nestled into the rocks, one of which is a stone-built church from the Byzantine era, dedicated to St. John the Theologian. As you continue on, you’ll come upon the stunning pebbly beach with its transparent green waters, tucked away between the protective arms of the gorge cliffs.
The seclusion of the beach, primarily due to its challenging access, makes it the perfect spot for privacy, nudism, and snorkelling. Tamarisk trees provide ample shade and the beach itself was first used as a port by the Venetians, with remnants of their buildings still visible today. In fact, until 1920, goods and animals were transported to Agios Nikolaos from this sheltered harbour due to the lack of roads. You’ll also notice the remains of a tax office and a well once used for water.
The name Agriomandra comes from the Greek words Agrios, meaning wild or savage, and mantra, meaning a pen for animals. The term mandra is often used in Crete to describe open spaces where animals were gathered for shipping. The beach’s alternate name, Agiomandra, is likely a nod to the church of St. John located in the gorge.
If you ever visit, consider a walk north along the steep shore to Tholos. After about 400m, you’ll come across the deserted Sykies beach, named for the fig trees that inhabit the area. Next, you’ll encounter the striking landscape of towering cliffs, reaching their peak height of 250m at the impressive Spathi cape, a locale known to the locals as the Sword of Homatas. Here, a rocky beach with crystal clear blue waters awaits, accessible only by boat. The cape is also accessible from Tholos, being in close proximity to both the Theriospilios Cave and the Chryssokamino ancient site.
Gournia, situated 17km east of Agios Nikolaos and just 2km west of Pachia Ammos, is renowned for its ancient Minoan town, built atop a small hill. Named after the stone and wooden troughs (‘urna’ in Venetian) found in the vicinity, the original Minoan name of the town remains a mystery.
Nearby, a brief 1km journey north of the archaeological site of Gournia, lies the secluded Frouzis beach. Accessible by car, it sits nestled within a rocky bay, featuring pebbly shores and zero commercial facilities. While the broader area boasts beautiful sea caves and natural rock pools, the beach tends to accumulate litter carried by sea currents. This is also the case for the neighbouring beach, which houses an abandoned camping site.
One of Crete’s most breathtaking natural pools is found near Gournia. This serene rock-bound pond offers an inviting swim, especially when the nearby sea is choppy. The vast cave next to it also provides a fascinating sight.
A trip to Gournia would not be complete without exploring the archaeological site to understand the layout of a small Minoan city. Having thrived in 1500BC, the city has been thoroughly excavated, revealing well-preserved walls, staircases, and streets. The city, centered around a hill housing a small palace, a market, and a temple, appears to have been destroyed by an earthquake around 1450BC, and it was completely abandoned by 1200BC. The Gournia cemetery was discovered in the Sfougaras region, near Kamini.
Just 1km east of Istron village lies a hidden gem nestled in a precipitous bay – Pilos beach. Though widely recognized as Istron Bay, in honour of the eponymous hotel perched on the bay’s rugged slopes, the beach is accessible to all through a pathway originating from the west of the hotel. No beaches in Greece are private. Pilos beach is characterized by its sandy stretch and serene blue waters, and offers facilities like umbrellas and a canteen (managed by the hotel) as well as a petite pier for boats.
To the east of Istron Bay, a tiny cove reveals three secluded beaches, reachable via a short walking path. These are known as the Vryonisi beaches, named after the small islet of Vryonisi (or Prasonisi) that appears just opposite the small bay.
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