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Here are some sandy bays away from prying eyes, while generally, the rocky bottom is maybe the richest on the island, attracting many fishermen from all over Crete. It is generally very windy and you will almost always see windsurfers. The west bay is called Tenda and is open to west winds and wavy, while the east is called Eligas and the sea surface is usually flat.
Get directions to Tenda bays
Tenda Bays is a relatively new beach that was opened to the public in the early 2000s.
The best time to visit Tenda Bays is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny.
Yes, Tenda Bays offers a variety of water sports activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides.
Yes, there is a designated area for swimming at Tenda Bays that is marked by buoys.
Yes, visitors are allowed to bring their own food and drinks to Tenda Bays. However, there are also several food and drink vendors available on the Tenda bays.
Yes, there is a small fee to enter Tenda Bays. The fee goes towards maintaining the Tenda bays and its facilities.
Yes, there are several nearby attractions to Tenda Bays such as the Tenda Wildlife Reserve and the Tenda Lighthouse.
The water colour of the Tenda bays is blue.
The Tenda bays has sand as its sand type.
The water at the Tenda bays is shallow.
The surface of the sea at the Tenda bays is usually wavy, but can also be calm.
No, the Tenda bays is usually quiet.
There are no facilities available at the Tenda bays.
The Tenda bays can be accessed via a paved road.
No, there is no other information available about the Tenda bays.
Find below list of things to do near Tenda bays:
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 Tenda bays:
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
Villa Amalia is nestled on Palekastro amidst olive groves. It features a courtyard with sun loungers and panoramic sea view. The family-run property offers self-contained units with private balcony and free WiFi throughout.
Each of the studios and apartments features a kitchenette and a private bathroom.
Guests can relax at the garden and enjoy the scenic view. Barbeque facilities are available for all guests to use.
Kouremenos Beach is an 1-minute drive away and it is ideal for windsurfing. Villa Amalia is 21 km from Sitia, and 6 km from the famous palm beach of Vai. The traditional village of Palekastro is just a 10-minute walk.
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.
Find below list of beaches near Tenda bays:
Situated at the northeasternmost end of Crete, Agios Isidoros lies 32km east of Sitia and 99km east of Agios Nikolaos. It’s positioned at the northernmost point of Cape Sidero, within the territory of Kyriamadi’s Military Naval Station. The area is known for its unique, rugged beauty, shaped by the influence of salt and wind.
Agios Isidoros’ hidden beach lies beneath the church and lighthouse of Saint Isidore, the namesake of Cape Sidero. The church was constructed near the ruins of a 14th-century temple, which is believed to have once been a convent. Underwater ruins of a 4th-century temple have also been discovered. The beach is small and dotted with rocks, forming a semicircular cove enclosed by rocky outcrops that create a slender strip of sea. It’s a perfect spot for solitude and fishing, as the surrounding waters are abundant with fish.
Due to its status as a naval base, access from the coast is restricted. Visitors can only access Saint Isidore on its feast day, February 4th. On this day, hundreds of people visit not just for religious reasons but also to collect the tasty local wild artichoke. You can also make a day trip to the Vai palm grove and Toplou Monastery during your visit.
Situated 96km to the east of Agios Nikolaos and 26km east of Sitia, just north of the renowned Vai palm forest, you’ll find Itanos. The name is derived from the ancient city Itanos, which was located in this region. Adjacent to the Itanos archaeological site, you’ll discover Erimoupolis, another name for the region, which stretches across three consecutive days. This offers you the unique opportunity to pair your visit to the archaeological site with a refreshing dip in the cool waters. Notably, a portion of ancient Itanos is submerged underwater, providing a singular snorkelling experience over the ruins.
Reaching this location requires you to drive to the archaeological site where you can park. From here, short trails lead to the local beaches. The first beach lies to the south of a small fort that once stood at the tip of a small peninsula, accessible via a path running alongside it. This unorganised and peaceful beach boasts white sand and calm waters. The picturesque scenery is enhanced by a sprinkling of palm trees offering shade.
Opposite the Itanos parking lot, you’ll find Erimoupolis’ second beach. This sandy beach, punctuated with rocks, is excellent for snorkelling and is shaded by several trees. The most stunning beach, however, is concealed behind the hill to the north of the parking area. This longest beach features stunning turquoise waters and fine sand. While it’s not organised, it has become quite popular among visitors.
Several small, secluded beaches dot the Kavo Sidero peninsula, starting from Analoukas. Mavros Kavos, also known as Hohlakia, is one such beach which can be reached via a dirt road. The beach is typically wavy and offers a sense of solitude. A bit further down, there’s another small bay, Magatzedes, which is also accessible by car. Heading west, you’ll find the beautiful bay of Atzikiari, located where the old fish tanks used to operate until 2016. It’s reachable through a dirt road. Lastly, at the base of Cape Aspro Mouri, you’ll find the remote cove of Aspro Avlaki. This cove is completely secluded since there are no surrounding roads.
Situated between the Vai palm forest and the historic Itanos beaches, you’ll find the secluded Voulismata beach. As the most remote beach in the region, it’s seldom visited due to its inaccessible nature – the only way to reach it is by a coastal walk, as no roads lead to it. The beach is characterized by its dense sand, a seabed strewn with rocks, and the deep blue of its waters.
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