Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, Sunrise is set in Palekastron. It features a terrace, sea views and free WiFithroughout the property.
There is a seating area and a kitchenette complete with a fridge and kitchenware.
Kouremenos Beach is 1.9 km from the apartment, while Chiona Beach is 2.3 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 19 km from Sunrise.
Find below list of things to do near Sunrise:
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.
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.
Find below list of beaches near Sunrise:
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.
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.
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!
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.
Find below list of gorges near Sunrise:
The Cretan countryside hides a remarkable secret – a petite gorge near the Toplou monastery, which is essentially a combination of two ravines that unite just before they meet the sea.
Despite its modest size, it harbors two significant marvels. The first is a quaint colony of Cretan date palm trees (Theophrastus palm trees). The second is a series of freshwater ponds that appear at the end of the gorge, near the sea. These springs are an extraordinary sight, especially considering the typically hot and arid climate of East Crete.
The Chochlakies or Karoumes Gorge is nestled in one of the most secluded regions of Crete, near Zakros. It collects water from the Flega stream flowing from the Chochlakies plain and discharges it into the ocean.
Beginning our journey, we first come across a magnificently restored watermill in the village of Chochlakies. We then enter the gorge, characterized by sparse vegetation and bare rocks, which extends to the stunning Karoumes beach. The gorge spans approximately 3.5 km and is water-filled for the majority of the winter. The trek, a segment of the European E4 footpath, typically lasts 1:30 hours. The journey along the stream is captivating, with the gorge’s towering rocks winding between the mountains.
Springtime unveils ponds and a wide array of flora. As we approach the exit, the towering walls open up to a small valley that transforms into a significant wetland, complete with a marsh during the winter. The surrounding area features wells and terraces from ancient crops, and remnants of Minoan structures are visible, the most notable being the ancient fortification situated on a hill above the gorge.
The stunning Kato Zakros Gorge, also known as the Gorge of the Dead, begins just a short distance from Ano Zakros, almost 100km southeast of the Agios Nikolaos church, and culminates at the picturesque Kato Zakros beach. The breathtaking landscape, historical significance, and easy access of the gorge draw numerous visitors each year. The path through the gorge is a segment of the renowned E4 European trail.
The gorge is incredibly beautiful, with towering walls that house large caves. Inside these caves, archaeologists have discovered tombs from the Minoan era that hold artifacts of significant archaeological value. This discovery led to the gorge and caves being dubbed “Gorge of the Dead” and “Caves of the Dead” respectively.
Visitors can park their cars in the Ano Zakros village and traverse the gorge, which takes approximately 2 hours to reach Kato Zakros. Here, you can relax on the beach and dine at the charming seaside village’s taverns. Don’t miss out on a visit to the nearby Minoan Palace of Zakros. A convenient bus service from Kato Zakros can take you back to Ano Zakros, saving you a return trek through the gorge.
The Katsounaki Gorge is situated in the arid region of Eastern Crete, to the east of the Xirokambos community. It is essentially a combination of three parallel gorges that converge before they reach the shoreline. These gorges serve as a water transportation system from the eastern portion of the Sitia mountains.
The river that flows through the gorge eventually leads to the Potamos beach, which is adjacent to the stunning sandy beach of Alona. Trekking through the canyon is a simple task and the scenery, with its towering walls, is truly untamed. An alternative option is to walk in the opposite direction starting from Alona.
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