Trafoulas beach

Located just 3km to the east of the coastal village of Lendas, and 77km to the south of Heraklion, you’ll find Loutra. Known to locals as the home of the Lendas port, it’s safeguarded on the eastern side by Cape Trafoulas. Adjacent to the harbour, there are several coves with sandy and rocky sea beds, perfect for snorkelling and fishing. Although it’s relatively unorganised and not overly busy, there are a few nearby restaurants and rental rooms. Before the construction of Lendas’ port, Loutra was a favourite amongst naturists, but these days they tend to feel less at ease here.

West of the main beach and detached from the harbour is a small beach known as “Pasiphae’s Baths” or Hammam. Legend has it that this beach was the bathing place of choice for females, led by Queen Pasiphae, wife of the mythical King of Knossos, Minos. Minos and his male counterparts, however, would typically be found at Trafoulas beach.

Close by Loutra, there’s the charming Panaghia (Virgin Mary) Vithanos chapel, which is uniquely built into a rock. According to local folklore, a shepherd found a Panaghia icon in the rocks above Loutra near the canyon. After the icon was stolen from a church in the Plain of Mesara and went missing, the shepherd re-discovered it in the same spot. To express their gratitude for this miracle, the shepherd and his companions decided to construct a church at this site. They were faced with the difficult task of bringing water up from the valley, a task made possible by Panaghia who created a spring from the barren rock. This is the reason the church’s icons depict Panaghia surrounded by water.

East Tsigounas, also known as Petrakis, is a serene beach situated 1km east of Lendas and 76km south of Heraklion on the foot of the rugged slopes of the Asterousia Mountains. The beach can be reached by car from Lendas via a road leading east to the local port. A section of it is referred to as Ostria, named after a small local hotel.

East Tsigounas is home to a quaint hamlet comprising 2-3 taverns with rooms and a handful of houses. The hamlet overlooks a lengthy beach adorned with beautiful round pebbles. Tamarisk trees line the beach, providing shade and an ideal spot for camping. Despite not being well-developed, the beach does offer a few umbrellas provided by the taverns.

Tripiti, also known as Trypiti, lies 73km south of Heraklion and 12km east of Lendas, nestled in a small plain near the exit of the gorge of Tripiti. Its name originates from the Panagia Tripiti church, nestled within a cave near the beach and the canyon exit.

Two unpaved paths lead to Tripiti. The first commences near Lendas harbour and stretches for 6km, leading east to Kroto’s village. At the crossroads, a turn to the right, past Cape Trafoulas, reveals stunning views of the authentic Cretan countryside before arriving at Tripiti. The second route starts from the village of Vassiliki in the Messara plain, accessible via the village of Agii Deka. This route traverses the untamed Asterousia Mountains, the Trypiti gorge, and the olive grove of Agios Savvas, replete with striking karstic formations.

Regardless of the route chosen, visitors are treated to dramatic landscapes, the tranquillity of the beach juxtaposed with the rugged mountainous terrain. Upon arrival, a serene beach with pebbly shores and clean, dark green waters await. Tamarisk trees, a stone’s throw from the shoreline, provide ideal camping spots.

Overlooking the beach, in the Kalokambos area, are the ruins of the Minoan settlement of Papouri. Small windows and doors suggest that dwarfs once inhabited the dwellings. The southern view of the Cretan Sea is simply breathtaking.

While Tripiti is not a developed beach, it has a small tavern and attracts a significant number of visitors in August. The only eyesore in the landscape is the illegally constructed rental rooms and the permanently stationed caravans by locals.

For those seeking solitude, especially in August, two nearby secluded beaches offer respite. Both beaches feature coarse sand and calm waters. The first, hidden at the base of Fylakas Cape, is a haven for nudists, with its green-blue waters and rocky seabed. The second, located about 1km to the west, is Vyzaroplaka beach, a small bay aside from the Trafoulas Peninsula, perfect for snorkelling and fishing.

Situated 74km south of Heraklion, on the southern fringes of the grand Asterousia Mountains, is the isolated seaside village of Lendas. This modestly designed tourist resort promises a serene vacation. The journey to Lendas, from Agii Deka near Mires town, via the village of Miamou, is via a narrow paved road that winds through the rough mountains, descending from an elevation of about 1000m to sea level, offering an awe-inspiring view of the Lendas sea.

The vicinity is scattered with beaches, popular among naturists. The beach in the village of Lendas, shielded on the east by Cape Psamidomouri and on the west by the renowned Cape Lion, was once the old port of Lendas, which has since been relocated to Loutra. This beach is the busiest in the area with basic amenities such as umbrellas, showers, sunbeds, and water sports. Beyond the beach, numerous taverns and rental rooms are available. The beach’s trademark is its ducks that wander freely. Additionally, the endangered loggerhead sea turtle lays its eggs on Lendas beach between May and September. For those seeking solitude, the secluded beaches of Dyskos and Loutra are ideal.

Lendas is established on the site of the ancient city Levina, a name believed to be derived from the Phoenician “Lavi” meaning Lion. A lion-like cape located west of the village supports this belief. Legend says this lion was one of the lions pulling goddess Rhea’s chariot and was turned into stone at this location. Another theory suggests the name originates from the Phoenician word “levina”, meaning white, describing the whitish hue of the local rocks. The modern name Lendas is derived from the Greek word “Leondas” meaning lion. This cape, also known as Lion, is an archaeological site that can be visited by a short 15-minute walk to its peak, where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of early Minoan graves and a settlement, which had ties with Egypt. The ancient city of Levina prospered in the Hellenistic and Roman era, serving as a port for Gortys, the most powerful town in Crete at the time.

East of Lentas, a spring with supposed healing properties can be found. Even today, studies suggest the water aids in healing stomach, blood, and bleeding disorders. Consequently, a massive temple dedicated to the divine doctor Asclepius and Hygeia Sotira was built in the 4th century AC. This temple gained fame as a center for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and psychiatry, attracting patients from distant places, such as Libya. Remnants of the temple, a Byzantine church dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologos, and Roman baths can still be found in the area. Levina was presumably abandoned in the 7th-8th century due to frequent pirate attacks.

East of the village, opposite the Psamidomouri Cape, a rock resembling a crouching elephant can be seen, with another beach formed opposite the rock. Further on, Cape Trafoulas bears a resemblance to a crocodile from Lendas. According to a local legend, Cleopatra once visited Lendas with her favorite animals, namely a lion, a crocodile, and an elephant. She was so enchanted by the place that she left her animals behind when she returned to Egypt. To this day, these “animals” remain there, patiently waiting for Cleopatra’s return.